long haul flight with 3yr old!!!

[babyjane67]

title says it all really!lol
has anyone had experience of this?
we're going to mexico for2or3wks in feb
not sure how dd will be as shes never flown before&not really sure what to do with her if you see what i mean!!lol
we're hoping she'll sleep lots!!lol
any advice from anyone whos already been there done that would be appreciated
thanks

We flew to Florida (so 9 and a bit hours) when DD was 2y, and again at 4y. Both times it was fine. When she was little she was have a nap for part of it. On the way home it was a night flight so she slept most of it. She watched the seat back Tv a little bit too, esp the shorter programmes. We took a small bag of activities and also snacks - small car, snap type games, colouring books, dolly, books, etc. And we walked up and down the aisle every so often too. And the meal times took up a fair bit too.

I took all my dc long haul when they were small.

I put small activities in freezer bags and got them out obe at a time - play dough tube and shapes, small puzzles, colouring. Doing it now I would also use my iPad and load story books, games and some tv programmes and headphones if possible. Just mix it up a lot. Story books and a blanket mean you should also get a nap or two

I had a flight to Barbados this year behind a woman who sat her ds in front of a DVD player the whole flight and she had it really loud. She kept being asked to turn it down but she would then just turn it back up again. Fucking tellytubbies.

thanks for the reply
yea that all sounds good
the flight is just over11hrs
its bit daunting!!lol
will prob be afternoon flight too

lmao!!!!!
how long ago was that?
will we be able to take things in bags like that now?
also what is best thing to use for her ears when taking off&landing?
she obviously cant chew gum as we do!lol
have looked at kids ear plugs if she'll let us put them in!
anyone else tried them?

Not tried ear plugs but not sure DD would have liked them. She didn't like in ear headphones - tbh at 9y she still doesn't.

If you don't have any I would recommedn getting some children's headphones that she can use with the seat back TVs, music or an ipod/ipad/DVD player if you have one.

You can take stuff in in bags - just put themall seperate but inside one big cabin bag. Liquids are still restricted to nothing more than 100ml.

Sucky sweets or chewy sweets for take off/landing? Or a small lollipop she can suck. Take a wet wipe or two to clean any stickiness up and a small plastic bag for your rubbish.

We have done a 16 hour flight (and other long haul) when DD was 2.6. Here is some advice:
Sony do kid size earphones which are quieter and go over the ears (but DD didn't really wear them)
We always bring a laptop with kids shows (favourites) as the kids programming can be really rubbish on some flights, also an iphone or itouch with kid friendly apps and tv/movies.
Let her pack her own backpack so she can put a couple of teddies, small toys etc.
Colouring/stickers didn't keep my DD amused for long, but she really loved a couple of small wind-up toys that you can play with on the table and a magic wiggly worm thing that I got from WH Smiths.
Try and get seats in the middle (if it has three in a row), then she can sit in the middle and either adult can get out easily.
A lollipop (DD loves chupa chups) is great for ears and for keeping them happy/quiet for a good 20 mins!
We brought a really good head/neck rest thing from Boots which was childsize.
A good tip is to pre-order child meal if they offer one - this means she will get her food first and you can help with that before the main ones come out.
Lots of snacks!
DD usually naps a few times for 2+ hours rather than one long sleep.

Good luck.

thanks for all yr replies
theres some really good ideas to try!
did any of yr lo's get air sick?
i take travel tabs myself though ive never actually been ill on a flight yet&hopefully wont be!lol
we want it to be an adventure for us all as much as poss!

also dd isnt potty trained yet.am hoping she will be by then or at least well on her way!but how easy/difficult is it to change them etc?

The toliets have a drop-down change table which is easy to use (if small). Def bring a change of clothes for her and a spare t-shirt or top for you. I don't think being air sick is that common really.

ok thanks

Mine have only got air-sick when there has been bad turbulence (apart from general throwing up while they were small babies), but you never know.

It's definitely a good idea to take a couple of changes of clothes for her, and at least one for you, just in case of sickness or spillages (fairly likely).

I wouldn't bother with earplugs, but DVD player or ipod with games and stories on, plus headphones she is comfortable with, are also a good idea.

Lots of small toys, stickers, snacks etc, brought out at regular intervals, help keep boredom at bay.

If you want to encourage her to sleep, try changing her into pyjamas at the right sort of time, and bring a snuggly blanket and soft toy. But be warned that they turn the lights on and off at odd times so everything may be lit up just when you want her to sleep.

Just to add take triangular coloured pencils (ikea currently have a nice set) and crayons on the plane - they won't roll all over the cabin

OK you have a girl so...

My DD has been in airplanes every 4 months or so (USA and Finland) since birth. I've found that getting her super excited to "fly like a big kid" really works as she will then "act big". Buy books about flying, let her choose and pack a suitcase. Tell her that the flight attendants are nice to good kids and solicit their help = when DD is acting up I have them come and tell her tat she really needs to do x or y, it really works and they get a laugh out of helping. And of course snacks, DVDs, etc. Mine doesn't nap well on planes b/c she is so excited. Make her think she is big, it really works but you gotta do the prep ahead of time.

We're originally from the US so we've done the Transatlantic thing a number of times with DS (who is now 3.7) over the past year. The first trip (at 2.4) was hell. The rest have been fantastic in comparison.

In flight entertainment, if you're lucky enough to fly an airline that has a nice screen in the seatback, holds its worth in gold. Otherwise, an iPod loaded with lots of his fave shows works well too. Stickerbooks, snacks, little Poundland toys, etc, are great to take along.

I wouldn't bet on your child sleeping on the way over, tbh. It'll be too exciting, and it's hard to get comfy in those seats.

All flights end...eventually. If all goes sour, just remember that. Enjoy!

DS was potty trained but refused to step foot in the airplane loos. Too spooked by the size. Don't use PullUps; they're not that absorbent for that length of trip. Find an overnight/heavy duty diaper if you must.

While my DS gets sick in cars, he was fine in the plane. Bring extra clothes just in case.

I did UK to west coast of Canada alone with my 3 yr old DS. He was fine. Unfortunately he didn't sleep! I had lots of small toys tucked away. He played with one playmobile figure on a motor bike for hours! I think that trick is to get some new ones that they haven't see. He was excited about flying which helped. Good luck.

thanks for all the good advice
we dont have ipods&dont really wanna be packing the dvd but will certainly try the other things!!
will look for books on flying to get her prepared&apparently primark have very good cheap kids suitcases atm so will be going shopping!lol
i buy kwells travel sick tabs for myself.do they do kids ones?
whats best?

The first time she flew I ripped all dd1's kiddy car tapes to CD.

This years it was a Twighlight audio book on her ipod that kept the peace,. They grow up to fast

i know!!dont know where thre lst3yrs have gone!!!
any ideas on the best travel sick remedy to use for a3yr old?