To ask for your best tips for travel with toddlers?

[Virginsexonthebeachplease]

We are flying long-haul for the first time next month. We have bought toys, activities books to keep but we're thinking about what to take on the flight to drink, snacks, avoiding discomfort due to ear popping, sleeping comfortably. I have also never changed a nappy on a plane and recall there always being a long line for the tiny toilets!

Ooh have a lovely time wherever you’re going.

on long haul planes there are a lot more toilets and as it’s a lot longer flight I found there were never/rarely any queues except just after take off/just before landing, so just be prepared. Change nappy just before you board (and don’t bother boarding first, you will have plenty of space for your stuff, it’s not the mad rush you have like flying with Jet2 to the med etc). Then you should be golden for a while.

take multiple changes of clothes for both of you!! And layers some flights are cold some are warm!

load up phones/iPads with stuff to watch, and or get them used to headphones so they can watch things without winding everyone up.

some of the best toys I took that kept mine entertained for ages were the results me sticker books (packs of 3 on Amazon), SULOLI 8pcs Pop Tubes Sensory Fidget Toys For Children or Adults, Autism and Special Needs. Reduce Anxiety and Stress https://amzn.eu/d/5PW55CL these were the favourite by far, both my 3 year old and 1 year old still play with them in the car now! I took a small Tupperware of playdoh in sandwich bags rather than the normal tubs with a few cutters.

snack wise, I’ve done both the snackle box (like a Tupperware with lots of compartments) and had each filled with raisins, yoghurt covered raisins, mini breadsticks, mini cheddars, chocolate stars, orange segments, Pom bears etc, and I’ve also just taken packets of all of them and let my little ones have whatever whenever they fancied. As long as they’re chewing and swallowing (even a drink) on take over and landing they’ll be fine.

I saw someone on a flight to Singapore pack all their kids snacks and toys in one of those fold out/hang up wash bags you can get like this Pystuvo Hanging Toiletry Bag 9 Pieces,Travel Hanging Toiletry Wash Bag with Travel Bottle for Makeup and Washing Accessories, Men and Women for Travel or Daily Use,Large Travel Wash Bag,Pink Panther https://amzn.eu/d/2GieyPD then hang it from the tray table hook thing so they could access what they wanted easily which I thought was genius.

advice wise I would say, just accept it’s going to be long and not the most fun you’ve ever had, accept there’s going to be lots of screen time and random snacks at random hours. You’ll get back on whatever schedule/eating standards you normally have when you’re away/home. Do what you got to do to get through the trip.

Also, does you’re toddler have their own seat, if so, have a look if your airline accepts the inflatable cushions you can put on the floor so the little ones can lie down.
if they don’t have their own seat…hopefully they’ll sleep on you! Or take a blanket for them to sleep on on the floor

It is totally exhausting. My top tip is to get YOURSELF well rested yourself before you set off. That is really hard to do when you are rushing around doing all the last-minute stuff and staying up late the previous night, so be organised ahead of time and get all the packing out of the way in good time.

If possible, ask someone else to look after your toddler for half a day on the day before you leave. That gives you time to finish any last things in good time and maybe even lie down for an hour. What's more, having had a break from your child, your reserves of patience will be high. Go to bed early.

Flew long haul with a very grumpy unwell baby in December... doing it again in a few weeks so can't be too bad haha.

So the biggest change I'm making this time is that we will do all we can to tire him out before he gets on the plane this time, with hope that he will sleep quickly once on board, hoping with his bottle as we take off!

He will have a tablet with saved Miss Rachel videos to keep him entertained when colouring books and new toys aren't cutting it.
He will have a bunch of his favourite snacks to also break up the flight into lots of things to keep him busy.

Changing on a long haul flight isn't terrible, we just timed it when the toilet was just empty to go and change the baby. I did get my husband to come with me so he could restrain the alligator in training whilst I changed him quickly.

All the best, some people are also really lovely. We found that the crew really made an effort to check in on us throughout the flight which was unneeded but really lovely.

Thank you

@Catsonskis They have their own seat and I have looked at those inflatable things and not sure whether they are worth it but may be worth a go!

which sticker books do you mean?

@Saracen That is great advice but unlikely! Toddler will be at childminder's all day and I have the day off so that is great but the flight is early morning so we will be getting up to leave shortly after midnight. I have time to nap in the daytime but I cannot nap at the best of times and I'll be excited / nervous / stressed!

@Wowokthanks the timing of the flight isn't great for sleep as it's early morning but he usually sleeps in the car so it may be similar and he may nap longer than usual.

Can I take his usual drinks on the plane or do I have to take his empty cup and get him something in the airport or on the plane?