Tips for Long Haul with 2 Year Old

[itsawildride]

We're going to be doing 9.5 hour flight with a 2 (nearly 3) year old this summer. Anyone got advice about whether it is best to go in bulkhead or normal seats? And I've been going down a rabbit hole of toddler plane beds. Any recommendations?

My son has done similar and longer flights yearly since around that age, because our family are split across continents.. before 3 we had as many good flights as bad to be honest, and it generally all came down to tiredness. If we managed his sleep well, it would be great.. if we didn't, it was awful.

So I would recommend you really think about sleeping plans. E.g. get him to do as much exercise in the airport as possible, know when a full sleep (if it is a night flight) or a nap will be required and work towards that. Does he have a comforting blanket or toy to sleep with? Can you mirror as much of your normal sleep routine as possible? Bed time story, clean teeth, wash face etc.

For beds, we tried the ones that fold out and sit on suitcases but my son was too long and it was always better to have him between us. Head on one of my us, feet on the other.

We would book near the back of the plane because that is where the empty seats normally are.. and if we saw one after all has boarded (or a whole row sometimes...) we would ask the crew and they usually let us use it, which often meant making sleep more comfy because we could spread out..

If you can avoid tiredness though, everything else is pretty fine..bring a bag full of pens, paper, books, toys, activities etc. And then just ballence that with as much screentime as you are comfortable with.

Water drawing books worked well, sticker books, magnet books, etc.

Also you can buy trays with edges that can go on airplane foldout tables.. they were great because otherwise toys just fall off those small smooth tables all flight...

Oh and lollipops were always the best solution for ear popping. Let them suck away during takeoff.. sorry about the sugar, but the sucking action helps their ears a bit, and lollipops are easier for them to hold/suck for an extended period of time.

It's hard work, because in between sleep and screens it is just keeping them happy and entertained for hours on end.. but breaking it up into small chunks helps.. read books for a bit.. play for a bit.. walk for a bit.. eat for a bit.. play for a bit.. watch for a bit.. eat for a bit.. draw for a bit.. etc.

We did a 24 hour flight to Australia when my daughter was 16 months old, mad I know 😝, she’s 30 now.

We travelled so much when she was young, Kenya, USA, Mexico etc. This was prior to all the electronic gadgets. We took colouring books, snack type foods, general old fashioned entertainment.

On the Australia flight we had a bulkhead seat as she was under two, so no seat for her. They attached a cot to the bulkhead for her to nap in and play.

We drove to the south of France when she was 9 months old. We’ve had some amazing holidays which we’ve all enjoyed. Just go with the flow and enjoy the experience 🤗

I'm airline staff. You probably won't get a bulkhead if he's over two, he needs his own seat and the bulkheads are normally reserved for lap infants or people with medical need. I'd say a normal row anyway as the arm rests go up which means he can lie against you more easily. Many of the inflatable children beds are banned by airlines so check before you buy. I personally think they are unnecessary anyway. I can't think of anything special we did other than bring a few toys, books and colouring things.

Thank you so much for all the suggestions here - really helpful!