Longhaul to USA with 2.75 yr old - getting worried

[Gonkster]

I've read a lot of the longhaul threads but am getting punchdrunk and my 6 month pregnant brain isn't helping.

We fly on Wednesday to Florida to see my mum. First time ever on an aeropane for my DD. DH coming too so there's two grown ups. We'll take colouring books, crayons, stickers etc. and I keep reading about changes of clothes for vomiting situations (my worst fear) but any other tips? We haven't got kids earphones so I'm desperately trying to borrow some as no time for online ordering now.

I'm mostly worried about entertaining her and her being sick (i.e. keeping her hydrated/clean etc)

Any reassuring/advising voices out there gratefully received.

Which airline are you using?.

Would not rely on the airline to provide properly re food. Airline food can be poor and childrens meals are served not long before the adult meals. Take along some of her foodstuffs (do the same for yourself as well). Leave any uneaten items (particularly fruit) behind on the aircraft.
You can buy water to take on the aircraft when you are airside (post security).

Are you taking a laptop/iphone? My DD is a similar age and on long journeys her watching films and playing games on my phone are a lifesaver.

Lots of little snacks that take time to eat, raisins, cucumber and cream cheese etc.

I've found taking lollipops to suck on for take off and landing always seemed to help with little popping ears.
We always take a few of the following too as airline food isn't always great for kids, although they do tend to include yoghurt which mine love (fortunately):
Ella's kitchen pouches of fruit puree go down well with all ages.
Organix soft oaty bars
Fruit including little boxes of raisins
Rice cakes
and for treats a bag of jelly babies or maltesers

As for keeping them entertained, we take pretty much the same as you. The magazines you can buy with freebies taped to the front of their favourite TV programme are a good idea. Every hour we bring out something new which we've found tends to alleviate their boredom.

If she has a favourite blanket take that to wrap her up in and a teddy/doll but keep a close eye on it and include it in your 'head count' as you leave the plane. We nearly had a disaster the first time we flew by not being careful enough and giraffe nearly got left behind!

We've actually found that the worst time to keep them entertained is the check-in, passport control queue and waiting at the arirport bit. Once you're on the plane it's actually not too bad. My 2 also like to walk up and down the aisle with either dh or me and chat/annoy other passengers!

Good luck and don't sweat it!

Most longhaul arlines have built in seat back tvs with a kiddies channel which kept my 2.7 month old entertained for reasonable periods of time. We are over here in Florida now and fly back on Friday. On the way over I bought a couple of kids comics at the airport, bought him some new thomas toys (small ones). I didn't wrap stuff up as airlines can be funny about that but put things in little party bags. He had a couple of new books,some sticker books and some little packs of raisins, and other food stuffs that take ages to eat.

On way back on Fri I have pottered over to Walmart and Target and stocked up on a few cheap little toys/books that he's not seen and will give him them at intervals along with the snacky food. I dreaded travelling with him for such a long flight, but it has seriously been a breeze. My DH is the fidgety, restless one.

Ment to add, if online check in is an option, then do it. Saves loads of hassle and bored whining kids in a queue for ages. Worst bit of all for us was lining up for immigration once over in the USA.

You need to get a portable dvd player. Or the iphone/laptop option.

And take lots of walks up and down the cabin.

My dd did 24 hrs to Australia when she was 2.3, if that's any reassurance for you.