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Any tips for surviving a long plane ride with 23 mo old on lap?

Kasey - posted on 02/05/2009 ( 2 moms have responded )

Help! My husband's family has organized a family reunion in Portugal and are counting on us attending. I'm excited to go as I've never been to Portugal, but I am dreading the flight there. We'll have to make at least 2 connections, with total travel time being anywhere from 13 hours to 20 hours, depending on which flights we end up booking. We looked at buying our son (who will be 23 months old when we make this trip in May) his own seat, but with tickets being $1200 and up per seat, we just can't afford it so he's going to have to sit on our laps the entire way. I'm dreading this and could use any advice from people who have BTDT. Thanks!

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Kasey - posted on 02/06/2009

Thanks, Maggie. We live on the west coast, so it'll be longer than 6 hours no matter what. However, I think we'll be able to break the trip up with a long layover in either Philly or NJ. I'm going to book a red-eye for the first leg of the journey so he'll (hopefully) sleep through it.

I might spring for a portable DVD player, although I think it's interesting you didn't end up using it.

Thanks.

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Maggie - posted on 02/05/2009

Hello Kasey

You'll love Portugal, I've been there several times with my family when I was younger. Try a direct flight, it'll be 6 hours tops.

We recently went to Punta Cana with my daughter who is 20 months and extremely active. I packed a diaper bag with stuff only for her. Snacks that can easily be cleaned up from the floor ie, arrowroot cookies, little fishy crackers, and bottled water or juice boxes. They will allow juice only if it's for the baby and in a sippy cup. I then brought small toys like Little People and lots of interesting books that she picked out but never read before our trip, it made it more interesting for her. I also had a portable DVD player but didn't get the chance to use it.

She also sat on my lap and luckily the trip wasnt that bad.

One tip for you, arrive early and pick out your seats. The seats closest to the middle exit door has lots of leg room. You can let him run around that little area.

Hope it helps.

Enjoy your flight :)