7 hour flight with a one year old

[mumsy1014]

Any tips on flying with a one year old? It's 7 hours and DD first time flying

Have you purchased a seat for DD as she could well be on your lap the whole time otherwise (she won't fit into a bassinet).

Do not rely on the airline to fully provide. Would suggest you take her favourite foodstuffs and blanket/toys with you and enough of this for the flight along with nappies and some changes of clothes for both of you.

Do not be afraid to ask for help.

We couldn't afford a seat for DD and I was so worried about flying but it was surprisingly okay!
We packed:
Snacks. All the snacks, then a few more.
2 non spill cups
Plastic toddler fork and spoon
Milton wipes for the gross surfaces
Twice as many nappies as you think you will need.
Wipes and nappy sacks
Disposable changing mats
Zip lock bags
Big pashmina style scarf, you can wear it onto the plane and use it as a lightweight blanket which smells like home/you
Spare outfit for you and two for baby - layers are best.
Slipper socks
Mini bubbles
Magnetic drawing toy
Books
Stacking cups
A couple of small favourite toys from home
Calpol and calprofen sachets, syringe, teething powder, infacol
Baby carrier - great for taking sleepy babies off the plane, and leaves your hand free for bags/cases/passports
Tablet loaded with enough cartoons/films for the whole flight - its nobody's first choice of parenting and definitely don't play it until you've exhausted your other options, but if everything goes wrong, it makes it more bearable when you can break the journey down into how many episodes of night garden are left!

We recently did 8 hours with a 7 month old, and I packed heaven and earth! We found the following things useful-

• baby carrier/sling (even if you can take the pram to the gate, it just seemed cumbersome)
• large muslin and small muslin
• familiar blanket
• snacks and food
• sippy cup
• noise cancelling headphones
• some new toys (or hide old toys before you travel so it's exciting for him)
• finger puppets

We didn't get a bassinet seat either, but booked seats one apart from each other, so there was a spare seat between is iyswim. If the flight isn't too full then this seat won't get booked and you can pop baby in there to nap etc.