Long Haul Airplane Travel With Young Kids, Part 1: Planning Your Flight and Jet Lag

by La Jolla Mom on July 13, 2009

This is a luggage tag on the back of La Jolla Girl’s toy push car.

Ididn’t sleep well for the prior week before my first flight with La Jolla Girl from Hong Kong to LAX. She was 3 months old, the distance was far and I was scared out of my mind. Especially because, since I booked my flight last minute, we also had to connect in Tokyo. So we flew Hong Kong – Tokyo – LAX and then had a car ride to Santa Barbara where my parents live. It’s about 24 hours of in transit time total. Oh, and I was by myself and my baby was not the slightest bit mellow. We were just fine, in the end.

Since then I’ve flown long haul with her countless times until May of this year when we landed back in La Jolla permanently. The only long haul flight my husband ever flew with her was our last one. I sort of did that on purpose because his level of tolerance is much lower than mine. He also could only stay in CA for a certain amount of time due to work so we would come earlier than him and stay later. It just worked out better that way, in my mind. Plus I enjoyed being on an adventure like that with her. I know, you must think I’m nuts.

This has the potential to be a very long post so I’m going to split it up into four over the next few weeks. Some of my suggestions might not work for you. I was so nervous before my first long haul flight that I found myself very interested in what other people were doing, therefore, I’d like to share my experiences with you. I should also note that I was flying primarily asian airlines, which are much nicer and more kid friendly than domestic US airlines, in my opinion. This shouldn’t matter too much, however. I also am referring mainly to younger kids and babies since La Jolla Girl turned 2 last April.

Planning your flight:

If at all possible, you must schedule your flight in a manner that allows your baby or toddler to remain on the same daily schedule as at home.

For example, my first long haul flight which I mention above, put us on the airplane to Tokyo exactly when La Jolla Girl usually napped in the morning. I also get to the airport much earlier than necessary so that I can relax, change diaper and feed her before we get on the plane. I try to really stuff her full of food just in case we get stuck on the tarmac before take off or in turbulence once in the air at which point I would be unable to get into my bag. It sounds like a no brainer but you can get caught up in the stress of travel and forget stuff like this, trust me.

The worst flight that I ever took was one of the Cathay Pacific direct flights from LAX to Hong Kong that left around midnight. La Jolla Girl was about 5 months old. If you fly to Asia, you probably know this is a common time to schedule a direct flight because it will put you at your destination in the early morning (though a full day later) and allow most business people to get in a full days work. Plus it’s designed to help eliminate jet lag by trying to force you to get some sleep onboard since it’s night time in the US and you’ll wake up when it’s morning in Asia. I hope that makes sense. Anyway, La Jolla Girl was not used to so much activity so late at night. She slept a little bit in the car on the way to the airport but woke up as soon as the car stopped. I thought eventually she’d pass out on the plane for almost the entire flight. She didn’t. Therefore, she became so incredibly OVERTIRED and confused that she screamed the whole bloody way to Hong Kong. We were also in business class so imagine the poor other passengers that paid serious cash or miles to listen to a screaming kid the entire way. That’s 15 hours of crying since she slept the first 30 minutes after the plane left the gate and was shocked awake by the captain giving his flight message over the PA. Can you imagine? I thought I was going to die. I nursed her like mad to try to get her to pass out but it didn’t work. I had my own seat with plenty of room and she had the bassinet, which she never went in to. More on airplane bassinets later. I must say that some of my friends have had an ok time with the late night flights and their babies slept fine. La Jolla Girl wound up being a routine dependent baby and any deviation was a disaster obviously. I never, ever took a late night flight again.

Jet Lag:

Because La Jolla Girl was a routine baby and not a great sleeper, we went to a sleep clinic. I have no idea why this service doesn’t exist in the US, or at least I don’t know of one where I live. Hong Kong is full of American, British, Australian and other expats who routinely fly long haul and need to address the issue of jet lag in their kids. The clinic gave us very useful jet lag advice which I am passing on to you through these posts.

The other reason to schedule your flights, so that your kids can stay on the same daily routine while in transit, has to do with jet lag. You should always, regardless of time change, keep your baby or toddler on the same daily routine UNTIL you arrive at your destination.

This is hard if they are trying to “force night time” by making the plane dark, etc. Then basically, after you get to your destination, you need to “shock” your little traveler into the new time zone. You just plonk them right into their normal routine using the time of the zone you’re in. It seems cruel, but trust me, it works. I was lucky that my flight times, etc. made it quasi easy for me to do that. If we were to arrive at my house in La Jolla around 1pm, then I would put La Jolla Girl down for a 2 hour nap since she napped around 1pm in Hong Kong. Remember, she’s tired (as am I) so getting her to nap was not hard. Waking her up after 2 hours was a nightmare because her little body thought it was night time and she would cry and whine like you wouldn’t believe. Trust me, the agony of the first day is worth it. On the flip side, keeping them awake is hard too. I would have to do an insane song and dance (sometimes literally) to keep her awake so that she’d go to sleep for the night at her normal time. As the parent it’s exhausting but it’s MORE exhausting to have a kid with jet lag for a week or longer when you have it too.

If you do all that I mentioned in my paragraph above, your little traveler will still most likely wake up in the middle of the night on the first night. La Jolla Girl would somehow realize she was in a “strange” bed and not know where she was. She’d wake up. I would go in, hold and console her and then when she’d lurch toward her bed, I’d put her in and she’d be asleep. Sometimes I’d have to do this several times the first night. As she got older, she wanted to walk around the house in the dark to just remind herself where she is. The sleep clinic said that if the child is wide awake in the middle of the first night, then to go ahead and calmly play, or do whatever they like until they tire out and want to go back to sleep. Eventually, they will do the latter except at this point 20 minutes feels like 20 years. Just keep the room as dark as is tolerable and keep your voice and motions calm and sleepy. Easier said than done, I know.

120x240 BGL CatBan carseats1 Long Haul Airplane Travel With Young Kids, Part 1: Planning Your Flight and Jet Lag

Day 2: Wake up in the morning and do your routine like normal. If your little traveler is sleeping in longer than normal, despite maybe being awake in the night, wake them up. If on this second night, your little traveler wakes up, then you do not go in the room. You let them sort it out by themselves. Sounds harsh, I know, but you use your judgement. By day 2, La Jolla Girl is usually back to normal. She does not get jet lag. I firmly believe that the flight scheduling has a lot to do with it along with her inconvenient habit of not sleeping well on the plane and needing to catch up.

I think this post is too long now so I’ll talk next time about what to do and bring on the plane. Please also leave comments about what works for you.

Here are links to the rest of the series:
Long Haul Travel With Young Kids, Part 2: What to Bring
Long Haul Travel With Young Kids, Part 3: Getting Little Traveler to Sleep on the Plane and Gear
Long Haul Airplane Travel With Young Kids, Part 4: The Packing List and Last Thoughts

I want to also let you know that, due to overwhelming demand, there is now a little ebook version available at lulu.com. It’s edited, organized, easier to print and has miles more information. You can hit this button to get it.

I also tagged this series as my favorite on Tip Junkie!

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Long Haul Airplane Travel With Young Kids, Part 2: What to Bring: July 20, 2009 at 7:00 am

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1 Buckeroomama Twitter: Buckeroomama July 13, 2009 at 6:39 pm: Great tips. Looking forward to the next installment –hopefully before next week, in time for our trip.

I just changed our upcoming long-haul flight to an afternoon one instead of the midnight one as our last experience with a midnight one was NOT fun. Our kids were tired and sleepy by the time we got to the airport and even after we boarded and settled in, they could not easily sleep –over-tired, strange surrounding, uncomfortable, etc.
2 shelly Twitter: atticgirl76 July 14, 2009 at 12:16 pm: Hi there, following you from MBC.
3 Theta Mom Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ThetaMom July 14, 2009 at 4:47 pm: I never had to deal with the time zone issue, but I found that when we flew when my son was an infant, as long as we kept him occupied every minute, things were ok…we made sure that we gave his bottle when we took off and when we landed to ease the ear popping. When we flew as he got older (toddler age), as long as we had the portable DVD player and some goldfish, we were good to go.
4 La Belle Mere Twitter: La_Belle_Mere August 25, 2009 at 12:32 am: You have just reinforced my view that I should never have children!! Sounds like hard work!! I’ll stick to my magazines and the complimentary beverages thanks!!

Happy SITS day!

LBM xxxx
La Belle Mere´s last blog ..Camping it up…..
5 Allision Twitter: allycupe August 25, 2009 at 1:11 am: I totally agree about plunking them into the new time zone…it helps HUGE with the jet lag!
Allision´s last blog ..I need some walking shoes.
6 Karen, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry' Twitter: kzemek August 25, 2009 at 3:14 am: Wow, you are a very brave person to travel that far with a toddler! I wouldn’t want to travel that far even without a toddler! You sure have a lot to more to think about with one along. Sounds like you have a good plan here though.

Congrats on your SITS day!
Karen, author of “My Funny Dad, Harry’´s last blog ..Hurry Up And Wait–Bring A Book Along!
7 Yaya Twitter: yayaorange August 25, 2009 at 3:15 am: Good tips!
Yaya´s last blog ..Monday’s Muse-Family
8 Type A Mommy August 25, 2009 at 3:38 am: Wow, thank you for this super-informative post! I need to bookmark this. I haven’t traveled with my munchkin yet, but I know that day is coming, and when it does, I will absolutely be re-reading this to refresh my memory!! Happy SITS day!
Type A Mommy´s last blog ..A very good chocolate chip cookie recipe
9 Kim August 25, 2009 at 4:35 am: Oh WOW! So glad I have never had to fly that far with my son. I’ve done a few trips by myself, but nothing like that. You are a strong woman to take that on by yourself!
Kim´s last blog ..Rave Reviews: Velveeta Shells & Cheese Cups
10 pam August 25, 2009 at 4:37 am: I’ve never flown that far with my kids (only halfway across the country) but those are good tips for ME. I wish I’d read those when I used to fly to England. Too bad those days are long gone. Maybe when the kids are out of the house. I’d better bookmark this.
pam´s last blog ..Giggling boys – caught on video
11 JennyMac Twitter: dearjennymac August 25, 2009 at 4:40 am: Excellent tips! Happy SITS day.
JennyMac´s last blog ..Me love you long time
12 becky@oursweetpeas Twitter: BeckyatOSP August 25, 2009 at 4:43 am: Great tips and Happy SITS day to you!! Great blog!
becky@oursweetpeas´s last blog ..6 things that make me happy
13 Jen Twitter: JenShelton68 August 25, 2009 at 4:58 am: We’ll be flying with our kids for the first time in Oct. to Disney. Their are 5 & 7…..can’t image doing it with an infant or toddler. Great information on your Post.
Jen´s last blog ..One Hour Parties
14 Flory Twitter: womansvoice August 25, 2009 at 5:01 am: I haven’t travelled with the twins yet (their 3 years old). But I’m glad to have all these tips because we plan to next year.

BTW: I can’t figure out where to follow. Probably because I’m on work computer. I’ll do it at home tonight.
Flory´s last blog ..My Husband’s Heart Attack
15 Jeanette August 25, 2009 at 5:16 am: Great info! Thanks! stopping by from SITS

sweetjeanette.blogspot.com
16 LiveLaughLoveCj Twitter: LiveLaughLoveCj August 25, 2009 at 5:31 am: I have to admit I can’t imagine an overseas flight with a little one. I once traveled from New York to California with a newborn and a 4 year old – talk about tough! I never thought about keeping them in their routine, with all the newness around them, especially the 4 year old, the excitement (first plane ride), going to see great grandma etc.. I don’t think she ever settled down until AFTER we were back in New York (after a 1 week stay in Cali). The week we returned she was all sorts of backwards. Little boy, as long as I kept to his nursing and nap schedule he seemed good.

My hat is off to ya, and I thank you for the tips. Good to know for new mom’s…. mine are teenagers now… that presents it’s own problems when traveling LOL

Happy SITS day!
LiveLaughLoveCj´s last blog ..Monday Mingle – 3rd Edition
17 Jacky August 25, 2009 at 5:39 am: Great advice! Thanks for sharing. I don’t have kids yet, but I’ll keep this in mind! =)

Happy SITS Day!
Jacky´s last blog ..Telephone-a-phobia
18 C. Beth Twitter: cbethblog August 25, 2009 at 5:50 am: Great info! Especially the jet lag suggestions. Thanks!
C. Beth´s last blog ..Today’s Writing Prompt: Computer
19 Country-Fried Mama Twitter: countryfried August 25, 2009 at 5:56 am: Great tips! Now can you give me some ideas on how to convince my husband we need to take an international trip? I’m thinking the kids would enjoy Italy…
Country-Fried Mama´s last blog ..Everything tastes better with Ritz crackers on top
20 Life of a Stepmama Twitter: Lifeofastepmama August 25, 2009 at 5:59 am: Love this post, great tips!! I have a 2 year old SS we fly with on occasion and I get nervous even through its only about a 2 1/2 flight, I cant imagine taking a longer on than that! You are very prepared!!
Life of a Stepmama´s last blog ..Denied
21 Robbie S. Redmon, LPC Twitter: MaritalSecrets August 25, 2009 at 6:02 am: Great post! Happy SITS Day!
Robbie S. Redmon, LPC´s last blog ..Welcome Back! And Thank You So Much For Hanging Out With Me Again Today…
22 Amanda @ Serenity Now August 25, 2009 at 6:13 am: These are great tips. My mom always thought I was crazy for wanting to schedule trips around my kids nap schedules (I wanted them to sleep in the car/on the plane, etc.). Now I know I was right.
Amanda @ Serenity Now´s last blog ..Tasty Tuesday: One Last Summer Hurrah
23 Allison August 25, 2009 at 6:23 am: Happy SITS day!
24 Jackie Twitter: 3littleonesblog August 25, 2009 at 6:24 am: I totally agree!! I’ve flown with my oldest when he was a baby a number of times. We never changed time zones so I cant comment on that – but definitely scheduling your flight around your baby’s schedule makes things so much easier!! our worst flight ever was a 6am flight where we had to be on the road by 3am. Thinking our baby would just sleep through everything was so wrong!!!!!

Happy SITS day!
Jackie´s last blog ..How I Want to Wash Cloth Diapers
25 Michelle Twitter: intime0 August 25, 2009 at 6:28 am: Good tips…too bad I never get to fly.
Michelle´s last blog ..Birthday pictures
26 Kristen Twitter: handshouseheart August 25, 2009 at 6:30 am: I’ve never flown with any of mine, but I don’t fly very often. Happy SITS day.
Kristen´s last blog ..Crazy Dog T-Shirts Review and Giveaway
27 Tonya Twitter: dinky92907 August 25, 2009 at 6:41 am: Great tips!!!!
Tonya´s last blog ..End Of Summer
28 Teri Twitter: tsunshine73 August 25, 2009 at 6:42 am: Thanks for the tips! Travel with children can be aggravating, but the end result is usually worth it so we bear it out flight wise and hope for an otherwise fantastic trip!
Teri´s last blog ..my good side
29 Laura Day Twitter: ziggy1962 August 25, 2009 at 6:49 am: I’m so glad my girls are teens now. It does make traveling a bit easier, but I still hear “Are we there yet?”
Laura Day´s last blog ..Reflections of Mississippi
30 Sandy Twitter: sandyra August 25, 2009 at 6:49 am: Thanks for the tips! We have not gone anywhere that has required flying with our kids, but I hope to someday!
Sandy´s last blog ..There’s Nothing Better…
31 Robin Twitter: JeSuisRobin August 25, 2009 at 7:04 am: Great tips….
My girls are adults now, but we used to fly all the time. I have been blessed with two world travelers that have always been so very good and easy to care for. My husband flew with us rarely, but on his fist trip (with us) he couldn’t stop complimenting on how great they were. He expected them to behave like most children on flights do. Even the flight attendants would praise my girls. I always made a point to bring this to my girl’s attention so they could feel proud of themselves and strive for more compliments.
Robin´s last blog ..The Storm
32 Meg Twitter: megbelle0610 August 25, 2009 at 7:37 am: Sounds like quite an ordeal! Makes me feel a little guilty about being irritated with small children on long flights.

Happy SITS day!
Meg´s last blog ..To Prove My Point…
33 Are You There Mom August 25, 2009 at 7:51 am: Wow great tips! Awesome thanks! Happy SITS day!
34 Tricia August 25, 2009 at 8:21 am: Fantastic advice. Thank you
Tricia´s last blog ..Meet Thailand’s cute and cuddly baby panda girl, Linping!!
35 Robin Twitter: RobinGillis August 25, 2009 at 8:21 am: Wow! Sounds like a mess! I feel for my friends with kids who travel, whew! Great post and great info.

-Robin
Robin´s last blog .."Listen with your Eyes" @ Solstice Cafe 8/7 Opening
36 Sharon Twitter: gtbsharon August 25, 2009 at 8:22 am: Thanks! This is really useful information! I’m going to be taking our 18 mo from NY to SFO in October — I will definitely apply your advice about the jet lag!

Happy SITS day!
Sharon´s last blog ..Homemade Croutons
37 Pricilla Twitter: BrokenTeepee August 25, 2009 at 8:26 am: Lots of great tips.
Happy Sits Day!
Pricilla´s last blog ..Down in the Valley
38 Melissa Twitter: missmalu August 25, 2009 at 8:28 am: Wow, great advice; I would have tried taking the late night flight too, thinking my kids would sleep; maybe not after reading about your ordeal.:) Thanks!
Melissa´s last blog ..TOS Crew: Web Design for Kids (…And Curious Grown-Ups!)
39 Cynthia at A Shimmy In My Spirit August 25, 2009 at 8:35 am: Such helpful tips. I am sure this post is going to help many traveling moms. You should be hired by airlines to post this series on their web sites!
Cynthia at A Shimmy In My Spirit´s last blog ..I’m A SITS Featured Blogger!
40 Sarah Twitter: noudles04 August 25, 2009 at 8:36 am: These are great tips!!! Thanks
Sarah´s last blog ..Ten…. Eleven Guilty Pleasures
41 Sassy Chic Twitter: onesassychica August 25, 2009 at 8:48 am: Great tips!!
My kids are now old enough to entertain themselves; however my girlfriend is planning a trip with her toddler and I am sure this info will be a great help to her, thanks for sharing!!

Smooches,
Sassy Chica
Sassy Chic´s last blog ..Your HOT
42 Lisa August 25, 2009 at 8:48 am: Great idea’s!! Happy SITS day!!
Lisa´s last blog ..Mother of the Year Award
43 Mammatalk Twitter: Mammatalk August 25, 2009 at 8:53 am: We flew from LAX to Europe with our 7 month old. She, too, was a routine baby. It was pretty tough. I wish I could have read this first!
44 Rita August 25, 2009 at 8:54 am: Great tips! Enjoy your sits day!
Rita´s last blog ..I wish someone had told me that…
45 Pam August 25, 2009 at 8:57 am: I traveled a lot with my girls when they were babies and toddlers, but never on a flight longer than 6 hours. Advanced planning is key.
Pam´s last blog ..Me? A French Chef?
46 Rhonda August 25, 2009 at 9:08 am: I hate flying, especially with my now 4 year old…she’s gotten better but I still don’t like it

Stopping by from SITS!
Rhonda´s last blog ..MckLinky Blog Hop: Time To Laugh
47 zeemaid Twitter: Zeemaid August 25, 2009 at 9:19 am: wow great tips. I haven’t been so fortunate as to get to travel with my children that way. Although now that there are 3 I’d seriously think twice.. *LOL*

Happy SITS day. GREAT POST, great advice. Thank you.
zeemaid´s last blog ..A Mixed up Kind of Day – Warning
48 Michelle Twitter: brennbug August 25, 2009 at 9:25 am: Awesome advice!
Michelle´s last blog ..Wedding Blunders
49 Holly Noelle @ Domestic Dork Twitter: domesticdork August 25, 2009 at 9:33 am: Just got back from a trip with the Mini-Dork recently. She handled the flights very well. I am one lucky mama.
Holly Noelle @ Domestic Dork´s last blog ..SITScation ‘09 Contest! I Need YOUR Help!
50 Daphne Twitter: daphneling August 25, 2009 at 9:35 am: Love this. I’m from Singapore and have been contemplating revisiting some of the places in California we went for our honeymoon. Thing is I have a 6 week year old baby and a toddler that just turned one so this has made me decide for sure that WE WILL NOT BRING THE KIDS. =)
51 Rachel Twitter: cttRachel August 25, 2009 at 9:52 am: Great tips here for travelling with little ones!
Rachel´s last blog ..Outdoor Flower Pot Gardening
52 Amanda August 25, 2009 at 9:54 am: Great advice!
Amanda´s last blog ..Ponderisms
53 Joy Twitter: ParentingMyth August 25, 2009 at 10:27 am: Wish I’d read this before i took my baby to the UK – she only recovered after 11 days of a 17 day trip!
Joy´s last blog ..Camp Tales – Part One.
54 Viv Twitter: coolmomsrule August 25, 2009 at 10:38 am: Wow, you are so brave! 24 hours of travel is tough on adults–I’m impressed that you handle it so well with a little one.
Viv´s last blog ..Talking Up the Weight of Silence
55 Alma August 25, 2009 at 10:46 am: Oh boy! My husband and I already fight constantly when travelling because of our hatred for airports and lack of patience. I can’t imagine what it will be like when we decide to have kids and travel with them for the first time! Thanks for the tips on how to survive though!!
Alma´s last blog ..oink, oink
56 San Twitter: tansandra August 25, 2009 at 10:51 am: Wow! What a very useful post. Very comprehensive!

I just took a short hour flight to Malaysia, followed by a two-hour car ride, and ALREADY I was packing and getting ready like crazy! Haha! But thanks… I will definitely bookmark this blog for our next planned longer family trip with my 2yo.

Oh, and congrats on being the FB!
San´s last blog ..My Family Trip to Malaysia
57 Jamie Twitter: forestfrolic August 25, 2009 at 10:59 am: Great travel tips & wonderful blog!

Jamie
Jamie´s last blog ..The E.N.D.
58 GReedyGirl1 Twitter: greedygirl1 August 25, 2009 at 11:21 am: Hi http://www.greedygirlsguide.com checking in from SITS

Great suggestions. I don’t fly well my self as an adult so i can imagine what kids go through on such long flight. But this is great info on getting through it
GReedyGirl1´s last blog ..Drinks on Us: Low-Calorie Cocktails
59 Nadirah August 25, 2009 at 11:56 am: Happy SITS day! This is good to know. I’ll remember it when my baby gets older.
Nadirah´s last blog ..Stubborn Baby Stains?
60 Maureen Twitter: SBMozer August 25, 2009 at 12:27 pm: What great tips! I’m bookmarking this for future reference.
Maureen´s last blog ..Scrapbooking as an Educational Tool Part2
61 Unknown Mami Twitter: UnknownMami August 25, 2009 at 12:48 pm: Great tips. Just took a very long trip with my 11 month old. It was a little rough.
Unknown Mami´s last blog ..Guess Where I’m Taking You?
62 Norine Twitter: dontputlizards August 25, 2009 at 12:58 pm: My son is great on a plane, I’m so pleased. Last time we flew across the country he even sat and waited patiently while the plane got up to altitude to go pee.

Congrats on being featured today! Great blog.

Norine
Don’t Put Lizards In Your Ears
Norine´s last blog ..Book Envy
63 Crazy in Alaska Twitter: AlaenaHelt August 25, 2009 at 3:20 pm: You’re a brave soul! I’m still traumatized from a flight with my (then) infant three years ago to try it again!
Alaska to New Jersey in a plane=1 Parent having a nervous breakdown
Crazy in Alaska´s last blog ..Oobleck
64 Emily Twitter: remarkablygreat August 25, 2009 at 4:04 pm: Thanks for this post. We are seriously considering flying from Australia to the UK later this year to see family and I have a 3-year-old and a 10-week-old. I know the baby won’t be a problem. Last time I flew long haul was when my eldest was 4-months and it was a breeze. I did it by myself. I am breastfeeding so that will make it easy for the baby but it’s entertaining my pre-schooler that will be the challenge!
Emily´s last blog ..Portable UV Dummy Sterilizer
65 Sarah Twitter: www.twitter.com/sarahruthtoday August 25, 2009 at 5:45 pm: Boy are you BRAVE! LOL! Great tips. Happy SITS day!
Sarah´s last blog ..IT’S OFFICIAL!!!
66 Simply Mommy Twitter: simply_mommy August 25, 2009 at 5:48 pm: Wow!!! I give you so much credit for traveling so long with a toddler. You have some really great tips. Im not so sure I’ll try it though with 3 under 4 1/2. Maybe in a few years.
Simply Mommy´s last blog ..How has Motherhood Changed Me?
67 Amanda Twitter: HandOsmum August 25, 2009 at 6:30 pm: Fantastic tips – we will be planning a long haul trip soon with our little ones and will definatley be following your advice!

Over from SITS!!! Great Blog!
Amanda´s last blog ..The House That Jack Built…..
68 Nicole- Chasing Blue August 25, 2009 at 8:05 pm: Great ideas! It’s so true to keep them in their normal routines. I have 4 little ones and if one of them gets out of sorts it’s a nightmare for the rest of us.
Nicole- Chasing Blue´s last blog ..Chasing fresh starts…
69 Michelle at Her Cup Overfloweth Twitter: hercupoverflows August 25, 2009 at 8:39 pm: awesome post. There is so much good stuff in here, I may have to read it over and over!

Congratulations on being featured at SITS!
Michelle at Her Cup Overfloweth´s last blog ..Muffin Tin Monday – Theme: People and Faces
70 Jessica - This Is Worthwhile Twitter: tisworthwhile August 25, 2009 at 8:55 pm: Terrific advice. I’ve flow domestically with my (almost) 2 yo son since he was 5 mos old almost a dozen times. Personally, I found that nursing was the best and easiest way to get around almost any issue. The trips post-nursing have been much harder, particularly the in-flight time. UGH! Hard work!

Great tips!
Jessica – This Is Worthwhile´s last blog ..2:50 pm
71 greedygrace Twitter: greedygrace August 25, 2009 at 9:52 pm: Great advice! I’m scared to fly with my youngsters, hopefully this will make it easier!

Happy SITS Day!
greedygrace´s last blog ..Crush
72 The Dapper Darling August 25, 2009 at 10:49 pm: THANKS!! Im flying home to the US in a week with a 1 year old!! I need all the help I can get!
73 Andrea Fellman Twitter: savvysassymoms August 26, 2009 at 8:27 am: I remember our flight home from Spain with our two toddlers! It was a like I was in a time warp! My 12 month old just started walking so all he wanted to do was WALK up and down the aisles over and over! We have traveled a lot with our kids, and so far we have been very lucky, they are good little travelers!
74 Stefanie Zucker Twitter: pediatricsafety August 26, 2009 at 3:46 pm: Wow…what a really terrific detailed post. Thanks so much for sharing all that amazing, insightful information!

I’m so glad it was your SITS day
Stefanie Zucker´s last blog ..Growing Up With ADHD – Have Things Changed…?
75 Zooly Twitter: www.twitter.com/coffeewithzooly August 26, 2009 at 6:46 pm: Great 4 posts. As a frequent business traveller, I see so many parents who could have done pre-flight checks better for all our sakes.
I really do enjoy children but I also need a peaceful trip, as like many other travellers, I’m on cue from the moment of landing so children travelling well makes for a harmonious community up in the sky.
Zooly´s last blog ..CHAMPAGNE CLUB – DIVAS IN THE KITCHEN
76 Tiaras & Tantrums August 26, 2009 at 8:56 pm: In 2005, we fly out of Chicago(at 8 pm in the evening) to Tokyo, and then drag our lifeless bodies into Beijing at midnight. Not the easiest trip to make when you have a 17-month-old determined to sabotage peace and sanity!! Poor little Miss daughter was a miserable mess on this flight and quite literally banging on the doors for a quick escape. She SCREAMED bloody hell for the entire flight . Once we got to Tokyo she wa shappy to play in the toddler room. I was so petrified to put her on the flight from Tokyo to Beijing – thankfully she passed out in my arms – I swear – I DID NOT MOVE that flight – NOT ONE MUSCLE!
Tiaras & Tantrums´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday
77 The Redhead Riter Twitter: TheRedheadRiter August 26, 2009 at 11:16 pm: I hate flying. I am air sick the whole time and nothing helps…iggg
The Redhead Riter´s last blog ..My Blog Is Pregnant With Multiples
78 Éimí (Amy in Gaelic) Twitter: LoveMyFireDawg August 27, 2009 at 12:07 am: I can’t even imagine what that must have been like. I know I’m a day late and a dollar short, but happy sits day none the less!
Éimí (Amy in Gaelic)´s last blog ..Photo shoot 07aug09
79 Rhiannon August 27, 2009 at 9:05 am: What fantastic advice! No one likes jet lag. YUCK!
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80 Joy Twitter: joytotheblog August 27, 2009 at 10:15 am: Belated congrats on your SITS day!
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81 a H.I.T. Twitter: NYCHIT August 27, 2009 at 12:53 pm: I’ll have to share these tips with my sister who frequently travels and just added a newborn into the mix.
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82 Ms. Mama Twitter: dirtymouthmama September 7, 2009 at 3:15 pm: We dont plan on doing much airline travel, but thanks for these tips. I am going to send the link to a friend who lives oddly, in Hong Kong with her family!
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83 Eclipsepearl October 19, 2009 at 5:58 am: Wow, I used to live in Hong Kong and I can’t imagine that 14 hour flight and a baby who didn’t sleep. Did you have a baby carrier? I found that was magic with my kids. Having her in a car seat, in her own seat would have probably helped. I fly alone with three between Europe and California about twice a year, since each was 4 months old. I also would dive into free lavs, if available… I would also recommend getting babies out of business. Yes, bring her to the back if you need to.

I agree to try to follow the baby’s schedule BUT I hate to see the unhelpful tip to fly when the baby naps. As a Flight Attendant, I saw this go wrong SO MANY times. Especially for shorter flights, babies are easier in the morning and flights are more likely to be on time.

Yes, once I had a 10 monther sleep a whooping 20 minutes of an 11 1/2 hour flight. Luckily, it was half empty and while he didn’t sleep, he didn’t fuss or cry either. Was glad I brought all those new toys! It was also a daytime flight so while I expected him to sleep *some*, I didn’t realize it would be a marathon (especially on my pregnant-at-time self).

I never let my babies cry alone but I do keep the lights down and everything quiet. With toddlers, I talk to them. I also let them wake up in California when it’s light out. Okay, the first day or two, it’s 5am but they quickly make it more reasonable and are at least not in a cranky, zombie state.
Eclipsepearl´s last blog ..Updated September 2009
84 Debby December 24, 2009 at 9:41 am: I love LaJolla, lived there for about 8 months. We visit often to go eat at The Spot and look at the seals. Merry Christmas.
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85 Karen December 30, 2009 at 12:01 am: The longest flight I’ve taken was 8 hours from JFK to Frankfurt. I can’t imagine doing it with an infant. I salute you.
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86 Jenny January 5, 2010 at 7:06 pm: Hi. Visiting from SITS! Great tips. I’m thinking some of them might even work for my husband!