[toby/lisa]

Hi Everyone

Please can you help us with a small problem we are trying to think how to solve. We are hopefully flying out to New Zealand during September (for a good look around and to make sure that we really want to emigrate) and would like to know how you solve the problem of sleeping space on the plane for our 18 month old. Obviously there is not much room to sit, limited angle on the seats and only a buckle belt to keep her there. How did you cope with getting toddlers to sleep, positions and would you recommend going 1st class to get the extra space?

I am sure we are worrying about nothing but we just want her to be comfortable and for us to have some room for ourselves. Help..... :confused:

[Oregonkiwi]

I flew with my boy just after his first birthday and again just after his 2nd. The first time, I took his car seat on the plane, but he ended up sleeping on my lap anyway. When he was 2, we didn't take the car seat, which was better as it gave us more room to stretch out. I put the arm rest up, he lay on his seat and on me, and I stretched out into his seat. It was ok as sleeping on planes goes...I think he was a lot more comfortable than I was! The seats give a toddler plenty of room to sleep. I think I put the seat belt on him when he was asleep, can't remember to be honest. (For take off and landing they gave me a seat belt extender so I could hold him on my lap.) But really, it's the times she's NOT asleep that you need to worry about ;) .

[spudulike]

Hi, Although you don't have to buy a seat for an 18 month old I would highly recommend it for such a long flight. We did with our toddler which gave us extra room for playing, eating and sleeping - we couldn't have coped without it. It would be cheaper to book him his own seat rather than buy first class. However, if I were rich then I would of course fly first class :laugh

Good luck

Louise

[Oregonkiwi]

Hi, Although you don't have to buy a seat for an 18 month old I would highly recommend it


Yes, I forgot to say that. My boy had his own seat both times. It would be close to impossible otherwise.

[toby/lisa]

Thank you for replying, I knew it would be a simple but valuable answer. Hubby just come up with idea of portable dvd player for her to watch her favourite programmes. Presume ok to use on flight (won't interfer with their navigation/radar systems?)

Thanks again

Toby and Lisa

[clg]

All of the above are good ideas. Portable DVD's are OK but the batteries don't last very long. If the airline has on demand TV I would not bother. Don't forget you will need headphones that fit her too. Another option is to have them sleep on the floor, ours did that on her last flight. She used to be fine in her seat but for some reason it did not work last time.

Most important thing to remeber is the flight will not last that long and she is making less noise and bothering far fewer people than you think she is.