1 yr old long haul flying

[sharon2133]

Has anyone taken their 1 yr old on a long haul flight? Any tips or advice?

Yes, we took our 1 year old to Florida in June.
Cannot offer any advice unfourtunatly, as he was a nightmare (but then again, he is when not flying 2!)
I fooled myself that on the way back he would sleep (it was an over night flight) but that didn't happen!
All the cabin crew loved him though!!

I am taking an 11 & a half month old to Florida at the end of November. We fly back the day before his 1st birthday. I hope he behaves and sleeps. Blueteddy - who did you fly with??? Was it really bad ?

take lots of little pressies and finger food and 'things' for him to do - crayons, playdough, stickers, scribble pads. There have been some threads before about this - they'll have useful tips! Good luck!

we took 10 month old to Oz and back. 28 hours without a break going. even the best baby can't sleep that many hours and it's fairly impossible to entertain a child that age for that long. I would heartily recommend breaking the journey and doing long hauls overnight and then they will probably sleep more of it. eg 14 hours to hong kong and then 10 hours to Oz, or similar.

We flew with first choice (not the best!)
It was quite bad, especially on the way back, as he just didn't sleep!
However, don't assume that it will be as bad 4 u as my son is a walking nightmare at the moment!!

I know I shouldn't really but Medised is a great invention and they will sleep!

I've just taken my 21 month old long haul to the US. My tips -

don't expect them to sleep the whole time (far too exciting),
ask for a seat at the front of whichever section you're in as that is usually where there is some kind of reclining chair/drawer (!) for them to sleep in - ask the airline and they'll know where the best place is.
take lots of little things that you can keep pulling out to amuse them - books, stickers (even if they just stick them to their knees, faces etc), farm animals, crayons, etc
take lots of snacks as this keeps them amused for ages - raisins, cheese, breadsticks, etc

The time actually passes quite quickly. I found the hardest thing was the fact that her body clock stayed on UK time and it took about 3 days to sort itself out. So be prepared for some sleepless nights.

Good luck!

wishingchair - can you update us all on the 'amazing story' twins thread

One word... MEDISED

We took DS to Barbados, I was dreading the flight, but actually it was much easier than short haul, as we could actually get all his toys and things out (on way to SPain by time seat belt sign was off, we had about 10 mins before it was on again and no time to play )

Had a little play, gave full dose of medised, watched TV, and he went off to sleep like a lamb (something that never happens at home, btw), which really helped with keeping him up till proper bedtime once we arrived.

Hi

I travel all the time with work on my own and ventured to take DD 2 weeks after 1st Birthday (and learning to walk) on a 12 hour flight to Mauritius! Outbound flight was overnight. It wasn't good. I learned that if you are travelling on a scheduled carrier (British Airways, Virgin etc) you can pre book a basinet seat. This gives you a shelf with carry cot on it so at least you can lie them down to "bed". Pray for smooth flight though because as soon as the seatbelt sign comes on you have to put them back on your lap! Whilst there we met a couple of GP's who have 2 children and they advised half a teaspoon of piriton. The flight home was a dream!!

took dd eight months old to Australia - only had 1 1/2 hr stopover... lots of info about this on the travel section if you want to do a search....

try this thread here

Shmoo - We are travelling with Virgin and last night I pre booked the bassinette seat both ways. Very pleased.

Took DS to California when he was 18 months old and would second the tips above:

• Virgin are good (and for a one year old, the bassinet is worth pre booking, although it was a bit of squeeze for tall DS)
• Do book the extra seat - I didn't on the way out and boy we could have done with it
• Booking extra seat allows you to take their own hand baggage: a mixture of old favourites and exciting new stuff (approx one new toy per hour is my rule of thumb) -Take plenty of snacks if you have a picky eater!
• Go for the bulkhead seat even if you have to throw a toddler-esque tantrum to get it
• After all that how it goes may be out of your hands: very difficult to keep an excited toddler happy if turbulence has him strapped into his seat for a long time: that might be the moment to break out the Piridon/medised! At the worst you can always take it yourself.

Actually, on both occasions we were pleasantly surprised: DS was fascinated and loved flying so much we got away with one 45 minute tantrum on the way out (he hadn't slept at all and it was 2.30 am by his body clock, so it wasn't surprising) and 5 hours sleep and no melt down on the return.

So go for it: it's lovely to feel having a child doesn't have to restrict your travel plans, even if it's a bit more tiring preparing

We took DD1 to LA when she was 6 months, just after 9/11. She was fine, although she did puke over my shoulder onto the girl behind!! In fact the cabin crew gave us a bottle of champagne when we landed, as she had been such a dream!
We found that the Americans on the flight were really kind, and offered to walk about with her and entertain her, and we were put to the front of all queues on American side - not British though.

We took DD1 to LA when she was 6 months, just after 9/11. She was fine, although she did puke over my shoulder onto the girl behind!! In fact the cabin crew gave us a bottle of champagne when we landed, as she had been such a dream!
We found that the Americans on the flight were really kind, and offered to walk about with her and entertain her, and we were put to the front of all queues on American side - not British though.