Jolyn

Thanks Pabloako.

Forgot about EFTPOS cash back - don't do it much here (Switch + cashback) because I spend on credit card to get 1% cashback.

Great - that's the banking sorted then...now back to the flights.

PS Does anyone want me to warn them which flight we're on? - travelling with a hyperactive 3 year old we'll be so popular even with the doctor's note...be interesting to see how much it takes to rattle the calm of those legendary Singapore and Malaysian flight attendants

dracupg

We have done the UK - Oz trip a couple of times with a toddler. There is an anti-Histamine medication called Valorgen (I think that was what it is called). You can get in in any UK chemist and don't need a prescription.

There is a specific "sedation" dose on the bottle that tells you how much you should give for the age of your child.

In the end, we didn't use it, but we know a number of parents that used it and found it great. Even just to get a few hours on the flight to yourselves.

You should try it out before hand to see how it affects your child, to make sure you get the dose right.

Jolyn

Thanks Gordon. I'll check it out at the chemist tomorrow.

We've tried some antihistamines to knock him out unsuccessfully before but I haven't heard of that one so I'll give it a try. Unlike with adults antihistamines can hype up a child so you never know without testing.

Any tips gratefully received.

We're taking a car seat to strap him in for those turbulence times. A couple were thrown off a flight from Milan recently for not being able to keep their child strapped in - he could get out of the adult seat belt easily. Something like our little Houdini.

dracupg

Sounds like you should air mail the wee mite!

Good luck!

Roger

The anti-histamine usual works well, but in some instances can cause the child to be even more hyperactive.

Alternatively take it yourselves and you'll be able to sleep through the noise.

Another idea would be to pay two grand like me for my dog and put it in the hold!

No truelly good luck.
Roger

hevs

My son has dyspraxia (lacks motor control, so god help the person sat in front of him!) and mild add. Antihistamines make him even more hypo and he falls over a lot more that usual!
My GP said he could give him a mild sedative to "chill him out a bit" Maybe i should just slip him a few duty frees along the way

hevs

PS. Sorry this thread got sidetracked, excellent information, thank you!

Jolyn

Hevs,

My doctor has written us a note to say we need prereserved bulkhead seating - noone in front - for the other passenger's comfort mostly! Also with a car seat on the plane seat there's not much leg room left so if the person in front reclines their seat it's tricky.

Trailfinders says airlines are very responsive to doctor's notes so that might help you too.

Best wishes,

Jolyn

Melbourne in September too - see you there!

hevs

Hi Jolyn

Thanks for that its certainly worth a try.
We were hoping to go in september, but havn't sold the house yet! Where are you headed in Melb, our Kids should meet! Wind 'em up and watch 'em go!

Heather

tinaj

Check whether you are allowed a car seat with the airline before you travel. I carted mine along for 2 hours, got on the plane and was then told I was not allowed to use it. They had to put it in the hold.
Some airlines have their own seats that you can use some have nothing

Bets of luck.

Tinaj!

Jolyn

We've definitely hijacked this thread now...

Some airlines do seem to be a problem Tinaj. Qantas/BA won't take a carseat unless it's a special Australian one that attaches at the top as well - they don't supply them and you can't buy them in the UK. Doh!

Singapore Airlines says any carseat is fine (on their website plus I rang them). Malaysian says any seat is probably fine but they want to know the dimensions beforehand. Haven't checked the other airlines as they're not known for being as child friendly.

Was advised by travel agent that Thai, Singapore and Malaysian have best leg room and allow migrant double baggage allowance. Skipped Thai as no seat back TVs on that route. Have put up with the glares before while walking toddler up and down the aisle endlessly as everyone cranes their necks around us to see the central movie screen!

Good luck all.

Heather - I'll send you a PM.

Codgob

Are you sure about BA,I work for them and I've definately seen 'Britax' style car seats in the Hosties work areas by the galley

Jolyn

I checked with Qantas and that's what they said. Same as BA anyway but you only get the double migrant baggage allowance flying on the Qantas flight numbers. Maybe BA are telling a different story (how helpful!).

Also travel agent said Qantas/BA were notoriously unhelpful on anything to do with small kids/specialist requests.

Are you sure the carseats weren't ones they'd taken away from passengers??

Jolyn

Back to banking, just realised I put the wrong link in the post at the top of the thread.

Should be www.ingdirect.com.au not www.ing.com.au

Oops!

hevs

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jolyn
We've definitely hijacked this thread now...[QUOTE]


Lets hope its the only thing to be hijacked, all this talk of hours in a plane is giving me the creeps