12 Hours Flight! Need Help !

If she's not too "mouthy"- Playdough, WonderColor finger paints, stickers and paper. My 18 mos old can play with these for a while! Good luck, have fun!

For my dtr we got a new toy/book that she didn't see until we were on the plane & she was already bored. We did the magnetic scene book so she could pick the magnets off & put them on again a few hundred times. We also did the wooden Melissa & Doug puzzle that has a bunch of doors to open & close. We wanted to have somethings that were quiet enough not to bother others. I also tried to have her sleep as much as possible. Best of luck!!

What a wonderful adventure you have coming up. It's great that you got her her own seat. If nothing else, that's going to make YOU more comfortable.

As a frequent flyer, one thing I'd have to caution against is letting her roam the aisle. It's just not safe and the cabin crew and other passengers won't want her there. If you hit rough air, she could be tossed around and hurt, plus, it's just annoying for the other passengers who will probably be trying to sleep as much as they can.

The two days prior to the flight, try to get her to exercise as much as possible, to tire her out. Maybe have someone else take her off your hands while you do last minute things and take her to a park to let her run run run!

Like others have said, bring lots of new items for her to check out and bring lip balm and body lotion to keep her skin hydrated and give her more liquid than usual. Cabin air is way harsh and dry.

If you think she'll wear them, invest in earplugs and a eye mask and put her in her most comfortable clothes, and bring slippers and her comfy blankie. Bring along a small pillow or bucky (I never leave home without my Bucky!). I love the idea of the DVD player, that will be a lifesaver.

Have a super life - congrats!

First thing...
I went for 17 days to Tokyo, Yokahama, Yokusuka, and Kyoto to visit a friend who moved there temporarily for work. I loved it and cried when I had to leave. 3 yrs?? Wow, how amazing for you!!!!

You are going through Europe? This means two trips through immigrations....uuuggghghh!! I went through Vancouver...hated it... the long lines....missed a connection on the way home because there were too many international arrivals at once and 50 of us missed our connection to Toronto while going through Canadian Immigrations. We had to get our bags off and re check in all over again. What a pain!! And...because I had to go through again, I could not carry on liquids from the Duty Free I bought in Tokyo back onto the plane in Vancouver. No biggie...NO souvenier Saki for me. So....keep in mind...
Buy your babies liquids after you check in....and only for the one flight...YOu will have to repurchase for the second flight after Immigrations in Europe. Check ahead of time the security check in rules for the country you are stopping through. I found a big difference just between America and Canada.

The good thing...
Overseas flights are so different from a domestic flight.
The flight is higher....less turbulance and pressure fluctuations. It is actually much more comfortable. I had a problem with it just being too cold. One piece PJs, warm cozy socks....and a cozy warm blanket are a must.
You will be allowed bags for her and yourself. If you have a carryon with wheels....make sure its narrow enough to fit down the aisle and bring plenty with you because the biggest issues are it is crowded getting everything on board and then getting her to keep still. My laptop case was on wheels but hit every row on the way down the aisle. Very difficult to maneuver on board...but it's harder to carry it. You will need a few books, a portable dvd, extra power / batteries, anything you can think of!!!

I'd hate to ever recommend meds...but keep something closeby incase she gets too restless. Childrens/infants cold medicine will make her want to sleep and keep the head clear to avoid the earaches that are worse with the slightest congestion during take off and landing.

I find the flight preperations, hustling through security and terminals to be exhausting for little ones. She may sleep a long time on the flights. Keep her up playing and running before check in. It is a good trade to have her tired and cranky through the airport and stay very still on the flight. When you land and get out....be ready for her to want to get out and run....
I hate child leashes...but in a foriegn airport it's a good idea. Take her for a mini jog around...exhaust the energy before standing in the line for immigrations. You won't regret it. Then maybe she'll be ready to sit in the stroller again with a sippy cup and snack. I find large international terminals to have indoor play areas for toddlers....Find out if there is one where you are stopping....you'll need to let her wear herself out again.

Have a safe trip!
Post your pics on google earth.

our neurologist just suggested melatonin for our 5 yr old. it is a natural sleep aid available in liquid at most health food stores. he would go to bed at 8:00 and not to sleep until 9:30 or 10:00. given at 7:30 he is asleep by 8:00.

maybe that would help if you need her to sleep on the plane. if not it is also used to adjust your sleep clock on trips such as yours.

we always fly with a portable dvd player. never fails us. good luck.

buy new toys so she is distracted!

DVD player with favorite DVDs

Hi M.,

One thing that worked great for my sister, it wasn't a 12 hour flight, but it's a good idea, a portable DVD player...and tons of DVD's...it'll keep her entertained for awhile.

Good luck!

R.

We did it with a 15 month old.
We kept her busy and occupied with friends and family the whole day before the flight so she didn't nap that day - we kept her awake till we got on the plane so she slept most of the ride.
Take her favorite books (we took 5) and 3-5 small toys that she likes and will keep her busy for while.
bring snacks that you know she likes.
We expected the worst but it wasn't that bad at the end.
Good luck with your move

M.,
If your daughter is content in her carseat I would suggest bringing it aboard. I know it is bulky but I have found it worth the hassle. At that age they like to run and a car seat is something she is used to. Airline seats are very large for a little one and no way to really be strapped in. Besides, if she sleeps in her car seat you can a break too!

My daughter was about 18 months and she did better than expected. We brought milk with us and I made sure she drank while the plane was taken off. Didn't even hear a peep out of her. Coming back home there was a little bit of cry but nothing a bottle did not fix. My flight of course was less hours than yours but she is a toddler and no matter what she is not going to want to sit the whole time. I wish you the best of luck.

I have no advice. I am sorry. When I traveled with an 18 month old active boy it was a nightmare. The doctor had recommended Benadryl 45 minutes before take off but that did not help. I even tested it a month prior to see if it made him sleepy or hyper, and it made him sleepy. But the flight was too stimulating for him. He ran up and down the aisle. It didn't help that the passenegrs would give him cookies, candy and lots of positive attention every time he toddled by.

The best thing I can say is be prepared to let her explore. It is great that she will have her own seat. Having her car seat there would be great too. Also do not overpack your carry-on. I had every trick imaginable but I could not find anything because I had too much!

I do wish you the best and thankfully when you have to come home she will be much older and a real pleasure to travel with. Enjoy! What a wonderful experience for you all.
A.

I would definately bring her carseat. She's too small to be properly buckled into the airline seat. Besides that, if she falls asleep in the car, she will probably fall asleep for some time in the plane if she's in a familiar car seat. Try investing in a video dvd with a headset that goes on the outside of her ears, or at least a music player with a similar type of headset (you do not want earbuds. And new She could swallow them.) New toys that she's never seen before are also likely to engage her attention.

When we took our son on a long flight at about that age, the ear pressure was the least of our worries. A pacifier, bottle or thumb sucking takes care of that. Keeping him in his seat and entertained was the bigger problem. Most people understand that children are not easily controlled, and will most likely be sympathetic if you have to walk her around. Don't let her stand in the aisle, not even for a minute. Carry her to the changing area, ect. If she gets the idea that she can get down, it might be harder to get her back in her seat.

In addition to favorite things, I would bring a few small surprises--a new toy, new book to pull out when/if she gets restless or fussy. My son is 5 and we still bring a little surprise for him whenever we fly. Also, assume the best! If you fear it won't go smoothly, it probably won't. Good luck!

12 hours! A long time to expect any age child to be on a plane. I know when I have to fly with my ADHD son I get the liquid dramamine, its made for children and very safe, although the airport may take it from you if its open so buy small bottles of any liquids you want to have on you. If the bottles are sealed they will let you keep it-very important to remember! Also to help with her ears I would suggest start the day before giving any antihistamine. It will be up to you what part of the flight you want to give it but trust me it helps so much. Remember you have to worry not only about the child relaxing but you're going to need a few hours of quiet to rest and the other passengers aren't going to be very nice if your child is constantly going. I would suggest waiting a few hours when she gets cranky, give it to her-you will both feel better!

Wow!! I am so amazed and inspired at the variety of things Moms are doing on here. It reminds me that my struggles should not be as bad as I make them out to be sometimes.
I'd try to bring a balance, of favorite familiar things, and new things that involve quiet interest, and keeping still.
If you're bringing a lap top, or your own portable DVD player, I'd have Baby Einstein videos, or other favorites. This is not the time to worry about too much T.V.
Lollipops to suck on for take offs, in case she's not hungry. You'll have to find the balance between keeping her busy to pass the time, but not so overstiimulated that she feels disoriented and can't calm down.
Good Luck !! Definitely let us know how this goes !!

Enjoy your wonderful adventure in China. Some ideas for long trips with little ones: cloth hand or finger puppets, interactive toys like a few large legos, snap beads, new cloth book with things to snap, zip, button, tie etc., practically indestructible (laminated) family album --you can even make this interactive by cutting out laminated pictures and havig your child put Daddy by the car, put Gramma in the house, put Grandpa behind the swing. Put Mommy next to...

Put all the surprise activities in individual opaque bags ...maybe even cloth ...so they remain fresh ideas that you can pull out when you really need a new diversion. And don't forget the book she wants read over and over and over. If she likes earphones, her fav story or songs could be on tape with special people's voices.....to give you a 5 min break. Again, have a wonderful 3 years in China

If you have a portable DVD player, take along some favorite movies and headphones. Also, let her move around at the airport so that it will be easier for her to sit still on the plane. Color Wonder products are great because they don't mark up anything but the special paper that comes with them. Do you let her have lollipops? They are another thing that help with the take offs and landing and just occupying in general.

Hope those ideas help.

Good luck!

maybe chamomile tablets, like hylands (available on - line or in health food stores)
there are also liquid form chamomile and valerian sold by Herbs for Kids

GOOD LUCK

belladonna 30c potency!! you can get it at any health food store. this is a homeopathic remedy . do you have any homeopaths where you live???? i know it has worked for me on many occasions. my son is six and we have used it a few times. have fun in hong kong ,it is beautiful there! j.b.

Hi Martha.. i travel with my family to thailand every year.. my daug
hter is now 8 and my son 3 1/2.. the first time i traveled with her on the plane she was 2 1/2 months old.. usually the airlines do everything they can do be helpful.. especially asian airlines.. from the time we left our home in mass. to our arrival in bangkok used to take about 26 hours. now there is a direct flight from new york about 16 hours... dont worry about other people children will be children... it sounds like you have all of your ducks in a row.. good luck!

cheerios, legos, crayons. activity books, coloring, etch-a-scetch. good luck!