help me to chill about it

[patheticworrier]

OK, have named changed because I'm embarassed to be getting my knickers in a twist over this.

But, in a few weeks DH, myself and DS (18 months) are on plane for 10 hours, and I'm dreading it. Someone tell me it's going to be ok. We will have ds on our(my)lap as we haven't booked him a seat. DH refused to spend the extra money.

DH isn't remotely fazed by the thought of keeping a toddler occupied on the flight. But, he is very laid back about most things. However, I know when things get tough it will be me having to try and occupy ds while dh watches movies, saunters round the cabin, drinks coffee, etc etc. He won't do a nappy change , that will be all down to me.He will do nappies at home, but won't do one in a tiny toilet closet on plane . I'm the one having to think about toys to occupy ds; think about change of clothes; how many nappies to take on board;worry about getting the 'evils' from other passengers when ds gets noisy and irritable; what food and drink I might need and it's making me feel like I don't want to go on this holiday after all, which is ridiculous.

Will someone slap some sense into me, tell me 'there, there, it's all going to be alright!' Please.

This has been really useful. DP, DS & me are going on our 1st flight next week. Ds is 9 months old, our flight is 8 hours!
DP doesn't seem at all bothered by the prospect but I can't think of anything else!
It will be a different story once we're on the plane, he isn't great with DS when he plays up in public. He gets all embarrassed & doesn't know what to do for best.
I'm just as worried about how DS will cope with jet lag.

bring a change of top for you - just a t-shirt is fine - my DTs vomited just after take off once and I was sooo glad i had a change
take shifts with your DH ie 2 hours on two hours off each and dont be a wuss!

if you are chilled your child will be chilled. You only have the one so you can take it in turns to entertain, walk around the cabin, and eat.

Nezzi - a 9mth is even easier and sorry but an 8hr flight is nothing esp. compared to the long haul flights from London to NZ or Australia.

Just realise that you will no longer be able to rest, watch a movie or read like you use to and you'll be ok. And stop worrying about what other people think!

I've def taken 0n the tip aboput having a change of top, another MNer mentioned that on a previous post.
You're right Kiwi, it could be a lot worse, I don't fancy a London - NZ flight by myself let alone with DS!
I'm not so bad about "what will people think" but DP isn't very good and he'll make me edgy. Oh well, less than a week to go...

Nezzi all the best for your flight next week.

I sat DH down last night and read him the riot act and told him what I expect him to do, and he has said he will pull his weight.
Actually, I feel loads better about it now I've got it all off my chest and stressed out to you all about it.

Thanks for all the great tips and advice. Its very much appreciated.

I flew with DS1 when he was nearly 2 and I was 5 months pg. Being tight I hadn't booked an extra seat, but to be fair to BA they were really good at getting an extra seat (flight was nearly full). Some passangers were fabulous (one man offered to move from bulkhead WTPlus (I got upgraded) so I could have more room. One bitch from hell said he (the man) couldn't move as she didn't want to sit next to a man .

Overall the experience was survivable (flight about 8 hours). Re drugging as previously advised, DS hadn't slept at all on the way out, so I did put a drop of medised in his milk. He crashed out immediately and I spent the next half hour panicking that I'd drugged him. He was fine!

Just be prepared to read Spot (or similar) 1001 times. Oh the joy....