I'm starting to think about next year's vacations, and I'm thinking about going to Istanbul with LO (who will be 1.5 years old when we would go, in March). My only hangup at this point is the 10 hour flight to get there. 6 hours is the most we've done with LO. Are we crazy, or will it be totally fine?
ETA - we'll get him his own seat on the plane, so we won't have to hold him for 10 hours and he can sleep in his carseat.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
I think it's a crap shoot. At 1.5 years, they're mobile and in that stage where they're pushing limits, at least that was my son.
I'd probably go, though.
pineapple / 12566 posts
We've gone on a number of long international flights with DS at various ages. I'm guessing that if you are flying from North America to Istanbul, it will be mostly a night flight, maybe with a connection? Should be pretty easy! Will you be purchasing a ticket or flying with LO on your lap?
nectarine / 2054 posts
@lamariniere: That's right, the flight there will be an overnight (10 hours direct). I'm sure we're not lucky enough that LO will realize that he can just sleep the entire time and get a full night's sleep, but he will have his own seat and will be able to sleep in his carseat. The flight back will be 11 hours not overnight... so a lot more difficult/active.
pineapple / 12566 posts
@Beehive: Even better if it's direct AND that he will have his own seat. I think you could count on getting in a reasonable amount of sleep going there, maybe not the whole time, but a few blocks of several hours? Our problem is always the meal service since they turn on lights and start using the loud speaker. We stick earplugs in DS's ears and try to kind of make a tent over the car seat so that he has less light shining on his face. The return is generally problematic though when it's a long day flight. Arm yourself with lots of small activities, videos, food, etc.
nectarine / 2054 posts
@lamariniere: Earplugs! That's a great idea. Yes, we have definitely found the return flights to be problematic (and exhausting), but I'm always less concerned about those, since the trip is over and we can sort of catch up on sleep once we're home.
grapefruit / 4671 posts
The only issue IMO is the mobility of a 1.5 month old vs a baby. All my 17 month old wants to do is walk, run and climb. There is no containing her. I would still just do it though, would totally be worth it:)
nectarine / 2054 posts
@plantains: @looch: Yes, even when we took a flight with LO when he was 10 months, it was challenging, as he didn't want to stay in his carseat at all. The overnight was fine, but the return was exhausting! I think it might be worth it too... and if it doesn't go very well, I guess we'll never see any of the people on the flight again! Hahahaha oy.
nectarine / 2054 posts
@loveisstrange: @misolee: I'm glad your flights were better than you thought! There is hope...
coconut / 8475 posts
@plantains: this.
It won't be easy, but it isn't worth it to *not* go to Istanbul!
coconut / 8475 posts
@Beehive: oh and..I don't condone this PER SAY, as I wouldn't do it myself, but my husband's buddy gives his kids....lets call them: relaxers? sleep aids? and apparently they are drowsy through the whole flight. Hahaha. I don't know how I feel about it, but I am trying not to judge seeing as I have no taken 2 toddlers on a plane before as they have, and they get the medication from their ped who apparently thinks its ok.
grapefruit / 4671 posts
@TurtleDoves: my colleagues ped told her to give her kids benadryl to make them drowsy on the flight!!!
honeydew / 7488 posts
10 hr flight is doable at that age. We did 10 hr legs on a trip to Asia. 10 hr to Moscow, and then 10 hr to Singapore. It definitely did not go off without a hitch, but we survived. 
ETA: about Benadryl... some kids actually get wired on it (rather than drowsy)!
| Today | Monthly Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | 1 | 0 |
| Posts | 0 | 1 |
Ask for Help
Make a Suggestion
Frequently Asked Questions
Bee Levels
Acronyms
Most Viewed Posts
Hellobee Gold
Hellobee Recipes
Hellobee Features
Hellobee Contests
Baby-led Weaning
Bento Boxes
Breastfeeding
Newborn Essentials
Parties
Postpartum Care Essentials
Sensory Play Activities
Sleep Training
Starting Solids Gear
Transitioning to Toddler Bed
All Series
Who We Are
About the Bloggers
About the Hostesses
Contributing Bloggers
Apply to Blog
Apply to Hostess
Submit a Guest Blog
Hellobee Buttons
How We Make Money
Community Policies
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
14 comments