New Zealand in 2 weeks. Flight with 14mth old, 4 and 6 yr old- help!

[sunshine05]

Ok so going to visit the inlaws in NZ in 2 weeks and I'm getting more and more anxious about the flight. I'm not a good flyer as it is (looking into doing a hypnotherapy session or two before we go) and on top of that, I've since found out that we're not guaranteed a bassinet for the 14 month old. So as you can imagine I'm not relishing the idea of having him on my lap for the whole 24+ hours of flying. what the hell am I going to do? I've got a sling (connecta) so I guess I could have him on my front whilst strapped in but I just worry its going to be a FRIGGING nightmare. Why oh why did I agree to go? I went 4 years ago with a 3 month old and a 2 year old and it was tough but doable -the baby slept most of it. But with a small toddler who won't sit still?? Anyone have any ideas or figured out how to get them to sleep comfortably?

Ok, what airline are you on for a start? If you are on Air NZ and on NZ1 via LA, then I’d highly recommend seeing if you can upgrade to get a Skycouch. Worth their weight in gold to get two kids lying down top & tailed to get some decent sleep. If not, then check in as early as possible at the airport and ask if there are any spare seats on board that you could have use of. Massive long shot, but no harm in asking.

Will you be on your own with the kids, or do you have a partner travelling with you as well?

Travel as lightly as possible in terms of carry on. You don’t want to be lugging heavy bags around as well as trying to wrangle 3 kids, and it’s often pretty long walks between gates. I know lots of people don’t like Trunkis, but my kids are really good at pulling theirs, and you can put heavier things like colouring books in them. Change the kids into fleecy onesies when you are on-board, and aim for them to sleep 4-5 hours of each leg if possible. Minimises jet lag and keeps them rested enough to not be feral. Let them watch as much TV as they want, and don’t stress if they don’t like the food – mine hardly eat anything on long haul flights. Buy sipper top water bottles once you are airside, and make them drink plenty of fluids. The crew are always really helpful in refilling them. Two glasses of red wine is perfect to make you a bit drowsy as well.

I find that if you board the flight with extremely low expectations of sleep and comfort, then it’s never quite as bad as that!

I was going to also ask which airline (and which airport?).

Would not rely on the airline to provide fully in terms of meals; I would take their favourite foodstuffs to eat.

Are you also travelling on your own with your children?.

Bassinet would likely be too small for your 14 month old to use in any case; they are tiny and are really for much smaller and younger babies.

thanks for your replies! We're flying with Etihad (was the cheapest!) so will arrive early like you suggest and see if we can get 2 seats together- I figure that's the best option for me and the youngest so he can curl up on the seat or at least stretch out partly on me and partly on the seat maybe! Am flying with husband but youngest is a bit attached to me so I may end up looking after him more and he'll deal with the older two. We have one trunki and were going to use it between the older two. I had thought should we buy another one....not sure. Someone has offered to lend us one, just not sure if it'll mean us trying to help the 4 year old with it if he can't steer it etc but then it'll also stop fights over who gets to pull it! Yeah the bassinet is probably too small though I'd be willing to squeeze him in if he'd sleep ok- lol! The weight limit is 10kg though and he's just over 11.

Yep my expectations are pretty low so hopefully it'll be better than I think!!

We did it with a 6mth old, 3 year old & 5 year old
It wasn't great but you just have to get through it
Get kiddie earphones so you can get the kids to watch TV for a bit

Yeah got some headphones now for the older two. More worried about the youngest not sleeping and then me not sleeping as a consequence