Flying to London heathrow with baby

I will absolutely. I could even join in the chase :) I helped care for a young man with 49xxxy syndrome. He was tall & always very busy. I managed through trial & error to find out he liked being read to. So we would sit down & I would read & read & read. Anything fishing books nursery rhymes the financial times ( not my choice) . He would put his head on the table & relax sometimes fall asleep. If my voice stopped instantly he would wake. His parents loved the idea that he could be calmed that way. Especialy if he was having a bad day. If he got sick I was sent for I took him to doctors / hospitals therapists/ dentists. I miss him & his parents, really lovely people. In conclusion I am obviously the person that can bore people to sleep with my voice. :cool:I really hope we run in to each other sooner or later. God bless you all.

Oh My gooness DesertRose !!!! What on earth..... I know this wont help now but isnt there a government body that this matter can be taken up with?? One that deals with equality for disabled people. How unbelievable short sighted & ridiculous that a person has to be in a wheelchair to be considered disabled. ( I with a partial hearing loss would have no hope) Well done you even in those absurd conditions you put your sons thoughts & feelings first. Ive worked with adults & kids with Austism & I loved it. Yes it was very trying at times. But every day I watched in amazement at their abilities. I often want to offer help to anyone traveling with a disabled person. But am afraid I may be seen as patronising which I would hate. ( So if I ever see you I will be the one smiling & wanting to help) I do regularly offer help to parents with kids men or women. They always appreciate it. I came to the ME through Heathrow once & also said never again. ( I wouldnt mind I was born & grew up not a stones throw away from it) Hello there :) , yes I've contacted the relevent government body as well as the folks who run the airport. Oh and if you ever see a middle aged blonde trotting after a 6'4" hunky version of tigger in an airport - its me and I hope you wave :D

Oh My gooness DesertRose !!!! What on earth..... I know this wont help now but isnt there a government body that this matter can be taken up with?? One that deals with equality for disabled people. How unbelievable short sighted & ridiculous that a person has to be in a wheelchair to be considered disabled. ( I with a partial hearing loss would have no hope) Well done you even in those absurd conditions you put your sons thoughts & feelings first. Ive worked with adults & kids with Austism & I loved it. Yes it was very trying at times. But every day I watched in amazement at their abilities. I often want to offer help to anyone traveling with a disabled person. But am afraid I may be seen as patronising which I would hate. ( So if I ever see you I will be the one smiling & wanting to help) I do regularly offer help to parents with kids men or women. They always appreciate it. I came to the ME through Heathrow once & also said never again. ( I wouldnt mind I was born & grew up not a stones throw away from it)

Heathrow airport doesnt even do anything to help people with special needs such as autism because its their belief that to be disabled and access disabled faclities such as easy access through a fast track queue that has about 150 in it due to security measures - you have to be in a wheelchair. I kid you not. It happened to us a fortnight ago when travelling with my son who's severly autistic. I was even offered a wheelchair for him - I was surprised they had any left to offer given the amount of grannies and grandads being pushed to the front of the queue because it would appear their adoring offspring thought - ah this will get their holiday off to a good start - a nice push through the airport in a wheel chair then a buggy JUST BECAUSE. And I do believe it was JUST BECAUSE in the majority of the cases. Anyway, after asking to use the special needs facilities I was told there was none except for those who are wheel chair bound. I wanted to ask does that mean 'bound' as in 'bound' up by your family and bunged in a chair JUST BECAUSE, or bound in the real sense as in really needing a chair. I refused the chair because I saw no reason why my son should be in one, he's autistic amongst other things and his legs work fine. He walks about 5kms a day, thats how fine they are. I also knew my son is aware enough to wonder about a wheelchair and I wasnt going to do it to him. Why should I make him more disabled than he actually is just to satisfy Heathrows lack of facilites for those with who have problems, but who's legs work. To make matters worse no-one around us said - on you go. Mind you that would have taken about 150 on you goes. So there was my son rocking back and forward and making his 'Im not very comfortable' noises and it was only when I said to the person manning the queue - I'm sure your discriminating against my son and his disability, that we were taken to the front of the queue. It worked in 10 seconds flat! I'm so appalled by what went on that I've contated the EHRC and asked them to investigate it. I've long since noticed the dearth of facilites in Heathrow for those who have special needs but it was the first time that all the steps we put in place when in the airport with our son failed on the day and we learned just exactly what it means to be disabled in Heathrow Airport. We're fortunte enough to be able to buy tickets that mean fast track but having experienced what we did I'm not surprised people who cant afford those tickets more often than not dont travel because of the problems they can face in the airport. It stinks. edited by DesertRose1958 on 22/10/2012 edited by DesertRose1958 on 22/10/2012

Not true, Sydney has assistance for elderly/infirm etc, I see them taking them through a separate line all the time. In some cases it might mean you need to ask the airline for MAAS- "Meet and Assist' to be noted on your booking. Someone will meet you at the door and take you through the process. To the poster whose son is autistic- you could possibly try this and explain the difficulty he has- e.g. afraid of crpwds/loud noises etc... if in an American airport, ask to see a Complaints Resolution Officer- they are trained to deal with those passengers and their families who have a disability and have any issue/trouble at the airport- whether that be from the side of the passengers, or the staff in trying to explain what they are/are not allowed to do (one common example is customer with diability has a preferred transfer to seat technique requiring crew assistance but which is not deemed safe for the crew- therefore the CRO is called to explain to the passenger why the crew cannot do it and try to find alternatives. As for crew saying no to holding babies, in some airlines it's policy, that crew do not hold children under any circumstance unless administering first aid/CPR, in others it is the prerogative of the crew member. If they say no, ask if it is airline policy, if not then ask if another would be willing to hold baby for you. Unfortunately, it is their right to say no if they feel uncomfortable. Sadly precedent has been set in the past when children were held by non-family and got injured... then the crew were in worlds of trouble despite it not being intentional. HTH

When you check in you ask for the buggy to be stickered "Immediate Delivery" and they do that. This means you can take your buggy right up to the gate then give it up at the last minute. Then when you land wait until everyone else has gotten off the plane and then you get off and it will be there! There may of course be some airlines with different policiec but most do this. It was always there for me and I travelled with a buggy for years.

Beg, plead, cry if you have to - whether the buggy makes it into the cabin is up to the crew on the day. Obviously if they have ten infants and ten parents wanting buggies onboard it's a hard one but if there are only a couple, there should be space somewhere. We have a Bugaboo Bee and, folded up, it fits in the overhead locker. I've lost count of the number of times I've been told 'No way' and after a minor breakdown I've miraculously been allowed to bring it onboard. Sadly, some crew seem to enjoy being able to say no :(. But then some will do all they can to help you and are lovely :). edited by DubaiCat on 22/10/2012 same here,i just brace myself for hearing no no no no no. BTW mine is an aircraft specific stroller, thats why I bought it based on reviews, and I DON'T take carry on for myself, just a purse so sorry, I am in no mood to hear 'NO' when I see everyone else push and charge past me with handluggage the same size. If i've had common sense, and been considerate enough to only take a purse, they can be considerate enough to see although I have 'apparent' right for hand luggage, I didn't pack any, so the stroller can go on. I'm not kidding, this thing is tiny tiny tiny. Yes, so errrr, meltdowns have been the norm. Anyway, just to say, in my long winded way, prepare yourself, be in the know, keep calm, and it'll be ok. Just don't expect anyone to help you. Once, I needed the loo so bad, I asked the air steward if she could hold my baby, she said no, I got so upset on that flight, had tears running down me, and was trying hard to hide my face and desperate for the loo too. I've been there, its been hard, but you make it through and it will all be fine. I say, the only thing you need to pack is confidence and patience. also to add, I agree Flydiver - Arab and Asian airports, gosh, been a pleasure and a breeze for me. Assistance from the aircrafts, airlines, airports and random people helping me no end. However, when you need to go back home, you just have to go with that mindset of not expecting any help. Doing what you can to make your own travel easy and painfree.

I travelled this summer To heathrow , we travelled with Ba and we were able to take pram upto aircraft, then ready for us when we got of plane.

I feel for you all travelling with children, as I often do it myself. Heathrow is not the only airport like that. I have recently been to Sydney, Houston and New York, and with hundreds of passengers in the queue (which took well over an hour to get through, Houston was closer to three hours), with no assistance for families, the elderly or mothers with infants. Asian and Arab countries are much more considerate towards families. If all the parents helped each other just a little bit, imagine how much nicer travel would be. Also please keep in mind that my last Heathrow flight had 82 children and 19 infants onboard. I go as far as possible to help mothers when ever I can, however sometimes you have to help yourself. (Note that strollers were not available at the gate in LHR) Invest in a small folding stroller such as a zapp or macclarean. Seriously.... Do you need our bugaboo or quinny on holidays? If you are going to be staying with family or friends for an extended period of time, and cant live without a larger buggy, you could even buy one on eBay and sell it when you leave, and use the small one to and from the airport. Just a thought. edited by flydiver11 on 22/10/2012 <em>edited by flydiver11 on 22/10/2012</em>

Heathrow airport doesnt even do anything to help people with special needs such as autism because its their belief that to be disabled and access disabled faclities such as easy access through a fast track queue that has about 150 in it due to security measures - you have to be in a wheelchair. I kid you not. It happened to us a fortnight ago when travelling with my son who's severly autistic. I was even offered a wheelchair for him - I was surprised they had any left to offer given the amount of grannies and grandads being pushed to the front of the queue because it would appear their adoring offspring thought - ah this will get their holiday off to a good start - a nice push through the airport in a wheel chair then a buggy JUST BECAUSE. And I do believe it was JUST BECAUSE in the majority of the cases. Anyway, after asking to use the special needs facilities I was told there was none except for those who are wheel chair bound. I wanted to ask does that mean 'bound' as in 'bound' up by your family and bunged in a chair JUST BECAUSE, or bound in the real sense as in really needing a chair. I refused the chair because I saw no reason why my son should be in one, he's autistic amongst other things and his legs work fine. He walks about 5kms a day, thats how fine they are. I also knew my son is aware enough to wonder about a wheelchair and I wasnt going to do it to him. Why should I make him more disabled than he actually is just to satisfy Heathrows lack of facilites for those with who have problems, but who's legs work. To make matters worse no-one around us said - on you go. Mind you that would have taken about 150 on you goes. So there was my son rocking back and forward and making his 'Im not very comfortable' noises and it was only when I said to the person manning the queue - I'm sure your discriminating against my son and his disability, that we were taken to the front of the queue. It worked in 10 seconds flat! I'm so appalled by what went on that I've contated the EHRC and asked them to investigate it. I've long since noticed the dearth of facilites in Heathrow for those who have special needs but it was the first time that all the steps we put in place when in the airport with our son failed on the day and we learned just exactly what it means to be disabled in Heathrow Airport. We're fortunte enough to be able to buy tickets that mean fast track but having experienced what we did I'm not surprised people who cant afford those tickets more often than not dont travel because of the problems they can face in the airport. It stinks. edited by DesertRose1958 on 22/10/2012 <em>edited by DesertRose1958 on 22/10/2012</em>

I always offer to help a stressed Mum travelling with little ones as I'm a Gran now but I've done the travelling alone with little ones myself. Last flight I took, I looked after a little one whilst the Mum ate her dinner. I showed her my iPad and photos of my grandchildren etc. the Mum managed to change her baby's nappy and feed him whilst I looked after the other one. Come on everyone, we were all babies once, help out your fellow passengers. Firsthan, take me with you, I'll be your personal nanny.

Beg, plead, cry if you have to - whether the buggy makes it into the cabin is up to the crew on the day. Obviously if they have ten infants and ten parents wanting buggies onboard it's a hard one but if there are only a couple, there should be space somewhere. We have a Bugaboo Bee and, folded up, it fits in the overhead locker. I've lost count of the number of times I've been told 'No way' and after a minor breakdown I've miraculously been allowed to bring it onboard. Just as an aside, I used to be crew myself so I know how hard it is to find space for everything when some passengers get confused between 'hand luggage' and 'cargo for a small village'. I know how hard it is to please everybody when everybody thinks their need is the greatest. But now I also know how hard it is to juggle baby, toddler and bags and I know what a difference having your buggy makes. Sadly, some crew seem to enjoy being able to say no :(. But then some will do all they can to help you and are lovely :). <em>edited by DubaiCat on 22/10/2012</em>

Heathrow will never ever bring buggies to the door anymore. It's ridiculous because they then don't provide a buggy service at Heathrow. It depends which airline you are flying with and what sort of buggy you have. If it is a quiet flight and its a fold up buggy then you might just MIGHT find a nice stewardess who will put it in the hatrack for you.A couple on a flight of mine recently didn't get the buggy tagged and assumed we could put it in the hatrack so just left it at the door for us. The groundstaff told me just to leave it at Heathrow I was like eh no I'll find a space for it. So make sure your buggy is tagged just in case. This sounds a bit extreme but I would avoid Heathrow if you can when you have kids, its just such a long walk without a buggy or many willing people to help you

I have to agree. Heathrow was the most unfriendly, unhelpful airport I have been to whith regards to flying with a baby. I had a 3 hour layover there last year and was assured I'd get my buggy back at the door. I had an 8 month old heavy baby and hand luggage. I was angrily told "nobody gets their buggy back" when we landed and I'd stood there like a lemon for 10 mins. When we got to passport control a lady said I could have a BA buggy and I was sent on a wild goose chase to get one that didn't exist! Still carrying baggage and baby. When we got to the baggage scan the Q was massive. In most airports I've been to someone usually takes pity on you and fast tracks you- not at heathrow. They stood and watched me struggle with a wriggling, crying baby while I tried my best to empty the liquids out my bag. Then I had to open and taste cartons of milk. I finally thought I could just sit down at the departure gate and rest my arms for a sec. Not at heathrow. I had to get on a train to get to te gate with baggage and baby an still no buggy. As a result I will NEVER travel through heathrow again! You didn't miss anything by not getting a BA buggy, I got one once but only because I burst into tears and refused to move until I got some help (BA had decided in their wisdom to put my buggy into the hold due to no space whereas other people got buggy & car seat & oversized luggage onboard - grr). The buggy had wheels that didn't turn so if you had to move in any direction except for forward you had to physically pick up buggy with baby and position it.

Completely agreed Daza...I have stood there with a small baby a 4 year old and hand luggage, with people just watching me. The worst is I then have to lug off the baggage carousel my two 25kg bags, whilst holding my baby in one arm and trying to physically pull my suitcase with the others, all the time keeping an eye on my 4 year old to make sure that nobody tries to abduct her! The other passengers literally just stand there watching me - it drives me insane!! I'm not playing damsel in distress, but seriously what happened to good manners and helping people out?!?! I found that in London quite a few people were very helpful, one of the employees on Paddington insisted he'd carry my suitcase down the stairs, don't remember needing any help on Heathrow though (don't have kids). Shame to see people don't have any sense of courtesy anymore..

http://www.heathrowairport.com/heathrow-airport-guide/services-and-facilities A - Z of Heathrow Airport services

Completely agreed Daza...I have stood there with a small baby a 4 year old and hand luggage, with people just watching me. The worst is I then have to lug off the baggage carousel my two 25kg bags, whilst holding my baby in one arm and trying to physically pull my suitcase with the others, all the time keeping an eye on my 4 year old to make sure that nobody tries to abduct her! The other passengers literally just stand there watching me - it drives me insane!! I'm not playing damsel in distress, but seriously what happened to good manners and helping people out?!?!

I have no advise to give, but I really feel for the moms traveling alone with kids! All this luggage, toys, babies, toddlers... I make sure I offer to help those moms, especially in airports like Doha where you have to get on a bus. Apart from the airport and airline staff, passengers can try to be a bit more helpful towards each other! Good for you Marroosh. In every other airport I've been too I've always found it heart warming how helpful other passengers are. Not sure what it is about Heathrow that turns people in to monsters!

I have no advise to give, but I really feel for the moms traveling alone with kids! All this luggage, toys, babies, toddlers... I make sure I offer to help those moms, especially in airports like Doha where you have to get on a bus. Apart from the airport and airline staff, passengers can try to be a bit more helpful towards each other!

Sorry OP, just realised how unhelpful my post was! My advice would be to try to organise assistance but don't rely on it happening. Take as little hand luggage as you can so you can still manage if you have to carry your baby. You'll be fine. Yea, sorry OP!! Aren't we all just so positive! :) so... don't take pumped milk :) Have SEALED formula if needed, will save you some time and frustration at security!

Sorry OP, just realised how unhelpful my post was! My advice would be to try to organise assistance but don't rely on it happening. Take as little hand luggage as you can so you can still manage if you have to carry your baby. You'll be fine.

I'm all for tight airport security but Heathrow drives me crazy; we have to go through security again to switch planes even though we never exited the secured area and this time they made us taste every pumped bottle of breastmilk we had! They wanted us to feed baby, who was finally asleep, not seeing that opening each bottle, adding a nipple, and having baby suck would then add bacteria in and have to be thrown out... we convinced them that my husband would taste it. But seriously, each bottle?? Ridiculous.

Totally agree notheragain, I had an awful experience at Heathrow travelling with a toddler when I was pregnant. I now avoid it at all costs. It's not just the staff either, not a single other passenger offered to help.

Not sure if its across the board or which airports this applies to but BA now offer a delivery to door option on buggy's. I used this when returning this summer, I was advised it was a new service they offer. Waited a while at the door but they were all delivered safely.

I have to agree. Heathrow was the most unfriendly, unhelpful airport I have been to whith regards to flying with a baby. I had a 3 hour layover there last year and was assured I'd get my buggy back at the door. I had an 8 month old heavy baby and hand luggage. I was angrily told "nobody gets their buggy back" when we landed and I'd stood there like a lemon for 10 mins. When we got to passport control a lady said I could have a BA buggy and I was sent on a wild goose chase to get one that didn't exist! Still carrying baggage and baby. When we got to the baggage scan the Q was massive. In most airports I've been to someone usually takes pity on you and fast tracks you- not at heathrow. They stood and watched me struggle with a wriggling, crying baby while I tried my best to empty the liquids out my bag. Then I had to open and taste cartons of milk. I finally thought I could just sit down at the departure gate and rest my arms for a sec. Not at heathrow. I had to get on a train to get to te gate with baggage and baby an still no buggy. As a result I will NEVER travel through heathrow again!

LOL. DD - that made me laugh as well!

Firasha, I was in this situation when travelling with all three of my LOs a while back - call emirates (or whomever you are flying with) and get them to book assistance at heathrow, they will zip you from the gate to passport control on one of those nifty buggies. Much easier than juggling everything - i literally couldnt carry my two plus hold another hand and luggage - and you never know what mood theyll be in! I think you need to call the UK emirates office to arrange? HTH

Sorry, I know it's a typo, but LMAO at the thought of D[b'>H[/b'> being held by lady in loo cos there was nowhere else to put him :D

Unless things have changed I think it depends entirely on staff on the plane that day. Sometimes mine would get put in overhead locker, sometimes it would be put in the hold but be waiting for me at the other end, I used to ask the hostess on handing it over and then shortly before landing if it would be there......other times (but they were few! it was there more often than it wasn't) it would not be there and I would have to transit without it and then collect after next flight. I got 'stuck' in Heathrow transitting with a toddler and a 6 month old once. NOT one person helped me or even gave up a seat on the bus between terminals. I had baby in a Baby Bjorn, carrying toddler and all my handluggage. Going to loo was a nightmare as nowhere to put DH. i had to accost a friendly looking lady in the loo and ask her to hold my DH. For my return journey that time - I called ahead and said I required assistance at Heathrow and they got a buggy and little man waiting for me which was great. You could perhaps try that option - I think I said i had a bad back or something. Good luck! It will work out.