Need tips on extremly long air travel with infants. How do we keep them happy, need less stress for everyone.?

Question

Kids are 17 & 32 months (@1.5 & 2.5 yrs). both about 15 kgs. We have only 1 seat for the 2.5 yr but infant is on lap. We hope to have a spare seat as we bookrd a space inbetween us . Long travel......... flying to sydney from nsw @2hrs, to catch international flight to san francisco @14.5 hrs. few hours in airport then 4.5hrs to chicago, a few hours in airport then 1.5hrs to toronto canada. Then finally about a 2 hour drive to our destination. 2 adults with kids. Want to make kids as comfortable as possible. What to bring???? This is going to be an exhausting journey, but well worth it! Wish us luck. Thanks

Answer 1

We traveled A LOT with our young kids when they were as yours are now....here are the things to do FOR SURE:

on take off and descent  - plan for them both to eat...anything to make the swallow reflex active to keep those ears as occupied as possible for pressure changes....

THEN - keep a routine on the plane as close to their off the plane routine as possible....so - there are times to play and keep them occupied and walking up and down the aisles is always good....and there are times to sleep and relax.  DO NOT expect them to be still in their seats when they are not still while not traveling.  To occupy time:  pack a little box of treats the older one is NOT used to seeing....and only pull them out occasionally (every 3-4 hours for a new one....look at your time and average them out over the trip!)...so ALL are not used at once...along with some tried and true toys/books they already like.  

AND - have a good talk with the older one about how the travel will be and your expectations of him/her.  We sit for a while - we walk for a while - we sleep - we read and play quietly and when we are between flights ....we dance and run in the halls of the airports!!!!

FINALLY - divide your time - alternatively and in set increments - 1 child per parent.....NO MATTER HOW FUSSY that child gets during your time with that one....tooooo bad!  Trade off will happen soon enough!

AND - hopefully you make friends with the people in front and behind you UP FRONT....so that everyone knows you are trying your best to have a postive travel experience....and if things get rocky - ask WHEN YOU FIRST MEET to let them know you are responsible and are attempting to everything in your power to keep the kids sane - happy - and often docile!

AND - if your youngest still likes to be stapped to you - take a backpack and wear it in front!!!!

FINALLY - best of luck.  We had such wonderful adventures with our kids flying around the country that I highly recommend it to anyone!!!  Relax - laugh - sleep when you can!  And record the funny moments and the crazy pics of you all on the plane....you will laugh as you remember it all!

Answer 2

I guess try to keep them occupied games etc