Long flight with Active Toddler

There was a previous thread by Cara and I cannot find it.


I have a flight back to Canada with my 26 month old, who is very active and does not like to be confined. She hates to be buckled into the car seat when we drive. Any suggestions to do or keep her busy when flying. (just baby and Mommy flying)

Someone here mentioned some medicine to give and also a DVD player (which one is good/long battery life)?

Thanks

Bring some toys (new and old), color pencils & drawing book, stickers, story books, some snacks to munch.

(Don't bring noisy toys and markers)


You still have to let your child walk around once in a while, though, as sitting for a long time can be tiring.

Thanks for the suggestions. Cara, what happened to your thread?

My little one LOVES Barney and I want to bring a DVD player, any ideas on a good one?

I have a slight disability, so will want to get up to move as well, just not looking forward to this.


Anyone know if Airlines will give the bassinet seats, with a 2 yr old?

Is this the thread you're talking about?

http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/forums/momsdads/threads/99767.asp


I find that practicing at home for the flight helps a lot too - now we're wearing the seat belt , now we're eating lunch, now we're sleeping, etc. Before flying to Canada and back this summer by myself with two active and VERY talkative 5 and 6 year olds, we practiced 'now we are being quiet' a lot.


For sleeping on the airplane, I always make a tent with the blanket - tuck it into the back of the seat in front and the back of her seat. It cuts out light and distractions and also warns others that there is a sleeping child.


If you can try to relax when she is making a little noise (i.e. don't always be trying to shush her), you'll both enjoy the flight more.


I think she's probably too big (size and age) for the bassinet.

I'm new to this forum. Anybody had experienced long haul flight with 9 mth old? Mine wouldn't like to be buckled & DVD doesn't help at her age now. Any advise?

I have flown from Australia through Hong Kong to Canada several times on my own with my baby during his first year of life.(I will be moving to Hong Kong soon and will fly on my own to Canada with 2.5 year old and 6 month old to Canada through Hong Kong from Australia. )


I usually have old and new toys, sticker books, crayons, etc. as mentioned before. We spend lots of time wandering the aisles and most people look at me, smile and say "still not sleeping?" Whe my son was 18 months he slept for only 5 hours of 21 hours of flying time. He likes tv and likes to watch the mini screens.


My son never slept in the bassinet but I used it to put his toys or place him to sit and play for a few minutes.


I won't take a personal dvd player because I ahve to carry it along with all our other things on my own and my son will watch any sort of kids tv. Most airlines out of Hong Kong have lots of kids programs.


I brought him his own food since he is picky but not sure how this is affected by the new restrictions. He tends to live on milk when we travel anyway.


I take lots of old and new toys, crayons, etc as mentioned above.


We walk the aisles often and visit the other kids, most parents are receptive to visitors.


When he was nine months we spent most of our time crawling around at the back of the plane by the toilet and looking at all the buttons. It is exhausting for the parents but I think the days of relaxing travel are gone. My son didn't like to be buckled then either but would often fall asleep during take off and landing becuase I had to keep him contained. I spent a lot of time talking to him and pointing things out, wiggling toys in front of his face. he like to look at all the cups and spoons etc at this age.


It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it could be. I think you just need to be prepared with extra clothes, a few new toys and lots of energy and you will be okay. I found on the flights when my son didn't sleep he also had less jet lag becuase he slept well when we got home.

DVD player - lots of brands. I bought one for $ 750.00, with remote, and excellent for travelling because the battery lasted for a whole 12 hours. I used it everyday for our trips, recharged each night. My 18 month and 3 year old were both well behaved, having their snacks, watching their favorite videos. Good for about 2hours.

The rest of the flight, sleep, play with toys, playing with the buttons around the seat.... I also bought a seat for my 18 month, bassinet wouldn't do the job at all.


I don't do it, but alot of my friends give medication to their toddlers when travelling long haul. They sleep and parent and child both have a good flight.

You can ask your pediatrician for advice. However, be sure to try the medicine first before travelling, as some kids respond the other way, they go hyper on these medication, but usually it's the over counter ones.... the ones prescribed by doctors for this purpose ALWAYS do the job.

just completed a 12hr flight with a 15month old and 3 yr old. Both have travelled a lot, but the younger one extremely active. Didn't sleep at all (except just as we were coming into land!!) and screamed everytime she was restrained! my 3 yr old is a great traveller and sat and watched our dvd player (we have an inflight charger too), or slept. Meanwhile my 15month old and I ran around the plane for 6 hrs straight.... We also played with water and cups in the toilet for ages - put down the changing table and they can sit there and play! Tons of snacks and a few toys if a night flight.


She was fine so long as she was running up and down. Much of it is about your own state of mind too. Don't stress too much because they pick up on it. Plan it as an adventure in yr mind and expect not to sleep because if you do it's a lovely bonus.


Yes change of clothes a must for both kids and adults....


I have tried medication, but it can backfire so I'm not too keen on it.


I bought 3 seats and we put the arms up so they could both stretch out and sometimes my son makes a bed on the floor with blankets and sleeps really well there, but that depends on the cabin staff because some don't like it - I've glared when asked to move and not been asked again!


On the flight back they both slept 10 hrs straight with no problems. Kids - just so unpredictable!


Have a good flight

Wow, thanks for all the tips. Mine will be happy to have a DVD player to watch Barney and Seasame Street over and over.

Can anyone give some recommendations for a DVD player that has a battery life of 6 hours?

hiya,


the other thing you could take on board is a small square wheelie case. it you've bought a seat for your child you can stand it upright in front of his/her seat, put a pillow or folded on top and so your little one can put his/her legs on it when they want to sleep. i did that with my little one and it worked really well.

Make sure that you are well rested - take a nap if you can before the flight, or just take some time out, as being tired before you even start makes it more stressful.

Wrap a few "presents" in double layers of paper - it fills a few mins just unwrapping.

A small container of playdough and some cut outs. My daughter at 2-3 would play with little cut out playdough animals for 30 mins plus.

I always took a small container of bubbles. We blew them in the airport before and in between flights and it really helps fill that time and gets toddler moving about trying to pop them. Ok you get some funny looks but hey if you are not having to run about with handluggage it is a plus to preserving energy for you. Note I havent done this since the new regulations came in (my daughter is that bit older now) but I cant see why they would object as long as they are in the plastic bag of other liquids.

In addition to taking extra clothes for everyone, I also find it helpful to dress them warmly and in layers, especially socks. It doesn't matter how hot it is outside the plane is always cold. They'll be more comfortable and sleep easier if they aren't cold and you can always take layers off.