[**jessie**]

Anyone done it without help?

I went back to the states when Jaxon was 4 and 5 months old. I was by myself and overall it went pretty well. I want to go back at the end of next month. This time I am terrified!! He is a happy boy but SUPER active. I struggle to keep him on my lap for 10 minutes and then he is screaming and arching his back to get down. Also, he really won't nap anywhere but his crib (or carseat). The bassinets only go up to 10 kg, but I am thinking they can't tell he is a bit above that. DH can't go with me because of work.

I have flown next to kids around 18 months old and they sit perfectly still on their parents lap for 10 hrs straight, literally... I wonder if they are drugged, lol?!

Anyone want to give me a pep talk?! 1.5 hr flight to Amsterdam, 2 hr layover, then 10.5 hrs to Portland. If I'm going, I need to get the ticket booked asap.

[soImarriedAnerd]

Originally Posted by **jessie**

Anyone done it without help?

I went back to the states when Jaxon was 4 and 5 months old. I was by myself and overall it went pretty well. I want to go back at the end of next month. This time I am terrified!! He is a happy boy but SUPER active. I struggle to keep him on my lap for 10 minutes and then he is screaming and arching his back to get down. Also, he really won't nap anywhere but his crib (or carseat). The bassinets only go up to 10 kg, but I am thinking they can't tell he is a bit above that. DH can't go with me because of work.

I have flown next to kids around 18 months old and they sit perfectly still on their parents lap for 10 hrs straight, literally... I wonder if they are drugged, lol?!

Anyone want to give me a pep talk?! 1.5 hr flight to Amsterdam, 2 hr layover, then 10.5 hrs to Portland. If I'm going, I need to get the ticket booked asap.

Can he get his own seat? If you guys can swing it.... 100% worth it! I have had to hold for over 8hrs and it sucks---BAD once they are walking. If you call the airline you can usually get a discount rate! Then bring the carseat and he should nap!
Now if you can't get him his own seat.... plan it for bedtime and hope he sleeps in what ever carrier you have. (That way you can sleep because your not freaked you will drop him). Pray for an open seat on the plane you can get moved next to and/or great nice people to sit next to. What airline will you fly? Lufthansa out of Germany is SUPER family friendly!!!!!
Bring tons of snacks/toys to keep him entertained, but not so much you can't carry it all. Its really a fine line.
Troy sits in buisness class on our flights and if we don't get the free upgrade (have once) london and I are always by ourselves on the plane....its doable but so tiring if they don't have their own seat. I carry drugs incase I hit the wall and need him to sleep....haven't had to use anything stronger than teething tablets YET *crosses fingers*.
I recommend the window seat also...because they seem to know they can't crawl over strangers and the window shade is its own toy for a while, but in the aisle they seem to want down more because they see the people going back and forth.
I have spent 3 hrs in a handicap bathroom playing with him so that people could sleep and we didn't bug them...so wipes are a great thing to have with!

[Nami]

We'll be going to the States soon as well. I am SO freaked out about taking Chris with him having Autism but we'll be letting him have his own little travel bag with things to do, like drawing and maybe some snacks as well. Alissa will be 13m and we'll be holding her and I worry about her as well since she hates to just sit around and always wants to be on the go but we'll just try walking her around every now and then. She also doesn't nap anywhere but her crib which worries me. I would have loved to get her a seat of her own for her carseat but with the tickets being 1,000$ each and 4 of us, just not an option for us.

Good luck though! It wont be easy I'm sure but I bet it'll go better than you think!

[**jessie**]

I would LOVE to get him his own seat but we just can't swing the price. Last time I was lucky enough to have the seat next to us open in one direction but on the way back this poor old guy traveling alone was sandwiched in the center seat of the center aisle between me with an infant and another lady with a toddler. I felt REALLY bad for him although he was a good sport!!!

I think we are flying KLM this time. We have always done Lufthansa and loved them but they no longer do direct to Portland and they raised their prices.

I totally chilled out in the bathroom for a super long time. Gross but it worked. Actually I had the stewardesses knock on the door all the time probably thinking I was doing something naughty in there!

Thanks for all the advice though. I will use it. Do you know if snacks like apple sauce cups or fruit cups are allowed, since they are technically liquid? My kid is a bottomless pit and literally eats every hour so I have to think of a lot of things to bring.

[Nami]

I feel ya' on the prices, it's not cheap flying over seas! Hope you get lucky and get a free seat next to you. As far as the snacks go, It really depends on the airport. I know I was able to bring some liquid-like snacks when we went to Turkey because it was baby food but I know there are some places that will make you throw it out. You can maybe call and ask? Or just bring anyways and see what they say. I have to bring some for Alissa since she can't eat real solids yet and I'm just hoping they will let us. I mean what can they do.. tell you not to feed your child?

[soImarriedAnerd]

I carry a crap ton of liquids/food with.... and only the evil airport in london (I HATE flying through there! we pay extra to avoid them ). We have never had an issue...the unofficial rule is "enough food/liquids for the duration of your travel". AND you have to declare it BEFORE going through the scans. I put tons of food/liquid through but they took my playdoh once! (which is a GREAT travel thing FYI). Nothing fresh can come OFF the plane (produce and such) due or you have to declare it (or hope the dogs aren't out that day--which is what we do when flying INTO the USA).