kids and jet lag???
 

Moving to edmonton in less than 2 weeks with a 2 year old and 4 month old. Just wondered how you helped them adapt to the time difference. Baby sleeps through now :D better than 2 year old :(. So any tips on how we can help them adjust? how long it took your little ones to adjust?

Thank you

So excited :D

Re: kids and jet lag???
 

Hi Kerry

We travelled from Australia to Canada with a 1 yr old and a 3 yr old, truth is that they adjusted way quicker than us! (14 hr time difference)

We let them watch tv on the flight until about 4hrs prior to landing when they fell asleep, then with 4 or 5 hours sleep we made sure they were up until close to the Canadian bed time (went out and kept busy), then they slept like logs. Pretty much totally sorted after 2 days. They were grumpy, but it really was a non-issue that I was worrying about during the build up to the trip.

Enjoy it and don't worry :thumbsup:

Wayne

Re: kids and jet lag???
 

That's good to hear as I have been stressing about that too but to be honest, I'm more worried about how my 18month old is going to be on a 9.5 hr plane journey! He's at the terrible 2 stage already with his tantrums, and even if we don't fly out for another few months, it will only get worse before it gets better. He's not really interested in TV/DVD's.....

Re: kids and jet lag???
 

Been back and forth to the UK a few times, my son has always done better than me at adapting although I am much better now - probably something to do with lack of sleep with having said small child. If you can, try and time your arrival to late afternoon local time (easier said than done I know) that way you only have to try and keep them awake for a few hours, then bath and bed.

As for entertaining, make sure you get yourselves a window seat, when my son was 14 months (then a year later at 2) we flew back to the UK and having that window was great - not only is he confined but the window blind provided hours of entertainment. Bring snacks in case the meal is not something they'll eat (found that out the hard way) sticker books, toys, twice as many nappies as you think you'll need and 3 times as many wipes (again, learnt that one the hard way) and you'll be fine. It's only 9.5 hours!

As for a baby, did that too (4 months old) and he slept the whole way apart from 30 minutes to feed and be changed. It was the most peaceful flight I've ever had as a parent:)

Re: kids and jet lag???
 

Kerry. The flight itself is where the risks are, with babies and toddlers; jet lag and time-adjustments are a doddle. And it gets easier as they get older. My Norwegian granddaughters have been visiting us here in the Caribbean since they were about the age of your two, and the lag and time have never been a problem. Being in the new place has always been too exciting for them to waste time grizzling!

Re: kids and jet lag???
 

We moved with a 2 year old and a 18 weeks old, flight no problem. We bring all kinds of junk food and snacks to bribe them, toys and a window or middle aisle seat so they can't disappear. Ask the airline for a basinet for the baby if they still have some, so you'll automatically get the bulk head seats and more space. Since then we flew to England with a 3 year old, a 20 months and a 6 week old baby and to Italy when they were 4,2 and 8 months. Time change was never a problem. Like others said if you try to get close to Canadian bedtime and then bath and bed mine then slept all night and were fine the day after. Wish I could say that about me :lol: Don't stress yourself, take food, entertainment, colouring, play dough and if they cry they cry.....They are small kids and allowed to dislike a 9h flight. You'll be fine! :D

Re: kids and jet lag???
 

Thanks for the great advice, arriving in edmonton at 2pm in afternoon so will try and get older one in bed after tea, My little chunky monkey who is 4 months won't fit in the bassinet. My hubby to be travelled to and from canada last week and said no way would he fit but not too worried about holding him.
My 2 year old is quite a tele geek so going to gonna download a film and games on iPad for her, hopefully that will keep her entertained.

Re: kids and jet lag???
 

It doesn't matter if he really fits in it. But when you ring (is it AC?) and tell them he's 4 months and can't sit up on his own and you'd like a bassinet they usually will give it to you for free if they have availabilities and the only place where it fits is just behind the wall to first class and in the middle of the plane which gives you a lot more leg room and space and nobody in front of you putting their seat back whilst you've got a baby on your lap. My kids usually just spend a third of a flight in there. The rest was either turbulences and you need to take them out or they were hungry.
Have a safe flight!

Get her a disposable camera or a cheap digital. We got our daughter a 20 quid camera and she can spend hours taking pictures of everything even the telly :-). Cost us fortune in batteries though lol

Re: kids and jet lag???
 

We only booked flights last week so has already gone too.

Re: kids and jet lag???
 

You can call the airline and tell them you need one - contact customer service - and you might want to order the childrens meal too.

Carrycots with BA = free seat selection. http://www.britishairways.com/travel...e/public/en_gb

I don't know who you are flying with, but you could ask them for a childrens pack - they have toys, books etc in them.

Air Transat: http://www.airtransat.co.uk/en/gamme...voyageur&id=45

BA: http://www.britishairways.com/travel...t/public/en_gb

There are also kids clubs: http://www.airtransat.com/en/kids_club/parents.html