Any Parents attemped a 9hr flight with 3 kids under 3 yrs?Advice or experiences shared please & thanks !?

Question

Oh boy! thanks for answers so far, the kids ages are twins (14 months) and a nearly 3 yr old !! regarding bulk head, would there be room for twins ,3 yr old, me & hubby? also what are the rules for seating the 1 year old twins?

Oh boy! thanks for answers so far, the kids ages are twins (14 months) and a nearly 3 yr old !! regarding bulk head, would there be room for twins ,3 yr old, me & hubby? also what are the rules for seating the 1 year old twins?

Answer 1

We did a 17hr flight twice last year with 2 under 2. My wife, on the advice of my travelling sister, got something called "calm" to make them a bit sleepy. It is a natural relaxant designed to help them sleep. I'm not into making my children sleepy through medications, but it is for your own sanity, they will be excited and it does them no harm. If it is a night flight, try to keep them up and make them sleepy.

Make sure they have something for take off going up, a bottle, lolly or something to suck on to help their ears pop and also for the way down. Apart from take off - try not to give them much sugar. If one is under one, request a baby bassinett near the bulkhead and make sure through your travel agent that you are all sitting together (sometimes, I don't know why, they do not do this and you come late and it is a hassle). Lots of colouring books we found helps both before you take off and in the air.

We have travelled quite a bit with our little ones to Turkey, Australia 2 times, UK, Thailand twice and the first time you do it you are worried about how it will go, but we have not found it to be a big hassle. You can generally take them for a walk up the back where there is space, or up the front near the doors as well - providing there are 2 of you to look after them.

Good luck, but I'm sure you will be fine.

Answer 2

one thing that helps..(I did this with my 2 girls when they were small).. I reguested a seat right behind the bulkhead. There are no seats in front of you and enough floor space for them to sit and play. Bring some snacks and juice boxes. Hopefully you're flight isn't a long one. Also remember, parents fly with their children all the time. The flight attendants might have something stored that would be good for small children (do they still give out little airplanes or wings to kids anymore?) Good luck!

Answer 3

I haven't but you have my sympathy.

My friend flew 8 hours with two children (18m & 3yr). She said that the 3 yr old was good as he could be entertained quite easily (tv, drawing, reading, travel games) but that the 18m old was very hard work.

I guess it depends on your children, you obviously think they'll be ok if you're considering such a long flight with them & obviously will know how to entertain them best.

From the experience of my friends it appears that babies are generally fine (happy to sleep, watch the world go by) and pre-schoolers (3+) are good as they are more easily entertained & find it all rather exciting. It seems that toddlers seem to be the problem.

But please don't be put off by my comments, I'm sure it'll be fine, especially if there's two of you to look after them.

Good honey and enjoy your trip

Answer 4

DO NOT let them sleep prior to the flight, so hopefully part of the flight will be them sleeping

if you have done your job well as a parent up to this point it wont be so hard but if you have been one of those parents who entertains their kids constantly then it will be more difficult (eg good parenting teachs kids that its ok to be bored - bad parenting teachs them they need to be entertained constantly - bad parenting means you have a TV in your car, good parenting means they have learned how to be strapped in and look out the window and prepares them for real life)

bring a stuffed animal or favortive toy and snacks since the airline food may not be what they like

Answer 5

A good idea would bring them lots of toys or games to play with. Maybe keep them up for awhile the night before so they will sleep the entire flight. Have warm bottles of milk, it tends to make kids sleepy. And if things come to worse, I know a lot of adults that take meds to help them droozy so they sleep during flights. Ask your pediatrician, what kind of medication you can give to your kids to help them sleep during the flight that way they are less stressed out.

Answer 6

Wow, I dont think I could that!! Plenty of toys and games. And get a daytime flight if possible, people are going to be more patient in the day, rather than being woken up.

Answer 7

no it sounds like u have your job cut out hun.....my daughter is 6 and im worried about keeping her occupied for about 9hrs on a flight soon.......she is sick too usually so travel sickness pills etc too. u should have in flight movies etc.

Answer 8

make sure they have plenty of colouring packs...make sure their belly's are full before the flight.. so they sleep the way through.. also some ear plugs for you.... and some boiled sweets for their little ears.... GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 9

Send them as baggage!

Answer 10

television