I'm Much Better Prepared NOW!!

Well... the good news is that almost everywhere else in the world children are EXPECTED to be moving, and vocal, and getting into things (esp in Asia & Africa... but most of Europe expects children to be children as well). So once you're on the ground... you'll be good to go.

You'll have an easier time on the plane when it's not all full of Americans. Although, strangers (from child centric cultures) often start interacting with infants/young children on planes... so be aware of that (the creepy stranger thing = every stranger is pecuilarly American. Most countries all the adults watch out for the neighboring kids. Helping distract a cranky baby, or even offering to hold them, or holding treats their way for them to crawl for... is considered good manners.)

Worst case scenario: She screams all 17 hours. Just repeat the mantra to yourself "Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love ya, tomorrow! It's ONLY a daaaaaay ah-waaaaaay". Really. It WILL end.

In all reality, it's highly unlikely to be 'worst case'.

The 'drugs' people talk about is usually a combo of benedryl & tylenol. Do a dry run at home. A minority of children get hyper on benedryl, most of the time it knocks them out. But you want to KNOW if your child is one of the ones who gets hyper on it. Both are safe to take for no reason. But on a plane both will ALSO help deal with pain and congestion (hint: ALSO bring along a real decongestant... you can get the infant drops with a lot of difficulty these days, but you can get them. This is just in case she develops a head cold. NOTHING = a screaming baby faster than a ruptured ear drum.) Neither benedryl nor tylenol will keep her asleep for 17 hours.

((There ARE cases of parents -usually stuck in a warzone- who have REAL knockout drugs for their kids. These are life or death scenarios where a noise can give you away. They don't hand these drugs out for plane trips except for children with extreme special needs.))

Another trick is CAR SEATS.

Drive around a lot until she falls asleep in hers. Time your naptimes and drivetimes. Get her used to sleeping in her carseat in the car, and sleeping in a carseat on the plane just isn't that different. HECK. Start putting her in her carseat at BEDTIME (it's just a recliner with a seatbelt... it's a great trick for when they have colds, as well... helps the mucus drain).

Another Trick : DVD player. This is NOT the time to limit screen time. It's 2 days out of her life (there and back). Standard rules do NOT apply.

Another Trick : Earplugs. Buy a gross of them to hand out to nearby seats if she's cranky/fussy.

Another Trick: Walk the aisles. Flight attendants are MORE than happy for you to be walking around when the lights are off if it keeps your toddler happy. You just need to get out of the way of other passengers (and not let her be pestering others), and to sit during cart time. In long distance jets (the big ones) there's usually a smallish section near the tail that is open space. People go there to stretch. You are people. You may go there, too! :D

And really... it may feel like 5million years if she's unhappy the whole flight... but it's ONLY 1 day. You can do a day standing on your head.

I've gone to India with my 5 year old four times at various ages and I never used medication on him, even though he is a very active child. I'd make sure you have a window seat, take some new toys along with some favorites, and make sure you bring a lot of snacks. Those long flights usually have individual TVs with kid programming, so you will probably find something cartoonish that she could at least look at or even listen to if she will wear headphones. Also ask for a bulkhead set from an agent so that you will have more room and she can stand up and play without disturbing the people in the seat in front of you. On the layovers let her walk around as much as possible and you might consider waiting until the end to board so that you are cooped up for less time. Aside from the one fit my son has thrown, he has been a very good traveler and I always worried more than I needed to. Have fun on your trip!

ETA: Does she have her own seat? If not, you could ask an agent to reserve the seat next to you in case there are openings, but don't expect it. The long flights are always so full. Also, depending on her weight, she may be able to fit in a bassinet that they attach to the bulkhead. Trust me, that can be a lifesaver on those long flights!

We had a similar trip to asia. 3 flights and 22 hrs :) Dont worry you would do fine but it wont be easy :) I didnt give my baby any medication. What helped me was my ergo baby carrier. I would carry her in ergo and walk in the aisles/airport just about everywhere. Most of the airlines offer bassinets for long flights..but you need to reserve it as soon as you can. Between my carrier and bassinet we managed the flights. You might also need some handy snacks as they wont eat the airline food.. gerber tubs, fruit snacks, cereal, cheerios etc (packed in snanksize packets). Trust me they are very handy when she is hungry or cranky. I also took new toys,books as well as fav. toys,books, blankets etc. Goodluck with your trip :). My hand luggage was just full of toys,books,snacks and some change of clothes for both of us.

No drugs! You might want to take whatever you use for pain medication - Infant Tylenol or Infant Motrin though in case you have teething pain or ear pain from the change in air pressure. I would also take at least two of whatever you normally use here (gripe water, Tylenol, Little Tummy's, Oragel, Baby bottom creme, etc). It will be hard to find what you normally use and if you haven't had a baby of this age in Cameroon before - then you won't know the products from there. Also, check with your pediatrician regarding immunizations.

Make sure you pack plenty of clothes for both her and yourself that you can change to on a plane, have her favorite lovey or two available and as another poster said, plenty of her foods / toys, etc. Good luck with your layover. Let her run during that if possible!

We don't do quite that long of a flight but did LAX to Heathrow several times with a 9 month old, a 16 month old, a 3 year old and a 5 year old. You will be fine! C.

No drugs. She needs to have a lot of stuff to redirect her. If the flight has any nighttime hours then she will fall asleep during that time. Otherwise she is going to have to deal with being in your lap. She may not be happy but unless the stewardesses have some other options she is going to have to stay seated just like you do.

I travelled to Africa with my son at 6months. A few tips: Ask for a bassinette on the plane. You can get the bulk-head seat and the bassinette clips onto the wall in front of you. This was a lifesaver for us. He could actually lie down flat to sleep and when he was awake we used it as a playpen. He loved that he had his "own space". International flights offer this on most of their planes. Another great trick...wrap NEW toys in foil. It adds another 10 minutes to the fun when they try to unwrap the toys, making a fun sound. Also, bring suckers - I don't give my son any sweets but it is a lifesaver if she has any issues with her ears for take off or landing. good luck!

I know how it feel. But one trick really works for my boy when he was 1 years old and travel around 16 hours flight. Just bring 10 different kinds of toy / books and show her every 2 hours . But make sure those toys/ books she never play or read before to make it interesting and attractive . Each toys at least can occupy her mind for 10-20 minutes . It cannot cover whole flight time but will at least keep her at her seat . Good luck