Long Flight and Jet-lagging with a Toddler

I know when I traveled with my twins from Germany to the West Coast I tried to start adjusting them to the West Coast time a week in advance. It's not easy to do and it can be exhausting and confusing for a kid that young to be awake at 2 or 3 in the morning. BUT it really helped for my kids at least. We were stateside for about a month and I think they adjusted to the time change in a matter of 2-3 days which was really good. My suggestion would be to at least try and adjust your toddler at least to a 7 hour difference if not the whole 14. At least by doing that it'll be easier to have them adjust once at your destination.

As for keeping them entertained I find it to be trickier at that age. My twins are 2 1/2 so I just bring them a backpack of new and favorite toys and tons of snacks. I don't know if your toddler is walking yet but be prepared for the kid to want to move around a lot. I know when I flew international with my twins at 8 months and then 10 months they were learning and then already crawling. It was really tough on them because they wanted to move and we were kinda limited because of the plane. My suggestion would be toys, snacks, and their own seat so when they get restless to the point of you can't get them to be sorta calm and you need a break you can strap them into their carseat and get 5 minutes of relaxation. I know when my kids were restless like that it tended to calm them down and then they'd fall asleep. At least for my kids when they behaved like that it was really because they were tired and not because they needed to play.

I hope some of my suggestions help. I've traveled with my twins international several times since they were three months old and I've even done a few trips solo with them. Just be patient and try to remain calm. I know my first trip solo with them I was so stressed out that other passengers would be rude that it stressed them out and made for a miserable trip. Remember, kids cry and they get cranky, just like adults do. But somehow when in an airplane it's more acceptable for the adults to be cranky and not the kids.

Yes, Oh it is hard. But, with two of you it will be easier. Books, songs, games, walking around the plane and lots of sleep will make it bearable. Remember to keep your child well hydrated. Lack of liquid causes many problems physically and emotionally.
Bring foods your child is accustomed to eating. Make sure you 13 month old sleeps when you do. Bring the child's favorite blanket on board.
Good luck. I've done that twice and hope never again to be on such a long flight with a tiny person.

Your doctor is letting you do this Personally I would not go. Why take the
chance delivering in an emergency in a strange place. This is a bad ideal
all the way around. Sorry don't mean to sound so negative. Go back and
read the post about "Husband wanting wife to bail as Maid of Honor." Read
the answers.

We did this a couple of times (Seattle to Australia) with a toddler. Toddlers will want to walk for sure. I agree lots of books, toys etc but often just walking the aisles will occupy them (although not you I am sure).

If you are travelling at night, try to keep them awake until you board. We did and our son crashed as soon as we were on board and slept for 8 hours. Lovely!

Good luck

Leave the following day or two after your arrival relatively open-scheduled. My husband just did a cross-country trip with our son (only 3 hour time change, right after daylight savings--ugh) and this worked well for us. Allowing them to sleep and wake as they were needing to adjust worked better than trying to immediately jump into the 'new' schedule. We also packed a lot of nutritious snacks for the journey, so that our son wouldn't be extra tired on sugar. (He's almost 4.)

Sounds like you've got quite an adventure up ahead. Hope it's a pleasure!