Super mom — 11 month baby on a long haul flight

When I took my baby to China, he was 9.5 months old.  Here is the link: Super mom — 9 month baby on a long haul flight

When we travelled back to Finland, he was 11.5 months old.

ATTENTION: our returning trip was a daytime flight, with 9:20 AM take-off!  If possible, better to avoid daytime long-haul flight when traveling with a baby.

Some facts about the airline and the aircraft

Shanghai (PVG) – Helsinki (HEL), 10 hours
Finnair.  A350-900, similar, or almost the same as A350-XWB, in terms of cabin layout.  Again, there is only one baby cot seat, which is 41H (Row 41 is an exit row).  This time, this seat was booked by somebody without a baby.  And there were at least three babies on board.  But anyway, there were plenty of empty seats!  I took three seats in the middle.

ATTENTION: the advantage of non-exit row seats is that the carryon bag could be stored under the seats in front.  In this way, everything is easily accessible while taking care of the baby.

Shanghai terminal T2, check in

The check in process was pleasant.  They did not care about the 2 kg over-weight.  Plus, they provided a big bag for our stroller.

At the custom, we went to the baby priority line, so it was fast.  At the safety check point, there was no priority lines.  But they were nice, and they offered to hold my baby while I was arranging belongings.

The Gate is close by.  I really appreciated that.

Welcome aboard

During the long taxing, my baby did poopoo.  We couldn’t go to the lavatory, and I had to feed him.  Maybe he was not that hungry, he stopped drinking before take-off.  When the plane was stable, we went to the lavatory.  He cried really hard!  He didn’t like it at all!  But I had to do it!  After several trails, I succeeded, barely.  Luckily it was not a huge mess. Then we went back to seat, and continued feeding.  He slept!  Fortunately, they started to serve lunch.  And I was able to finish it before he woke up.  Yes, he slept for only 40 minutes, as he always do.  Still about 8 hours to Helsinki!

We started to play toys.  Snacks.  Milk.  Play.  Walk.  Round and round.  I rocked him to sleep, but I failed to put him down.  Then we went back to our round.  I tried walking and feeding for many times, but he didn’t cooperate.  About 3.5 hours to landing, he finally slept.  He was waken up by other baby’s cry. Still 2 hours 20 minutes to go!  I gave him some food, and he was a good boy.  For whatever reason, he refused to drink milk.  About 1.5 hours to Helsinki, dinner was served.  I had to pass.  So it was good that I ate a little snacks while he was sleeping.  We kept playing, walking, and talking to people.  He did poopoo again!  Omg!  This time he did a mess in the restroom.  I felt lucky that I prepared enough wet tissues.  When I took him out of the restroom, I was afraid of looking at people, because my baby cried really hard in the restroom.

During descending and landing, he still refused to drink milk.  So I had to give him veggies bag and water.  His ears seemed uncomfortable, but he didn’t complain at all.  There was a baby kept crying during landing.  In fact, my ears were also quite uncomfortable.  Everything after landing was fast and easy.  I mean, he had enough distractions from people collecting their belongings.

Helsinki airport

After exiting the plane, we walked for quite a bit.  Interestingly, I saw more people going for the flight connection.  There was no line at the custom, at all.  Then, luggage claim.  I asked an airport officer to help.  After exiting the baggage claim place, D was waiting for us.

 

So, I survived from two long-haul flights with my less than 1 year old baby.

Did I mention that Finnair gave gift to every baby?  It’s an activity book, and a small Moomin towel.  What a sweet touch.

 

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Super mom — 9 month baby on a long haul flight

I did not know that I would do the same thing – taking a long distance travel with a baby all by myself.  I did not know that I could do it.

Some facts about the airline and the aircraft

Helsinki (HEL) – Shanghai (PVG)
Finnair.  A350 XWB, a new and beautiful aircraft.
There is only one baby cot seat, which is 41H (Row 41 is an exit row). The baby cot can accommodate a baby weighting up to 11 kg (although Finnair website says 9 kg).  Length is unknown, but my 72cm baby could fit in. The baby cot is mounted once the seatbelt sign has been turned off.
There are two seats beside 41H. And the arm between those two seats can be lifted. If the plane is not fully booked, the airline typically blocks all three seats for the mom.
There are four restrooms in front of Row 41,so it is a bit noisy. But where else is not?

Finnair A350 baby cot

Finnair A350 baby cot

Helsinki airport terminal T2

I put my baby into the baby-carrier, and went to the family gate at the security check.  After taking out all liquid products and cell phone, I took my baby out, because I had to carry the baby to go through the security gate.  Unopened baby food is fine.  Even water is OK.  After the security check, I saw a high chair, so I let him sit there while I was collecting belongings.  What if the baby cannot sit? I feel there has to be some sort of assistance.

Our gate is 53. What a long walk! The passport control is around gate 30, meaning gate 32-60 are for flights that exit the Schengen region.  There are two lines, one for EU passport holders, and the other for all (other) passport holders.  Of course the latter is longer.  We waited for about 20 minutes.  The officer needs to see passport, residence permit, airline ticket, and face.  The officer was nice and quick.  After the passport control, it’s still a long walk to gate 53.  Very long walk.

HEL airport terminal T2

When I finally reached gate 50, it was already the boarding time.  Anyway, I saw a changing station, and took advantage of it.  God knows where the next one will be.  So diaper was changed, we were ready to board!  Gate 53!  People were already in the line.  However, thanks to the baby, I could directly go to the priority line. For boarding, they check both the ticket and the passport.

HEL airport changing station

Welcome aboard

A350 is beautiful!  Inside is elegant and spacious.  I settled down to 41H, the only front row seat that can have a baby cot mounted on the wall.  One Chinese flight attendant helped me to watch the baby, so that I could store my carryon bag in the overhead bin.  It was then I noticed that the arm between the two seats beside me could be lifted.  Apparently those two seats were not taken.  Most likely they were blocked out by flight attendants for my convenience.  I got a baby cot and three front row seats!  Can’t be any better, right?

Before takeoff, the baby cot was not there.  I put seat belts on myself and my baby, waiting for the takeoff.  Had not because of a curious baby, I wouldn’t have felt the delay was that long.  It’s only about half an hour — but to me it’s like ages.  Luckily, other passengers helped me to entertain or distract him.

As soon as the plane started to move, I was getting ready for breast feeding.  From the screen I could see where we were heading.  A350 is a fancy aircraft. The taxing took long, and I had to start feeding to shut him up.  Since he was tired, he was drinking slowly.  He didn’t stop until we were 3000-4000 meter high in the air.  Woohoo, he slept, so that’s it!  Was not it too easy?  As expected, my unpredictable baby woke up after only five minutes.  But thanks to that five minutes, I could get some stuff out from the carryon bag.  He was very excited, smiling to every body.  The meal service started really early.  I had to delay it, but not for very long, because they can’t keep the food warm for too long.  When I was hesitating, the lady sitting across the walkway offered me a hand.  She took the baby, then I quickly finished my meal.  The food was delicious!  Meatball, mashed potato, and a little bit carrot.  I didn’t eat salad.  But I saved the fazer chocolate for later.  I took back my baby, and tried all kinds of ways to make him sleep.  He was clearly sleepy.  After all, he only slept for five minutes since his last nap.  He wouldn’t sleep.  He was still smiling to people; he played the lifted arm and bagged blanket; he climbed the seat; he looked around.  He sometimes showed signs of sleepy, but he just would not sleep.  His eyes were wide open. Maybe because it’s too bright?  Once the lights were out (almost three hours after the takeoff!), his eyes started to close.  And then, he dozed off fast, while I was rocking him with small steps.  I waited for about five minutes before putting him into the baby cot.  I let him sleep on the side, and used a pillow and clothes to stabilize him. After an hour, he wanted to rotate to be on tummy, so I helped him.  Although he moved some times due to noise (toilet flushing), he seemed to be sleeping well.  Only five more hours to go!  Maybe he would sleep till we arrive at Shanghai? (Now I should sleep.  Four hours to Shanghai — so fast!  But I couldn’t sleep! At all!)

100 minutes before landing, they started to serve breakfast.  It was delicious too!  Scrambled egg, spinach, mini hash brown, strawberry yogurt, and orange juice.  Yummy!

 

Finnair breakfast

Shortly after I finished the breakfast, my baby was waken up by light and noise.  Still 1.5 hours till landing!  Since he had some decent sleep, he was beaming to everybody.  I wanted to save breast feeding for the landing.  Therefore I only gave him a fruit bag.  He continued to play on the seats.

About 40 minutes before landing, the captain announcement came.  Soon the plane would be descending, and thus people should remain seated and seat belt fastened.  I kept my baby on my lap, and put on the seatbelt for both of us.  He didn’t like to be restrained, so he was trying to be free and of course he screened a little.  He was fuzzy also because he needed more sleep.  After all it’s still midnight time in Finland.  He was supposed to sleep.  Anyway, to prepare for landing, I had to hold him, and constantly distract him.  I kept checking the clock, hoping we would land right away.  Finally, about 20 minutes before the estimated landing, I just couldn’t “fight” with him any more.  So I started breast feeding.  He was drinking well, but at some point he was scratching his ears.  Perhaps he was suffering from the pressure change when the plane was descending.  He did not cry, so it was not that bad.  Since he was sleepy, he kept drinking for long time, which was good.  Soon after we landed, he stopped feeding.  I don’t remember much about what happened after landing, maybe because I was too happy that this journey was almost done.

After the plane reached the gate, people were busy gathering their belongings.  They helped me to get my bag, so I could prepare to get out.   I don’t think I used too much time, but when we exited the plane, the cleaning ladies have also reached the gate.  Were we that late?  When did all those passengers leave?

Shanghai Pudong Airport

There’s again long walk to the passport control.  But I did not mind much.  After the overnight flight, my legs were longing for a walk.  On the way I spotted a changing station, so I changed his diaper.  At the passport control, there’s no line at all!  At first one needs to pass a temperature check gate.  What if I had fever?  I showed our passports to the officer.  Interestingly, my baby’s travel document did not work.  The officer asked about our flight number, checked the information, and let us go.

Next stop was baggage claim.  I used 10 seconds to spot my suitcase, and someone helped to get it for me. The final stop was custom clearance.  Since there was a long line, I went to the restroom first.  After coming out, the line was much shorter.  I remember they only do random check in the past, so there’s usually no line.  But now, every bag needs to go through the security check.  What happened?  Again, somebody helped me to handle the heavy suitcase.

Finally we could go out.  Only less than twenty people were waiting outside for picking ups.  My mom was not among them.  I went to an info desk, hoping to get a WiFi code. And I was told to go to a WiFi kiosk to get one.  The kiosk is close to a purple column. If you exit the arrival gate, and take a left, you will find it. I used my passport to get a code.  Then I was able to contact my mom.  Within ten minutes, I found her!  By the way, while I was dealing with the WiFi code, my baby dozed off at some point.  It’s the first time to see him sleeping in the carrier.

Pudong wifi kiosk

wifi code

 

 

 

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Baby in Finland – Nursing while shopping

We have been living in Espoo for almost three months.  Now I know a little bit more about those shopping centers, especially how to take the baby to shopping!

First of all, traveling with a baby in pram/stroller is free on buses (and other HSL public transportation).  So, just board the bus through the middle door.  Those large shopping centers are well served by public transportation 🙂

Secondly, look for the door open button to make life easier:

Door Open Button
Door Open Button

Now while you are inside of the shopping center, look for the nursing room when it’s necessary.  Be confident that there is a nursing room!  Just ask for directions.  Here I will show you the nursing rooms in these shopping centers: ISO Omena, Sello, AINOA/Stockmann, IKEA Espoo, and Kamppi (Helsinki).

ISO Omena probably has the best nursing room.  It is located on the first floor, close to the children’s clothing shops, right beside the children’s playground.  Push the button to open the door, and you will see a very big room.  There are stroller parking, lockers, table and chairs (for bigger kids), a big sofa (for breastfeeding), and kids’ restrooms.  The nursing room is always occupied, almost constantly being used.  In fact, the playground outside is also one of the best, and is very popular!

Sello is another popular shopping center in Espoo.  The nursing room is also on the first floor, and in the children’s area (see photos).  This nursing room is not big, although it’s quite popular.  You can do everything you need to, but the room itself is not as fancy as the one in ISO Omena.  For example, there’s no sofa.

AINOA/Stockmann is in Tapiola.  It’s supposed to have two nursing rooms, but we could only find the one in AINOA side.  It’s a bit tricky to find the nursing room.  The tip is to find the children’s playground, which is beside the second floor of H&M.  The playground, or rather the rest area, is huge and fabulous!   We saw fathers were taking care of kids (while mothers were shopping?).  Then, follow the signs to the nursing room, on the fourth floor.  The room is warmly decorated.   Although there is no sofa either, the chairs there are very comfortable for breastfeeding.

Then, IKEA Espoo.  After you enter the building, take a right.  And you will see the information desk and the small playground.  The nursing room is on the opposite side of the playground.  The room is not big, but it’s lovely and very IKEA (my feeling).  The red box on the wall is a changing station (diapers available).  The pretty IKEA chair is perfect for breastfeeding!   There’s no kids’ restroom.

Nursing room in IKEA
Nursing room in IKEA

Lastly, the Kamppi center in Helsinki.  We have used the nursing room there several times, because we often transfer at Kamppi bus terminal.  The nursing room is on the third floor, where you find children’s clothing shops.  Different from nursing rooms in other shopping centers, the nursing room in Kamppi is located inside of a store!  So look for the sign on the window, go into the store, and you can find the nursing room.  It is a small room, but “luxurily” decorated.  There are diapers, towels, and even baby cream/lotion.  Outside of the nursing room, there are two love seats and breastfeeding pillows!  How thoughtful!

I am not afraid of taking my baby to shopping any more, because I know I can care for him just like at home.

 

 

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Baby in Finland – Healthcare – Private Hospital

Since our baby does not have a KELA card, we had to look for a private hospital for his vaccination.  We found Mehilainen located in Toolo (Bus/Tram stop Apolonkatu).

Mehilainen in Toolo

Children’s healthcare is on the second floor.  The waiting area is nicely decorated.  There are sofa, stroller parking, lockers, and many toys.

Mehilainen waiting area stroller
Mehilainen waiting area stroller parking
Mehilainen waiting area locker
Mehilainen waiting area lockers
Mehilainen registration
Mehilainen registration

Firstly, we went to the registration so that they can put in all the information.  The ID number is required.  Then, they told us the room number where we would go later.  We just needed to wait in the hallway, and the nurse would come find us.  There is another waiting area if you walk down the hallway – it’s on your right side.  There is one chair that I really like!  While feeding, the baby is less likely to be distracted.

Mehilainen nursing chair
Mehilainen nursing chair

Meeting the nurse

Soon the nurse came out, and invited us into the room.  She also has a lot of toys.  Our baby immediately liked her.  She checked the strength of neck, and measured weight and height.  Since it’s our first visit, we chatted a lot about how we were taking care of our baby.  Then she went out to see if the doctor was ready.

Mehilainen nurse room 2
Mehilainen nurse room

Meeting the doctor

We moved to another room to see the doctor.  Basically we discussed about the vaccination plan.  Since we don’t have a plan to go out of  Europe this year, we decided to just follow the Finnish program.  The doctor then further checked his heart, eye, etc.

Vaccination

Lastly, we went back to the nurse for vaccination: PCV13, Infanrix Hib Polio, and Rota.  The first two are injections.  Rota is oral.  After the vaccination, we were asked to wait for ~15 min to see if there was allergy.

About the payment

We just found out yesterday when we did the second Rota.  For the two visits, the total bill is over 500 euro!    That explains why it’s so easy to make an appointment – no waiting line at all.

Here’s the price list: Doctor 30 min – 125 euro.  Nurse – ~50 euro.  Registration – 19.5 euro.  Rota – 73 euro.  Infanrix polio + hib – 26.5 euro.  PCV13 – 91.7 euro.

The doctor gave a bill right away, but the nurse’s bill would come in mail.  The bills can be paid at the registration, or through IBAN (additional fees may be required).

 

 

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Baby in Finland – Vaccination – What if No KELA Card

Kela Card needed for service at the public neuvola

When we moved from France to Finland, our baby was only six weeks old.  When we realized that it’s time for vaccination, he was almost ten weeks.  In Finland, the vaccination program includes a Rotavirus vaccine at two months.  Therefore, I went to the close-by health station to figure out how to get the vaccine.  I was told to call a number, later I realized the number was for making an appointment at the public neuvola.  After I made the phone call, actually several calls, I found a big issue – our son can not use the public neuvola without the KELA card!  It seems that they also called the KELA office to find out my husband’s situation to determine whether our son has the right to use the public neuvola.  And the answer was, unfortunately, NO.

Finnish ID needed even for private hospitals

They suggested me to look for private hospitals.  I called one (Terveystalo) that is not very far from our home.  I found another issue – they require ID number!  Our son only had a Japanese passport at that time.  We planned to apply for the residence permit (which has the ID number) for him in Finland.  Somehow I thought that he did not need a residence permit, that we just needed to register him at the Population Register Centre (Maistraatti).  I was WRONG!  He needs a residence permit!  Unlike in Paris, the queue is very long.  The earliest appointment we could get is six weeks after.  (So, if you want to apply for a residence permit in Finland, you’d better plan early!)

To get the Finnish ID without residence permit

Anyway, can we register our son, in other words, get the ID number without a residence permit?  Yes, but they require a legalized birth certificate – Apostille stamped birth certificate.  We did Apostille before, for the Japanese family book.  Since the language is Japanese, it was done in Japan.  And it’s very expensive!  The Apostille itself costed about $300, not to say the shipping and waiting. Unfortunately, that family book was done before our son was born 🙁   Should we do the Apostille in the same way again?  If so, we have to translate the French birth certificate into Japanese first…  Long waiting, and another $300!  Why don’t we get Apostille from France?  Our friends in France helped us to ask the local office, and told us how to get the Apostille, for free!  It was actually very simple.  We just had to request the Apostille from the Hotel de Ville where we got the birth certificate.  They won’t charge anything, and they would even mail the Apostille to us.  Sounds terrific!  So we did it.  After just one week we got the letter from the French office.  Without checking carefully, we immediately went to the Maistraatti in Helsinki.  Who would know that the French office forgot to stamp the Apostille?!  What a surprise!  But… emmm… probably not that surprising considering who they are.  They often make me speechless.  Luckily, our friends in France also requested Apostille for us, and he got it right!  So he mailed the correct copy to us.  Another week passed by, and the Apostille stamped birth certificate was finally in my hand.

Got the Finnish ID without waiting for three weeks

Again, we immediately took the Apostille to the Maistraatti.  This time, we could register our son (finally!).  The problem was it would take about three weeks for us to get the ID number.  In that case, our son would miss the first a few vaccinations.   I wrote a short note explaining why we needed the ID number as quick as possible.  The clerk said she would ask the manager.  With hope, we left.  While I was feeding my son in Kamppi Center, they called me! I was very excited.  Yes!  They processed my son’s application right away, so the registration paper (which has the ID number) was ready to be picked up! Yeah!  After I got the ID number, I called the private hospital, but it’s already too late.  OK, tomorrow then.

Not every private hospital has the vaccines for babies

The next day, I called the private hospital again, with the ID number at hand.  I thought everything was ok now.  However, the nurse answering my call was not sure whether they had the vaccine.  After serval phone calls, they and I were clear that they could not do vaccination for little babies!  I wish I found this out earlier.

So foreigners’ babies can not get vaccines in Finland?  I don’t believe that. Obviously I was not alone.  Somebody out there also came across with this issue before.  Finally, I found Mehilainen.  Their site in Toolo can do the vaccination!  I will describe our visit in another post.

Conclusion

If your baby needs vaccines, make sure s/he has the ID number.  If s/he does not have the KELA card, try Mehilainen.

 

 

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