Flying 4 month pregnant LONG HAUL (12 h) AND with a 18 month old toddler

[starchildmum]

Hi

I am flying in April long haul 4 month pregnant and an 18 moth old toddler as I would like to go on holiday one last time being only 3 and really enjoying my little girl. Just terrified of the flight....

Any advise ( apart from compression socks and lots of water drinking and moving) very welcome.

I flew til just after six months, albeit not with a toddler.
Get to the airport early and request an exit row seat so you can stretch your legs out and not have to worry about someone reclining on you. By far the best way to travel, even if you have to pay for the seat.

Technically the airlines aren't supposed to give pregnant women the exit row but if you're only 4 months then you may not be showing. However even if you manage to get an exit row seat your toddler won't be able to sit with you as you need to be over 16 to sit in those seats.

You may be able to get a bulkhead seat though, if your toddler can still fit into one of those bassinets.

If you can afford it pay for a seat for your DD. I last flew long haul (10 hours) when DS was 14 months and having him on my lap for half the journey wasn't ideal. We flew BA and had the bulkhead seats with the Britax seat they have for under 2s and he only just fit in it and he's not particularly big!

Other than that just keep telling yourself its only 12 hours and you get to have a lovely holiday once you're off the plane!

I've travelled long haul (11 hrs) at 28 weeks without a toddler and again at 20 weeks with a 2.5yr old child. Honestly, I barely even remembered I was pregnant and it made no difference apart from the number of times I had to use the loo (so I recommend an aisle seat).

Tips

• Aisle seat as noted above, ideally in bulkheads where you will have extra legroom for you and play room for toddler.
• Consider buying toddler own seat rather than an infant in lap ticket if you can afford it. My DD is very tall & heavy and I found even short haul (4.5 hrs) to be a bit too much effort from about 18 months.
• I always buy little cheap presents for my DD and wrap them up, give 1 to her every so often throughout the flight to entertain her. E.g. sticker books, cars and figurines, etch a sketch type toys - avoid items with many small pieces which are easily lost.
• ipad loaded with favourite TV shows and movies as sometimes they prefer something familiar rather than airline selection (and mine isn't allowed to watch too much TV so very limited knowledge of most programs)

Thank you. Lots of great advise.