International Travel Suggestions, Please!

We flew with our 15 month old a while back and did not buy an extra seat - it was me, my husband, and 3 year old, so we had 3 seats amongst us. We did fine without the extra seat, but if it's just you and baby, buying the extra seat would probably be a good option. On the other hand, if the flight is not full, you can almost always sweet-talk the ticket agent into blocking off the seat next to you and getting the extra seat for free, but it's of course never guaranteed. One thing I wanted to add was that many international flights have basinettes which can accomodate babies up to 22 lbs. They attach them to wall of the bulkhead row. Our daughter was too tall for it, but just around the weight limit and ended up sleeping quite soundly for about half of the flight with her little legs dangling over the side. Also, when you check in, do request the bulkhead aisle, as it will give you a lot of extra room, which is nice when you need to retreive toys, baby wants to stand up, etc. Good luck!

Hi J.,

I flew on my own (without my husband) with my two kids last May. We flew to Europe and then flew 3 flights within Europe.
I did not have a separate seat for my 18 month. I had a seat for myself and for my 5 year old son.
On all flights, the flight attendants and everyone was extremely helpfull to me. They would ask the person sitting next to me to move to another seat, so I would have an empty seat next to my for my daughter to use.
(The people asked to move didn't mind - and it was better for them not to be sitting next to a little toddler)...
I did not have a car seat and I'm very happy I didn't.
It would just be an extra piece to drag around with you.
The airlines gave me a seat belt that attached to my own for the baby. I would hold her on my lap for the take off and landing with the seat belt attached to mine.
One thing I do recommend to bring is the stroller.
Stroller can be gate checked - you can bring it all the way to the plane entrance, collapse it, leave it right there and when you come out - it will be waiting for you. It's a big help to have the stroller at the airport.
As far as entertainment - I brought a lot of snacks, paci, water, and bought some new toys at the dollar store to keep her happy. She slept most of the way
anyway..
Also, bring as little with you as you can. I only had a backpack with diapers, food, and kids' stuff with me, plus the kids and that was enough. If I had to worry about some other things like extra carry on luggage, car seat etc, it would just make things more complicated....
My kids both did really well on all the flights.
Good luck and enjoy your time in Ireland.

I would definitely buy the extra seat - and when you get to the airport see if you can upgrade. It costs me an extra 75/per ticket to fly first class with my then 2 year old, but it was totally worth it and a bargain of a price - you just have to wait until the day of the flight to get the deal.

A portable DVD player or your laptop will work for movies - crayone and paper - megablcoks (they're light and easy to throw in a bag - books....play dough....a write on wipe off toy...

One step ahead www.onestepahead.com has lots of good "travel stuff." I don't believe you have to bring her car seat on the plane if you don't want to. She can sit buckled in - I thought it was weird at first, but my daughter actually did better on the flight w/o her seat than with it. If she's a good sleeper in it, I would bring it - if not you can check it at the gate or just check it though on the flight and have it when you get there for the car ride. You can buy a harness that loops around you and your daughter for her to sit on your lap at take off and landing - they sell those at one step ahead - it's very light and easy to shove in your purse - make sure they still allow them - just call the airline.

Those are my rambling thoughts...good luck!