Traveling back home with 1 year old

[Moldovandish 0]

We are flying internationally for the first time since our baby was born. She will be 13 months when we travel back to Moldova. The tickets are very expensive, so we are thinking of getting two adult tickets and having our daughter in our lap. I am especially worried about the long 9 hour trip across the ocean - it will be nighttime here, so she will need to be sleeping pretty much the whole time. Any tips to make our trip easier?

[Dr. Obvious 49]

I flew with a 12 month old. Trust me, you will want a seat of her own for a flight that long. Money is not everything and kids that age are way too wiggly imo for a flight that long. Airports are not home and behavior is not as predicitible. She may not sleep as well as you imagine on a plane. Mine slept excellent, but she had been up for nearly 20 hours before we got on that long haul (wish I were joking, thanks, US Airways). She would not sleep at the airport except in 10-15 minutes at a time. No real sleep. The flight back will probably not be a night flight. For your own sake, get her a seat.

Edited September 22, 2008 by Wacken

[Completely 3]

We are flying internationally for the first time since our baby was born. She will be 13 months when we travel back to Moldova. The tickets are very expensive, so we are thinking of getting two adult tickets and having our daughter in our lap. I am especially worried about the long 9 hour trip across the ocean - it will be nighttime here, so she will need to be sleeping pretty much the whole time. Any tips to make our trip easier?

We are always travelling international and so as my son.. Yes you may want to buy him his own sit so both of you will feel comfortable.. 13 months old I pressumed does not walk that much like a 24 months old.. But when he become 2 yrs old, you dont have to buy him a ticket as he will always be sitting on your lap the whole trip and will be walking too much.

You may want to bring colorful books, a computer toy or any toy that he really likes, so he can enjoy.. And something to munch in like Cheerios and crackers for babies.

Edited September 23, 2008 by Completely

[Completely 3]

We are always travelling international and so as my son.. Yes you may want to buy him his own seat so both of you will feel comfortable.. 13 months old I pressumed does not walk that much like a 24 months old.. But when he become 2 yrs old, you dont have to buy him a seat as he will always be sitting on your lap the whole trip and will be walking too much.

You may want to bring colorful books, a computer toy or any toy that he really likes, so he can enjoy.. And something to munch in like Cheerios and crackers for babies. Have some extra clothes for you and your baby as they get motion sickness sometimes when on plane..they might vomit, poop , etc.. Give him enough water to keep him hydrated as dehydration takes place because of the pressure on the plane..

[mybunny'shoney 0]

depending on where your seat is, you can ask for a bassinett thing (if your kid sleeps in the crib by herself). we flew international with a 9 mos. old, it was a night time too, she slept the whole flight on my lap. a couple weeks ago we flew with our 14 mos old in US, well she wouldnt sleep till she got into her car seat. so all depends on the kid. anyway, international flights usually have empty seats, so before you board the plane, go ask them if there are any unoccupied seats so you can use it to put the car seat. usually they are very helpfull. if not, then you can always check your seat in at the gate.

And i am not sure how much you pay for the tickets, but you'll have to pay a good amount for your daughter too to sit on your lap. couple years ago we paid around $200.

[mybunny'shoney 0]

oh and our daughter slept really well at the airport, but in the straller.

of course take all her favorite toys, but there will always be something more interesting on the plane! those tv screens, people around you. so during the day it might be some work for you to keep her out of things and make sure she doesnt bother others, at least that's how my kids are

[TracyTN 237]

Pack a lot of patience!

[Moldovandish 0]

Thanks, guys! I will inquire about possibly purchasing a seat for her or if not, will definitely ask for one when we board the long flight. It looks like bringing the car seat is a good idea. She can sleep in it okay.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

Yeah, the cheaper pricing is tempting, but overall, it would just be too much stress with a child over 9 months. They are a lot more physically active and need their own space more than children under 9 months.

I guess this is one of the larger pitfalls of international relationships, serious travel expenses! My daughter received zero child discount for flying and we had to pay full adult fare. I didn't know 2 year olds are adults now, but whatever.

[sara535 15]

when travelling with my small children, especially long trips, I make sure to stuff a few brand new toys in the bag, things she hasnt seen before. it doesnt have to be anything fancy or expensive, just new. Bring one out when she starts to get fussy

[mybunny'shoney 0]

another tip...if you can choose your seat, dont get them near the bathroom (on the big planes they have bathrooms in the middle of the plane). it was a nightmare, my daughter couldnt take a nap for a long time because somebody would always go in and out, closing/opening doors. my husband ended up just walking with her till she fell asleep in his arms.

bring the car seat and a straller too, much easier with all the kid stuff. or here is a cool thing, saw several at the airport during our trip 2 weeks ago http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/produc...ategoryId=86218

[scott-n-vlada 0]

My 2 cents worth. I really feel sorry for babies when the aircraft is coming in for a landing, the pressure change

is hard for everyone, but babies do not understand this pain / pressure in their ears.

They need their parents attention during this time for comfort.

Cheers,

Scott

another tip...if you can choose your seat, dont get them near the bathroom (on the big planes they have bathrooms in the middle of the plane). it was a nightmare, my daughter couldnt take a nap for a long time because somebody would always go in and out, closing/opening doors. my husband ended up just walking with her till she fell asleep in his arms.

bring the car seat and a straller too, much easier with all the kid stuff. or here is a cool thing, saw several at the airport during our trip 2 weeks ago http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/produc...ategoryId=86218

[Moldovandish 0]

My 2 cents worth. I really feel sorry for babies when the aircraft is coming in for a landing, the pressure change

is hard for everyone, but babies do not understand this pain / pressure in their ears.

They need their parents attention during this time for comfort.

Cheers,

Scott

another tip...if you can choose your seat, dont get them near the bathroom (on the big planes they have bathrooms in the middle of the plane). it was a nightmare, my daughter couldnt take a nap for a long time because somebody would always go in and out, closing/opening doors. my husband ended up just walking with her till she fell asleep in his arms.

bring the car seat and a straller too, much easier with all the kid stuff. or here is a cool thing, saw several at the airport during our trip 2 weeks ago http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/produc...ategoryId=86218

Thanks for the good tips! Those car-seats are cool!

As far as landing or takeoff, oh yeah, they need to comforted for sure. Last time we flew within the US, I was still breastfeeding and that worked like a charm to soothe her. But she's done with nursing now, so we'll resort to the pacifier and maybe bottle - if she'll still be using a bottle at all in December.