About to take 4yr old and 14mo old on flight to Barbados: any tips for nervous Mum?

[Elibean]

DH too, so not just me - but have heard enough gruelling tales of 14mo olds on longhaul flights to keep me awake at night...

We're travelling Premium Economy on BA out, and Business back (sorry, fellow travellers) and our 14 mo old is not walking yet, and loud as they come

any ideas for making it easier on everyone concerned?!

Lots and lots of little toys and ginger bread men or whatever/rice cakes that you can pull out whenever trouble looks to be flaring up. Books to read on your lap (for them, not you). I worried about doing similar with 13 month old and it was actually fine cos he was so happy tp be in a room full of people (plane) that he just spent the whole time standing on my lap smiling and waving all round the plane. The flight will have lots of babies and kids on it; it isn't such a nightmare as you'd think.

get a portable dvd player, i have one for dd and it was a life saver on our last flight.

lots of snacks

pens, pencils,playdoh,favorite books.

i take all these in her carry on luggage which is a small trolley bag, she pulls it.

the 14 month old cant offer any tips sorry.

last resort you could try a sedative for them so they get a good sleep, and you.good luck

Thank you! I know its not rocket science, but just reassuring to hear from BDTD Mums...and also v good to be reminded that it neednt' be a nightmare. Amazing how easy it is to panic.

Might try the sedative for me, failing all else

Traveled with ds & dd at about the same ages - god it wasn't as bad as I expected - and everyone was lovely & supportive - staff & passengers alike. And both of them slept brilliantly (something they don't do in their own beds

Lots of little wrapped up presents (even if dull inside, a Present creates a good mood) - anything and everything (eg we had a small slinky, books, colouring stuff, pipe cleaners, new lego characters, small cuddly toys, sticker books,
Lots of different snacks - both familiar and more treaty (eg we had 4 packs of 'in case of disaster, break open' chocolate buttons)
Emergancy medised supply - makes you feel better knowing its there
Pack bag with military precision so you know where everything is/can extract things in the twinkling of an eye
Ask/plead/beg for bulkhead seats/a spare seat next to you - we got them both ways [smug] by: me ringing airline, almost sobbing, to point out they were seating us all separately (so a 3 yo would be seated alone- actually, I could see advantages there) then turning up very early at the check-in.
With the 4 yo be VERY clear on your expectations - we told ds (repeatedly) he would - get on plane, brush teeth, read stories & have milk, then go to sleep. And he did

If it gets bad, just remember that you could be travelling cattle class, you could be six months pregnant and you could be going to Austalia.

Who do I know doing that? Oh yes, me.

It will be absolutely fine. It's only about 7 hours, no?

Use BA's online check in facility 24 hours in advance. Print off your boarding passes and use their bag drop facility; this will save you a lot of time.

Certainly would recommend the portable DVD player. Also if she has a fave toy/blanket take that too (and don't lose it!!!). Do take all her foodstuffs and drinks she likes with you for the plane; do not solely rely on BA to provide this. Childrens meals are often not served much before adult meals are brought around.

If the aircraft has the new Club World configuration the seat is wider and longer than their previous seat. If there is a CW lounge at Barbados airport do make use of it. There should also be a separate check in line for CW pax (also your luggage should come off the plane earlier on arrival).

You've probably got a night flight back to the UK so hopefully she will sleep for part of the journey.

actually you can't check in online with an infant unfortunately

you'll be fine. sticker books, books generally, stashes of food (raisins in small boxes, the odd banana, cereal bars etc always help in an emergency)

I've just done the same trip with 4 and it really was fine.

but with a 14 month old there is always going to be quite a bit of pacing around and exclaiming "ohhhhh!" excitedly at the laminated safety card (for some reason they find that fascinating...)

top tip - don't order the childrens meals. a pile of crap and e numbers. they are much better off with the adult ones

Kalms. Lots of Kalms. Then even when the 4 year old is asking why the plane on the card has broken in half and is in the sea, you won't care.
Bring a jumbo bottle and you can share them with your neighbours
Good luck, I am a dreadfully nervous flyer and it would be my worst nightmare

God, you lot are good. Will you please come with me?

Marina, I used to love flying but have morphed into a paranoid, terrified flier so will hunt for Kalms (what are they?)

Thanks. Some great tips there.

Did'nt know we couldn't do online check-in with infant, thats bad news

Kalms are herbal - hops, valerian and chamomile I think. They are very good!
I was also once a calm flyer, I flew to and from Corsica on my honeymoon, no problems. Oh, hang on, I was half-cut on champagne on both flights

Oooh, just checked BA site, seems online booking is fine as long as infant is sharing adult seat. She is

Thanks Marina, will bulk buy

Infant is sharing DH's seat you mean.

See if you can get a bassinet in Prem Econ. Don't think they have them in Club class but worth asking. Anyway, you'll have a bed on the way back, so it's fine.

ahhhh
my infant had her own seat
but she was 23 months and I was buggered if she was going to sit on my lap for 9 hours!

I keep myself jolly on a flight by thinking that I can't actually do anything about it if we are going to plunge into the sea, so, if it is going to happen, I might as well go out having a jolly cheerful time rather than a worried paranoid time. Also don't get a window seat so you can't see out and you can just pretend you're on a train.
As for the kids- beg for the bulkhead then they have room to play around on the floor at your feet. Oh and as for your offer of taking us with you I'd happily entertain your kids during the flight for a week at Sandy Lanes. I'll leave my DS with my Mum and leave DH to his work. I speak the language so will be very useful to have along!!!

Oooh Peasoup, come! Though not Sandy Lane, I'm afraid

Wise words. I'll do my best. And yes, defo infant on dh's lap