Flying with a 9 m.o. - any advice or suggestions

[DinosaursArentMakeBelieve]

Hi,

My FIL has a big birthday coming up and is hoping to go away at the end of the year to the Canaries and my DH is really keep to go (firstly for is dad but also as we do need fancy a holiday). Whilst I agree it would. E nice, I'm just trying to figure out the logistics of taking a 9 m.o. Away for 2 weeks and if it's worth the upset for the LO!!!
We're looking at a flight time of about 4.5 hours... then two weeks in an all inc type resort.

Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations? Anything I definitely shouldn't forget? Etc etc!

The main issue is feeding. Are you bf or FF? Flying is one of the only times I've wished I was bf as it's so difficult to make upbottles safely. I used premade bottles last time we flew (8 hour flight then a transfer) as he plane water is unsafe.

Some flights provide baby food but I have no idea about the quality as DS wasn't weaning yet last time we flew.

The flight will be unfun but fine. Baby can got in your lap. Try to get the 2 seats rather than the middle three ( assuming 2-3-2 config) so at least you're not next to a random and trying to control the baby from pawing them.

Fartness- I am breastfeeding so I'm hoping that will help
*
Cantsee* - I think I might try and get the additional seat so myself and DH have the row as I think the plane is 3 + 3 although I'm not entirely sure if it's worth the additional cost....

Just back from the US with my 10 month old, flight was fine, day flight out, packed baby food pouches, little toys, ipad with baby videos (peter rabbit etc) old phone with baby friendly games plus a white noise app for sleep.
Night flight return, had a skycot, she slept the whole way. Made sure to offer drinks/dummy on landing to help with her ears.
Easy while there, hotels had cots, took her sleepyhead which was a godsend as keeps it familiar. Food again she had pouches or bits of our meal.
Had a skycot out also so she could sit in the to play, plus being in bulkhead she could also sit on the floor between our feet to play

We flew over 11 hours when DS was 12/13 months. Outbound was fine. Inbound he came out in chicken pox and had a horrendous ear infection that we didn't know about until we went to the emergency docs at home after him being so upset on the plane. It wasn't pretty, but I was surprised how easy the outbound flight was.

Just take plenty of entertainment for them! Have regular wanders around the plane.

I flew lots and lots with DC that age - long flights too. My advice would be to be self sufficient food wise for the baby but also take some snacks for yourself if you think you might get hungry. The cabin crew may have time to help but I would never count on it.

I used to pack a change of clothes for myself and for the baby. Id pack each set with some tissues in a zip lock bag which i sat on to get the air out - then if the baby vomited or whatever I'd whip out a complete bag and switch the clean clothes for the dirty stuff. I used to pack little lightweight outfits that didn't take up much space.
Toy wise I didn't bother taking much extra stuff at that age but if you do don't take anything that will roll if it lands on the floor. Fuzzy felt is my top tip for older kids - it's cheap and can be stuck wherever
The most important thing I learnt over the years was to take as little stuff as you can. I used a little umbrella stoller which was super compact when folded.

Apart from one time when one D.C. vomited quite a lot I never had a bad flight. It's only a few hours in a plane and you aren't doing anything else so you are free to entertain your D.C. - I've literally had more difficult trips to the local supermarket ....

Have regular wanders around the plane

Sorry but I have to disagree not just for the sanity of the other passengers but for your own sake too.

Once you let them out the seat they often decide that it's much more fun than sitting still. It's much better to not give them the option. I never let mine wander around unless it was a very long flight and there was room away from other passengers. Just think of it like a long car ride where it's not possible for them to get out the seat.

You can let them Stretch their legs while you are in your seat.

Thanks all!

Fuzzy felts is a great idea as he already likes the feel of those so I think he's like that and non rolling toys is something I hadn't thought of but a very good call!

I've travelled with DS at around that age. A lot depends on if they are crawling/walking as that makes life a lot harder!

iPad/phone was a godsend on the plane, along with some books and other small toys. We were formula feeding so bottles are a bit of a pain, but that's when the premade stuff comes into it's own. We mostly did blw so DS just ate bits of whatever we had, but we took his baby porridge for breakfast and some pouches and baby snacks etc. We were staying with family, rather than a hotel so not eating out all the time. Bought nappies and formula and pouches and things out there rather than packing it all, but I did research in advance that I could get what I needed.

It definitely gets harder once they are fully mobile!

We fly a lot and DS is about to do his third and fourth flights. It was fine last time, though he was a lot younger. He likes people so he had a great time chatting to the cabin crew and watching other passengers. We watched some Peppa Pig, played with toys, and I think the noise of the plane helped him sleep.

Take some sterilizing wipes for any toys you drop - I thought the floor was a bit manky. And someone suggested to me that I either feed or give he dummy during takeoff and landing to help his ears, but DS seemed fine.

Even if it's hell, the plane will keep moving and you will eventually get there.
I find the sling invaluable especially as it has a hood to make it nice and dark for him to sleep. We have these bags with a transparent side into which I put small kits such as for nappy changes or eating. Means that you have everything you need to hand. You won't sleep or rest on the plane but that's no surprise, is it? On the way back do not for the love of all that is good and holy eat anything adventurous that hasn't been tried and tested. Food poisoning on a plane with a baby is a truly hideous experience.

Bring along a couple of new, quiet toys they've never seen, and definitely have a change of clothes for both you and the baby.

Baby wearing through check-in and security worked great for us, I can highly recommend it.