[SqueakInCanada]

Hi there,

We will be moving to Canada soon, and have the lovely 24hr flight to look forward to. DD is nearly 11 months old, so will be somewhere between 11-12 months when we fly (we think... still waiting for visa's, so that's give or take).

I've been trying to think what to take for her in regards to entertainment on the flight - she loves books so they'll be on the list, but I'm not sure what other toys would be suitable. I want to get new ones so that she has them to explore and isn't sick of the same ol' same ol' before we even start

Anyone have any good ideas?

Also, I was thinking of maybe trying to get some sort of baby electronic video player or something. DD hasn't really watched any TV so far, so I don't know what shows would capture her attention. However, to be honest I wouldn't care what it is, if during the flight it keeps her entertained for even 1/2 an hour without us needing to be on baby entertaining duty.
So, does anyone have any suggestions of what TV shows/movies might keep her occupied and/or what would be an appropriate player?
(I don't have an iphone or ipad, but do have a samsung galaxy phone).

And while we are here, any other tips on travelling on a long haul flights with a 11month or 12month old baby would be greatly appreciated

Thanks!

[traceybrown]

Squeak's Mum

We moved over late last year for the hubsters work. Where are you moving to? I am on the East Coast.

Visas can take a lot longer than you might think!

We flew Air Canada, not my prefered airline but we didn't have to transit through the US (although a good idea to get your ESTA anyway) and it was direct Sydney to Vancouver before another flight. Not a good thing with three littlies.

Most dvd players etc only last for 2-3 hrs if that. THe plane should have entertainment, she might watch it. We use ipads with games and movies loaded on them, so maybe you can see what you can load on your phone.

There is a good thread at the start here with tips for travelling so I wont repeat any of that.. Make sure you pack spare clothes for everyone in your carry on.

[SqueakInCanada]

Thanks traceybrown.
We are headed for Toronto. Not knowing how long the visa will take is hard for planning, although DP's work (who is sponsering him) told us around 3-4 months (we're currently at the 3 month mark).

I was thinking a long flight like syd-vancouver would be a good idea, but would you not recommend it?

[libbylu]

Maisy Mouse is great for toddlers. We have used our portable DVD player heaps while traveling. It cost $60 so we never had to worry too much about him breaking it. The battery does only last two or three hours, but thats plenty on a flight when they just watch half an hour at a time. I wouldn't rely too much on the in flight entertainment - there's often not much toddler appropriate stuff. An IPAD would be better obviously, if you have one as you could load up an endless supply of kiddie books onto it.
Finger puppets can be endlessly entertaining.
Good luck!

[lizzzard]

We moved back from Toronto a couple of years ago so I've done the SYD-YYZ route quite a few times with kids at various ages. We're doing the trip again (for the nth time) in September - this time with a 3.5 and nearly 6yr old.

I am a pretty loyal AC flyer, but Air NZ is my favourite with kids (and it's a Star Alliance member, if it makes any difference) - the only pain is that with Air NZ you need to stop over in Auckland so it's one extra stop. Personally I like to minimise the layovers with littlies.

As for tips on a flight with kiddies this age here are a couple that might help:
1. check in early to try and get a bassinet; otherwise I prefer a non-bulkhead seat because armrests in the bulkhead don't lift up
2. I prefer Vancouver to stop over (AC/ANZ) vs LAX (QA)
3. don't be tempted to try Phenergan or the like (it can make them hyper...I learned this...the hard way!)
4. bring several changes of clothes - my kids always seem to have had unpleasant nappy changes midflight...sometimes explosive ones...
5. I packed a set of really small 'surprise' presents that I unwrapped as needed throughout the flight

I would say though, that at 12 months they shouldn't be toooo bad to manage. Mine tended to sleep for large portions of the flight at this age (the aircraft noise helps) - so hopefully it won't be toooo painful for you.

PM me if you have any questions about Toronto! We lived there for 7 years.

[traceybrown]

I think the Sydney to Vancouver AC flight is the best option, Qantas is hubs business preferred supplier but going bris, syd, lax, Chicago then to Montreal, please I'd rather poke myself in the eye. I wasn't very clear in my response. I do agree with lizzzard that Air NZ is great, AC was pretty good to and as we were flying business we got to use the Koru lounge in Sydney, they have a kids area separate. What class are they flying you?

I packed bags for each of the kids, for your DD I would recommend puppets, chubby crayons and stickers, small cars, play doh, snacks, lollipops to suck on for clearing the ears or a dummy, bottle, boobie juice etc.

The visa took us almost six months! That was using a work sponsored immigration company, for one of the biggest employers over here, drove me insane. We moved two weeks after we got the approval, all why buying a new property.

HTH

[SqueakInCanada]

thanks for the tips ladies, they are really helpful.

The visa took us almost six months! That was using a work sponsored immigration company, for one of the biggest employers over here, drove me insane. We moved two weeks after we got the approval, all why buying a new property.

6 months? Wowzer.... I was joking the other day that we are going to be like the guests that never leave the party - you say goodbye as you might not see that person again before you leave, and then you see them a few weeks later and they'd be like 'are you still here?!'. Might not be a joke though if it takes 6 months!

[SqueakInCanada]

...What class are they flying you?

Sorry, forgot to respond to this. We aren't sure yet, I think it will probably be economy, but we were considering upgrading ourselves if it is.
I'm not sure though - does anyone know - are the bassinets available in business class usually? If not, would it be better to stay economy and try to get the bassinet (and save the cash), or do you think it would be worth it in business class anyway?

[kadoodle]

Sorry, forgot to respond to this. We aren't sure yet, I think it will probably be economy, but we were considering upgrading ourselves if it is.
I'm not sure though - does anyone know - are the bassinets available in business class usually? If not, would it be better to stay economy and try to get the bassinet (and save the cash), or do you think it would be worth it in business class anyway?

They are. There's also much more room and better service. Be prepared to deal with narky businessmen who think kids should only be in cattle class though.

[Lokum]

Your baby might be too big for the bassinette anyway... I flew to Europe by myself with DS at 11 months. We had a bassinette which he 'just' fitted in, but as soon as he moved in his sleep it would wake him up. I felt I had to sleep with one eye open, as he would also try to jump out.

He slept a lot better on me, with my arms wrapped around him. The bassinette was good for keeping stuff in.

My best tricks were boobs - even though he was down to 2 feeds at that stage, he would have the odd short feed from me on take off and landing, and whenever he was bored/twitchy.

I also took LOADS of food - which was lucky, as NONE of the provided food was suitable. I took yoghurt for the first leg, and quite a few individually wrapped pikelets (some with honey for when we needed a treat.) I took puffed corn, a corn cob or two, some fruit (can't remember what) and other snacks he liked at the time. I tried to pick low-mess snacks and keep them coming, rather than bother about a meal as such.

The snacks were better than toys - he was a total self feeder at that stage. The benefit of the bulk head was that he could sit on the floor and play while I ate, and I would sit him in the chair and squat in front of him when he ate/drank.

We both ended up really parched and couldn't stop drinking water for days, despite our best efforts to sip at water constantly. I would consider sports drinks for myself and possibly him this time (we're going again in 2 weeks) since he's no longer BF.

Finger puppets were good, books were good (especially the new ones), but the other kids sitting beside us were the best entertainment. My guy was not a TV watcher at that time, and had no interest (but definitely watched a movie or two on his next long-haul flight at 16 months!)

It was honestly not too bad. Going to the toilet by myself was hard - I did manage to pee with him in the Ergo once, but it was ridiculous, so I left him with other passengers after that. The nappy changing tables are VErY difficult if you have a wriggler, but there's not much you can do, except be organised. Only take a nappy, sack, wipes and the kid if you can, cos you can't be fumbling in a bag in there.

Next time I'll be taking panadol for my exhaustion headache. Don't forget change of top for yourself in case you get spewed on.

Don't stress - it's only 24 hours. Labour lasts longer for heaps of people,