Long haul flight essentials

A change of clothes for both of you. We travelled with ds and twice he piddled everywhere when I was changing him. He hardly ever did that before.
Nappies
wipes
stroller (for in the airport when you are waiting around)
Water bottle for you and drinking cup or whatever you use for your baby
change mat (you may have to change the baby somewhere that is a bit grotty).
Couple of little toys and books

I just travelled home from NZ on my own with my two boys so understand keeping stuff to a minimum!

Do you mean what will you need for the flight? Or for the trip in general?

For the flight:
Nappies - one for every hour you're in the air, plus one more is the number I work with!
Wipes
Hand sanitiser
Bonjela, pamol, any other meds your baby is taking. Make sure they're in <100ml bottles and take a couple of medicine syringes
Food - depending on where you're at with feeding you need any feeds/meals you would normally give during that time period. I would take one extra (solids) and maybe two extra milk feeds if you're bottle feeding.
When I travelled with one baby I found it easiest wearing him in my Ergo so my hands were free for other stuff. Then try having just one backpack or something you can wear across your body so you still have your hands free IYGWIM.
Spare clothes - one outfit change for you and at least two for baby.
Planes are cold so take socks!
And muslins/flat nappies
One or two small toys and any comfort items your baby likes
If your baby takes a dummy, put it on a chain/clip so it doesn't fall on the floor

As for while you're away.. anything you can't live without day-to-day TAKE IT or make sure there's one waiting for you when you arrived. We thought we'd be right without a rocker/bouncer for DS2 this trip but ended up buying the Lazy Ted when we had been in Wellington a week and were sick of having nowhere for him to be upright (DS2 has reflux and spews when he's lying down). We also started DS2 on solids while we were away and the LT was good for somewhere to feed him too.

Enjoy your trip!

I don't think I'll be breeding on the flight Richtea

Thanks for all the tips so far, I really appreciate it.

I wasn't quite sure how many nappies I'd need. Did you have many left over after your trip kiwisj?

And yes, I just wanted an idea of what to take on the flight as I will be staying with my parents and they are organsing to borrow a highchair and pram etc.

Lol, breeding. And I've got the giggles over taking "muslims" for baby too. Not sure they'd fit in your carryon! I've heard of these earplug things that you put in babies ears that stop them from experiencing the inner ear pressure thing that often makes under 2s cry inconsolably. Will go have a Goggle on the interweb for them.

My list would be:

Nappies and a big pack of wet wipes
Change Mat
AIO's
Front pack (a must!!)
A flannel wrap (to use in the baby basinet as a sheet)
Empty drink bottles
Teething ring / pamol (a must have!)

Saline solution for keeping the nasal passage "moist". If it hurts me I figure it must have been hurting DS.

Research the airport/s if you have a long transfer - Some airports have short term hotel rooms which was fantastic for us - showers and naps for all of us in comfort.

I'd also take a dummy even if Emily doesn't normally use one - The only times James has used them was when we were coming in for landing in Dubai and OZ - he normally spits it straight back out but for some reason decided he was going to suck..

ETA: I would also aim to put it all in one back pack to keep your hands free - but found that our follow passengers were extremely helpful!

Edited by DesSt

susyl I had maybe 2 nappies left from our 10hr flight (CHC-SIN) last week. I changed the boys into comfy clothes in the gate lounge before we boarded .. and then Daniel filled his nappy as I was getting organised before takeoff It is WAY better to take MORE nappies than you think you will need! We also seem to have more up-the-back explosions on flights hence needing plenty of changes of clothes.

Oops.. For all the spelling mistakes.. Was tired and rushing !

everything mentioned above plus a new book or two and a hand puppet. I kept the toys in an ice cream container
Oh and I also had those plastic nappy bags (for rubbish) so when I went to the toilet to change DD I carried the nappy/changemat/wipes in that rather than carry a whole bag. I think I took 6 nappies for each 12 hour flight (but had a 12 mth old). A couple of old school flats are a must for the seat and laps. The airlines are usually pretty good and often give you a bag of baby stuff too. Plus, when they are serving meals, if your little one is awake you can ask them to hold you your meal for later when they are sleeping

Edited by maysie

Thank you so much for all your tips, I'm finding them very helpful!

Does anybody know if infants have a carry on luggage allowance?

They definitely have the same check in baggage allowance, so I assume it's the same for cabin.