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Traveling overseas with an infant and 4 year old ALONE..any advice?
Question : Traveling overseas with an infant and 4 year old ALONE..any advice?
I want to pack as light as possible since I will have two kids to contend with. Infant will be on my lap and we have to transfer once (after a 12 hour flight), clear immigration and customs. What is absolutely necessary to bring (besides the obvious, passports, diapers, etc.)? Can you request a people mover to get you between transfers?
overseas movers
Best answer:
Answer by Jesse C
Request a bulkhead seat… a lot of airliners (especially 747s) will have a “crib” attached to the bulkhead that folds down allowing the infant to sleep. Make sure you bring toys and coloring books for the 4 year old and plenty of snacks.
I’m not sure about the people mover, be sure to ask the airline staff at the gate upon arrival.
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#3 written by Mark H 1 year ago
we have to do the same thing sometimes, long haul flights too. it’s up to the 4 yr old. if he sits in his seat and is a mild kid you will be ok, but if he is hyper and decides to run all over the plane and then refuses to buckle his belt during landing and has a exorcist style tantrum, then you are in for a living hell
4 yrs is pretty old, so i think it will be ok. our 1.5 yr old was hell, and that was w/o an infant.one point about bulkhead seating. i think it entices the older child to run around more, because it is so open and easy to get out. regular seating you are kinda locked in behind the seat in front of you, and the kid will just get comfortable watching cartoons, etc. when we had a bulkhead we had a hellish experience, on the return trip we did not have a bulkhead seat and he stayed in his seat most of the time, went more smoothly. in your case though, having an infant, it’s nice to be able to put him in the bassinet and have your lap free. pros and cons to each way in your case.
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GOOD LUCK!
Request a seat on the aisle and the middle. With any luck, you will have a friendly someone next to you by the window who will let your little one peek over. But…I can imagine that your 4 year old will likely want to get up and use the bathroom during the 12 hours and the co-passenger may appreciate not having to move each time. Also, a seat closer to the door means loading and unloading the plane last. Dont’ fall for the little piece about people travelling with children can go first to get organized. Every moment you can be out of the plane is great!
Consider a baby sling or front carrier to give yourself 2 free hands.
Secondly, I know if I were a co-passenger and someone asked me to help by holding an infant, I would gladly oblige. If there are other Mom’s or even Grandmas on the plane, they may be willing to give you a hand while you run that little one to the biffy. Likewise if you need 2 minutes to go yourself. Rest assured that they can’t be kidnapped 1200 miles in the air. Don’t be afraid to ask either. Some people don’t know how to speak up.
Purchase/Borrow or rent a protable DVD player or laptop with that capability. Let your 4 year old choose movies to bring and choose some he has not seen in a while. That DVD player can sit on his tray and will entertain him for a long time. It’s best to take those 12 movies you choose and put them in a CD case that accomodates many CD’s rather than bringing all of the cases with you.
Check out the food options on the flight. If you have a 4 year old who is a picky eater, he may be awfully hungry after being offered airplane food. Carefully plan what you are bringing as you have restricitons at the airport for food and beverages in carry on luggage. Ensure your child has a full belly before boardign the plane and resist urges to give loads of sugar in flight. Bring snacks like fruit, cheese and meat (lunchables) instead of fruit snacks or candy.
Check as much baggage as you can and only bring with you things you cannot do without. You should be able to request a people mover at the gate desk after you land. It may be helpful to ask a stewardist in advance so one would be there when you land if you have a short time between flights. If you have a longer lay-over, research the airport you are heading to. Some now have indoor play areas for kids to get their wiggles out while waiting. It may be worth heading 5 gates over to check it out. Also, if you can manage your things without a people mover, do it. A little moving around rather than a ride may be perfect.
When I travelled, I had my husband make an MP3 player (a cheap one we had) of kids songs. It was amazing. They think they are really grown up, just be sure it’s at a good sound level.
Prepare the 4 year old with expectations before getting in the car to the airport, weeks in advance can’t hurt. Let him know of any rewards he will recieve for good behavior. Also, don’t say….if you are not a good boy, you can’t have any candy or whatever….this may backfire in desperation.
Know that you have every right to get up out of your seat and pace a lap or two if the moment is right.
Bring any soothy things with you and don’t check them. If you get stranded or loose lugage, a new place with few familiar things from home makes for a tough night. Don’t forget to pack a change of clothes for you too as it is inevitable that your infant will at some point vomit…on you.
Babies cry. Don’t stress yourself out if yours does while in an airlplane. I’d like to punch the person who made it a rule that kids should be silent in the company of other people. It’s true that you should make an attempt to soothe her, but be calm about it.
There is such a drug called Bonine which I believe has a kids version. If you worry about your 4 year old with motion sickness, try it out before you get on the plane and SOME have adverse affects like making a child hyper. It’s not a horrible thign to do to give it to him and make him a little drowsy.
Bring a sippy cup and ask the flight attendant not to crack open the can of juice. Keep that in your bag to give later if he is not thirsty at that time.
If this is your childrens first time on a plane, ASK FOR A FIRST FLIGHT CERTIFICATE. You’ll be glad you did and your kids can likely meet the pilot, even now. They just do it after the flight.
Best of luck!
You will do fine!