Suggestions for 8-10 Hour Flight

You might want to try the benadryl prior to the flight. It makes one of my kids HYPER!

Hello A.,

I'd bring extra batteries for the dvd player. a new movie/cartoons of some sort that they like. Actually you even have time to record from TV some of their favorite shows. although your youngest one is only 3 months old... I bet he already has a favorite show. sesame street abc and numbers was a big hit w/ my kids. bring snacks. and buy bottled water --don't give them airplane water. if you have a favorite tea... bring a couple of tea bags for you (you need to relax too, right?)
as a precaution, put desitin on their bottoms before you get on the flight.

extra batteries for the dvd player, new toys (cheap ones in case the get left behind), tissues, wipes, hand sanitizer,

I'd also bring lavender oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil. I think I'm turning a bit of a germ freak...but in planes you're confined and don't know who will be coughing what. In Europe the use lavender oil to sanitize the air in some hospitals. So put a few drops of lavender on a tissue and put it somewhere you all can smell it. it's also calming too. The peppermint and rosemary would be very handy in case someone develops a hacky cough (very dry air in the plane) you can put 5 drops peppermint oil and 2 drops rosemare oil on a tissue (NOT on the skin) and smell the nice aroma. copy these links to another browser page and check it out:
lavender: http://aromatherapy.suite101.com/article.cfm/lavender_ess...

peppermint: http://aromatherapy.suite101.com/article.cfm/peppermint_e...

rosemary:
http://aromatherapy.suite101.com/article.cfm/rosemary_ess...

the essential oil bottles are very small but pack a big punch in terms of their usefulness.

for example, if the lavatory is too stinky... put a drop of peppermint oil on a tissue and set it on the counter. your nose will thank you. lavender is good for cuts/scrapes. etc. I carry those 3 oils w/ me whenver we're traveling and they're very useful.

one recommendation is for you to get enough before the flight (yes I know, easier said than done) My personal treat includes international coffees (specially the orang capuccino!) get a sampler set and take it with you for YOUR enjoyment.

of for passports: I got one of those flat mesh bags w/ a zipper and put them in there so they're all together. make sure you keep them somewhere safe and one of you must be in charge of the passports at all times.

me being a worry wort I purchased a box of those id bands they use in hospitals and I printed our names, phone and cell phone of people in the US and at our destination also the airline +flight numbers and I put them on my kids. I know they sell similar ones when you go to amusement parks. I also made one w/ for our stroller, diaper bag, camera bag, etc. I put one on anything that could hold one (smile)

good luck and have fun! ~C.~

Nemo
Cars
and a favorite around our house is Curious Buddies sometimes you can find the dvds at the half price books, my sister got hers from Blockbuster. There are a lot of them but we enjoy Curious buddies on the Farm or Beach.
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
and books my little ones love to be read to even if it is the same book over and over.
fun snacks that they don't get all the time, but you are sure they will eat.

When I flew with my daughter around that age I got a back pack and loaded it with random things that I pulled out one at a time. One of the biggest hits was a small book of window clings. I think it was actually in the teacher supply area of walmart, but she was quite entertained sticking and re-sticking them on the window, the tray table, etc. Small books with lift-the-flap, texture, etc. Mini Mr potato heads. Maybe silly putty. The school supply section may hold interesting things (I found a plastic, foldable ruler that kept mine occipied for a while). If he's not quite coloring yet, a small notebook with blank pages (check the Target dollar spot) and a few sheets of stickers. Color wonder marker playsets...
And definintely plenty of snacks.

My two year old nephew loves the movie Cars. He has loved it now for the past 6 months. It is the one movie that can keep him occupied the entire length of the movie. My other nephews love The Incredibles. I figure anything with bright lights and lots of action are great for little boys. Also, benadryl works wonders. Try getting a flight later in the day and no naps during the day. This way he is tired when he gets on the plane. My sister also gave her kids a new toy or new snack food for the plane ride so they had something to be excited about and it was a great distraction.

If you have an iPod, I would scrap the DVD player and bring the iPod loaded with kids movies and songs. When we are traveling with out kids (now 4 and 2) we find that it is a lot easier to pull out the iPod and find a movie than it is to drag around our DVD player and a bunch of DVDs. Good luck!

I was going to suggest the DVD player. A couple other suggestions for that age - playdough, an etch and sketch, a magna doodle, coloring book and crayons. Whatever you get, I'd keep it hidden until the plane so it will be new. When we flew last summer, I got my boys slinkies - the junior ones that were only $1 a piece. Surprisingly, that kept them busy for quite a while! Snacks were also very helpful since we didn't get them on the plane. A 20 month old is probably too young for gum, but a lollipop will work for take off and landing to keep that sucking relflex to avoid the ears popping. You can also check and see what the in flight entertainment is. We only had a 3 hour flight, but there was a TV going and a radio station, so we just had to bring our headphones. They even played Kung Fu Panda on the plane.

We go overseas twice a year since my daughter was born (since this is where I am from). One of the biggest hits for my kid when she was 2 and 3 year old was a little booklet that you color with water pen. It creates no mess, it only uses water. I bought several of those books at toyrus. Kids are amazed - when they color with the magic pen - a beautiful colorful picture appears.... good luck. Outside of that we had a good med that let her seep 4- hrs (we have 11 hr flight each way), DVD player, some small snacks, cheerio necklesses.... anything that keeps her attention focused on something. The easy good thing about my child - she absolutely LOVES the airports, flights, trains, and general travel (even sitting in the car seat for hrs....).

Have fun. It will not be easy but you will survive.

Hi A.. I brought my 13 mo old home from Germany and this is what I found helped.
1. Ask for seating with extra leg room
a. Take a floor blanket and a few small toys for your child to sit on during the flight.
2. See if you can get a row without other occupants. If baby fusses - nice not to worry about someone else.
3. Take the car seat! When my little one fussed I put her in the car seat and she felt safe and it also secured her in the seat.
4. Take lots of snacks and extra drinks and baggies,wipes for clean ups.
5. Can you take a dvd player? Possible to stock up on extra batteries? Sesame street is a life saver.
6. Take something to relieve the ear pressure.
7. Most importantly, stay calm. Make it seem like this happens every day. They will sense it if you are uneasy.
8. Take a grown up magazine or book. Snacks for you and spouse. Earphones for movie. Take care of you!

You will do great and will find that at naptimes you can read a magazine or book.

I had a great trip but I had only the one and people really are pretty understanding. Kids are surprisingly wonderful when you least expect it too - if you are prepared. Don;t forget to write the airline if the staff is wonderful to you and your family! :)

Have a safe and happy trip! C.

Please read here. Somebody suggested it here right before I took my 22 month old on Transatlantic flight

http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com/

Make sure you bring blankets or warm clothing for the kids. It can get cold on those flights. Also bring lot's of snacks. It is a very personal choice but on a flight that long, I would give my older child a small amount of benedryl before their usual bedtime. Ask agent at check in if you can be seated next to an open seat. If available they usually will. Also wear your 20 month old out before the flight. It is very hard for them to sit for that long. Let him run around at the airport, ect. Good luck an have fun.