flying with toddler for first time

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Jopsey

I have taken my 4 abroad a few times aged 9,8,2.5 and 1.5, but admittedly on short flights (less than 2 hours). I always fret and am glad when it is over, but tbh we haven't really had much bother. I would recommend (or agree with other posters)
a small bag of distractions, particularly something they are not normally allowed or something new.
A change of clothes.
Enough nappies, wipes, juice, supplies in hand baggage to cope with up to 12 hours delay.
Limit food/drink until on plane. Eating and drinking takes up time.
Be careful with food on plane (mine are notoriously bad travellers so I stick to plainish things with water or weak juice - I also give the ones old enough travel sick tablets - as it happens, they seem to be OK on planes and we have never had an "incident")
For the same reason I also take an old clean tea-towel and a carrier bag.
Take their shoes off, they can squirm and kick the seat in front (blow softened) and can stand on the seat if they want (seatbelts permitting)
Don't be worried about the other passengers (even though I always am, try not to be)
Sippy cup for take off and landing, lollipops or chewy sweets (ears hurt)
Window seat for them is good.
Most people are bored anyway on flights and are happy to engage in a bit of banter with a toddler if they do attract the attention of others.

Would agree with other posters about the jackets, and you can always buy out there something fairly throwaway for jopsey junior. (we have been known to stick a clean dry towel on as a blanket when we were short one nippy evening)

Have a great time.

davidbfc

Regularly took our 4 (all under 5 at one point) on flights up to 4 hours, once when the youngest was 9 weeks old. Try asking for the "Nursing mothers room" at the airport information desk, (not check-in, who won't have a clue), where the kids will be able to play without getting lost, and if they point you at the toilet, ask if they, never mind a baby, should eat in a toilet --- at one small airport we got the use of the managers office and at another the 1st Aid room!
Try to get the bulkhead seats on the plane, and stuff the pushchair pockets with some heavier as well as those essential items to get round the baggage limits.
Smile and apologise in advance. We were never refused help when we asked, but you do have to ask!

Enjoy it!!!!!!!!

jopsey

Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye !! (showing my age there !!)

EVERTHING new with a toddler in tow is a daunting experiance but I will be fine I'm sure

Thanks all the friendly voices and I will report back

milkydrink

davidbfc wrote: »

Regularly took our 4 (all under 5 at one point) on flights up to 4 hours, once when the youngest was 9 weeks old. Try asking for the "Nursing mothers room" at the airport information desk, (not check-in, who won't have a clue), where the kids will be able to play without getting lost, and if they point you at the toilet, ask if they, never mind a baby, should eat in a toilet --- at one small airport we got the use of the managers office and at another the 1st Aid room!
Try to get the bulkhead seats on the plane, and stuff the pushchair pockets with some heavier as well as those essential items to get round the baggage limits.
Smile and apologise in advance. We were never refused help when we asked, but you do have to ask!

Enjoy it!!!!!!!!

You slippery so & so!!!!!!!!
What a great idea,

trallis23

kyle wrote: »

We have our first trip abroad in october, i have never been on a plane, dh been on one for an hour, 3 kids, youngest will be 2, so we are apprehensive say the least!:rolleyes:

I have visions of my youngest screaming the whole way! the flight is 9 hours so not a short flight.

Kyle

my family have just returned from florida and i was dreading the flight with 4 children( 2 were nearly three years 5 year old and a 9 year old) the children all amazed me they were excellent!!! the little ones slept for 21/2 hours on the way out and virtually the whole flight on the way back and that was their first flights. i would recommend booking into the royal palm lounge if you are flying from sanford in florida because that was brill, it had a playroom for the little ones and a room full of playstations internet access, cinemas unlimited free soft and hot drinks and snacks, and 2 free alcoholic beverages for the adults it kept the children entertained and meant we weren't stressed out running after them before the flight it cost £11 per adult and £9 per child well worth it!!

daisykate124

Just checking in to bookmark this thread as were going away in october with our little one and am already worrying about the whole thing! so thanks to all who have posted your advise and experiences

richardross

We have just booked a flight for our little six-month old baby, travelling with his mum from Heathrow to Inverness on BMI - watch out for those hidden costs!!

You assume that babies go free, but no. We were charged £5.00 for his booking, which seems OK, but then you get hit for the full tax as well, and he doesn't even get his own seat. I mean - be reasonable, BMI! He weighs less than some people's hand luggage, but he has to pay a full fuel surcharge, airport tax, blah blah blah. So the total bill for him to fly was nearer £40.00, just so he can sit on my partner's knee for an hour. Crazy.

Anyone know if there are some airlines that are better than this?

Richard.

babiebeany

First of all - have a lovely holiday in the Canaries, I am sure you will all enjoy yourselves.

My advice for the plane is to take some of those calpol type preparations which come in a tube as planes can be very hot and restrictive for little ones and play havoc with their routines. Just keep one on hand in case your little one gets all hot, bothered and upset. With regard to other people on the plane, most people are very tolerant of those with young children who do their best to minimise any crying etc. It's those parents who let their children wander about on their own or stand on the chairs leaning over to people who might want to sleep that can be irritating.

We've just come back from Tenerife and there was a family with 2 young ones in front of us, one who cried constantly. But the parents took turns in looking after her and did their best which everyone around really appreciated. No one tutted or got irritated, they just understood as a lot of people have been in the same situation in the past.

Last week in Tenerife it varied in the evening from downright cold to sweltering hot. A small soft blanket/pashmina is a very good idea to take with you. There are plenty of places to buy them as well as nappies/general baby supplies as well. There isn't really a need to carry a lot of supplies to last you the week as the supermarkets stock a lot of English brands depending on where you are staying. My advice is just to take enough to last a few days and take some travel wash so that you can rinse through a few clothes as you need to.

Have a great time.

minders_mum

Hi, I took a toddler without a luggage allowance and thankfully I took nappies as I couldnt find any in the supermarkets anywhere near as good as pampers/huggies!
I just split them up and slipped them into the case along the sides etc.

One important thing to note for parents of babies on formula milk - it was inpossible to buy the same milk in Corfu as I use hear - fortunately I had sufficient but another mum was really stuck!

Baby milk is very heavy so watch your lugggage allowance!

Enjoy your hols!

Minders mum

MarkyMarkD

richardross wrote: »

We have just booked a flight for our little six-month old baby, travelling with his mum from Heathrow to Inverness on BMI - watch out for those hidden costs!!

You assume that babies go free, but no. We were charged £5.00 for his booking, which seems OK, but then you get hit for the full tax as well, and he doesn't even get his own seat. I mean - be reasonable, BMI! He weighs less than some people's hand luggage, but he has to pay a full fuel surcharge, airport tax, blah blah blah. So the total bill for him to fly was nearer £40.00, just so he can sit on my partner's knee for an hour. Crazy.

Anyone know if there are some airlines that are better than this?

Richard.

Ironically, BMI's own bmibaby division don't charge anything at all for babies - no fare, no tax, no nothing. Same for jet2.

I believe that, perversely, APD is only payable if the airline charges you for an infant and that's why bmibaby and jet2 don't have to charge you APD for your infant if they don't occupy a seat.

As you're only flying for an hour, I'm sure that carrying the baby will be fine. But for any longer flights, particularly where there is an infant charge as in your case, do strongly consider paying for a full child fare (i.e. same as full adult fare in most cases) as then you get a seat and a luggage allowance which may easily be worth more than the fare.