Advice needed - anyone flown to Oz with 18 month old?

[claire101]

We're planning to visit Australia next March to see my brother who emigrated last year, with our baby who will be about 18 months by then.

Has anyone got any useful advice, particularly about whether to fly direct or to stopover? We had been thinking of spending a few days in Singapore or Abu Dhabi on the way back, to break the journey up for the baby and to give us some time just the 3 of us. But is it better just to get the flight over and done with? Am probably more concerned about baby jet lag going all that way to feel very tired for a lot of it(brother won't be used to getting up at 2am to lend a hand!!).

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

[Donkey]

Hi I flew to Australia when my daughter was 14 months. I flew direct on the way out, which was horrible, and stopped in Dubai for a night on the way back, which made a huge difference. And I'd recommend Emirates who are brilliant with children..

[Bluemum]

Try: Night flight, stop over (I think helps with the cabin fever feeling on a long haul) and most important PIRITON!!!!

[Pickle]

On our trips to NZ we generally fly direct on the way there (involves about 5 hours stopover in Singapore), and then break it up slightly by overnighting in the transit hotel in Singapore Airport on the way home. Our logic is that on the way there, once we arrive we have help - whereas when we arrive back in London it's just us, so the extra bit of sleep halfway home is worth it!

[claire101]

Thanks for your advice. We've gone for a night flight with a short stop on the way there, and an overnight stopover on the way back. So we'll find out! And we'll be packing the Piriton...

From the responses and advice from friends there didn't seem like an obviously better way to do the trip (that's worth paying the extra for anyway) so we just went with the best deal.

Happy travelling

[Hesmall1]

We're flying in December (via HK) with our daughter who will be 9 months old. We've booked stopovers both directions thinking a bath and a sleep might be helpful. We shall see how that works.

May I ask abourt Piriton? Why is that suggested?