Long haul travel with small children

[MooseBreath]

DH and I will be taking our DC (3yo and 8mo) on a 7.5 hour flight. I will be returning 7 weeks later on my own with the DC... 3yo is toilet trained as of a month ago, so there are concerns about needing a wee during turbulence. We haven't purchased a seat for 8mo and he will be sitting on me. Both DC are generally well-behaved, but are still children and are inherently annoying to everyone in existence other people.

AIBU to ask for your best tips and/or stories of your own flights with children? I wouldn't mind horror stories either that make me prepare for the worst.

Bump?

Where are you flying to and are you flying economy?

Flying economy from London to Toronto.

I did a 7 hour flight with my 4 year old and he watched tv the entire time, he thought it was the best thing ever! On the way back it was a night flight so went to sleep.

I agree that timing your flights is the key. If you've got someone who could have them when you get back, I'd do an overnight flight. Like a pp my GC would have watched and played on a tablet, then napped/ate. In economy it's going to be tough on you.

Ipad and headphones for the 3YO so you know you have lots of stuff downloaded they like. Take the 3YO to the loo at the gate just before boarding and then regularly in flight, as toddlers I’d make mine try about every hour and half when there was the opportunity so they wouldn’t ever need it when they couldn’t go. If they’re really unreliable though use a pull up. What airline is it? 8MO might be too big for a traditional bassinet but BA do a larger bouncer style seat that is great for that age. Changes of clothes for everyone, multiple for the baby in your carry on. Double the amount of nappies, snacks and baby food you think you will need as shit can and does go wrong. Last transatlantic we had a 36 hour delay, unexpected night in a hotel and a lost suitcase that went onto the cancelled plane and didn’t reappear for a week. So was glad that we had more than enough in our cabin luggage! And remember it’s 1 day of your life (or 2 in our case), we’ve all had not so great days, it’ll be tough going but you will cope!

Oh and mobile chargers so nothing loses power if you’re delayed etc and can charge in flight even if there isn’t a UK plug.

DS flew jfk to lhr when he was 3 and I was dreading it! Especially as it was a night flight and people would want quiet.

he watched the tv until the entertainment system went down mid flight. Then he fell asleep! He’s usually very loud and energetic so this was a shock!

the thing I failed to realise was that I should have pre-booked a child’s meal for the kids. They weren’t keen on the adult food at all unfortunately.

Snacks, tablet loaded with kids TV and games for the 3-year-old (plus headphones). A magnet or sticker books is also a good distraction. Do they have a favourite cuddly toy? Make sure they have that easily to hand in the cabin.

Make sure you have milk for the baby for take-off and landing (if you are breastfeeding, make sure you get a window seat -- easier for breastfed babies on laps!) Have something for the 3-year old to drink/?suck during take-off and landing. Make sure you have kid friendly snacks ready!

Check flight times, and see if you can time naps efficiently. This is obviously not always in your control if there are delays!

Ooh, some good ideas here. Our flight back is an overnight.

@FlounderingFruitcake A 36 hour delay with children sounds horrific. Definitely doubling everything.

We're flying AirTransat.

I don’t know that airline but… Presuming you’re going economy then I’d attempt some googling to figure out what the bassinet options are and if your 8MO is likely to fit. If they are then great, book the bassinet seat. However, the bassinet seats are bulkheads and the arm rests don’t move so if baby won’t fit then on an overnight flight you’ll probably be more comfortable in a block of 3 so you can lift up the arms, have you and DH sit in the window and aisle with a child’s head each and their feet meeting on the middle seat. That’s how we ended our 36 hour shitshow despite having booked business class flatbeds and actually it wasn’t as awful as I thought even though our kids were 1 and 5 so a bit bigger than yours!

If it's possible, I would try and book a seat for the 8 month old. Holding them on your lap if potentially sat next to a stranger for 7 hours will be hard work. Even if they don't sit in it, having somewhere to put your bag so you're not scrabbling around overhead trying to find snacks etc. obviously appreciate cost might not allow that.

Also maybe a sling for the baby? Just thinking what you will do with them when you're taking your older one to the toilet on the plane?

You’ll be fine I’ve done the flight between Melbourne and London more times than most people have flown. Accept help from people. Everybody loves holding a baby. Lots of people will happily entertain your toddler for you.

For the 3 year old. Go to the pound shop a few days before. Get a present for every hour of the flight. Wrap them up and every hour whip out a present which should occupy them for a part of that hour.

Obviously, if they are looking tired don't do it to stimulate them when you might get lucky with them sleeping but if they are not sleepy then do it.

For the baby. Hopefully they will sleep. Is there no bassinets on the plane?

The baby is too big for the bassinet on this airline. Buying another seat isn't possible - it's so expensive already!

I like the present idea!