Nine month old on a nine hour flight?

VikkiiKawaii

Does anyone have an advice on flying with a nine month old baby? Will be flying nine hours to Florida and would rather not do it with a screaming nine month old.

As a separate question, any ideas on good small presents to entertain a thirteen year old girl and a nine year old boy, again, on a nine hour flight? I'm making a present for my siblings.

ETA: would it be worth getting a sling or foldable pushchair?

claire16c

Well unless theyre walking early at least they wont be able to run around like a toddler Most of my friends with kids say its easiest the younger they are.

I would have thought the older kids would just watch a few films on the seat back tvs? Magazines maybe or a book?

Gillyx

Pray to the Gods!

I have an 8 month old and the thought of holding him on my knee for that length of time makes me want to rip my own hair out. He would hate it too, as she's so active, I think he'd be ripping my hair out actually and climbing over my head

On topic, you're probably going to want quieter toys so not to upset everyone around you, so maybe things like books you can read to baby and point out the pictures etc, maybe something from Lamaze, they do smallish toys that have loads of touchy/feely bits that aren't too bulky or noisy. I'd sit on the end seat so you can get up and walk about with her too

Nicki

You could check with the airline whether the baby is in the right age range and is the right weight to use a bassinet, and if so reserve one now. I think different airlines have different rules on this - from a quick google some are only suitable for babies under 6 months and some can be used up to 18 months, but you do need to book it in advance. At least then hopefully the baby will sleep well for part of the journey.

I assume you aren't planning on booking a spare seat for the baby and taking an approved car seat on board? If not, an adult will have to hold the baby on their knee for the whole 9 hours which will be uncomfortable for you both. How many adults are flying? Might be a good idea to agree a rota in advance so that everyone knows when they get a break from holding the baby and get a chance to have a sleep or a meal.

VikkiiKawaii

claire16c wrote: »

Well unless theyre walking early at least they wont be able to run around like a toddler Most of my friends with kids say its easiest the younger they are.

I would have thought the older kids would just watch a few films on the seat back tvs? Magazines maybe or a book?

By the looks of things she might well be walking by then

janninew

I'm with Gilly on this one - good luck! Not something I would want to do with my similar aged baby.

I think baby crying at some point is inevitable as their ears will hurt and they won't know why. Take lots of toys to keep baby entertained and pray they have a long nap!

Good luck, I don't envy you.

lilrahi

I took my then 8 month old DS on a 12 hour flight to Bangladesh on my own. It wasn't actually bad, he was quite well behaved and only cried when we landed and had to wait quite a while to disembark in stifling heat.

I took books and I had some videos and songs on my mobile that I played to him.

turn3r

We started travelling with our daughter at 6 weeks! I would advise you to call the airline and book basinet seat, some airlines will use a bouncer style seat instead of the basinet if baby older. Some airlines will allow you to pay for a seat and use a car seat.
At 9 months baby will sleep some of the flight (if still napping during the day) and the motion of the aircraft seems to aid this!
Make sure you have either a bottle or dummy for baby at take off as the swallowing stops their ears popping!
Take lots of snacks and perhaps a new toy and book! If you can a portable DVD player with some cartoons to watch!
Have a fab trip

19lottie82

I don’t think the flight would be such a problem at that age, especially if you have someone to share the babysitting with, BUT I’ve been to Florida twice and both times my OH and I have been totally perplexed as to why people would want to drag a baby round the theme parks (if that’s what you are planning to do). It can’t be pleasant for the baby or the parents? The ques and the heat, it would be my own personal nightmare!

Good luck!

psychopathbabble

I don't have children but I do work on short-haul flights - some children I don't even realise are there, they are that well behaved, some are definitely not! Make sure to feed the baby on take-off and landing to help with pressure changes in their ears. Ask the airline for a bassinet to help you.

The older kids.... a colleague of mine said she always used to have a little backpack for each child that they were responsible for, and in it was some clean clothes, sweets, books, colouring pad and pencils. It was a real treat for them as they loved it! They weren't allowed to open it until they had taken off, and it kept them entertained for hours. You will also probably have in-flight entertainment as well so they could also watch cartoons/movies.

VikkiiKawaii

19lottie82 wrote: »

I don’t think the flight would be such a problem at that age, especially if you have someone to share the babysitting with, BUT I’ve been to Florida twice and both times my OH and I have been totally perplexed as to why people would want to drag a baby round the theme parks (if that’s what you are planning to do). It can’t be pleasant for the baby or the parents? The ques and the heat, it would be my own personal nightmare!

Good luck!

We're not going for the theme parks. My mother has booked it for Christmas time as an alternative to being at home (a lot has happened, making her want to change the usual Christmas).