Guest EL18 Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 Well, can't quite believe it's nearly here. Shipping went this week and now on count down. Really excited about it but dreading the flight. We have a 12 months old and 3 year old (just turned 3 last week). Any advice on flying with small kids welcome. Concerned about ears popping, screaming baby, bored toddler, washing bottles etc (using them only to try and relieve ear pressure).....oh and the dirty looks from other passengers....!!! Before kids we were probably guilty of the last comment...lol! Thanks x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mummy Mann Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 Well, can't quite believe it's nearly here. Shipping went this week and now on count down. Really excited about it but dreading the flight. We have a 12 months old and 3 year old (just turned 3 last week). Any advice on flying with small kids welcome. Concerned about ears popping, screaming baby, bored toddler, washing bottles etc (using them only to try and relieve ear pressure).....oh and the dirty looks from other passengers....!!! Before kids we were probably guilty of the last comment...lol! Thanks x Can't comment on travelling to oz with a 12 month old but out son turned 3 on the plane when we spent 3 weeks in oz a couple of years ago :0). He was absolutely fine. We flew with Emirates and they were fantastic. They gave all the children a backpack full of toys books and pens. All our son did was watch tele, eat and sleep, with an occasional trip to the toilet. He still used a dummy at the time so he had that during take off and landing. The connection at Dubai gave him chance to burn some energy running round until the next flight. With regards to your 12 month old I think this will be more of a challenge as they don't have there own seat. All the best for your new life x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lemongirl Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 We just did this 2 days ago - with a 13 month old and a 4 year old. I won't lie to you - it was hell. My only advice is don't bother dreading it! It has to be done. You'll get through it, as long as everyone survives you're doing pretty well Personally I have vowed not to fly anywhere with them again until they are both old enough to drink. People will just have to come to us if they want to visit. Seriously though, it's not THAT bad. They'll sleep some. There will be moments where they will be really hard work, but it'll pass and you'll get respite. You'll even have moments where they are pretty cute and fun to travel with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest spela Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 We have 12 months old boy, 26 months old girl and 63 days to go :biggrin:. Not worrying yet. We will get through those 24 hours of flight this way or another. You never know :wink: Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EL18 Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 Ha ha...lemomgirl...I love your honesty even if it's done nothing to reasure me...lol! Who did you fly with? Have you just emigrated? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EL18 Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 Spela - where you heading to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest spela Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 We are heading to Melbourne. We have same family there, so some presure will be taken off our shoulders when we land there. What is your destination? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Trueblue22 Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 I'm not far behind you...78 days to go!! You will be fine, try not to worry about it too much. I've flown loads of times with my two and never had problems with popping ears etc, neither of them have ever mentioned their ears. Night flights are usually better for the kids, getting their pyjamas on etc.As for the people who give out the dirty looks, tell them if they can do a better job they're more than welcome to try lol!Wishing you all the best for your new life. Xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EL18 Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 Hey Spela, we are too!! We have a number of old friends out there who have been great too. Even getting me some shopping in for when we arrive...result! Which area of Melbourne? We are heading Bayide areas. x Trueblue....love your statement about other dirty looks...very true! x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lemongirl Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 Yep, just flew in to Brisbane friday, making our way down the coast to newcastle where we'll be living. We flew with Malaysian Air. Best advise, actually, is probably to try to get a spare seat for the little one. Bulkhead is best with little babies, but once they are crawling/walking etc I find it easier to have a place to plunk them where they feel like big people, and also gives them a little spot where they can stand/bounce/play without really being under anyone's feet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal2 Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 just a thought pop them in really easy clothes like pjs and stick the TV on for your eldest I bet they'll be ace because you're dreading it so much they'll be brilliant because kids always do the opposite of what we expect lol Cal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest littlesarah Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 I think if you don't expect too much, you won't get too disheartened! As someone who doesn't have children, and who luurves to sleep on longhaul flights, let me just tell you not to worry about what other passengers think, say or do. Anyone who thinks it is possible to make a toddler sit still or a baby not cry is quite clearly deluded, and if they're that bothered they should pay to fly in business where there won't be many (if any) families! (I get impatient with people who are selfish about children who are too little to be quiet and well-behaved) I'd bet that the majority of people just feel sorry for the parents when there are upset kids on board. Sometimes you may come across travellers who are happy to play 'peepo' or pull faces to keep your little ones occupied and while away a little time (I'm one of those, we have nieces & nephews, as well as all our friends who have kids, so we can see the challenges of parenthood; plus me & him are like a pair of kids ourselves most of the time!) When I took a short flight with my friend and her two year old, I put a small toy in my bag, and was able to take it out when she got really bored. She then spend the rest of the time either playing with her new toy or rooting through my bag looking for another one! (And the bag had lots of pockets, so it occupied her for quite a while!) The kids AVOD channels usually have something on that will keep the little ones interested for a while too. Worst case scenario, and it's going really badly, remember it will be over eventually... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGHJLL Posted August 15, 2012 Share Posted August 15, 2012 Hiya, did a lot of reading up on this too. Ours are 3 and 6. The younger one was better actually. We packed backpacks for the girls with toys, books, learning games etc but they hardly touched them! Usually mine don't watch a lot of tv at home but on the plane it's got to be done! I get sick and ears pop badly on planes and two weeks ago flight from Venice was awful but on the big jumbo planes I just didn't get any of it - didn't even need to suck sweets. Much, much, much more comfortable flight. As long as they have cuddly toys, warm enough clothes, as it sometimes gets really chilly, and the tv in the back of the seat all is good. We did straight through flight on way home from oz in april and the time went pretty well. I was uptight too before hand but it really was not bad. They get lots of stuff to eat and that takes up time, as does the trips to toilet! Ours slept quite a bit. Best of luck, I'm sure they will amaze you and be super. Children are so adaptable x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamamegs Posted August 15, 2012 Share Posted August 15, 2012 Did it last year with our 3 year old! 1) check in as early as poss to get best (and possibly spare) seats on 1st/onward flight 2) On the recommendation of a friend with 3 who had also done the flight, we bought a portable DVD player. It was PRICELESS! 3) Wrap little gifts up to keep them entertained 4) Stop for a few hours in Singapore. Lots to see & do (cinema, playgrounds, butterfly gardens, pool, foot massage, Internet access: ALL FOR FREE). Have a shower and you'll feel human enough to do the second flight! 5) rescue remedy 6) Gin (or valium Good luck! I'm flying with DS in November... x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bazinga Posted August 15, 2012 Share Posted August 15, 2012 I did it alone twice. Once with a 5yr old and a 12month old and then about a year later. My eldest has ADHD. It was not hell but others have given you some good tips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest spela Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Thank you all for great suggestions EL18, we are heading to Monbulk, just outside outer Eastern Suburbs. We are longing for peaceful country life Only 53 days to go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EL18 Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Wow....thank you everyone for some brilliant tips and a little reassurance! Haven't had chance to log onto forum as been manic with the shipping going so apologises for late reply/thank you! Only 37 days to go....gulp! Sure I will be back with a load more questions soon! Spela, sounds perfect. I'm a country girl myself but that's in the UK, you don;t get monster spiders in the UK though...I'm a chicken where spiders are concerned, hence why I am suburb nound. I know they will still be there but hoping they might be a at least 2mm smaller...lol!! Thanks again evryone. If i survive the flight I'll let you all know how it went! x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nige Richy Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 I flew on my own in June, wife came out mid August and most families on my flight put them in their PJ'S stick the TV on and let them sleep, watch and eat. Some do sufer with the pressure but one woman had two on here own and was brilliant, she said as long as they get their sleep the rest is easy, not one tear from them she just entertained them with things. Its hard work but as most have said there is only 24 hrs and you will be here. If you get hung up on it they will. Bring lots to do for the three yr old and make it into an adventure for them, build it up and make it special, worked for me before. Good Luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junellew Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 We flew with ours twice so far as littleies. 1st time 3months and 17 months, 2nd time almost 3 years and 20 months. 1st time was easier despite having to get bottles as little one just wanted food and sleep. We spent heaps of time walking up and down isles 2nd times. People gave us looks but I just ignored them. We did all we could to keep them quiet so what more could we do?! Flew Emirates 2nd time who were fab as others had said. Def recommend getting spare seat if you can. We booked our 3 seats on the "4" rows both times with a gap in between us hoping the single seat would not be taken and the 1 time it was they were happy to swop rather than being stuck in between a family! It was a good plan! Also got bulk head seats for extra leg room so kids could play on floor. It wasn't fun by any means but we made it and same as you we were heading to family so could unload when we got there.....best thing is they slept for about 17 hours in a row the night we arrived - bliss! My best tip that got me through (although some may think it negative) was having it in my mind that it was going to be the WORST 26 hours of hell I had ever had......then anything that wasn't like that was just fab!! A vino or 2 helped to Also keep their usual routine....we did pjs, stories and milk at bed time as usual and let them lay in the seat/on us with a blanket and their teddy. Good luck. Hope it goes well. We are out in the Longwarry (south east towards Warragul) if you want a friend when you arrive!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EL18 Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 Well, we are HEREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! Just thought I would give you the update on the dreaded flights now we have got them over with! Well, what can i say, you were all right. It wasn't half as bad as I was thinking it would be. We took all your advice and it seemed to work so thanks everyone. So glad it wasn't as painful as I thought it would be. The little ones slept for about 12 hours over the whole journey and we even managed to get a refreshing shower at the Transit Hotel in Singapore.....glorious! We have now been in Melbourne for just over two weeks and after a task and a half getting a decent rental we have gone for one in Bentleigh East. Moving in next week. Hopefully then we can actually start getting on with living and making new friends, just been a whirlwind at the moment with rentals, cars, medicare, vicroads.....etc etc etc!! Any advice on how to meet new friends/others arnets now welcome...... Thanks again anyone xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest17301 Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 Ive just done the trip with my 6 year old, first time we did it he was 2 and went quite well I thought...this time I gave him something to help him sleep (antihistimine) after we'd eaten..it was a night flight from Perth, he slept for 5 hours or so....rest of the time and on the connecting flight he just listened to music and watched the tv...was very very good tbh....I did change him into his pjs too think that helped Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.