Long haul flight with an 18 month old - should I do it??

[preggersplayspop]

We have been invited to a wedding overseas later in the year when my DS will be 18 mo. My DH is not keen on going because he thinks the journey will be a nightmare. It would be about 11 hours in total, with one connection.

I'm in two minds...I would really like to go, but my DS is a very energetic boy so I am a bit worried about how I would entertain him in a confined space for that long!

I'd really like to hear how other people have got on in similar situations to help me make up my mind.

Any tips gratefully received....grovel...

Hi there

I have recently flown to New Zealand and back with a 10 month old and a 3 year old and really, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. In fact, about a million times better. OK, so not the best 24 hours of my life, but certainly not the worst. And I really think that its a shame to miss out on something you want to do just because things might be a little uncomfortable for 11 hours or so. (Then again, beforehand I did worry myself into a panic, until a dear friend said, "Look, its only 24 hours out of your whole life". Great advice for me.)

Just be prepared with snacks, nappies, distractions and I'm sure it will be better than your dh is expecting.

Hi, that's a good way of looking at it. I'll have to make sure my DS reads this!

Or rather, my DH. DS is not that advanced!!

Hi there - I'm doing a very similar sounding trip to the US in August on my own with my DS who will be 14 months. I'm just going to treat it as an adventure - something I've never done before. I'm quite nervous and quite excited at the same time.

DH - (who will be in the US waiting for us) thinks that it will be a breeze!!

There is a great book by Rough Guide about travelling with babies and young children that I am finding really helpful.

Good Luck - I will love to hear how you get on.

We've done it a few times going to Australia with 3 children - last time aged 4, 2 and 1 - and it was fine. I think going overnight is best if you can as they just sleep most of the time. I was given advice (which sadly I didnt take as we ran out of hand luggage room) to take spare clothes not just for children but for adults too. My 2 year old was sick all over my partner at the Airport where we changed flights and so he had to strip off as I went to buy new clothes!! Would have been a nightmare if it had happened while still on the plane.

I cannot trump Spring flower but fly every year with my children from the middle dc being 18 months and other dc 2 and a half, this year I will be with, 6,5 and 22 months to Asia and me pregnant.
Milk, sweets, books and accept that you will not sleep. Book you seats ahead (special assistance) and get a basinette.

go. dd went all over the place in her first two years. we did oz when she was 21 months and I was 5 months pg. can't say the flight was the most fun but it was fine.

Thanks for your responses, I am glad that everyone is pretty positive about their experiences!

I will have a look at the Rough Guide book for some more tips. My DH is not the best flyer (and a natural pessimist), so this could be behind his reticence, but I'm going to do my best to persuade him.

We've done this sort of thing quite a lot - my relatives are in the US. Do it. Pack medised, lots and lots of snacks, surprise/new toys, book ahead for a basinette seat (might limit you to BA flights), pack a spare sleepsuit in case of surprise explosive nappies, and oh yeah, avoid getting food poisoning the day before! Both DH and I ate some pizza the night before one long haul trip and oh, the regrets...

oh and if they start crying, which of course is what you fear most probably, be ready to stroll endlessly up and down the aisles. It might not be fun but that's probably as bad as it might get.

(we leave tomorrow with our 2.2 yo and 11.5mo old! )

Hey I am going to Aus on Tuesday with DH, the DTs (boys aged 3.5) and DD (18 months). We have done Aus before when they were 5 months old (the DTs) and Asia when they were 18 months old, but never long haul with all three kids. I am worried, but we are going, so really its pointless!!