12 hour flight LHR-HK with 14 mth DS. Should I do it?

[tiredange]

I'm thinking of flying to HK a wk before DH on my own with 14 mth DS - 12 hr flight. Should I do it? Any advice on how to manage stroller, bags, sleeping, feeding on flight and jet lag? Will be going end May if I'm brave enough.

Absolutely you should! A

Ask for assistance at both ends via your airline, book an evening/night flight so DS will be sleepy and is more likely to sleep. You'll have to just go with the flow as far as his sleep goes ie he'll probably get a bit fractious but then settle down. Try to sleep when he does - very important!!! Take an assortment of favourite snacks with you. Let the cabin crew take him off your hands to amuse him when he's awake so you can go to the loo, have a break etc.

Again, you'll have to go with the flow when you get there regarding sleep and jet lag but within a day or so I'm sure his sleep pattern will be back to normal.

Thank you MaggieW. I had given up on responses and only checked again today. I have gone for it. We have an evening flight so I'm hoping he will sleep some of the 12 hr journey. My sister has 2 kids at the destination so will have everything ready. Just need to survive the flight

I would book a seat for him (infant care chairs on Virgin are great, just like a car seat) I think that helps soooooo much! Agree about late afternoon early evening flight.

You can take a light pushchair right up to the gate.

Good luck!

We just flew 12 hours to/from Mauritius with dd1 and dd2 who has severe SN. It was a real challenge but do-able! The way out was overnight, dd2 was reasonably ok for the majority but did cry loudly a few times which did disturb most of the plane . Dd1 (10) struggled too with being uncomfortable and not sleeping. The flights back in the daytime were actually a lot easier for us!

If you can, check-in early or online in advance to get the best seats for you. Good luck and hope you have a good time.

My mum (who deserves some sort of medal) used to fly with four of us under ten every year from HK to LHR, and then drive us down to Wales. We caught the night flight, and changed into our pyjamas once the seat-belt light was off. We were also bribed with new toys, which were kept for on the plane, and distracted by drawing pictures/writing postcards for Daddy. People tend to be very good about letting you queue-jump for the loos if you have small children too.

With the jet lag, I always set my watch to the time at the destination as soon as I get on the plane, and try to sleep as little as possible going East, and as much as possible going West; but can imagine this won't be so much help with a little one.

With regard to feeding, if you can at take-off and landing, I believe this helps the ear 'popping' sensation in the same way that sucking on a boiled sweet does, and should help them feel comfortable.

Oh, and be prepared for the fact that Chep Lap Kok have a temperature screening thing you have to walk through - 'tis a result of the bird flu pandemic. They're very friendly though, and it is just a health and safety thing.

Your sister will no doubt know this already, but try and go to Stanley Market, cross the harbour on the Star Ferry and go on the Peak Tram! I really miss HK...

Feel free to ask me any questions; my family still live there! Hope you go and have a fabulous time.

Thank you all so much for the posts. I have forgotten to check with post-Easter activities. We are 2 weeks from departure...Yikes. Flying with Air NZ. Should we get bulk head or not? I've read differing accounts as the arms don't move. He is about 10kg so will he be too big for bassinet?

Another spanner is we are booked for MMR jab this week. I'm thinking of postponing to when we return as have read side effects and don't want him to be miserable and poorly for the whole hols. What does anyone think?

definitely - we took 10mo DS to Australia last year.

Your DS is too long for a bassinet - ours was too long at 10mo. Get the carseaty thing instead, it reclines and is much better.

I would postpone the MMR, but there is always the risk of picking up something on the flight - you have to square it with your own mind. He is unlikely to catch measles or mumps on the flight or in HK, but German measles might happen. Shouldn't hurt him - but make sure you don't visit any pg women if he seems unwell at all.

Feeding at take off and landing does help with ear equalisation, if you can persuade your DS to do it!

Bulkhead is essential of you are having the carseat thingy for your DS - it goes on a dropdown table in front of you. you have more legroom for putting things you need into as well.

Good luck!

I think I will see HV today and see what they suggest. But I'm thinking of postponing MMR. Seems too much to handle jet lag and being unwell. It's first visit to see my family so don't want him to be miserable the whole 3 wks.

Do the airlines provide the carseaty thing?

Does sucking on dummy work same as feeding?

yes they should provide it - when we went (BA) they gave is the option once on the flight, although we had pre-booked the need for it, iyswim - we chose the bassinet for the first leg to bangkok, because we didn't realise it would be too small, and then had the carseaty thing for the rest of the journey and on the way back. Check with Air NZ what they have.

Sucking on the dummy technically does the same thing as feeding, but only if he is actually sucking on it - it is the swallowing reflex that keeps the ears equalised, so actually having something to swallow improves the chances of it working.

Thanks. Will call the Air NZ to check. Will have bottle and dummy ready. DS was fine when we went to Spain but was only a short flight and he was v. small so slept in my arms the whole journey. Am hoping he will be the same...