Flying with 11 month old

[HollyC255552]

We are going on holiday in June & DD will then be 11 months. I'm thinking of taking a couple of new toys to keep her occupied on the flight (4hrs each way). Does anyone have any recommendations as to which one/s will be good?

[Pixienott0005]

I find ipad apps are great. At that age the fisher price laugh and learn is good with the shapes That they can move about. Also download some peppa pig or something. Little toy remotes and books are good.

[moggle]

I've just started a thread on the travel board about how to entertain my 18mo on a 10 hour flight - there might be some useful ideas there although some suggestions will obviously be a bit old for her. I can't quite believe it but I can't remember what DD was into at 11 months! Seems like a lifetime ago. Stacking cups (though they may roll away if they drop!), and I think she was just getting into posting things, maybe you could make a collapsible post box out of a shoe box or something?!

[KP86]

Soft fabric books with scrunchy bits
Hand held mirror
Teddy

With any luck DC will sleep for at least an hour of the flight leaving you with a bit less time to worry about entertainment!

[Pollyputhtekettleon]

How long is the flight and will she be on your knee?

[HollyC255552]

Thanks all - some helpful replies. Flight is 4 hours each way & yeah she'll be on my knee.

[winchester1]

We just took stuff they were into at the time, favorite book, scrunchy plastic, keys, food they liked, and relied on kindly neighbours who let them read their magazines, play with their magazine wrappers etc

Tbh though I ran them round at the airports and they slept most of the flights.

[eurochick]

We did almost exactly this last summer - 11 months old, 4+ hours to Crete. We used Fisher Price apps, some iPad drawing apps, and a new toy and book for each direction. She was most interested in the safety card though. We also did a bit of walking up and down the aisle. There was another baby around the same age and they loved waving at each other.

[ODog]

I flew with a 14mo last summer. Fisher price apps and INTG on the iPad. Few mega blocks. Small snacks that are fiddly to eat like chopped up grapes and raisins. Lots of snacks in general. Let him loose in the aisle when it's convenient. Few crayons and paper. A new toy that has not been seen before.

[HollyC255552]

Ah thanks everyone, sounds like the fisher price apps are a hit! Will look into that.

[Pollyputhtekettleon]

Ok, if it's 4hrs on your knee let me give you the best advice I can based on bitter experience. When you sit down with baby put the belt on and then lock your arms (comfortably) around the baby. Don't let her explore or stand or lean down to the floor. Behave like a car seat and she will quickly relax and not expect to stand and climb and be a nightmare for the whole flight. She may even sleep. If you let her push your arms around to grab stuff and move as she wishes, you will spend 4hrs trying to stop her standing up, grabbing the passenger in fronts hair, wreathing and screaming on and off to be let go etc. for the rest of the flight. She'll be too busy fighting you (thinking sometimes she can escape) to relax and snooze. Basically behave like a car seat and she'll chill after a while understanding she can't move around and then you can enjoy showing her an iPad, cuddling and chatting to her for the rest of the journey. It really works but only for 6 mths to 18mths age.

Other advice is bring easy to hand snacks and keep a small pack with a change of clothes (why why why does flying always make them do explosive poos!), nappy and wipes (and a lrg muslin to put on changing table as they can be disgusting). Make the clothes the easiest to pull on and off possible because changing an 11 mth old in the airplane toilet is no joke.