Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

Hiya again..

The one thing I'm dreading about the move to NZ is taking my 17th month old boy on the plane. We are travelling via LA with NZ Airlines and decided to stopover in LA to give littlun a break instead of just the touchdown. We're booked into a hotel in Santa Monica for 3 days.

He's very very active and cannot sit still for a minute let alone 11 hours!! How am I going to cope with him on the plane? We are travelling economy and have paid child rate for him to have his own seat. We are taking his car seat as they strap that into his seat.

I'm starting to wake up at night worrying... please does anyone have any ideas other than giving him a horse dose of sedative!!

How did you cope if youve taken a littlun with you? Do they seat them near the window or near the isle? I really think he is going to get upset if he cant run around.. HELP!!

SarahB x

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

OMG I KNOW!! I totally sympathise...we are going on holiday to Antigua next month and Toby will be 12 months....It will be like trying to pin an octopus down. :( When we went to Oz in Sep he was only tiny and slept most of the way...this I fear, will not be the case on the ANU flights.....I suggest we invest in some mallets or handcuffs? :D

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

Good idea!!

I just don't know what to do or what will happen. He's just getting to the age where hes testing the water and when he doesnt get his way he throws a strop and sits down on the floor and screams.

I think I heard somebody say at work that you can get something from the doctors which is a kind of sedative..... any ideas what it is? How about a pint of calpol? lol :D

I am really dreading it.... prehaps I could pretend to be asleep the whole time so OH has to look after him! ;)

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

Are you Sarahb who was chatting with me and Tammy at www.mov****.com today, by the way?

The sedative is called Phenergen and I would not recommend it...it's used as an antihistamine normally and can have side affects...we are both going to have to suck it up and tough it out Im afraid! Who gives a stuff what other passengers think anyway! :D Most of them have/have had kids so know what its like! ANd the others? Who cares..you;ll never see em' again anyway!

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

Hi

It may be worth contacting the airline as I am sure that it is not the first time they have had long haul 'terror tots' on board. I reckon that they will have some expert advice. If they don't know how to deal with it they must be having a pretty miserable time at 35000ft. on a daily basis! You will need loads of board books, crayons and paper, walkman with suitable toddler fodder and plenty of 'bribes'.

A spacious garden and paddling pool would be excellent! :D Maybe you should wait until the Airbus 380 is doing the trip (they're big enough for a theme park!!)
Maybe you could get one of the cabin staff to entertain with a bit of wing walking!!! :D

Sorry - getting really silly now


Kind Regards


Ali

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

Ok I must be a really bad mother but I would HIGHLY recommend Phenegan - knocked my kids out for days when they had chickenpox - somebody call social services - mind you most days I'd willingly be taken away for some peace and quiet :D

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

Sarah Ive flown that long flight from LA to NZ dozens of times & very rarely has it been a child free flight. Many parents travel with young children. Ive often been seated near families with babies & have always felt so sorry for the parents trying to settle the little ones. Sure some of them cry at take off but for the majority of the journey they do exceptionally well. Mum & Dad often spend a lot of the time pacing up & down the aisle with junior in their arms but also a lot of little ones sleep a lot too so maybe you will be one of the lucky ones huh? Either way I wouldnt frett too much because I have never in all my flights heard a single passenger complain about the babies or small children. Most people will be aware that its a difficult time for you too & will be fine about sharing the trip with you. Also the airline staff are there to offer assistance if it is needed so try relaxing a little & enjoy what time you have left at home before you embark on your travels. If you are really that worried go to your Doctor before you leave & ask if he can give you something to help with the long flight. I dont mean drugging the little ones up but he may be able to give you something to at least calm them down a little. Worth a try isnt it? Now all you people who might disagree with me please dont come down on me I dont mean this in a bad way just trying to help a stressed out young Mum!!

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

Sound advice from a wise bird - will you come with me next time I fly :)

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

:) Love to Im sure especially if your heading to NZ :D

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

Done 4 of the Europe-NZ or return flights with my 2 monkeys. Can be a bit of a nightmare. You certainly can't enjoy the journey like in the old single days. ;)

DON'T EVEN THINK about using drugs on your kids unless they have a medical need.

You generally find that most other passengers are very kind and understanding; as for the grouch who scowls when your kid shouts & screams etc - just put him on ignore. Some old dears are usually more than happy to look after your kid for 10 mins, too.

You have to let them move around, nothing wrong with walking around the plane. Bring some distractions (which usually work for all of 5 mins :) ).

Stopovers and timing your flights to be night flights does help a lot.

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

We've got 3 under 7 so I can sympathise with all those travelling with little dynamos. We've built in the ultimate stopover - 2 weeks in Orlando. The last leg to AKL should be peaceful as they will be soooo knackered! Well that's the plan anyway!

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

Sarah,
I used phenegan on my then 7 and 4 year old flying from NZ to UK for a holiday (I was 7 months pregnant and insane). It was terrible stuff, they woke up so grumpy that I didn't bother with it on the way back.
The following year I took my 8 month old baby to the UK and used some homopathic mix, It had stuff like star flower and other things that I can't remember. It worked really well and he was lovely and calm, any homopath could make it up for you.
Good Luck
KAZ

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

We looked at going through Orlando but it seemed really expensive. Do you mind me asking what airlines are you using.
Cheers
KAZ

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

We've booked through Trailfinders - BA to Orlando, then 2 weeks later Quantas from Miami to LAX and on to AKL. We have to drive our hire car from Orlando to Miami and leave it there.
Flights are costing approx £550 adult and can't remember cost for kids (about £400?)

Hope this helps
Biddy

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

That sounds great, I was trying to cost it through opodo and it was coming up at over £1,000 each. Sounds like a great trip, we went to Florida last Feb and had a ball.
Will try to send you some karma for the good info
Cheers
KAZ :)

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

Hi Sarah, I used to be a flight attendant and have also taken a 18 month old to Auckland via L.A.

Make sure that his child seat isn't going to overlap the ailine seat by even an inch as for safety reasons they won't let you use it, and he will have to be on your lap for take-off landing and turbulence.

I never once had a passenger complain about a childs behaviour (adults are a different matter!) I wouldn't worry about that, most people tend to offer their full sympathies to you rather than complain.

I give my little boy a "magic bag", I usually take a trip to Woolies before the flight and stock up on lots of little different surprises to put in the bag, and then every hour during the flight if he has been good he can close his eyes and pull a treat out of the bag, it might be a little car or just a lollipop but it works every time and I have never had a problem, it doesn't have to cost much, but I think the surprise element keeps them on their best behaviour. My boy is now five and we do a fair bit of flying and every time he has a "magic bag" I think he looks forwards to that more than he does the holiday. My little boy was the same age as yours on our trip out and he got the hang of the "magic bag" very quickly even at that age!

HTH
Gina

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

Cheers for the Karma! I'd recommend anyone chatting to Trailfinders - efficient, helpful, prompt and bespoke. :D

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

Now that is what I call a good idea! Magic bags .......brilliant! Any more tips for contents?
Have some Karma

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

Hi Biddy thanks for the Karma,

I tend to put in a few sweets (lollipops are good as they take a long time to get through), I remember one time I bought my boy a little fishing game where you had to catch the little fishes with magnetic rods, it kept him amused for ages and only cost a couple of pounds, some of those little matchbox cars, like I said before Woolworths is the best as they tend to do the best "pocket money" toys.

Other things I forgot is try to book the seats by the Bulkhead as you get a little bit more room and my son could actually play on the floor (albeit in a tiny space) by his seat which you would not be able to do in a regular seat, and make sure to book a childs meal as they tend to be very impressive. I also take a blanket of his own as the aircraft can get very chilly and I think it is comfothing for them to have something of their own when they are tired.

Gina

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

[QUOTE]

DON'T EVEN THINK about using drugs on your kids unless they have a medical need.


As a mother who has travelled extensivley with my children when they were young I certainly wasnt meaning drugs when I said ask the Doctor ....there are many alternatives he/she may be able to suggest to help & I agree there are a lot of folks aboard those flights who will be only too happy to take the little one for a few minutes to give you a break & have a little enjoyment from a babys company for a while. Before you settle in for the flight scan the surrounding passengers & I bet you see at least one or two good candidates who just cant resist little ones. You really might be surprised at peoples generosity when it comes to this & cant think of a safer place to share ones children cos they certainly arent going to be able to run off anywhere with them ;)

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

We have travelled quite a bit with our two children and at Easter this year going to NZ we had our best flight yet. We had the magic bag, and we invested in some of these cushions that you can get that have small beads inside so they bend to any shape. (We got them from a stall in a shopping centre and they are designed for bad backs - but I did see then in Manchester airport at twice the price). The kids absolutely loved them. We also bought some Origins night time spray - it's sort of lavendar and something (I think it's called All in a Good Night's Sleep) and we sprayed the cushions, seats and about anything else that was around with it. The air smelt lovely - everyone kept commenting and it also killed the smell of the previous flights passengers!

I'm assuming everything worked altogether as everyone slept soundly for nearly the whole first leg (13 hours to KL)!

Good luck with the travelling and I tend to agree with another lady, it's usually the adults who are more irritating than the children!

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

[QUOTE=ginaf]Hi Sarah, I used to be a flight attendant and have also taken a 18 month old to Auckland via L.A.

Make sure that his child seat isn't going to overlap the ailine seat by even an inch as for safety reasons they won't let you use it, and he will have to be on your lap for take-off landing and turbulence.

I never once had a passenger complain about a childs behaviour (adults are a different matter!) I wouldn't worry about that, most people tend to offer their full sympathies to you rather than complain.

I give my little boy a "magic bag", I usually take a trip to Woolies before the flight and stock up on lots of little different surprises to put in the bag, and then every hour during the flight if he has been good he can close his eyes and pull a treat out of the bag, it might be a little car or just a lollipop but it works every time and I have never had a problem, it doesn't have to cost much, but I think the surprise element keeps them on their best behaviour. My boy is now five and we do a fair bit of flying and every time he has a "magic bag" I think he looks forwards to that more than he does the holiday. My little boy was the same age as yours on our trip out and he got the hang of the "magic bag" very quickly even at that age!


Thats an absolutely brilliant idea. Love the idea of the "Magic Bag".
As a frequent traveller I have to agree with you that children have never been a bother on any of my flights but when it comes to some of the so called adults well thats an entirely different matter especially those who like to abuse the free alcohol on the long haul flights.

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Put em in a crate in the hold so everybody else on the plane doesnt get disturbed by screaming crying and running round the plane :D

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Hehe! Back to the Planet Zog for you, no teenagers allowed on this forum, kiddo. ;)

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

Hey thanks for all the replies guys!! :)

I think the "Magic Bag" idea is wonderful and I'm definately going to do it. I've even got the perfect little bag here waiting to be used....with Monsters Inc pictures on it.

I'll definately be taking his "blankie" with him as he loves it so much.

I dont feel quite so worried now thanks to your replies..... I feel much more positive about it.

Our flight to LAX is in daytime but the second leg to AKL is in darkness.... hey its weird we lose a day totally... we leave LAX on the friday eve and get into AKL on the sunday morning.... where did saturday go?? :rolleyes:

He's generally easy going anyway.... hes just very active as he permanently has "ants in his pants".

Thanks again for all the comments.... I especially liked the "young mother" one.... ermmmm I'm a bit older than that.... left having a child a bit late but still loved to be called Young just for once... hehe

SarahB

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

Hi Sarah

I have travelled to NZ and back again a few times now with my children at various ages. I too must be a bad mother - as I have used phenergans most of the time. They always sleep well and wake up fine and dandy. I also get magic bags together, they usually take their own bags which I usually put at leats one new toy in, and try and make it something that will entertain for a while. I have flown all around the world with my kids, 11 hour flights as well as long haul to here (NZ), they are always fine and the thought is always worse than the actual if thats any comfort. The cabin staff on all our flights have always been so helpful and great with the kids. When we flew here to stay the last time Harriet was 9months old and Sam was 5 years old, I was dreading it and it was fine! The last time she was 2 (nearly 3) and Sam was 7 - and once again it was fine. I always dread the journey though. Most pasengers are usually unerstanding and there is usually lots of other kids and babies on flights this way. Lavender oil is great for making any of us sleepy, but I would still go armed with some pheneragns - just in case. You don;t have to use it but if it gets to the point where you can't cope - you know its there - sorry to all of those who frown on it - but when its a choice between a frantically bored and tired (and therefore fractious) toddler and a a spoonful or 2 of phenergans and a sleeping toddler - I know which I would choose. We have always flown with the Asian airlines and they have always been superb, especially Malaysian and Cathay. The hotel airport at Kuala Lumpar is fantastic too and cheap! OK well good luck with flights and your new life here in NZ - its bloomin cold at the moment though - but when summer comes again it'll be great! (At least you can get some skiing done)

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

Timed it wrong didnt we?! Going into NZ winter.... 2 winters in a row!! Try buying any winter clothing out here at the moment...its non existant!

Whats "blooming cold" then?? Its about 15 here at the mo but weekend is supposed to be up to about 25 where we live!! yippee

Unfortunately I wont ever get to try skiing as I smashed up my leg pretty bad a few years ago and its not strong enough to ski but somebody can pull me in a sledge!! :)

I do have some lavender oil and yes its a good idea to take it.... never thought of that. I might speak to the doc before I go... not decided on that one yet.

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

Hi Kaz,
How was it travelling at 7 months preg? I am going to be doing the same and am worried about it. Am not big yet and don't think I will get too big. Did you find the airline was sympathetic at all? Its just me and Hubby flying Emirates back to Scotland and I was hoping that they might 'upgrade'. I live in hope!!! He is a pilot so will get him to show his ID. Fingers crossed.
Anyway, any tips would be great. THanks

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

Cassa no digs intended I honestly have always assumed that pilots & airline crews have this code of ethics where if possible they help each other out with upgrades etc regardless of the airline. Well at least Ive seen them bend over backwards here within the US to make sure they took care of each other as soon as offduty or vacationing airline staff have made themselves known. Call me stupid but I seriously thought it was common practise??

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

It used to be like that. I am airline background myself (years ago) and it was like that then but not now. It does help if you work for the airline itself. Hubby works for a different airline to emirates so he is an unknown to them. Also we are full fare so not travelling on staff standby. More chance of getting upgraded if we were.

I always ask anyway and sometimes i get it!! It does rather spoil you though! makes you really HATE economy seats next time you have to sit in them!

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LOL I hear you there. I was lucky enough to be upgraded at the airlines expense once to first class from LA to Auckland, it was heaven & then to have to go back to economy for the return flight to LA was horrible. Talk about spoiling me flying will never be the same. Goodluck in getting your upgrade especially with you being pregnant. I myself couldnt imagine doing that long flight pregnant & stuck in economy. :eek:

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you deserve some karma for this response!

Who better than an airline expert.

And one with children is even better.

From someone with 3

Phyllis

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

Pity Airlines don't keep a sound proof creche at the back of planes, kids can then play to their hearts content with other kids and parents can have peace and quiet at the front of the plane. :D

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

One thing we found useful was having one of those portable DVD players with us. We bought one specifically for the 10hr flight between Texas and the UK and it kept our daughter entertained. Best $200 we ever spent and we occasionally use it in the car now.

It was our first trip and I took along a family pack of earplugs for other passengers just in case she screamed the whole way. :) Luckily we didn't need them, she only screamed during pushback and taxi to takeoff.

I wish you luck with your trip.

Re: Beware toddler on the plane!!
 

Thanks everyone for the great replies... Ive already started buying little bits for my "magic bag"... shorty took quite a shine to the Balamory PC Plum mobile phone toy I got today in Boots... have had to hide it away out of sight now.. :D

Not dreading it as much now as I was a couple of days ago... so thanks. xx

SarahB

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Oh definately stop worrying about it!! I worried like mad.. I had a 11 month old going to NZ and he was superb.. a real delight... it's not as bad as you expect.. really, it isn't! the stewards/ess were unreal.. very good (Singapore) and it went so well me husband didn't want to get off the plane!! LOL!! bugger.

Our 9 yr old was hell by the way.

So not so great!! ha ha... never an easy life for us!!

Debx