please please share your top tips for flying and holidaying with older babies

[Tutter]

ds will be 15mo when we go to france next month. haven't flown or been abroad with him yet - in fact the only times we've been away have been in our own car.

so - please share your best travelling / staying overseas tips. esp re logistics of airports and hiring cars. am already anxious about the flying bit as am phobic and haven't flown in 2 years.

tia.

Expect the worst, cover yourself for every eventuality & it will probably be fine.
If you are very anxious, might be a good idea to let your dh/dp hold him, otherwise he will pick up on your tension.
Take lots of toys for him to play with on the plane, lots of drinks, nibbly bits of food. Don't get stressed if he cries on the plane, it happens & your probably won't be the only one. If at all possible let him have a sucky drink during take off & landing to help his ears pop.
Can sometimes be a queue for car hire, so you may want to pop him in the buggy & go for a walk, even if it is just around the car hire lot.
Have a fab holiday.