Longhaul flight with toddler!

[Miss Mo]

Ok so we have 18 days left and we're in proper countdown mode and making the last plans. We have a 9 hour flight with a 15month old - I'm needing tips for things to take with us to make the flight as painless an experience as possible - what have you done that works?

Thanks!

mo x

PS I know we're nuts but I don't care!!

 

[Carmell226]

Portable DVD player is a life saver!!!!

 

[saraheeyore]

Portable DVD player is a life saver!!!!

until the batteries run out. they don't last long enough on a 9 hour flight

 

[saraheeyore]

Ok so we have 18 days left and we're in proper countdown mode and making the last plans. We have a 9 hour flight with a 15month old - I'm needing tips for things to take with us to make the flight as painless an experience as possible - what have you done that works?

Thanks!

mo x

PS I know we're nuts but I don't care!!

who u flying with? u got a day flight there and night flight back?
we did the 9 hour flight thing with a just 2 year old and on the way there it was actually ok as they feed you lots on some flights. take a bag for your child and fill it with new different toys. they can be cheap silly things but new. we took polly pockets, a tiny cheap ark with little animals, notebooks and crayons (a few different ones) stickers the type u can restick lots and move them around,pack of cards,50 things to do on a plane cards,animal rescue animals. most were bargins a couple of quid from cheap shops basically just different things so when they get bored u find something else. a 15 month old may sleep a bit. my daughter didn't sleep at all on way there and managed an hour on way back through the night so don't count on it though
having said that i would do it again as trip was well worth it
sweets and lollies come in handy too. the dvd player lasted less than an hour it was a waste of bad space
message me if u want to know were to get anything from

 

[katied]

I've done it with DS on my own - to Athens via London (from the U.S.) including an 8 hr layover because I got to go through the new BA terminal on Day 2, lucky me...

Anyway, the things that help...

Stickers
Band-aids
Post-it notes
Some of the fabric type babish books that have things for little ones to do - i.e., zippers, simple clips, etc.
lots of snacks - in smallish containers (I use Snack Traps). The idea is one cherrio or goldfish at a time so it takes longer.
Color wonder pens and paper
finger puppets

The idea for me was to take out only 1 thing at a time - whether it was food or toy, play with that until bored, and then move onto the next.

Good luck!

 

[Hoosier Mom]

You are not nuts! You are going to have a blast!

Our 18 month old did not care for stickers, or color wonders. He ate cookies, fruit loop cereal, and he napped. (don't forget your child's blankie or stuffed toy). I took a little Nemo toy cell phone to surprise him with as we took off.

Our trip report with our 18 month old is below if you are interested.

Have fun!

 

[NotUrsula]

If at all possible; use a carseat. You will not be able to safely sleep yourselves if the baby isn't restrained.

Beyond that; don't bring anything that is precious yet small. Things easily get lost if dropped on aircraft, and that will cause a major meltdown.

Our best trick at that age (other than favorite snack foods) was/is picture cards, the kind used for learning to read that have a picture on one side and the printed word that tells what it is on the other. It doesn't matter that the baby is too young to read; they just like shuffling the cards and telling you what the pictures are. Buy a couple of decks, and don't worry if you drop cards.

Other really useful things are a roll of cello tape and a couple of pads of colourful small Post-it notes. They like sticking bits on the surfaces (and people) around them. You can easily tidy these up before you leave the plane.

I also carry a couple of emergency lollypops. These are messy, so they are reserved for major meltdowns only, but if your child starts screaming and will not be calmed down, they work wonders.

 

[arje]

9 hours won't be that hard. We took a 20 month old to LA (a while ago now - she's now 16) which is a 15 hour flight and she was fine. The airlines have kid packs they can use, nowadays there is good videos for kids to watch or music to listen to, and don't underestimate the drowsy factor of flight. They will nod off in due time and sleep for a while no matter the time of day.

In Australia we have something call phenergen which we use to help babies and toddlers sleep with wind or teething etc, and that is very handy for the long flights. But the best advice I can give is for you to relax and don't worry about it before it happens. Just get on the plane and enjoy the flight, your child will too.

 

[msmama]

Someone said dole the food out slowly - one goldfish cracker at a time - that worked for me, too. I bought some new books (my 14 month old likes flap books) and those lasted for awhile.

He slept for maybe an hour and slept better when I held him on my lap than when he was in his carseat (the plane seat put the carseat at a different angle than he is in my car and I don't think he could get comfortable).

You know your child best, would he watch videos? I downloaded some toddler games onto my iPhone and that took up a bit of time. But basically it was a just a really looooong flight.

Good luck!

 

[HappyPeach]

stickers, dvd player, lollipops, benadryl, snacks, new small toys or books

 

[logan&tylersmama]

benadryl.... just kidding.
i agree - a dvd player if he will watch videos (extra batteries) - lots of snacks, and lots of little toys - lift the flaps books, dont be afraid to let him walk the aisle a little - its hard to be trapped for that long.
HAVE FUN!!
Jennifer

 

[x.laura.x]

Hi! Nice to see someone from my area =)
I agree with the stickers, books and cards, aswell as dragging out the snacks.
Who are you flying with?
We flew with first choice last time and they had the seat back screens with cartoons, movies and games which may be entertaining.

 

[squirrel]

How about one of those Cheerio or raison books where you put them in the pages.

You could bring some string and have him make a necklace with Cheerios, Fruit loops, Pretzels, etc.

 

[NHdisneylover]

We did it a few times when our kids were that age--really not bad, I promise

Be sure to arrive at the airport early enough nto to have to rush with your little one to the gate. Once you are all checked in and have found the gate, don't SIT and hang out at the gate. Stay up and active a the airport. If there is an empty gate near your own hang out there. Play movement games right up until boarding to get the wiggles out while you can (things like Ring around the Rosie, Simon says, head shoulders knees and toes, etc.).

As others have said, once on board hand out little things to do and eat one at a time--and clean up the old before each new. My kids never got to play with my office supplies at home so I would bring them on flights and they LOVED them. Things like post it notes (in different sizes and colors) and masking tape can entertain a toddler for quite a while Other hits with my kids were pipe cleaners, slinky, model magic (play dough is too messy for a flight), favourite story books, fingerpuppets and magnadoodles. We also took coloring items and colored and even made the flight sickness bags into puppets a few times

If the seat belt sign is not illuminated try to get up and take a walk up and down the aisle about every half hour (we took a walk between each new toy or treat when allowed).

IF your child can have lollipops without choking they are good for take of and landing to ease ear pressure. If not, a sippy cup or bottle will help.

Do NOT use Benadryl or any other medication you have not given your child before because you do not know how s/he will react.

Alos, pack extra wipes for hands and face and 2-3 changes of clothing. Kids can be more irratable when they are sticky and dirty. Pack jammies to change into for a nighttime flight.

 

[Miss Mo]

Thanks guys - loads of helpful stuff in there, glad to know that I've been buying the right sorts of bits and pieces. Have bought crayons and stickers, have post its, bought little tubs to put his food in but I know he'll play with the tubs too.

It's a Thomas Cook flight, they are ok, have flown with them before but as an infant he doesn't have a seat so sadly can't take the carseat on with us! Not worried about me sleeping, I can never sleep on flights anyway. Flight over is a day flight, flight back is a night time one. We are staying at a hotel at the airport the night before so will get up and get checked in early and have breakfast at the airport then give the boy plenty running around time before flight.

Thanks for all the help.

mo x