Overnight Long Haul Flights - any advice please ?

[mojomummy]

We are going to San Francisco soon. The flight there is ok, 11.5 hrs long - but daytime, so TV & little meals have kept my 2.5 yr DD ok.

The flight back is the nightmare. 10.5 hours long & an overnight one. Last time Dd (then 18mths) slept for about 20mins. Is there anything she can take which is safe & will help her to sleep ?

Any advice/thoughts would be great

Hi

By the time you board the aircraft it will be getting very dark outside. That fact along with having to check in beforehand (which can in itself be a long and drawn out process at US airports) will in itself hopefully help your dd to sleep most of the way coming back.

If she has a favourite toy that she goes to sleep with would ensure you have that to hand.

Hope you have a great holiday in SF!.

I gave my daughter (then 3) Cina a homeopathic remedy for the few days prior ro the flight cack from Chicago overnight, and she slept for most of it. Don't know if it was coincedence or if it worked, but its not a strong medication so worth a try (Try Holland & Barrett or such like).

ds has always slept on planes

even stayed asleep during landing

when don't you think she wioll sleep?????

Do you have a seat for her? If so are you allowed to take her carseat onboard? We've just come back from Singapore, it was a night flight on the way out and ds (18 months) slept almost the whole way because he's used to sleeping in his carseat.

I have taken 3 kids twice to NZ (2 x 14-16hr flights). The second time dd (the youngest) was 5 and fine but the first time she was 22 months (so no seat and too big for a skycot - quite challenging with 2 boys of 4 and 6 as well).

This may be controversial but a pharmacist friend of mine suggested Vallergan - a premed (sedative) like Phenergan but stronger. I got it on prescription and made sure I gave dd a trial run at home first in case of adverse side effects. It didn't knock her out completely but kept her asleep once she dropped off and on the day flight back kept her placid and calm. Ireally felt it was best for all 5 of us (not even sitting together) and for the rest of the plane!

I suggest you ask your GP what they think of it.

thanks - have got some phergen, which the chemist recommended when she had croup, but wasn't sure about giving it on the flight. I'm seeing the HV on Monday, so will ask her ref your recommendation.

I don't think she'll sleep because we leave SF at 14:15 ( I think) & last time (a year ago) we had a terrible time - me & DH took it in turns to sleep & she wasn't having any of it. On the way over it was ok cos it was a daytime flight - of course, she was exhausted that afternoon !

We both had terrible jetlag which took about a week to shake off : - (

The car seat seems a good idea too - I wasn't that keen on the US ones anyway. Ours has a good recline & at least would be fairly comfortable. Last time I managed to get a free seat, but this time have had to pay.

WHAT about getting her up early and keep her on the go all morning to tire her out?

car seat idea sounds good

we went to the zoo before we left last time & wandered around the pier at SF afterwards - will try all though...can't cope with a sleepless flight !!

Phenergan is OK for 2.5 yr old. Medised and Piriton also OK, but possibly less effective (at knocking them out). Best to test beforehand though in case they send your DD hyper rather than to sleep.

Double check with your airline that they will allow you to use the carseat on the flight, I'm not sure whether they all do.

When I've done long haul with children I've taken them on board in their daytime clothes and then changed them into pj's before take off to try to convince them that it really is bedtime. It has worked a couple of times but not always. I also try not to let them get over tired or over excited (easier said than done) during the day. Have a great holiday!