Tips for Flying?

[forcedinsomnia]

I am due to go on holiday for the first time with DH and DS who will be 15 mo when we go. It is only a short flight (2.5 hours) with a 1 hr transfer at the other end. any tips to make it easier?? Or is it just a case of see how we go?

Make sure your DS has something to chew on to prevent the pain of ear popping on descent. But a few toy cars for pushing around and a favourite book shouldn't take up too much room, especially if it has dense pictures with plenty to talk about, rather than just relying on the storyline.

I've not flown with my DC yet, but the above have made long car journeys to visit relatives much easier.

Hello!
I have done six flights with 21 week DS already due to the nature of DH's job, ILs in Sweden and holidays. I appreciate 15 mo is very different from 5 mo, however what I realised is not to be the first to board despite them announcing mums and children to! They only get restless tied up in a place as it can take upto 40 mins for other passengers to board. You have seat numbers so its not like anyone else may sit in them!
Mine is EBF, so I try to feed him just as we take off or land to prevent his ears popping, however a teething ring or a toy to suck on would do the job.
I find sling easiest to manage having unsuccesfully tried pram once. Travel light!(if you can with a child!) and try and change them just before you board, easier to do in airport loos than shaky plane ones!
Take his favorite toys as boredom is the easiest trigger for howling. I also keep calpol handy, though flight attendants have it, but that was due to my 10 hr flying time with one changeover.
Take a camera and take lots of first flights photos. Have a safe trip!

Thank you. I'm really looking forward to the holiday, but dreading the journey. Good idea about not boarding first....I would have got on quick so as to beat the rush!! Ds hates sitting still for any time at all.

I found a portable DVD player worked wonders, and also helped for meals out in resort when DS was restless waiting for food!

Good luck!

We travelled to the UK from Australia when DS was 5 months and again at 13 months old. 5 months was so easy looking back on it!
I wrapped up small toys/books and whenever he needed a distraction I gave him one and took plenty of snacks I know he loves. We took our Ergo sling (carries bubs up to 20kg) and this was a lifeline when he lost it as I could keep him close to me but walk about easily. One of the air stewards actually pulled me aside and asked what brand it was and where I got it from so they could get one!
I also downloaded loads of apps to my iphone that would keep him amused - a godsend! It was also useful on holiday when in restaurants or cafes or on a long car journey....
Also accept that the journey won't be like preDC, you won't get to sleep/read magazines/books/watch movies/eat all your inflight food...

Thank you again. Some great ideas....I'll download some apps for sure. Any recommendations? It'll only be about 7 hours in total door to door so nothing like flying from oz....but he's a wriggling ball of energy and it's like wrestling a lion trying to get him to keep still!! ha. Wouldn't have him any other way though. Will deffo pack some calpol too....just in case. :-)
Going to check the guidelines for liquids with infants too....think it's slightly different for babies??

A short haul flight's not really any harder than a train journey of the same length, you'll be fine. Don't forget headphones or download quiet apps, not ones that beep all the time. Have him run around as much as possible before the flight and put his seatbelt on at the last possible second. I also throw all my usual parenting principles out of the window and give whatever will buy silence - biscuits, DVDs...

I also always sit right at the back by the toilets if I can because at least then you can let them bash the wall behind them, even if they aren't allowed to kick the seat in front, and you're annoying one less row of people!

if you haven't booked a separate seat for your son, then ask at the airport if they will block book the seat next to you - it makes life so much easier just to have that little extra room for manoeuvre.

Guess we'd have to pay extra for block booking the extra seat though right?? Sounds like a great idea though.....never considered it. Yes I'll have bribery items at hand for sure. I'm more worried about the take off and landing bits.....because he has to sit still.....and that's not the way he rolls!!! Ha.xxx

Ds2 is a handfull as well. Have you got a packet of aqua draws? Because they only use water they can't make any mess. Also if you go to your local pound shop or Wilkos you can get some cheap toys or distractions (even food) and gift wrap them in cheap, colourful paper. Then every so often you can give him a present. Ds2 was always thrilled by this whether it was a toy car or a small packet of rice cakes and the unwrapping wastes time too. :)

What a fantastic idea thehair! I'll deffo give that a try (weight restrictions permitting!!!). Think I'm probably stressing over nothing.....but want the holiday to get off to a good start and that was hard enough pre-dc on low cost airlines!! Thank you for the tips.

Oh talking of weight restrictions check the hand luggage allowance. Last time I flew I was allowed a bag for me and one for ds and they could be up to 10kg each!

no need to pay for block booking - they'll only do it upon check in and only if flight not full, but it's a good reason to go a little early to tje airport

Portable DVD player or download something DS likes to watch on Iphone/Ipad
Something quiet to play with e.g new book
Plently snacks, drinks (purchased after security)
Special emergency jelly babies, smarties etc. to be produced in case of mega meltdown
Change of clothes for you both close to hand
Wipes
Keep your bag under the seat in front so you don't have to get up and wait until seat belt sign is switched off.
Wait to fasten the infant lap belt until the last minute
Depends on the airline but if its a low fares carrier e.g easyjet then do board as early as you can as seats are not pre allocated so getting on last might mean you have to sit apart from DH. Chances are no one will choose to sit with you, DH and a toddler unless the flight is really full so if you are lucky you could get a row to yourselves!!

Good app is tozzle, which is jigsaws or Thomas the tank engine, logs and lots of food and books/ magazines.