What to take to entertain a nearly 9 month old?

[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.)

[Just Me]

There might be a change table at the front ... we have always sat at the back so I didn't think about it. You're lucky to have been able to organise your seats already - we couldn't do that online, we had to wait until the morning of the flight when we go to the airport because we had an infant travelling on our laps. This time we only have one travelling on our laps (it is the first flight in a couple of years that we only have one) so we might be able to check in online.

You'll be fine as Junglemum said. It is pretty quick and there is a lot going on so it might keep her well entertained just looking around. The flight attendants are usually very interested in babies too so they will probably come along and talk to her as well which mine all find entertaining.

Is your DH going as well or are you one your own? Passing her between both of you (if you are both going) can give you a break and you can get a cuppa and a snack which will help you keep calm and feel relaxed as well. If you can get some time out while DH has a turn - do it. It makes a difference if you don't have to hold a wriggly baby all by yourself for the whole flight. If you are on your own, sometimes the flight attendants take them for a little walk around the plane too, if you are comfortable with that.

[Arimeh]

JM - Definitely not on my own, I don't think I could handle 3 young kids on my own!!! lol

I'm hoping the distraction of 3 kids will help prevent any anxiety attacks, although it didn't work on the way down. However, I was doped up on valium and all I wanted to do was sleep - after I had a bad anxiety attack.. LOL

DH suggested we get seats at the front, because we always got them at the back - he said perhaps because at the front nearly everyone is behind you so it feels like you are on a bus, not a plane - plus its not as noisy, so I can chill a bit more.

I'm wishing I could just get drunk as a skunk, but obviously, thats out of the question.

[Junglemum]

Most people want to sit at the front, no idea why. In a hurry to get off and stand around and wait for their bags?

And i think they automatically start the seating at the front and work back, so i find the back less crowded and that we more often get a spare seat if we're back further. Sometimes i have been on planes that only have toilets at the back..... you can check the type of plane using your flight number and you should be able to see where the toilets are. Every toilet i've been in has had a fold down change table. But i do always go to the back.....

Are you flying jetstar the whole way? If you are on Qantas you can request a childrens meal if you are flying over meals times. Just saying, incase you are flying with them! You can do it online through manage your booking with qantas.