traveling internationally with 16 month old

wasabibunny

wasabibunny

Registered User
I would like some advice on going on a 16hr flight with my active 16 month old. He is too old for the bassinet but cannot get his own seat. Any suggestions on how to make a long distance direct flight more bearable?

Thanks!!
 
lots of his favourite toys,books a portable DVD player with his favourite DVDs (this worked for us) and snacks and drink. If you are travelling overnight you should find that little one will sleep some of the flight. My daughter wouldn't sit still for a flight we took to the UK last Christmas. I ended up in the galley area with her and if you have a good flight crew they will entertain him for a bit - it brightens their 16hr flight and I think they quite enjoy it!!!
Good Luck!
 
U can get a seat for him if u want to. We always got the extra seat even when our son was under 2 as it made the sleeping so much easier and the 16 hour flight with a baby sleeping on u can be extremely tiring. If u are traveling with someone than it is ok. I told my husband till my son was atleast 4-5 years old I refused to travel alone on a flight with him.

Take extra clothes. also most airlines will give u a good bags.as ur son is young they will only give u the diaper bad ask them for the bag also. CX has a good mickey bag with crayons stickers etc. Again depend upon which airline u are flying

Best of luck
 
You could be lucky and the flight might not be full and they may give you a seat for him. Otherwise a portable dvd player is GREAT, new books and/or new toys are great because they haven't played with them before. A few snacks. Get up and walk around the plane. Its really not that bad...once its over... ;-) I've always found the flight attendants quite helpful too.
 
If you are flying BA, they have a toddler seat that clips into the bassinet area for children up to 18 months (bit like a baby bjorn rocker) so that would be free like the cot for smaller children.

We have not booked an extra seat for our 21 month old for our upcoming long distance trip, but are calling the airline each week to see how full the flight is getting - if it looks like being full, then we will suck the expense up and book a seat for her.

I travelled to NZ with her when she was 14 months without a seat and it was NOT FUN... they did let us squash her into the cot (legs hanging over the end!) but no-one was very comfortable really

Definitely the DVD player as those above have said, that was a life saver. Playing in the galley also - if the flight is not busy, the staff are usually lovely with toddlers (it's in their interest to keep them happy and not annoying other passengers!)

We've also used phenergan and actifed (as prescribed by her Ped) with varying results... e.g. if they are already upset, then don't bother - you get the opposite hyperactive effect!

Good luck
 
CX has also good entertainment for kids. We have a portable DVD but we are not taking it as it will be extra thing to lug around and we out for 3 weeks
 
there is no reason other than your finances that he cannot have his own seat. if you want a seat for him, you can book it. it will cost the same as a child's fare.
 
Hi everyone! Thanks for the info. I read that if I book a seat for a child he need to be in something similar to a carseat? I am not sure if that is just the policy of AC. I will call the airline to inquire further. I am hoping the baby will sleep 1/2 of the flight. I might be a little ambitious but I think 16 months is tough since they are not really old enough to sit still and my son is usually very energetic and runs around the house all day.
 
we got an extra seat for our son flying from here to hawaii via japan. he was never in a car seat. at that time he was 11 months.

we will fly home this summer from HK to NYC when he is 17 months. having his own seat is key to everyone's happiness. if you can afford, get it. a little extra room will go a long way as he can stand in front of it and play, perhaps lie on you and the extra seat to sleep etc....
 
i took my daughter to canada without a carseat and i had a seat booked for her. it wasn't a problem. she was only 5 weeks old at the time. i also took her to australia. we only booked 3 seats for the 4 of us, but she was able to have a seat to herself as they blocked the 4th seat both ways. she didn't have a carseat.

i think it depends on the airline.

AC should be good. check the entertainment that they have in-flight. see if they have the individual seat moniters. if so, you won't have much trouble. also see if you can book a night flight. MUCH, MUCH MUCH easier!
 
we actually found the carseat to be a big pain and just not worth it too if given the choice. we had it for the first leg of our trip from HK to Japan and he was in it for about 40 minutes. We had to leave it in the seat as there was not room to stow it away...it was bulky and took up so much space. when we landed in narita, we checked it through and on the way back. we were so much happier!
 
I travelled twice with my toddler (now 22 months) from HK to Casablanca via Dubai (long long flights!) and all I can say is, if it is affordable, book a seat and take along a car seat, snacks, and dvd player. The first time we travelled was anightmare and then some. Second time, with car seat/dvd etc, much more peaceful and secure. Airlines should give you a child discount when booking.
 
Thanks for all the responds! I did get an extra seat and bubs slept for 1/2 the flight (about 8 hrs) so it was not too bad. I did however spend about 3 hrs chasing hid down the aisles. Can't wait for the trip back .... :P
 
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