Long haul flight with 14 month old

[nutmegandginger]

I'm going to be taking DD on a transatlantic flight on my own. We have flown with her several times before, but a) it has always been with DH there, and b) it was before she was mobile, and so she was happy enough just sitting and looking around. She doesn't walk yet, but she does like crawling around, and will probably get fed up of sitting on my lap.

The flight there is a daytime flight, and so though she will hopefully nap for an hour or so, there is going to be a lot of time to keep her entertained.

Does anyone have any tips for things to keep babies of this age group occupied. She likes books, so will definitely be taking a few, but ideas for other things she might like to do (that are portable/inexpensive/not too loud and irritating for other passengers) would be really welcome. I will have an ipad with me, and so if anyone knows of good apps for this age that would keep her happy for a while, that would also be really helpful.

NRTFT so probably repeating but this is what we did and it worked well:

• fly at night. More chance of sleeping.
• try and get bulkhead seats. Some airlines are really good at that and if you book through someone like dial - a - flight they can help you with that. The little extra room gives them space to play and often other parents have done the same so you may have a little playmate.
• Peppa pig etc on iPad. This is not a time to go through the 'iPads for toddlers debate'. It helps immeasurably.
• simple games on the iPad - see above. The Peppa drawing app is really good.
• cheap new toys that can be unwrapped periodically when things get dull.
• favourite snacks (again, put nutritional concerns on hold)
• get a window seat for looking out opportunities.
• go for regular visits to the attendants at the back. The walk, the snacks, the attention and the change of scenery all helps.
• blow up pillow for extra comfort. Those ones that squish up in a little bag are even better.
• post stick notes are great to play with and relatively easy to keep in your space.
• books of course. Stick to the flat ones so more will go in the seat pocket.
• in the loo, pull ups are easier to get on and off. They can stand on the loo
• if you use dummies, take loads. If you recently got rid of the dummy you may want to reintroduce it. In my experience they relinquish it much easier second time round!

Finally - it will be easier than you expect. If people see you are trying and still tut, they are wankers.

For iPad the peekaboo apps were really good at keeping my DS entertained particularly the peekaboo barn and peekaboo presents, it looks simple but he loved it!

• lots of different little toys you can pull out (don't need to be new, just don't use them for a week or so before travel) eg sensory ball, small car, small lamaze type toy, craft pompoms in a box (seriously these are great), small character toy. Think about what you can easily pull out of your bag in restricted space
• books give the best entertainment for space. Favourite books which they are familiar with are better than new ones at that age since it takes a few goes to get into a new one
• meals are good entertainment! little snacks also good
• apps and media on tablet work wonders
• LOTS of spare clothes for DC and a full change for you
• give milk on ascent and descent since swallowing helps to avoid sore ears

Did a trial run with the headphones - disaster. They really freaked her out. She cried her head off, and then after that cried whenever I picked them up. She was pretty upset even when she crawled past them a bit later - pointed at them and cried again. I had a go just holding my own iPod headphones vaguely near her ears, but that upset her too. We may need to give up on that idea unless she has a massive turnaround, but at least we had the hysterical screaming now rather than on the plane! Perhaps she is just a bit too young for them.

I was just coming on to say the peekaboo apps but isthe has just said the same. DD loved them about 10-15 months. Loads of snacks that take time to each, particularly raisins here. And plenty of small, light books so you can get a different one out time and time again.

Have loads of wipes handy and spare clothes for you both. BF is a massive bonus, the first flight I did after DD weaned was our hardest as until then I'd just fed her to sleep whenever she got restless on flights. Walking up and down the aisle is fab too, I've always been surprised how many bored travelers want to chat to DD. A carrier for getting off the flight in case you don't get your pushchair until the luggage carousel (most flights do this). Keep your pushchair until you get to the gate at the departure airport - even if little one wants to walk you can use the pushchair to store all the coats/hand luggage.

I've been amazed time and time again about how wonderfully supportive the general public are when I've flown alone.

Don't stress about the headphones. I've used an iPad without sound on flights and the colours alone mesmerise a baby, but also volume at the very lowest setting is ok if you are lucky enough not to have anyone sat right next to you. It's never a guarantee, but I've done six flights with my 18dd and for four of them I've had a seat for her even though we didn't pay for it (and the two flights without a seat we flew with my parents). From what I understand, if there's a spare seat on the plane you'll be given it

The flight actually went much better than I had expected, and everyone near us on the plane was incredibly kind, and DD enjoyed making friends with them. She behaved pretty well, though most of the stuff I brought wasn't needed in the end as she mostly just wanted me to read her favourite book over and over again (for 9 hours). Thank you to everyone who posted.