Surviving a long haul night flight with a toddler

[Marylandbiscuits]

We are due to take a long haul night flight soon, and we will have a 3 year old and a 18month old. I’m dreading the flight!

Both kids will have their own seats, but I have no idea how they are actually going to sleep on the plane? We leave at 4pm and land at 3am (uk time).

My youngest is really not used to sleeping on me, he has always slept in his cot. But then he’s too little to just be left on the seat, and tbh I’m worried about my older one also falling off the plane seat in his sleep!

any advice on how we can survive this flight, and hopefully all get a bit of sleep, would be much appreciated!

Who are you flying with? The blow up things that fill the feetspace are amazing and mean both children can lay down flat on their seats. Some airlines don't allow them though. There are various similar things though if you Google. You just need them to be able to lie flat in their seat and you should be ok.

We are flying with air Mauritius and I think they do allow fly tots and plane pals. I wasn’t sure if they are worth it but I’ll look into it more now

We do this once a year. The Plane Pal is worth the money. Check with your specific airline as ours only allow the branded one (there are lots of cheap copies). They only allow them on certain seats too. We book 4 in a row with dcs in the middle, and that gives them lots of space.
My dcs sleep very well (but our youngest sometimes likes to lie on me or DH) - I absolutely do not and I hate it!
We have Yoyo buggies for both dcs - even if your 3yo doesn't use a buggy much now, it's worth having one on arrival.

I've done two 13 hour round trips, at age 1 and now at 2.

We had the FlyAway bed on BA, it's amazing. Not just sleep, but gives them an area to sit and play.

Bear in mind they will be excited and will be awake for a long time until they crash. You'll want to sleep before they do. Make sure you get a good night sleep the night before.

Bring a ton of food. More snacks than you think. Brand new stickers. Obviously lots of screen time for the 3 year old, although mine isn't bothered by it which is a bitch.

I flew to Thailand with with my son and his family when my grandson was 15 months old. We took one of the blow up cushion things that fit in the floor space. My grandson slept on it really well. I'm not sure it would work for your 3 year old, but it should for the younger one.

Take lots of small treats and snacks to divide out over time. Small new toys, colouring things to do, puzzles. Screen time will help. Also let them walk around it they want to [ if safe ].

My 3 year old spent about 30 mins fidgeting and lying all over me and DH trying to get comfy bless her, but then she just zonked out on us and slept

Calpol and antihistamin. And headphones with an audiobook.

I have done dozens of long-haul flights alone with my two since they were babies and similar age gap to yours. A friend who is a flight attendant gave me some tips - it’s all about the ears!!:

a dose of Calpol 30 minutes before takeoff and again 30 mins before landing - pre-empts any ear pain

put them into their pyjamas for the plane so they are in “bed time mode”

given the 3 year old a lollipop and have a bottle for the 18 month old to have just as the plane is taking off (sucking something helps their ears)

put them both back into nappies for the night flight even if they are potty trained as if the seat belt sign goes on, you might be stuck in your seat for ages and you don’t want to end up covered in wee.

bring plenty of snacks and an empty plastic bag to collect all the rubbish!

bring colouring in books and crayons

bring spare changes of clothes for them and yourself. Someone always either barfs or spills something!!.

Try to book the bulkhead seat with bassinet but if you can’t get that… if the airline allows the plane tot blow-up things they’re a godsend.

dont be afraid to ask the flight attendants for help, they’re usually brilliant with kids.

the main 3 reasons kids cry on planes is ear discomfort, hunger or boredom… if you can deal with all 3 you will be absolutely fine.

Thanks for all these tips! General consensus seems to be the inflatable bed things are worth it. Think I’ll double check with the airline that they accept it and then get it.

would it be worth getting the inflatable bed for both kids do you think? we have a row of three and then one of us will be on the aisle.

then I just need to stock up on snacks and toys!