What to take to entertain a nearly 9 month old?

[aussienic]

We went travelling (car) when Ds3 was 8-9 months old. We were doing alot of driving over the 5 weeks. We took new toys like cars and very bright things in the car.

I know driving is different to flying cus at least they are buckled in one spot in a car plus Ds3 wasn't crawling.. Can she look out the window? it might really fascinate her enough for a little while.. Or buy her a toy mobile phone lol.. That used to entertain my kids when nothing else worked lol

[Junglemum]

Just a little info for you..... They always make me take DD out of a sling/carrier to put the infant seatbelt on. They sometimes make me take the carrier off too, even if it's a HAB.
Does she like books? i find them a good distraction. I also sing with them, quietly! My singing might be bad, but it's better than them screaming. I also sometimes take a hand puppet for a bit of entertainment!

[Arimeh]

Just a little info for you..... They always make me take DD out of a sling/carrier to put the infant seatbelt on. They sometimes make me take the carrier off too, even if it's a HAB.

What - when they are taking off and landing only I hope? God I don't know what I'll do if they make me take her out if I'm trying to get her to go to sleep. She doesn't ever let me rock her to sleep - hasn't for a long time. I don't have a HAB, I'll just have my KS mei tai, my Beco will be packed in a suitcase.

[Junglemum]

Yeah mainly for take off and landing, but anytime the seatbelt sign is on. It stinks. I think my baby is more secure in a carrier on me than with a single seatbelt around her waist. Freaking rules and policies.

[Arimeh]

Urgh this plane trip is going to suck. I've already been psyching myself up and telling myself that I will NOT be having a panic attack (positive thinking!) so this could be... errr... interesting...lol

[Just Me]

She might fall asleep earlier than her regular nap time - all my kids tend to nod off as we take off because of the motion of the plane. Also, there is a bit of room at the back of the plane usually where you can stand if you need to rock her and the change table is in the toilets at the back of the plane so if possible, ask them to seat you up the back. It is also close to the toilets if your other DD and DS need to go midflight (which can get a bit tricky if they are walking up and down with those meal carts and your kids need to get to the toilet deperately).

Good luck with your flight and if it goes really well, make sure you come back to this thread and give me lots of hints and tips

[Arimeh]

JM - we've already picked our seats at the front of the plane - I thought the change table was in each toilet, and I know there is a toilet (or two) up the front. Been a while since I've been on a plane though (a year to the day nearly!) Only DS is toilet trained, so he can go up the front, and he will be sitting with me. I checked our seats last night, and we've got two on one side of the aisle and two on the other. So the plan is I have Eden on my lap, and Aricyn sitting next to me, and then Kelti will sit across the aisle with DH. Hopefully this arrangement works, we have empty seats beside us, in front of us for some flights (we are taking 4 flights) and some vacant behind us.

Sooo hopefully we won't annoy too many people.

Although - when I checked last night online, most of the back half of the plane was completely empty -is this normal? Or is it people that have booked flights and not reserved seats? Can you do that? We book online so pick our seats straight away...

[Junglemum]

You'll be fine. I promise!
It does go much quicker than you imagine. By the time you have taken off, had a snack, read a few books, walked to the toilet and back it's almost time to land again. It will all be worth it at the other end. I kept DD2 awake yesterday and she crashed on takeoff, it was perfect. Maybe stretching her sleep out will work in your favour. There is the possibility it could all go horribly wrong, but i find when i'm more relaxed about the whole thing the kids travel better.

[Arimeh]

Ahhh crap, just read this on Jetstar:
A front baby carrier or sling might just save your back, if not your trip. You have to check-in pushers for domestic flights so a soft baby carrier will give you both hands free. It will also roll up easily into your cabin luggage. Great for transit and collecting luggage (although you are not permitted to use a baby carrier whilst you are seated on board.)

[allycat06]

We took DS Sydney when he was 8 months. He was just like you described your DD, more interested in crawling around and not really into toys. Obviously the flight was a bit shorter than yours will be but I bought him a new toy with lots of touchy feely stuff that made lots of crunchy sounds etc and that was pretty handy and seemed to engage him more as he'd never played with it before. Other than that he was quite happy to just watch everything going on around him, the flight attendants always gave him a bit of attention when they walked passed. If he was getting a bit restless I'd give him an arrowroot bikky and that would keep him occupied for a bit he he'd forget why he was whinging in the first place. So yeah you can't really be feeding her the whole time but food is a good distraction if she gets a bit irritated.