Travelling with 13 month old

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Hi Everyone,
I'm flying solo back to Canada with my daughter (16 hour flight, layover, then 3 hour flight). She's just turned one (she'll be about 13.5 months when we leave, 15 months when we return). We've done the trip before, but she was younger and slept almost the entire flight. Oh, and I don't have a seat for her and she's recently discovered tantrums.

I am looking for any tips (what to bring, how to entertain, etc - she's not really interested in dvd's or many toys) on keeping her happy for the flight. I was also wondering how you have dealt with the very small changing tables provided and an older child who doesn't like to lay still for a diaper change. And how to deal with tantrums (arching backs, thrashing) in such a confined space.
Any advice would be very appreciated. Thanks!
 
for that long of a flight and if you are by yourself, i would advise getting a seat for you child. it's going to give you extra space for her play, for your stuff and a provide a place for you to change her. she's going to be too big obviously for the bassinet to sleep as well so she can always lay across your lap. we only used the bathrooom changing table if my son did #2 - if he just peed then we changed him on our seat. i would bring books she likes, stuffed animal and toys that don't have a lot of small parts to lose. I would introduce the toys a week before you leave so that you have time to check if she likes it and can actually play with it.

if you are not opposed to watching tv, i would perhaps try and get her to like a particular show so that you can bring a portable dvd plalyer on board for her to watch for even 15-20 minutes a few times throughout the flight it's really going to be a lifesaver.
 
thanks southside852 - an extra seat would be ideal, however I've just checked and its not possible...I'm hoping since we are flying early for the holiday rush that the plane will not be full. I hadn't thought to make sure she likes the toys; great idea. I was going in thinking that the toys should be brand new, but I would hate to waste carry on space with toys she has no interest in.
Thanks again!
 
The change tables are fine. We still use them for our 20 month old and he tends to kick when having his nappy changed. It will be a challenge by yourself make no mistake but it is do-able. Don't forget snacks too if that might pass the time.

SB2
 
Thanks for the advice. On the subject of snacks and food:
Will HK airport security allow frozen or partially thawed pureed food through? Does it need to meet the liquid restriction requirements? What about whole fruit (oranges, apples, bananas?) I assume breads/crackers/cookies/etc. are ok? And small self packaged peanut butter/vegemite?
Thanks again!
 
Food for baby does not come under the restrictions for liquids. They may ask you to taste it if it's not the jar food though.

I've done quite a bit of traveling over the last 6 months with bub and never had a problem with bringing any food for her whether it was jar/pureed food or fruits. They have even allowed through her water bottle full when I had forgotten to empty it.

As for the seat try and check in early and ask then how full the plane is and if you can get a spare seat beside you blocked off. Also not sure who you are flying with but don't forget you can check in at Hong Kong Station and Kowloon Station for a lot of Airlines which would make it easier than having to take all you luggage to the airport.

Last bit of advice is that I found the main thing that entertained my little one (especially now she can walk herself) was walking around and chatting to everyone on the flight so be prepared to walk the length of the plane a million times!!!!

Hope you have a great flight.
 
mazamarie said:
Last bit of advice is that I found the main thing that entertained my little one (especially now she can walk herself) was walking around and chatting to everyone on the flight so be prepared to walk the length of the plane a million times!!!!
Click to expand...

Yeah, that!!

Talk to the flight attendants - often they are REALLY helpful. I've had them hold the bub for me, or just watch her if she was asleep (although now can't fit in the bassinet) and they're really helpful. That's their job, or at least part of it - so don't be shy to ask!! It's definitely easier than trying to go to the bathroom with bub on your knee ;)

On my last flight, my friendly daughter was even making friends with all the people around us - and would even go to them and play with them for a while. It was really nice to have a bit of a break!!

I haven't had any problems with them blocking a seat for me - last time the flight was supposedly 100% full (so they told me when I was checking in) and they still managed to block the seat next to me. Fingers crossed, but I would guess that you most likely would be able to have a seat blocked for you (and that way you don't have to pay for it either - but you are taking a chance that it may not be available...)

All the best!!
 
I'll be doing the same flight as Nino for Xmas. Direct flight to Vancouver though so slightly shorter.

Bub will be close to 4 months then, anything in particular I should take note of? Was thinking of just bringing milk powder and asking the crew for water, that works right? No real toys for her to play with, so I hope she will sleep most of the time and not fuss too much.
 
Obiwan,

I flew with my son at 4 months from HK to Australia, I was able to bring bottles filled with water onto the plane. There has been alot of posts about the water on planes, I'm not sure I would trust it. Its much easier as you can make up a bottle straight away rather than wait around for the cabin crew to get the water and the water to cool.

I didn't bring any toys to play with just my sons favourite cuddly bear and a blanket so he had something familiar. And make sure you take some spare clothes for bub and a top for yourself!
 
Why can't you get another seat? The only reason for not being able to getting another seat is if the plane is full, but you're hoping for an extra empty seat, so I am not sure what the reason is for not getting it (unless it's financial but then I am telling you, spend it, it's worth it!). On these type of legs, an extra seat is money well spend. How are you going to eat your food if you have a 1 yo on your lap who doesn't fit in a bassinet? Especially with a child who's getting more mobile I cannot imagine not having it! When buying a seat you can also get the kiddie meal which makes life a little easier again (less stuff to bring). Children under 2 in own seat usually pay about 50% of the fare, sometimes more but then the fare is usually lower to begin with.

A DVD player is a must in my opinion ... I won't leave without on the long haul.
 
Thanks Karmah1! Wasn't sure that they will allow us to bring bottled water up to the plane .... definitely much easier this way.
 
I have never had a problem bringing water through security in baby bottles and, more recently, bringing my son's sipper cup through security and have never been asked to taste it. It does depend on the airport though - I know Heathrow are tough on water and jars of food and may make you taste it. Perhaps check the website for your airport at the Canada end to see if they have any special rules as I am sure the HK end will be fine.

Now that our son is older we are less stressed about the difference between the hot water that they have on the plane vs the boiled water we would use at home but if you are taking your own on board the flight attendants will no doubt heat it way too hot so you'll still have to allow time for it to cool. Even in economy I think most airlines have bottled water to serve to passengers so you can ask them to use that in the baby bottles to make up the formula (and ask them to heat it for you).

Agree with asking the flight attendants to watch your sleeping baby if you are nipping to the bathroom. Provided it it is not during a meal or drinks service then they should be happy to help. Attitude does depend a lot on the airline but we always travel Cathay and they have been fine in the past.

In terms of buying a seat for them, definitely the best option but it is expensive and will be more so over Christmas.

SB2
 
I realise that tickets for babies are not cheap. CX advised that infant fare (below 2 years old) is 10% of full fare, and toddler 65%. I did some calculation, and realise that it varies .. for eg, my bub's fare to Singapore (HKD1040) comes up to 40% of mine, and to Vancouver, 23% (HKD2722) of mine.

Thus far, baby has been ok with drinking her milk at room temperature, so we typically don't heat up her milk when we are out.
 
i always use the water on the plane. that way i don't have to carry all the bottles filled with water; i thing there is already enough to carry. it was always totally fine. i asked them to fill up the bottle only 1/3 with hot water and filled it up with cold bottled water, that way you don't have to wait until the hot water has cooled down.
 
Good on you for training your baby to drink milk at room temp - definitely a plus.

I understand that the price for buying a seat for a baby/toddler is the same regardless of whether they are under or over 2. A travel agent quoting a price for a baby "under 2" will likely be the price to have them sitting on your knee whereas the "over 2" price will be having their own seat. I may have misunderstood your response but wanted to make sure that you were getting the correct prices.
 
CX told me that the fare for under 2 and above 2 are different. But 'under 2' the baby won't get a seat (just a bassinet), but 'above 2', he/she will. For redemption though, the mileage required is the same as adult fare.

Let me call them again to check :)
 
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