Long-haul flight with kids - any tips?

[SunChaser]

About to undertake a long-haul flight with a two year old. Any tips? I am dreading it!

I will watch with interest. Long haul flight with 6 month old for Christmas coming up...

I've taken my newly crawling 10 month old on an eight hour flight followed by a 5 hour connection and another 2 hour flight, and it was surprisingly ok. I was travelling on my own and people (air hostesses and other passengers) were really helpful, offering to carry our buggy and my bags. I took lots of new little toys to keep DS entertained, and plenty of snacks, plus enough food and milk for some serious delays. We took a day flight as I was worried about him waking people who were trying to sleep but with hindsight, I would say go for a night flight if you can. Friends with similar aged children have said they slept the whole way. Actually DS slept quite a bit (maybe half the time) - I think the white noise is comforting. So - take plenty to keep them occupied, enough supplies in case you are delayed, and don't worry about upsetting other passengers with noise etc (they will be more accommodating than you expect) and remember it's only 8,10,12 hours of your life and then you have a lovely holiday. And def take a buggy especially if you have a stopover - it's easier than trying to chase your DC around whilst carrying heavy bags.

I flew to the States with a 23 year old last year, it is doable as long as you are prepared.

My tips are: take lots of snacks (raisins, rice cakes, fruit compote etc) juice, zippy cups and food as the airplane food was wholy unsuitable.

Get a special backpack and lots of new little toys, you need to aim for a new toy every 1.5 hour of so to keep them occupied. If you have a portable DVD player, bring this together with favourite DVD's.
Don't forget their favourite blanket, little books, cuddly toy.

Um, Dutchy...I assume you meant 23 month old? I would hope a 23 year old would be able to entertain itself.

Just accept it will be grim.
I've done it loads with two kids and can't tell you how lovely it is now they are 5 and 8 and able to entertain themselves.

God, I have suffered.

I have flown with toddlers lots.
I do walk them about frequently at non-busy moments.
Books. Push-button electronic toys, snacks, silly games. Red wine 4 the adults.
Many visits 2 the toilets -- all sorts of interesting stuff in there, but clean Ur hands lots, I picked up nasty tummy bug last flight.
Am flying trans-Atlantic again in about... 42 hours with 21m. old.
tbh, it's never the flight but the subsequent toddler jetlag that kills me -- a week+ after arrival of odd wakings at 2-3-4am, sigh.

completely agree about bringing snacks and suitable food, as airplane food cannot be counted on.

Look at the LongHaul topic, and you will see dozens of posts on this same query - it's a question that is asked most every week - and you'll find lots of useful information/suggestions.

portable DVD player
Small book sets
snacks
the crayola pens and book that are clear but then the colour shows up on the book
sticker books
Don't give everything at once.
Also DD was fascinated by the inflight screen as well.

Stickers
favourite book
stickers
colouring
stickers
pom-pom making
stickers

Did I mention stickers?

DD is a sticker monster, so that kept her pretty occupied for most of a 9 hour flight (at 28 months), but it depends on your DC. She's also not good at naps and lasted from about 7am UK time through to about 2am UK time the next morning with just a 1/2 hr nap in a car part way - didn't sleep at all on the plane, but was a pretty model passenger. Night flight on the way back. Getting her to sleep was interesting, but once down she slept all the way.

We also took a 2L bottle of water (had problems getting it from flight crews before for me and didn't want to be worrying) and a pottette - which turned out to be a blessing as she got scared of the flush on the plane toilets and refused to go back in.

All in all it was a much better experience than we were expecting.

When i took ds(2) to Florida we had:

Bought his own comfy headphones, the ones given out on the plane are far to big.

Loads of snacks!!

Lots of cheap small toys in envelopes or wrapping paper, things like;

Stickers and a small note book
Cars
Aeroplane
Travel paint with water thing!
Little People!
Dinosaurs

Unwrapping the presents meant he was occupied for an extra 2 minutes!!

Looking at clouds and pointing out funny shapes can take up 10 minutes!

We also took number and alphabet cards.

I also made a mini brochure with pictures of the hotel, hire car etc so he would be know where we were going.

If you can possibly afford it (and if it's still available of course) - buy him/her their own seat and take a car seat with so that they can be strapped in. It would also mean you don't have to pick them up and hold them on your lap during turbulence - potentially waking them up if sleeping etc.

Have only done it once with ds (laps the rest of the time), and it made the world of difference. (Sleeping in car seat for hours vs jumping up and down or climbing over us for half a flight!)

If not, my best tip would be a pack of cards - doesn't take up a lot of space and is good for entertainment. Try buying ones with pictures on it.

I assume she will have her own seat. A must!!

Babies are OK on long haul, but as they get bigger it is a bit of a mare. We have done UK-Aus (24hrs). As everyone says take things and a change of clothes for all involved.

I actually found day flights better, as he was awake and looking around and then sleep when we got there. Some poeple like night ones, so their kids can sleep. I found my DS never slept on a plane.

For a worst case scenario you can get a sedative, ask your Dr.

We do this at least once a year, dc now almost 2 and 4. We don't bring a lot of toys, they each get a few items. I would go nuts trying to keep track of everything if we brought more, and I've found the most important things is to remain calm yourself, even in the event of a tantrum and glaring passengers. That, and food!

This last trip ds discovered the steward/stewardess call button on his seat. They ended up covering it with a piece of blue tape to save themselves having to get up every two minutes. Some were more amused than others . . .

2 year old must have own seat - only allowed on lap under 2.

I have done sooooo many flights with my 3 dcs and without dh. We live abroad and often go home just me and kids.

It can be grim.

At 2 they can do some things, better than 1 year old who just wants to move around.

Definitely stickers.
Mini Aquadraw - can fill up pen times 100 in bathroom.
Try to get maximum time/mileage out of everything. We spend a long time looking at the plane safety card and talking about every bit of it. Also the inflight magazine - look at all the pictures.
No chocolate - makes so much mess. Lollies take a while to eat but can be sticky.
Take full advantage of anyone who wants to engage with your child. Get flight attendant to watch child so you can go to the bathroom.
Try to get child to sleep! I know people who give piriton syrup, not that I would ever do that.
You are not allowed your own drinks so just keep asking for water/juice.
Remember to allow for waiting time in airport, standing in queues etc.

It will be fine. You just need a philosophical attitude.

tbh ds is worse now at 6 and his feet just reach the back of the seat in front - I spend the whole time fending off annoyed passengers who are sick of being kicked in the back.

Just a couple of points:

Drinks: You are allowed your own as long as you buy them after you've been through security.

Car Seats: Most airlines have extremely strict criteria for what seats are allowed on board, and probably a list of approved models, so check with them before assuming yours will be OK. Minimum criteria for most is that it can be installed in the direction of travel and only requires a lap belt for secure fitting - both of which meant ours was innapropriate (although we still checked it in so we'd have it at the other end - used a LOT of bubble wrap thought!)

Erm, yes that is 23 month old, not 23 year old. And I second the Stickers idea, 2 year old is obsessed by them.

Take Bachs Day Time/Nighttime Resque Remedy for little one to help them sleep/destress (or for yourself)