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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask for your long haul travel tips with toddlers?

55 replies

PollyIndia · 29/12/2013 16:03

Posting in here for traffic. Travelling on a night flight tomorrow with my 14 month old toddler and there are no bulkhead seats so he will be on my lap. I am a single parent so it is just me. Any tips please to make it easier? I am packing toys, books, food etc. oh and the sling.
I am feeling strangely relaxed, which suggests I have not yet grasped the reality of how it could be!

OP posts:

QueenofLouisiana · 29/12/2013 19:34

Comfy pj's, a cuddly toy and a blanket/ shawl are vital. We gave up on preventing TV watching. I spent as much a I could on the flight so that we had reasonable food/ seats/ drinks on demand (only ever economy class!). I prefer night flights with DS on long-haul. I hope it goes well!

Original poster

PollyIndia · 29/12/2013 19:36

Ah ok, thanks addictedtosugar (ps good username!). Ladyrabbit that would be ideal but all my airmiles are with virgin Atlantic and I am not flying with them.
When I asked for tips on Facebook, at least 3 people said oh just upgrade or buy another seat!

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Bluestocking · 29/12/2013 20:37

I asked about the stopover because I once sat next to a woman travelling with a baby and a toddler; she'd stuck a label with her mobile phone number on the toddler's back in case he gave her the slip during their stopover. I thought this was rather brilliant!
I've never travelled longhaul with a toddler but I've often sat near parents who are. Airline staff usually seem very willing to help. This may be because it makes their lives easier if parents and children are quiet and content, but I think they are often genuinely kind and child-centred. Of course, other passengers can be really helpful too, and I've often been happy to help a parent by chatting to a child to help keep him/her entertained, or helping with the fiddly bits on a meal tray, so it's worth looking round to see if any of the people in nearby seats look like potential allies!

Original poster

PollyIndia · 29/12/2013 21:25

Thanks redmayne , queenodlouisiana and blue stocking. All really good advice. this time tomorrow we will have taken off!

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Bluestocking · 29/12/2013 21:27

Have a safe journey and a wonderful holiday! Are you going to India?

lovelyredwine · 29/12/2013 21:32

iPad with lots of night garden, peppa pig is good. We have done 24 hours from Australia to london with a 15 month old and it was surprisingly ok. Took ages to get dd to sleep, but she slept for 9 hours once asleep, which included a changeover at Singapore, so we got a break! Take quite a few distractions and only bring a new one out every 20 mins or so, ie books, toys, food etc.

lovelyredwine · 29/12/2013 21:34

Also- we took our dd's sleeping bag and tried to do the 'normal' bedtime routine so she got that it was meant to be bedtime even though we weren't at home.

InTheFace · 29/12/2013 21:36

I know you're not traveling with virgin, but I know that for around £50 you can 'buy' the seat next to you. This basically means that if there are any empty seats on the flight you can pay fifty quid to ensure that it is next to you. Maybe the airline you are traveling with does the same?

Of course, back in the day, if you asked for an empty seat you just got it because people were good about these things. But I think the airline industry has changed a lot, they are all trying to make money how- and wherever they can.

Other than that, the best advice I received on traveling long haul with a toddler was to chill. Assume it will be shite and you may be pleasantly surprised. If it is bad, at least you won't flap. And don't forget that your baby's crying is louder to you than to anyone else: they will all have headphones plugged in.

SandyChick · 29/12/2013 21:40

Try not to worry. I did an 8 hour flight in the summer with a very active & loud 15 month old. I was dreading it but It all went really well. He was amazed with the plane. He got really excited as we were boarding.

We flew lunch time out and 7am back. He usually naps after his lunch in his cot so I was really worried about getting him to sleep.

He fell asleep taking off both ways. The noise of the plane helped send him to sleep.

I took of snacks, little boxes or raisins etc. Sticker books were a hit too. I bought a kids magazine with a toys on front in the airport which he liked too. He liked playing with the remote etc for tv.

Try to relax and enjoy

SandyChick · 29/12/2013 21:40

He was on my knee too the whole flight!

trashcanjunkie · 29/12/2013 21:48

fyi you raisin feeders out there, my dentist told me they are the worst for causing dental caries in dc's! They stick right into the teeth and do their merry work. Them and crisps are worse than sweeties!

SwimmingMom · 29/12/2013 21:53

Avoid getting a window or any kind of corner seat. Can't get up frequently & the overhead baggage bins bump your head evertime to bend over DC to do anything!

You could also try requesting for a free upgrade to business class. If they have spare seats they sometimes offer it to genuine cases.

HaveTeaWillSurvive · 29/12/2013 21:54

I've not been long haul but have flown in uk with 15mo DS on my own probably a dozen times now. Definitely second what has been said above about checking in as early as possible so you can get through and relax before boarding - they definitely pick up if you're stressed and get extra squirmy. I also get there as soon as check in opens to ask about blocking the seat next to me of the flight isn't full and they have always been happy to do this if they can, never had to pay but I would if I had too - the extra space is a godsend.

poocatcherchampion · 29/12/2013 22:01

great ideas here! have a good trip op

Original poster

PollyIndia · 29/12/2013 22:04

I am bluestocking. Just down to goa though going to move around a few different beaches there. More great advice. Thanks so much!! I am definitely going to ask about the extra seat. I am going to get there for checkin opening as I think I should have more options that way. Actually feeling quite excited about it!!

OP posts:

Original poster

PollyIndia · 29/12/2013 22:05

Mumsnet really is great :)

OP posts:

LollipopViolet · 29/12/2013 22:06

Feed on the way up, and on the way down (take off and landing) - it will help with the popping of little ears :) Even if it's just having a drink, the swallowing helps with equalising the pressure :)

BelleJolie · 29/12/2013 22:25

Make sure you've fully charged the iPad! (Obvious, I suppose...but the type of thing that can be overlooked).

We've flown to Australia and back on two occasions with DS. Best advice I can give is to expect it to be utterly awful, and then it's usually not too bad . We just went with the flow and tried not to care how much screen time, snacks etc DS got... Whatever you need to do to get through it! I found it really hard last time having DS sleep on me (he was nearly two though and we didn't have a sling) so hopefully you'll find it easier.

We also used those arm rein things or free airport-based buggies when in transit (I don't recall our buggy being available during transit but I could be wrong there).

Our airline had milk on board, so if he's on cows milk, you could just use theirs (was easier going through security).

Sticker books were great. I also bought new toys that he hadn't seen before to keep him occupied.

And don't be scared to ask for help from the flight attendants, either. They are usually very helpful!

Enjoy your holiday!

Incacola · 29/12/2013 22:35

Reading with interest as we're flying to NZ from the uk in about 6 weeks with our 15 month old. Last year I flew with her to Oz when she was only 4 months and it went really well. I did learn not to try and put her down immediately after boarding though because of the meal service. I had got her changed just before boarding then gave her milk during take off and just as she was dropping off they turned on all the lights and she woke right up! I then had to do the whole routine again after the meals had been served and cleared. Didn't make that error again on the return flight. We've requested a bulk head seat and bassinet but I'm a bit worried now after your post OP

greeneyes1978 · 29/12/2013 22:45

I second lots of little toys wrapped up. My friend did this for her grandson on a flight to Mauritius and it worked really well.

Lonecatwithkitten · 29/12/2013 22:50

My technique was always to run to the point of exhaustion, the toddler around the airport, then put into PJs at gate, give milk in bottle or cup during take off, hey presto toddler sleeps the entire 12 hours ( on me) to South Africa.

Sharaluck · 29/12/2013 22:53

Don't pack much. And always overestimate the time you will need to travel to airport, checkin, get through security etc.

Spare clothes, iPad or phone with games/tv/movies. Sticker books are good. I wouldn't bother with packing food unless toddler is very fussy. Planes always have extra cheese, crackers etc for fussy toddlers to eat.

Don't bother packing any magazines etc for yourself.

Don't worry about sleep, if they sleep that is good but it is not the end of the world if they don't.

If you want to take your stroller, ask to check it in at the gate. If you don't there are always airline strollers to borrow.

LollipopViolet · 29/12/2013 22:55

Not sure I'd wrap toys - security will probably want them opened, or at the very least will ask what's in them.

Beavie · 29/12/2013 23:07

I flew to the us and back with my dd when she was 15 months. The way out was during the day and we got bulkhead seats so she had an area on the floor that she could sit and play with her toys (went to Hawkins bazaar and got her a bag full of gizmos she hadn't seen before). For the other 8.5 hours we basically waked up and down the aisle and looked out of the window. The way back was a different story. That was an overnight flight. We had a sky cot but she was too long for it and wouldn't settle in it. She got more and more fractious until finally she was exhausted and fell asleep on my lap. 10 minutes later she woke up screaming her head off. Repeat for the last 5 hours or so of the flight. The nearby passengers hated me and I was ready to jump out of the window. I started to get stressed about it and I was exhausted myself but just came to the conclusion that I wasn't going to get any sleep and I just had to get through it. My dd was a bloody awful sleeper though and hated any change to her routine so hopefully you will fare better than I did!

WeeTeaJenny · 29/12/2013 23:42

Episodes of Mickey Mouse clubhouse on I phone
Sachets of Calpol for the descent ( small ears get very sore )
Agree with getting up and walking up and Down aisles of plane , I was stuck in seats beside some people who made me feel terrible , huffing and puffing when little one was squirming , but getting up and walking was nice as there were other ladies who would want to chat and share stories of travelling with a baby and were v understanding .

Little picture books plus I read through the whole duty free catalogue as if it was a story " oh Calvin Klein ck one £24.99 wow " etc , anything to keep him entertained xx it's hard but you will manage x

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