Flying with children

[Rollem]

We've both done a fair bit of travelling, but never with kids, so i'm fretting a bit.

Maybe the best option would be giving them a new toy when we're seated and a lollipop or similar for the take off/landing.

don't fret, that will make them fret and make your journey hell

just go with the flow. they will cry , they will wriggle, they will hopefully sleep a bit too though (what time is the flight?)

lots of snacks, lots of books/pencils/toys and a bottle for landing (or a sugar free lolly ) and make friends with the flight attendants - always helps

pushchairs are easy - they just take it off you as your board the plane but you wont have it with you in the cabin, they put it in the hold. make sure they tag it, it comes out with your luggage so you will have a bit of a trek before you get it back i am afraid. they also tend to put people with children on the flight first

you will be fine, don't worry. it's never as bad as you think it will be. it's when they get older (ability to get really bored) that its a bit of a nightmare

 

[Upchuck]

I was talking about your flight with a friend and she said slings for the kids sound like a good idea too. Also, are you putting any luggage in the hold of the plane? Ryanair don't let you take much hand luggage.

 

[Structaural]

My kid's flown more than me, first flight at 3 months old... You should be able to insist to get on first and be seated very near the front (oh, Ryan Air not sure about that... but it's usually the case, at least with SleazyJet and Go)

I'd suggest a 'sucky-drink' (as my daughter calls a cup with a teat) for airpressure. I've never really had any trouble with mine, she loves it, but then I've never gone on a flight longer than 1.5 hours.

 

[spawnofsatan]

Cheers all

No gin for us i'm afraid, picking up a hire car at the airport, plus i'm determined not to give Ryanair any more money.

 

[kabbes]

If you have children, doesn't that give you priority boarding? In which case the answer is simple. Strap your children into seats at the very front of the plane. Now go and strap yourself into the back row. Whistle innocently when people ask whose kids they are.

 

[fubert]

I've flown at least once a month with my daughter since she was three months old. She loves it. She goes "wooo" when there's turbulence and the plane goes all bouncy.

I was going to give some advice here but really, I can't. Depends on the child. You know your children and you know how best to keep them occupied and happy in a situation like that.

 

[Gavin Bl]

Its a short flight, no one will expect to sleep, so I wouldn't worry too much. Takes some nibbles and drinks, a couple of (small) favourite books or toys. Maybe a small new toy in case of emergency.

Prepare, and then just go with the flow.

Most people are fine as long as they see you aren't just letting the kids run riot.


e2a - oh yeah, and a pack of wipes!

 

[spawnofsatan]

Thank you all

We feel much more reassured now, its daft really, we've both done loads of flying, but adding kids to the equation makes it much more stressful.

 

[Upchuck]

Good old Ryanair

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/news/article6736349.ece

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

just go with the flow. they will cry , they will wriggle, they will hopefully sleep a bit too though (what time is the flight?)

My daughter did 13 hours to Tokyo without sleeping. ugh.

 

[clicker]

Calpol thirty minutes before boarding....we've never done that, but know people who swear by it.....mine went quiet as soon as the cabin buzzy noise kicked in....gave them drinks for take off and landing and never had a problem with ears....it probably won't be half as bad as you are imagining.

 

[AnnaKarpik]

Looks like the Medised would be a bad idea then, hopefully its just me being a pessimist and they'll be fine.

We've both done a fair bit of travelling, but never with kids, so i'm fretting a bit.

Maybe the best option would be giving them a new toy when we're seated and a lollipop or similar for the take off/landing.

The worst thing about long flights with kids is they can be become very distressed and develop diarrhoea; it's difficult enough for adults to sleep in a plane when they understand what's happening and the atmosphere inside a plane is uncomfortable for all. Travel sickness medication is not a bad thing to have handy - can't remember what it was called - and this or anti-histamines make the little 'uns drowsy too which can be handy when crossing time zones or when they are absolutely hating the flight - you can't exactly get off the plane, can you, or rig up a sand-pit and slide to keep them active. Of course, you'll need the lollipops and toys too.

My advice is go prepared but don't be too anxious about the whole thing; this really isn't a long flight, though it might seem like it by the time you arrive.

eta; when I say long, I mean to LA or Sydney - looooong flight.

 

[Steel Icarus]

some good advice and info on here - all common sense stuff.

My brother in law is getting married in the US in October, and my wife decided she was going, no matter what - we then asked the kids what they thought and they're both wanting to go. I'm staying here cos hopefully I'll have a job by then so can hardly ask for time off a month into it, and also cos of the dogs (normally her mum and dad would have them but they'll also be in the US) and we don't want to put them in kennels.

Mrs. S☼I is ok-ish with flying but has never flown with the kids before, and it'll be the first time flying for them. Safe to say she's very anxious about it, despite reassurances from me and no sign whatsoever the kids are anything other than excited. Obviously they'll have their DSes and books etc and only in April we went to Paris by train which is a fair old way (took us 10 hours or something door to door), so they're a least a little used to the idea of long journeys. It's just she'll be looking out for them by herself - no "one kid each", no "sandwich" at checkpoints etc. I'm sure it'll be ok and I'm also sure I'll be as nervous at home as she will be flying.