Flying alone with a 14 month old to Australia

[BellendenBear]

Has anyone got experience of this? I am mad to even consider it? Presumably by that age they are too big to go in the plastic cot things.

Thanks

[ymenik21]

I am going to do the same in Feb.Last time I did this she was only 3 months so was very peacefully sleeping through most of the trip.Staff was really helpful ,Good luck BB I will be looking forward to hear how it goes since I will be going to Australia too.

Good luck it wont be too bad :))

[ryedalema]

Wow - good luck with that one. My husband's from Adelaide and we've had various mercy trips to Oz for both parents when they were sick. The first, likewise at about three months, was a breeze. Especially with the addition of Calpol night (minus parenting points - but it was before they put the age limit up). And I think we've had a couple since she was a year + - i'm afraid it gets harder and harder (not much succour I know). But at least they are weaned so no 'boiling hot milks from clueless cabin staff'. I tend to rely on the magazines you get - you know CBeebies etc - as they are pretty cheap and disposable and you can keep the element of surprise. The other good toys were the Nintendo DS and the Ipod - which we loaded up with Peppa Pig etc. At least they aren't two yet - then you need to get them their own seat, which gets seriously expensive! We're looking to emigrate out there in about 18 months (a year after I get back from mat leave) and are seriously considering sending my husband out first to get set up - find houses, schools, jobs and then I'll be out with the kids after a few months - that would make me doing what you are with a 4 year old and an 18 month old - so let me know how you get on!!!

[Pickle]

We've flown to NZ and back 4 times with the kids, I did the trip by myself when my son was 10 months. At 14 months you will still get use from a sky cot (especially if you fly Singapore Airlines, as their bassinets are large), even if you don't use it make sure you request one as it means you get bulkhead seats and a lot more room to deal with your child. You may find you can put your baby in it once he/she is asleep and it will give you valuable hands-free time!

Personally I would feel fine about flying alone with a 14 month old, just prepare yourself for being very tired (although they physically have to sleep at some stage during the journey, so do your best to grab some sleep yourself at that point). We're making the journey to NZ in Feb with a 3 year old and an 18 month old, it will be a challenge but we work on the basis that it's only a day out of your life, how bad can it be ;-)

Good luck x

[Keef]

We're going to Venezuela in Feb with a 9 month old, so any advise greatfully received. Can I drug her up to the eyeballs?!?!?!? ;-)

[Pickle]

9 months, that'll be easy Keef! Lots of snacks, little toys, books, and if all else fails... Medised (just don't tell the pharmacist the true age of your baby, add 6 years or so - it used to licensed for 6m + and is now 6 years, but I've still got an old box with the infant dosage ;-) )

[Helen GV]

I was going to ask the same question BB, I'm flying to NZ with my (will be) 17 month old at the end of January...

Luckily they have given me bulkhead seats so that'll be a lot less painful than trying to keep him contained in the little space we otherwise would have had.

Thanks for the tip on Medised Pickle, was wondering if there was something I could take with me just in case he decides not to sleep!

[knackered cow]

Just be careful giving a medicine such as Medised, there is a good reason why they raised the age of consent!

Many parents were using it as a sedative and tragically there was an accidental overdose which resulted in death! I myself have used the medicine on both my children before they were 2 and before the age was raised with no problems but I wouldn't advise using it if it really isn't needed.

I understand one is desperate to have a smooth flight when traveling with a young child but after my son had a full on tantrum on a plane a couple of years ago I soon realised I'd never see the other passengers again and I should just worry about my child and not the other passengers!

You can always ask your doctor for advice as there might be a safe sedative that can be prescribed that you can try at home before you leave!

BEST OF LUCK WITH YOUR TRAVELS!

[Pickle]

Very true Knackered Cow, I do always try to remember I'll never see the people again!

I asked my GP before our last trip and she recommended Medised over something like Phenergen, which also has the sedative effect and is often used by parents travelling. She said to simply follow the recommended dosage for Medised, apparently Phenergen requires more of a trial and error approach (the wrong dose can result in a hyper child - can you imagine!!). The benefit of Medised on flights is the decongestant - I find I often get really stuffed up on long haul flights so it's good for assisting kids if they get the same problem.

That said, I do only use it if absolutely necessary, and it doesn't really have much of an effect on my daughter anyway - so with her it's the tried and true running up and down the aisles approach!

[shoshntosh]

i've done several transatlantic flights with wee ones, both alone and with my husband (which was, er, dare i say even more difficult??). my advice is to pack:

1. several pairs of cheap earplugs (for handing round to those is neighbouring seats and for yourself)

2. lots of cash for beer/wine/your tipple of choice

3. snacks, and lots of them, but especially those that take a long time to eat

we also sometimes (esp as they got older) a little bag of gifts, and they got something from the bag every two or three hours (or as necessary) to distract/divert/stop the madness of walking up and down the aisle for hours on end.

SLEEP TONS BEFORE YOU FLY.

good luck & godspeed!

shosh

[snowboarder]

hello - we just flew to Oz last week (here in the sunshine - la la!!) and think it depends on your baby. 8.5 month baby snowboarder is rubbish sleeper (and only just fit in the bassinet with Singapore airlines!!) and he only slept on the first leg, not at all on the second! Wish we had used something - calpol etc. - but think I could have poss managed on my own (but used to no sleep) apart from going to the loo! Will you have help when you arrive?

Yep - snacks, snacks, toys. Good luck! x

[DaveR]

Some airlines won't give you a bassinet for a child older than 9 or 12 months, and it will definitely be a squeeze for the majority of 14 month olds. If yours is generally a good sleeper I would ask for the bassinet, if not you have to think seriously about stumping up the cash for another seat.

We've flown to the Far East with our kids every year since they were born, and 14 months is definitely a tough age. I think the key thing is what are your plans once you get there. If you're going to be staying with family or close friends, so you can really relax for a couple of days after you arrive, I wouldn't worry too much about the flight - it's only one day (one very looooong day, admittedly).