11 Hour Flight with 1.5 Year Old- Advice?

I have been taking my DD to Europe since she was 4 months old, about once a year. If you are flying with him as a lap child get the bassinet seats! My DD fit in them until she was almost two and they were a godsend for me.
Other than that bring plenty of entertainment (iPad/iPod or a laptop with movies, toys, art stuff, etc) and plenty of drink and snacks (I never had a problem with getting kids juice packs, tube yoghurt and stuff like that through security).
I have never medicated my child and frankly would never consider it. Yes, they get restless, just like the adults, so we walk up and down the aisles for a bit...
We are pretty strict about TV time at home, but on the plane I will let DD watch as much ad she wants...

One last thing: if you can take a non-stop red-eye. Here the flight we take leaves at 7pm, that means that DD usually falls asleep after the meal is served and will stay asleep for a good while, occasionally even the entire flight. If that's not possible do not make the mistake of keeping him up for naptime in hopes the he will sleep longer on the plane, from my experience that just throws them off and makes them cranky... I'd rather have a happy active child on a transatlantic flight than a tired cranky one.

Good luck and enjoy!

a movie player? (make sure you have head phones). get up and let him walk around. im assuming your flying in a large plane so there will be room to walk around. when i fly with my daughter i like to put her by the window. she likes to look out of it and see everything,

I must be the bad mom, I had my son's pediatrician prescribe sedatives, just in case.

I also bought those ear plugs that keep the pressure from building up in his ears. I guess they work because he never cried during take off or landing.

Now this has been a while but as I remember we put him in his car seat and he never fussed because he was not allowed to ever get out of that when the car was moving so I guess he figured he was in a really big car. It just never occurred to him to ask to get out.

Does he sleep well in his carseat? And did you book him a seat? If not, you can ask at the airport if they have any empty seats on your flight and they'll most likely give it to you for free if it's available. If they're not sure, you can take the carseat all the way to the gate and ask the people at the counter there if there are seats. If not, then you can just gate-check the carseat, no biggie. My daughter is also very busy, but she'll sleep in her carseat on a plane if she's tired enough. Even if your son doesn't sleep, having the space of an extra seat is a lifesaver.

Here's some stuff we brought for my daughter when she was around that age. Brand new little toys, like cheap stuff from the drugstore. Stickers and colored post-its were a big hit. Also, a roll of plain tape that she could tug on and stick wherever. And a favorite blanket to make things more cozy. I know people say not to bring sugary snacks, but maybe one or two really special treats he wouldn't normally get in case he has a big melt-down.

Also, try not to stress out yourself because they feed off your energy. Easier said than done ;)

We're flying again with my daughter (25 months now) on Saturday and I'm preparing/bracing myself too. Good luck!

Edit: Also, a couple of big safety pins or clothespins. If you want him to sleep and he's getting distracted (and assuming you have him in a carseat in the window seat), you can pin a blanket to the carseat and the seat in front of it and make a curtain to block him off from the distractions of the rest of the plane.

Ask your pediatrician about Benadryl. Our pediatrician recommended it because it helps babies' ears during takeoff and landing - and if it makes your kid sleepy, SCORE! ;) We always bought a seat for our kids (rather than flying with a "lap baby," which makes everyone miserable), and then brought their carseats aboard. We had Britax car seats, which were super comfy and they were used to sleeping in on car rides anyway - so that worked well for us. Aside from that, a couple of trusted toys, as well as a handful of new/exciting toys, and a ton of snacks, and that's about as good as it's going to get... Best of luck!!

More than anything it's a mental preparation for you. Just look at it as an 11 hour long work shift. Don't expect to get comfortable on your seat. You have to entertain, sooth, love and never ever show him that't you're stressed or angry. You can do it! My 18month old doesn't care much for iphones and ipads but he does likes stickers which he will decorate the tray and seat with but at least it keeps him occupied!! My kids also sleep quite good on the night flight so I'm hoping they will go down after dinner.
I'm flying by myself with my 18month, 3 years old and six years old for 14hours to Sweden so I'm stressing out a bit myself but I've done it before
and you can do it too!!

If it is a night flight hopefully he will sleep!!! A DVD player possibly even though he is young. Think you covered it all. I am sure you will get some
great suggestions from folks that have done it. Anything new and exciting
works. Books. Oh a bottle or two of wine for you and your husband or the
baby lol. Good luck. Enjoy your trip.

I love everyone's ideas. I've heard it's also nice to bring a treat for the people sitting nearby. There will probably be one or two who fear a meltdown. Maybe even offer to buy them an overpriced drink?? Also, try to get him to drink/swallow/chew as you're descending as the air pressure change can hurt kids ears much more than adults.

I took my son and my daughter going on 15 hours flight. DVD player/Ipad etc is very helpful. The main part is really getting on red eye flight. They will sleep with the loud "white noise" in the plane.

Do not, I repeat, do not give your child Benadrly if they haven't taken it before!! Every child reacts differently to it and could make your child over stimulated. I found that licorice (Twizzlers or Red Vines) work well during take off and landing. The constant chewing helps my child's ears every time we fly. Stay calm and travel safely!