Advice for long flight with a 14 mo

[LauraHW]

Hi there

I'm looking for advice on how we can keep our 14 mo occupied during a 12 hour flight! Obviously won't be able to take a huge number of toys on the plane and looking for maximum diversion. Also what are people's experience of helping them cope with the jet lag?

Many thanks!

[Pickle]

Hi,

I've done the flight to and from NZ (which takes me about 30 hours door to door) about 8 times now with my children at varying ages.

Take a reasonable selection of small toys which are new, meaning they will entertain your little one for a bit longer than ones he/she already knows. Lots of snacks are a good idea too, as although most airlines will provide food there's a high chance it won't be nice!

For the jet lag we've always slotted straight into the time zone we're in once we arrive - so naps at normal times, bedtime the same etc... NZ is an extreme case as it's a 12 hour difference, but generally within a couple of days things have settled down. Get outside in the daylight as much as you can in the first few days, it helps a lot.

Have a great time.

[mettelw]

Paper and pencils does it for our daughter - for us to use for her entertainment, not just for her own drawings (it's amazing what you can draw when put to the test!). We also bring a number of story books and a book of songs/rhymes and figure that people on adjacent seats would rather hear children's songs than a screaming baby. Your child may be a bit young for it but we also bring an iPad with games and dvds for her to watch (a great treat as she is not allowed to watch that much tv at home).

Can't advise on the jetlag I'm afraid as we've always gone within a timezone or two.