Traveling/Jet Lag Tips

A., I haven't travelled that far, but my 2 year old has been flying with me (coast to coast) since she was about 6 months old. The most stressful thing is lugging around all of the items that you need for them. Other than that, it isn't all that bad. I bought a small dvd player so that she could watch her Baby Einstein dvd's(at 6 months, she loved them!). I didn't have any breastfeeding problems at all.

Hi A..

First, I think your very brave. :o) My husband and I traveled to Europe almost 2 years ago. My daughter was almost 2 years old at the time. We had a 12 day trip traveling from France to Italy (Tuscany) then back to France. It was LONG but the plane ride was surprisingly easy. I had packed snacks, some NEW books and NEW small games in case she started to fuss or get bored. The fact that they were NEW made a big difference. I made sure as the flight was ascending and descending she was drinking something so that she didn't get that discomfort in here ears. Also, a big help was to request bulkhead seating. There is no waiting in lines when you are traveling with babies too. I LOVED that part.
As far as traveling with a 6 mo. old and nursing at the same time, I don't have any personal experience but can't think of a reason why you nursing would have a negative affect. I think you'll do fine.
LUCK!

Elaine

We took our 12 week old son to France last summer. I noticed no difference in milk production. The time change was difficult for him, so be prepared for some restless nights at the beginning of your trip. Our son slept a ton on the plane rides - the airline provided a box for him to sleep at our feet. You can request to be in row with a drop-down baby bed, however. Transitioning feeding schedules per time changes is tricky, just take take it slowly.

Hi!

Well, let's see...the first thing I will tell you is to "go with the flow" on jet lag, if you can. When we adopted our son, I made the mistake of forcing myself onto local time (as I always did when traveling on business). But you really can't do that to a small child. So I was keeping myself up all day and he was keeping me up all night. NOT a good plan! I would suggest trying to arrive in the afternoon/evening, find somewhere to let your children run, then go to sleep when they do. They may be awake again at 2:00am, but at least all of you will have gotten some sleep. Then you ease into the local schedule.

As for keeping them occupied on the plane, it can be pretty hard if they don't sleep for at least part of the way. DVDs help. Little toys (particularly new surprises) help...but don't use anything you'd be too upset to lose...a dropped toy can disappear pretty quickly (for example, roll several rows away in turbulence when the seat belt sign is fastened). Walking up and down the aisle (or around the galley if they'll let you) helps. But a lot of it turns into sheer endurance if they don't sleep. Also, if your younger child won't have his/her own seat, you may want to get a Baby B'Air. I got ours on eBay. You can't use them during takeoff or landing, and I question the claims that they make your child a lot safer (it would take pretty severe turbulence before I can see much effect there), but a Baby B'Air sure saved my shoulders/arms on one long flight. Holding the full weight of a sleeping child (even a small child) on your lap for hours is torture on your upper back, because they're always pulling you in one awkward direction or another. The Baby B'Air helps support some of the weight, at least.

Just my $.02

B.

i have a 20 month old and we fly frequently to alabama to see my mom. not as far as you are going, but for your 6 month old, have her suck on her bottle or paci or something as you are taking off as it will keep her ears from popping (like how they tell adults to chew gum). anyway, i pack bryce a bag of activities-books, snacks etc. we fly southwest so you have open seating. i preboard and sit at the very front row where there is a little more room and bryce occupies himself on the floor with his activity bag...hope something helps! have fun!

Hi!
I went to Italy when my doughter was 4 mo old and when she was 9 mo old. She didn't have any problem with the jet lag when we were there but she did when we came back...she was awake during the night, but it takes few days to get on normal schedule again.
The day that you leave try to keep them awake untill it's time to get on the plane but it seems to me that they sleep well on the plane. It gets harder as they get older, I'm going back to Italy next month and now my baby is 14 mo old and I'm thinking how to keep her entrattained....maybe the best choice is a piece of paper and pencil, don't worry how dirty they get....at the end of the trip you'll take care of it!
have a safe trip

For Breastfeeding, flying can be dehydrating. Drink lots water and say away from soda while flying. Have a pacifyier, or be ready to feed, on take off and landing. the sucking will help your little ones ears. Check with your doctor... but alittle baby tylenol 1/2 hour before take off and 1/2 hour before landing can be helpful as well.***
***Entertainment For the two year old. Crayola wonder markers and Crayola specail finger paints are great. They only mark the magic paper and not the air plane seats ect. Doesn't take up to much space in your luggage. Also small wraped new toys to pull out every so often along the way. Even small old toys wraped can be exciting to a little one. Something small stacked in several small jewlrey boxes. Kids love stacking nesting cups. same concept just a small portable usful version that will not take up much space. Good luck.

A.,

I've taken my oldest girl to England twice, once when she was 9 months and once when she was almost 3 (along w/ my 2nd child, then 9 months). They were both easy when they were less than a year (and both were being breastfed which did not change at all on the trip), seemed to be able to sleep on the plane and adjusted fine to the time change.

The difficulty came when Sophia was almost 3. She never slept on the plane either direction (thank goodness for AA in-seat videos), pretty much survived on bread while there, and averaged 8 hours of sleep/day for a week (compared to 11-12 at home). She was a mess. I don't know what I could have done differently (maybe stay at a hotel? it's hard w/ relatives visiting until late). But, because we were only there a week, I tried to just get through it and luckily, she re-adjusted pretty quickly.

I guess just try not to worry, they will survive and be fine. I think we get more worked up about it then they do, but I know it's hard not to! Have a great trip!

T.