Flying with a small baby
Discussion
Something for them to suck - the build-up of pressure in her ears can be painful and she won't know why (presumably she can't use words like "pressure" 
).
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2198255/...
).http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2198255/...
I'm watching topic with interest - we're doing a similar length flight in a couple of months with a two year old.
I'm currently planning on copying a bunch of episodes of his favourite tv shows onto my tablet and paying particular attention to which toys he's currently playing with that don't make lots of noise!
I'm currently planning on copying a bunch of episodes of his favourite tv shows onto my tablet and paying particular attention to which toys he's currently playing with that don't make lots of noise!
We relocated back to the UK with our 4 month old twins and luckily it was only a short flight (< 2 hrs). My son was fine and quite enjoyed it, but my daughter screamed the whole time which was lovely for all other passengers. I've never had so many evil looks.
We took lots of dummys and their favourite toys. Also wear comfortable clothes as they are sitting on your lap for so much of the flight.
We took lots of dummys and their favourite toys. Also wear comfortable clothes as they are sitting on your lap for so much of the flight.
WeirdNeville said:
Is it an overnight flight?
We planned out flights to take off just after his bedtime (1yr old), gave him his "bedtime bottle" on take off and pressurisation, then put him in the basinette in front of our seat (only just big enough despite him being small) and he slept for the middle 10 hours of a 12 hour flight, bar a couple of minor squarks.
That went fine, the second leg, 2 hours later, for 7 hours: Not so much. We all suffered.
No, we planned that a bit badly really. Take off mid morning from Bangkok and land in Paris late afternoon, so we'll have daylight all the way and then she'll be knackered when we get there. Might have to adjust sleeping times the day before.We planned out flights to take off just after his bedtime (1yr old), gave him his "bedtime bottle" on take off and pressurisation, then put him in the basinette in front of our seat (only just big enough despite him being small) and he slept for the middle 10 hours of a 12 hour flight, bar a couple of minor squarks.
That went fine, the second leg, 2 hours later, for 7 hours: Not so much. We all suffered.
AJS- said:
No, we planned that a bit badly really. Take off mid morning from Bangkok and land in Paris late afternoon, so we'll have daylight all the way and then she'll be knackered when we get there. Might have to adjust sleeping times the day before.
This. We never did 12 hours but we had plenty of shorter flights with our three and thinking ahead and adjusting timings from a few days before really helped. I would try to get her up quite early on the day itself and then ply her with stuff to keep her awake in the hope that she'll drop off for at least part of the flight.Milk in a bottle is the best way to avoid the pressure issue in my experience (unless they're still breast fed in which casem this). I've never taken my children on such a long flight (2hrs is the longest so far!), but basically I'd say lots of things to keep them occupied (drinks, sweets, books, films, etc)
Good luck!
Good luck!
We're taking a 9 month old to NZ in 3 weeks time. Really looking forward to that. 14 hours to Sydney (from Dubai) 3more to Auckland, then another hour or so to Napier. It's a morning flight too, so that'll mess with his routine. If you think you're on the same flight I suggest you change it. I'll be stressed as it is without any grief from anyone else!
We have milk, toys and I'll but a DVD player with barney etc. Then, it's fingers crossed time.
We have milk, toys and I'll but a DVD player with barney etc. Then, it's fingers crossed time.
We took our little boy (8 months now) away in April - 4 hrs to tenerife as a trial and was absolutely dreading it !! As like you I have always got really pissed off not with babies crying but the bloody parents not seemingly too bothered that le brat is screaming the fecking plane down......although baby cry is a nothing now 
He slept like an angel and several passengers commented that they didn't even realise that he was there as we were getting off. Happy days mind he was a mentalist whilst we were away and made me realise that my 60 hr working week was easy compared to being baby monitor!!! No more dorados at lunch and a quick siesta, it was work work work but loved every minute of it.
We have another 4 hr trial at the end of Sept then the real test at the end of November when we are doing a 12 hr jobby,but we are purposefully flying at night and on a non stopper to try and ease it a little or torture everyone more !!! We shall see....
Good luck OP and don't forget 99% of people are fine and the rest are miserable old gits
He slept like an angel and several passengers commented that they didn't even realise that he was there as we were getting off. Happy days mind he was a mentalist whilst we were away and made me realise that my 60 hr working week was easy compared to being baby monitor!!! No more dorados at lunch and a quick siesta, it was work work work but loved every minute of it.
We have another 4 hr trial at the end of Sept then the real test at the end of November when we are doing a 12 hr jobby,but we are purposefully flying at night and on a non stopper to try and ease it a little or torture everyone more !!! We shall see....
Good luck OP and don't forget 99% of people are fine and the rest are miserable old gits
We've flown with our boys a few times, never as long as 10 hours though.
Something to suck on/eat/drink on the way up and on the way done definitely recommended.
Selection of toys, treats at the ready. We wrap up a cheapie present or two to make an occasion of it. Favourite teddy will encourage some sleep but don' lose it!
iPad is good. If desperate we have some kids DVDs loaded onto it but haven't had to use them yet.
There are definitely some grumpy people on planes when it comes to kids. I probably used to be one of them to be honest but sod 'em.
With a bit of luck the drone of the engines will send them to sleep as it does with my boys sometimes.
Good luck.
Oh and if some idiot suggests doping the poor child up with child piriton to make them sleep as we witnessed on more than one occasion kick 'em in the goolies. We have seen this backfire very badly.
Something to suck on/eat/drink on the way up and on the way done definitely recommended.
Selection of toys, treats at the ready. We wrap up a cheapie present or two to make an occasion of it. Favourite teddy will encourage some sleep but don' lose it!
iPad is good. If desperate we have some kids DVDs loaded onto it but haven't had to use them yet.
There are definitely some grumpy people on planes when it comes to kids. I probably used to be one of them to be honest but sod 'em.
With a bit of luck the drone of the engines will send them to sleep as it does with my boys sometimes.
Good luck.
Oh and if some idiot suggests doping the poor child up with child piriton to make them sleep as we witnessed on more than one occasion kick 'em in the goolies. We have seen this backfire very badly.
breamster said:
Oh and if some idiot suggests doping the poor child up with child piriton to make them sleep as we witnessed on more than one occasion kick 'em in the goolies. We have seen this backfire very badly.
Someone has suggested to Mrs C about a very mild sedation, but don't know if it is the same one. The doctors here hand the stuff out like they are sweets.Pack more nappies than you think you could possibly need, the lower cabin pressure aids their bowels IMO.
And as people have said take things for her to eat, but make sure it's what they like. Ours don't tend to get sweets so we had no idea what was nice so a pack of Haribo sours (I know, the name's a clue
) really didn't help...
And as people have said take things for her to eat, but make sure it's what they like. Ours don't tend to get sweets so we had no idea what was nice so a pack of Haribo sours (I know, the name's a clue
) really didn't help...Avoid them seeing the tray table. Had a major battle at that age with my daughter on a short flight when she discovered the catch...
Also be aware that some airports take the pushchair away at security. Very frustrating two hours chasing a toddler around an airport, without the option of strapping her in to the chair, culminating in her hitting her head on the floor just as we boarded.
Also be aware that some airports take the pushchair away at security. Very frustrating two hours chasing a toddler around an airport, without the option of strapping her in to the chair, culminating in her hitting her head on the floor just as we boarded.
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