Hi Ladies,
We are flying to Australia next week. We have a 7yo, 5yo and an 11 month old. I'm not worried about the big kids at all. I have new video games and sticker books for them. But I AM worried about the 11 month old! What are some good distractions, toys, food etc that you have tried and loved. Also what have you tried and hated!
Also I am most probably taking the car seat on board for the flight - she has her own seat - simply because it is such a loooong flight, and I know she is strapped in and safe. If I get the chance to shut my eyes for abit, then I can do so knowing she's not going to fall out of her seat!
Thanks so much!
K.
I pack my daughter's match box cars, dollar small plastic figures, a small magne-doodle, a dollar store coloring book and crayons, her board books, and small count puzzles in zip-lock baggies. I made sure to pack snacks and a empty sippy along with her special lovies, a plush and her Panket (pink blanket).
When I've taken my kids on flights I just bring all kinds of stuff. Like bring the treats the 11 month old loves but also bring stuff he/she isn't used to so it will be something new. Like marshmallows, suckers etc. If it helps keep a tantrum from starting I say do it! LOL Also bring some fun books like popups, new toys that light up/play music. Does your 11 month old like the baby einstein dvds? My kids love the animal ones at that age. They are a great distraction! Also I always give my kids benadryl to make them sleepy so they take a good long nap on the plane.
Hi.
We did a similar flite at age 2...some ideas:
1. pillow case and blanket from home for flite so home smell to induce sleep :) also stuffed animals.
2. any treats she wants that are not sugary...cheerios and so forth....on the long flite, our food 'rules' went out the window...
3. plenty of clean pacis. they need it for take off and landing.
4. baby einstein, leap frog or other dvds....again, all our tv rules we threw out the window on the flite :)
5. 3 changes of clothes for baby in carry on bag.
6. plenty of wet wipes to wash hands etc.
7. cetaphil soap which does not need water if you need to clean a bum well
best, jilly
Hi I am from Australia and have made that flight with my son and daughter at various ages from 4mos the most recent last month son was 4 daughter 19mo and sat on our lap!! Touch wood its never been a drama. I pack toys in zip locks with a treat inside ie a few wooden farm animals/trees with a fruit stick, invisible marker/colouring book with cookie and my kids pick out their 'lucky dips' throughout the flight. Especially good for 4yr old but even my daughter loved it on the previous trip at 10months old. I always pack a homeopathic kit with a calming lavender sleep balm, belladonna in case of fever and ipecac in case of vomiting/runs. Make sure to give baby something to suck on or drink during take off and landing to reduce pressure in ears. As others have said teddy, blanket, extra clothes also for you (my son threw up on me right before check in once). Good luck and hope you enjoy our beautiful country even though it will be freezing especially if you make it to Melbourne - feel free to message me - Aussies are very friendly!
Side note:
WARNING
NEVER give Benadryl or any other sedatives to infants under 1 year of age for sleep. Always consult your child's physician before using sedatives for sleep in children.The generic name is Diphenhydramine. This is an "anti-histamine" medication. During an allergic reaction, histamine is released into the blood stream by certain cells called Mast cells. The histamine is responsible for much of the itching, sneezing, swelling or rash that occurs during a reaction. The "anti- histamine" blocks these nuisances. Also some children have a different reaction to Benadryl/phenergan type products and end up totally wired - not what you want and not worth it.
I dont think playdough and coloring books are appropriate for a not even one year old baby. My daughter would just eat the playdough and does not know how to color. Maybe in like another year....
I think the most important for that age is snacks, not toys.
DVDs can also be travel miracles, but maybe also not yet...
good luck!!
:)
Bring toys she's never seen before. Buy things for each child.
Make a trip to the Dollar Store & buy some fun (quiet) new toys.
(Inspect them for rough edges....some can give quite a cut).
-Doodle board (hand held)
-deck of cards (for the older kids)
-coloring books/crayons (older kids)
-I love small hand-held toys. Make sure they have a button to make them quiet.
-Favorite blanket for the little one
-Some Matchbox cars
-for food: pretzels, protein bars for sustenance (yummy kind), goldfish, some cookies, Halloween size chocolate candy, bring 3 empty water bottles (the kind you buy prefilled) so you can fill up w/water if you need to, graham crackers, cheese sticks etc.
-Take a walk down the aisle w/your little when when you need to
-magazines for and geared towards your 7 & 5 year olds
-iPods for the older kids w/headphones
Have a safe trip!
Let me know how you fared. We've got a 22 hour flight to Aus (NYC to LA, LA to Sydney, then to Coff's Harbour). Our DS will be 22 months.
At 11 months, maybe the Melissa and Doug Latches board. It's a little heavy, but there is a lot to manipulate and the pieces are fixed to the board, so you don't have to worry about fetching the car that's rolled under someone elses' chair.
Good luck to you and yours,
F. B.
