help! am freaking out. will be doing NY to HK on my own next week with an 18 month old. yikes. please, any tips or suggestions?? have a choice of a 9am flight or a 2pm flight. i am thinking 2pm is definitely better. for those who have done long haul with a toddler alone... any tips or suggestions would be very welcome.... thank you. :)
Please support our advertisers:
I haven't done a major flight like NY-HK, but when we travel, we try to go at night, so I would definitely opt for the 2pm flight, because at least you know he/she will go to sleep into the night.
Lots of paper and crayons, etc., they also have lots of kids shows onboard as well, so that may take a couple of hours off. If you little likes books, then that is a good one.
I always buy some new books and/or colouring in/activity books without our daughter knowing, so when I pull them out on the flight when she starts getting bored, it's new and exciting and she is keen to do the activities.
Other than that, lots of alcohol (for you of course!) and fernergun for the little one, only joking. Good luck!
Please support our advertisers:
I have done this flight. 2 kids (24 and 6 months) and two adults.
- 2pm is probably better.
- Count on not getting any sleep yourself.
- Bring a favorite toy.
- Buy a few new toys and reveal them one at a time at a few hour intervals.
- Try not to shoot yourself.
- This too shall pass.
- Ignore the people giving you dirty looks. They were also children once upon a time.
Please support our advertisers:
"fly at 2 pm. wake up extra early that day so he will be tiored by 2 pm for his mid day nap. they sleep solid with the buzz of the plane."
Indeed. The flight is a good 15-16 hours, though, so he's bound to be up at some point. ;)
Portable DVD player, Video iPod or similar device can be well worth the money if you don't have one.
Please support our advertisers:
i've read your posts sashimi girl, and you can do this.
def the 2pm flight.
although cathay offers some great movies, do bring along a portable dvd player (or your computer) to watch tried and true fave movies. also, bring blankets, not only because the planes are COLD, but because the smell of home is familiar and comforting.
we would put our kids in lots of layers, in case blankets slipped off, because again, the planes are cold!
when you little one drops off to sleep, tuck a blanket over your car seat and attach it to the back of the seat in front of you. this makes a nice dark cosy sleeping area for your little one.
if you have people you trust waiting for you on the other side, let them know that you are likely going to be v. tired when you get off the plane, and they will be on babysitting duty!
don't bring anything on the flight that is extremely special to your baby unless it is very easily replaceable!
if your little one takes a soother, bring SEVERAL.
bring lots of snacks.
it is a long flight, but it will be okay. chances are you will get a row to yourself if the flight isn't chockers.
and someone else commented on ignoring the dirty looks. i completely agree. you'll never see the majority of these people again anyways. do they think you want your baby to cry?? give me a break.
GOOD LUCK.
Please support our advertisers:
Good advice abitnaive. Also absorb all the sympathetic and smiling faces on the flight (there are always some). One lovely lady on the last flight we took wanted to hold our baby which I thought was nice and a little weird at the same time.
Please support our advertisers:
Besides all the above advise, try to get an extra free seat if the plane is not fully booked. It's always worth asking and depending on the airline they will accomodate your request. My little guy sleeps up to 10hrs straight flat out on two seats. You can still fasten the safety belt around him so no need to wake him up. Good luck.
Please support our advertisers:
"One lovely lady on the last flight we took wanted to hold our baby which I thought was nice and a little weird at the same time."
They just want their baby fix. It's a woman thing I've discovered. Not that I mind myself.
Please support our advertisers:
Hi there,
I did HK - UK in Sept with my 20 month old. Was not looking forward to it all so imagine my surprise when the little one behaved like a dream.
First of all, make sure you dose then little one up on Calpol (or similar) this will help them relax and sleep. If is a day flight then would do this around 6pm.
Stick to routine as much as possible, change into pyjamas at bedtime, have a story and a warm drink and try to settle. If the babe is not cooperating, no fear, just be flexible ad go with it. He/ she will definitely conk out at some point.
Frequent walks up and down the plane are good - they get to chat to other passengers and stretch their legs.
I also took a portable DVD with my daughters favourite shows, her dolly, some books, and colouring materials.
In the end I needn't have worried. She fell asleep during take off and slept solidly for 7 hours whilst I caught up on important celebrity gossip.
You won't sleep of course but that's OK, you'll be so pleased and smug that the little one is sleeping like and angel!
Please support our advertisers:
"First of all, make sure you dose then little one up on Calpol (or similar) this will help them relax and sleep. If is a day flight then would do this around 6pm."
You can also use Benadryl. If you are doing this, make sure you try it before the flight as some kids become MORE excited from it. Also, if your child really is worked up, no amount of drug will work.
Please support our advertisers:
thanks all. i fell back on the benadryl and we both slept for 6 hours straight towards the end! we did lots of DVD watching and walks up and down the plane - just knowing he would eventually pass out was a saviour.... :)
Please support our advertisers:
You must be logged in to be able to reply.
Login now
Copy Link
Facebook
Gmail
Mail