Flying with a 22 month old - on my knee !

[LiesaAnna]

my grandson will be 22months old when we go in November this year, so all tips would be greatfully appreciated,but he will be with mummy and daddy so we can all take turns in having him on our laps, but what do we do when hes tired? hes not the best to fall asleep in our arms now, but he would a buggy, the thought of him screaming when hes tired!! am wondering why we asked them along![msnscared][msneek][msneek][msneek]
no we love them all and am sure we all will have a great time, its just the flight is rather a daunting subject at the moment!!
any tips????????????????????????????? please!!!!

[millie]

We took my daughter when she was 21 months and to be honest next time I would buy her a seat!!!!!!

The basinettes etc for only for those under 1 year but if I was you I would push for a bulkhead seat. We flew Virgin and they put me down as a priority and then said to me just to get to the airport early which we did. They allocated me a bulkhead seat which was a god send as she could sit on the floor for a bit which eased my legs and gave her some space.

I think she found it Ok apart from finding it hard to get comfy enough to sleep on my knee. However I was stuck with a heavy weight on my knee for 9 hours!!! When I got into the film when she was busy she wanted to watch Fimbles etc etc (you can imagine!).

I just took lots of things for her to do. I wrapped each one up in some wrapping paper and every time she got bored would pull out a "present". It worled out mush better than having a bag where she could delve in and get bored much quicker. I took things like colouring in things, sticker books, threading cards, beads and string, etc etc.

We got through it Ok and if your child is Ok with switching from person to person that would surely help. I just kept remembering that no matter how bad it was the holiday was going to more than make up for a few hours being uncomfortable.

Oh, one more tip! Calpol. I gave it to my daughter before the plane took off in case of earache. (did have the other nice effect of her dropping off for an hour too!![msnwink])

[CarolAnn]

Our daughter was 18mths on her first trip to Orlando, I realised it at the time, but even more so since, what a superstar she was, not a murmer, not a whinge, just sat on our laps quietly. I do think we had the calpol at hand, but honestly do not remember using it! She must have been good, because she has been lucky enough to go back every year since , twice this year and she will be 13 in September!! How time flies when you are having fun [8D]

[Ana]

It's worth asking if you can get an extra meal for your toddler or taking something with you. I don't know whether it is still the case but it used to be very strictly one meal per seat - even though you have to prebook an infant place. It's worth mentioning that I've only seen this happen on charter flights. Virgin are much more accomodating in this respect.

[philgrove]

Calpol is a good idea and i have done this myself. Also puriton will relax and give your child a little nap time too. This also helps if you happen to get a little itchy with excitement or those awful blankets you get given,or worse a mossie gets in !!!
we take little snacks with us plenty of drinks. If you take an ANYWAY UP cup on with you just watch the pressure as the lid will just pop off as you take off or land.
Most important thing to remember is to stay calm and dont get stressed out ( i have to keep reminding myself and Phil this).
Going on Saturday with a 2 year old and a 6 year old for the 3rd time.

[nicklangdon]

Last time we went we thought how fantastic all the children were considering how long the flight was from tiny tots to teenagers!Try not to work yourself up! [msnsmile2]

[LiesaAnna]

i hadnt really thought about it before but as its now becomming a reality our daughter Kerrie her partner Andy and their baby Bradley he will be 22 months old, any tips will be very welcome, i know my daughter takes calpol wherever she goes as she works and i mind him, its always in his "bag"
have just found about 7 seaters dodge caravans have a 5 pin seat belt which we can use for him instead i believe of a car seat (if anyone knows different please let me know)
how do you amuse them on the plane for 9 hours???? i know mummy and daddy love reading to him but there is only so much reading to a child of that age before they get bored!
all tips are welcome!!
thanks xx

[nikkikk]

I have four children from 16 down to 3 and have been flying to Florida regularly for near on 15 years so have had children of various ages at the time. I would definitely agree with requesting bulk head - you will get priority with an infant under 2 - ring the airline before and explain the problem, I have usually found that they are pretty good at making a note of your request and coming up with the goods. Calpol, and Phenergan are also good tips as are having a bag full of goodies wrapped as presents - even if they are toys from home! Unfortunately, the TV on this airline only shows one film to everyone so you can't rely on that. Also, ask where you are staying what facilities they have. Being a mum of four our villa comes complete with car seats (baby and toddler), highchair, bed guard, cot etc etc as well as toys from toddler up.

Most of all have a wonderful holiday I am sure you will.

[millie]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by LiesaAnna
i hadnt really thought about it before but as its now becomming a reality our daughter Kerrie her partner Andy and their baby Bradley he will be 22 months old, any tips will be very welcome, i know my daughter takes calpol wherever she goes as she works and i mind him, its always in his "bag"
have just found about 7 seaters dodge caravans have a 5 pin seat belt which we can use for him instead i believe of a car seat (if anyone knows different please let me know)
how do you amuse them on the plane for 9 hours???? i know mummy and daddy love reading to him but there is only so much reading to a child of that age before they get bored!
all tips are welcome!!
thanks xx
[/quote]

Last time we went we got a Dodge 7 seater and yes it did have a fab built in car seat with a 5 point harness. It was great as it lets them sit on the chair and the seatbelt is like an adfult one in that if there is tension it locks in place. We hired a car last time and the car seat we got was horrendous. I was really upset as I felt it did not fit properly and my child was in danger. One trip to Dollar got us nowhere but the next trip got us a Dodge van.

This year we plan to call the Dollar desk at the Airport 2 weeks in advance to make sure we get one again.

If you want this i would be sure to check first. [msnwink]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by LiesaAnna
i hadnt really thought about it before but as its now becomming a reality our daughter Kerrie her partner Andy and their baby Bradley he will be 22 months old, any tips will be very welcome, i know my daughter takes calpol wherever she goes as she works and i mind him, its always in his "bag"
have just found about 7 seaters dodge caravans have a 5 pin seat belt which we can use for him instead i believe of a car seat (if anyone knows different please let me know)
how do you amuse them on the plane for 9 hours???? i know mummy and daddy love reading to him but there is only so much reading to a child of that age before they get bored!
all tips are welcome!!
thanks xx
[/quote]

Liesa I would still take his car seat especially if it reclines as he will be more comfy and 22 months is quite young just for a harness (I'm paranoid) as far as the flight is concerned I must admit for last baby I bought her a seat when she was 18 months as I had had enough of babes on knees, however one trick is to get lots of new small books/toys etc that they have never seen and during the flight get them out one at a time, also have lots of baby snacks, baby walkmans are good too, if you get a bulkhead seat once airborne put a bag at the aisle ends of your row put a blanket on the floor and they have a little play area under your feet to give your knees a rest!![msnwink]