10 things you cannot miss when you are with your baby in the air

For those who follow our blog will have read that Aedan has successfully taken his first flight experience which is an adventurous 17hrs flight from Singapore -> Zurich -> Israel!

I'm going to share the list of items which we had brought on board and hope that this information will be useful to parents who plan to travel with your babies.

My checklist:

1. Diaper changing mat 

This is necessary as the changing table in the airplane is hard & cold which is not comfortable for baby to laid on. It will be better if you bring along a cushioned changing mat to put on top. 

2. Nursing cover

It is useful to nurse your baby during take-off and landing to reduce the pressure in baby's ears.

3. Baby carrier/sling 

There will be times when you need to carry your baby and walk around the airplane when your baby refuses to sleep or sit on your lap. It will be easier to put him/her in a carrier/sling. 

4. Carrier sling bag

If you are bringing your carrier along, it is good to bring a carrier sling bag to keep your carrier when you are not using it. 

5. Favourite toys + teethers 

This is important. There will be times when your baby fusses and his/her favourite toys can help to distract and calm him/her down.

6. Diapers + Wet wipes + Diaper cream + Ruyi oil 

Bring more diapers (at least 8-10). It is better to prepare more than having not enough. It is also to be prepared for unforeseen delay in flight. 

7. Blanket + Sweater + Socks 

It is cold when we are in the air so prepare blanket, sweater and socks for your baby. 

8. Extra warm clothes 

Needless to explain, extra clothes for changing. 

9. Baby lotion + Baby lip balm 

The air in the plane is dry so it is good to prepare baby moisturiser & lip balm for your baby.

10. Zip-loc bags/ plastic bags

This is used to keep your baby's soiled clothing. 

Aedan is fully on breastmilk so I did not bring any milk bottles, warm water and milk powder.

#mommydiary


Have fun flying!
Twentysixoctober

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Singaporean mom living in Israel: Traveling from Singapore to Israel

Twentysixoctober has moved to Israel!

Many readers told me that they are interested to know more about Israel so I'm starting a diary to record my life in Israel: Life in Israel.

Here's my first post in this diary!

On 6 March, 11pm (Singapore time), we arrived at Changi airport with 70kg worth of luggages.

Yes these were all that we brought for our one and a half year stay in Israel.

We checked in at the airport early as we were allocated different seats when we checked online.
It's a long story... We had called SQ prior to reserve 2 bassinet seats next to each other. Their staff assured us that it was done and confirmed. But disappointingly when we checked online 48 hrs before our flight, we were not placed next to each other. 

Don't feel like repeating this unpleasant story again.

So we checked in early and requested for a change in our seats. Fortunately, they helped us to change our seats to be next to each other. I could not imagine how inconvenient it will be if we were not seated next to each other.

We heaved a sign of relief when we finally got our boarding pass. After we settled the important things, we went to relax at the SATS premier lounge!

Took a few photos of Aedan posing with his passport.

A photo before take off. Happily seated next to each other! :)


Our 12hrs flight from Singapore to Zurich was exhausting.
Right after we got to our seats, we were given an additional seat belt for my baby which was to attached to my seat belt. I had to put him on my lap during take off/landing and whenever the seat belt sign turned on. I heed the advice from other mommies to nurse Aedan during take off and landing to reduce his ear pressure. It did help during the take off but it was unsuccessful during landing as Aedan was already full and refused to latch on...
After the flight took off, we were given a bassinet. Frankly, the bassinet was not useful as when had to carry him whenever he fussed. And there were many times that the fasten seat belt sign appeared just mins after we finally made him fell asleep in the bassinet. (It was really frustrating that we had to carry him out from the bassinet whenever the seat belt sign appeared.)
A way to calm Aedan down during the flight was to carry him and walk around in the airplane so I will recommend parents to bring along their baby carrier. During our flight we had our meals served at different time and we took turns to eat while the other carried him. Though it was tiring, we were glad that we made it and it is definitely a memorable experience.

During our transit in Zurich, we visited their family service area which is located inside the check in area for family with kids to rest and play while waiting for their next flight.

Their family service area is awesome with lots of activities for kids of all ages, cosy seating area for parents and also a very clean diaper changing area (the cleanest one I've ever seen!)

On our flight from Zurich to Israel, we met a mommy who was traveling with her 5 months old baby by herself from Zurich to Israel.
She told us that she is an Israeli who has moved to Switzerland with her hubby and flies frequently back to her hometown.
I could feel her patriotism as she spoke good words of her country. She told us Israelis love babies and there are many baby activities in Israel. Yay!! that's good news for Aedan.
She even offered to exchange contact numbers and told us to contact her if we need any help.
I have started to like Israel even before reaching the country.

Arrival time in Israel: 2.45pm, 7 March
Singapore time: 8.45pm, 7 March

We survived 17 hrs of flight and landed safely on the holy land of Israel, the place where we are going to spend our next one and a half year.

This was the scene captured while waiting at the customs.

There were so many people visiting this country! My hubby mentioned that it wasn't so packed last time when he was here.

After arriving at the airport, we went straight to collect our rental car which my hubby reserved. I waited for about an hour for my hubby to settle the paper work. My first time experience of their efficiency.

Man with black hat, black suit, white shirt and long curly side burn. We saw many people dressed like this in the airport. I later realised that they are known as ultra-orthodox - the most religiously authentic group of Jews who practice religious teaching. 

This white car will bring us to places in Israel!

We took another 2hrs drive from airport to our new home in Haifa which is the 3rd largest city in Israel. According to my hubby, Haifa is the city for work and study so it is a peaceful town with not much activities. But he promised to bring me to tour around other part of Israel.

Israel time: 8pm, 7 March
Singapore time: 2am, 8 March

Yes! Finally we arrived at our home sweet home in Israel. It is small cosy apartment with one bed room and toilet.

We were exhausted when we unloaded our luggages! After 17 hrs flight and 2 hrs drive, we finally made it to our new place.
Glad that we are safe and all went well.

That's it for today and I'm going to blog more about my other days in other posts.

Do follow Twentysixoctober Facebook page for more stories.

Have fun reading,
Twentysixoctober 

Aedan 1st taste of solid food. Review of Philips Avent Steamer Blender

Another milestone! Aedan has tried his first solid food when he reached 6 months. It was an exciting experience for Mommy and baby.

I had made Aedan's first solid food using Philips Avent Steamer Blender which is a gift from Aedan's 大伯.

Unboxing of Avent Steamer Blender!

What's contained inside?

1. Step-by-step guidebook 
2. Recipe booklet
3. Instruction booklet 
4. Warranty 
5. Steamer Blender 
6. A measuring cup
7. A spatula 

How to use? 

It is a 2-in-1 steamer cum blender which Mommy can used to made purée for baby. It's really simple to use.

steam > flip -> blend all in one.

1. 1. Throw the cut fruits or vegetables inside. 
2. Add water into the side of the steamer. The amount depends on the type of fruits or vegetables which you are going to steam. There is a list of approximate steaming time for different types of food on their instruction booklet.


3. Turn the dot to the left which will turn on the steaming function
4. Monitor the time and wait for the food to be steamed.
5. Turn the dot to the middle to stop steaming
6. Flip the container upside down
7. Turn the dot to the right to start the blending function. Turn on 3-5 times depending on how fine you want the content to be.
8. And it's ready to be served in a bowl! 

I have used it to make all types of purée!

Sweet potatoes, apple, banana ...

Sweet potatoes purée!

Apple & banana swirl. Though it don't look very appealing, it tastes really yummy! 

Pumpkin soup with only pumpkin! 

Apple purée 

Avocado purée 

You can add water or milk inside the container after steaming if you want the purée to be more watery.

My verdict

- It is really easy to use.

- They provide useful receipts and step by step guide in making purée and other baby's foods.


- you only need to wash one container instead of washing a steaming pot plus blender if you are to steam and blend separately.

- One disadvantage: when I first started using it, the cover was quite hard to push open. I need to use it for awhile to loosen it.

You can get it from Kiddy palace, Isetan, Robinson or BHG. It costs about $158.




Happy cooking,
Twentysixoctober

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Happy Vday 2016!

As we became parents, everyday life revolves around taking care of our little one and the essentials. There is less and less romance. 

This Vday got me to think about the importance of us keeping the romance as a married couple.

Especially now that we have kid, it's easy for us to forget about doing sweet things for our partner. 

I start to think it will be sad if we live by 365 days with no romance. 

Vday is a day where we can try to do something sweet and romantic for each other. I don't need everyday to be romantic but at least once and hopefully more than once a year. 

I'm happy that this year we celebrated our Vday by having a very sweet (sugar overdosed) high tea at Sheraton Tower with our little Aedan. 

I hope we will remember to celebrate every year till we are 100 years old. 

- Twentysixoctober

Review: Baby carrier sling bag from Mamacat

So happy to finally receive my goodies from Mamacat!

Ever since I started using my baby carrier when Aedan was one month old, I have been looking for a bag to store my baby carrier.

It was inconvenient that whenever I carried Aedan out of the carrier, I'll have to leave the carrier hanging on me as I couldn't find a place to keep it.

While browsing through Mamacat Facebook page, I saw their baby carrier sling bag which can fit most soft structured carriers perfectly!


I was thrilled & immediately messaged them on Facebook to order one!

Price: $30 for standard fabrics & $38 for premium fabrics.

Postage charges: $1.50 for normal mail & $3.80 for smartpac post

What do I like about Mamacat's baby carrier sling bag?

1. They have a wide variety with over hundreds of design fabrics to choose from.

2. Their sling bags can fit most soft structured carriers such as Tula, Lenny Lamb, Kinderpack, Manduca, Ergo, Beco, Bjorn, Prognae and Boba.

3. They even custom-make for hipseat carriers.

4. The sling bag is made with very good workmanship.

5. The owner is very friendly and replied to my Facebook message within 24 hrs.

Unwrapping Time!

All Mamacat items are sewed with their logo.

Besides the carrier sling bag, I also like their drawstring treasure bag and toy strap!

I found it inconvenient to dig out my wallet and handphone from my backpack while carrying Aedan and so I usually hold them on my hand.

Now with this treasure bag, I can use it to keep my wallet and handphone and simply sling it on my wrist! 

"I like my red toy strap!"

It's Giveaway Time again!! 

Mamcat is sponsoring a baby carrier sling bag ($38), a drawstring treasure bag ($15) and 2 pacifier straps ($7 each) to our readers!

Hop over to Twentysixoctober Facebook page for details! 

https://www.facebook.com/twentysixoctoberblog/posts/442182829304016:0

To find out more about the owner,

read The Story of Mamacat here.


xoxo,
Twentysixoctober
Disclosure: Complimentary drawstring treasure bag and toy strap are received for review purpose. There is no monetary compensation and all opinions are my own.

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