flying alone with DS

[mamasr]

I am going to be flying alone next month with DS, 18 months and rather active! Has anyone got any tips?

Don't let him out of his seat to run around as he may want to keep doing it.

Don't give him too many toys as it will make him to excited, you want to get him in a slightly bored, zoned out mood. Just act like you find it a bit boring yourself, keep everything low key. The hum of the plane should lull him to sleep if you are lucky.

Don't take round toys that can roll away if dropped.

Take all your own food and drink for your DC then you wont get frustrated if the air stewards are not attntitive enough.

Take ziplock bags for dirty cloths

I used to fly on my own with three DC's under 4 on long haul flights (11hours) and I sometimes got them checked out by their doctor in case they had unsymptomatic ear infections. ( One of my DC's used to get ear infections from time to time)

On my doctors suggestion I sometimes used to give my DC's travel sickness medicine. It stopped them getting airsickness and knocked them out and helped them fall asleep. I only did this on longer flights.

I can't think of anything else

Good luck with your trip.

Sorry for typo's, Also, to be clear, I got myDC's checked by the doctor before we flew.

You've got good advice above. When I did it with a breast feeding one I'd keep them up and feed going up and down. It's ok if you think and plan slightly. Good luck.

Thank You for the wonderful advice and the luck!

Don't give travel sickness medication if you've not used it before. Some types can actually wind children up, and you don't want to find that out in an enclosed space!

I think i'll give the sickness medication a miss as he isn't usually troubled with sickness although i'll have some trusty calpol to hand should he start to get ear ache. We flew with him last summer but he was on 6months and so fell asleep right through as i fed him during take off however i doubt this will be the case this year and i'll be alone!

I did it with DS1 at 15 months then again with DS1 at 3 and DS2 at 9 months.

I would add to the advice already given:

When I had just DS1, I took him in a baby backpack rather than a pushchair as you can take it on board with you. When you arrive at the other end you don't have to carry your child to the baggage reclaim and wait for the pushchair.

If you have an iPad/DVD player/iPhone etc take it and preload with toddler friendly apps. This kept DS2 sitting still aged 15 months on a long coach transfer.

Don't put cherry tomatoes in a packed lunch unless they are already sliced in two. At altitude they explode over the seat in front when bitten in two.

Take advantage of friendly unsuspecting strangers and ask for help if you need an extra pair of hands. People are generally flattered to be asked to help especially men who are 10-15 years old than me!

If you haven't booked your flight yet consider a smaller regional airport over Gatwick or Manchester where the walking distances are smaller. I flew from Southampton last year which was much more chilled out than LGW.

Thank You all.. You're filling me with the confidence I needed!

Haha great tip LaGuerta about the cherry tomatoes!

Haha you have been warned!