Im travelling to Brazil with my son on my own, he is 17 months old and I can just imagine him wanting to run up and down the aisle the whole time. Hes at the stage now that if you say no he will want to do it even more and get very frustrated when he can't. Its a night flight, and once he's asleep im hopeful he'll stay asleep as he is normally a good sleeper. Any helpful advice and tips to a very worried mum!!!??

Long haul flights with young toddlers , although they can at times be trouble free, are not for the faint hearted, but we have some tried and tested ways to help ease the aeronautical pain.

• • • - Night flights are always a good tack as they can minimise much of a disruption at bedtime. Another idea is to have a late night the previous night, and a very active day up the flight or getting up earlier than usual.
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      - We 've found that taking a bag within your hand luggage containing a good few new toys that your child hasn't seen before works well to help entertain your little ones. Toys can be produced at regular intervals, and although the novelty may not last long, it can be a welcome distraction. We suggest toys in one piece that can morph, change shape or do something without losing bits.....transformer-style.....there's nothing worse than your toddler distributing lego by showering the next few rows with it. (If you're a regular long haul parent, then it's an idea to pick things up throughout the year for just this purpose.) Magnetic drawing boards and pens are good too.....much easier if the pen is actually attached.
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      - Take at least 2 or 3 story books with you, (with good pictures), so you can read them together.
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      - Take at least 2 changes of clothes with you. Whether it be illness or just a messy eater, you'd be surprised how wide it, whichever it may be, can spread. Similarly take more than enough nappies and wipes - remember you may need extra wipes to clean the toilet and table after a nappy change in such a confined space too.
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      - Take snacks with you, as well as a non-spillable beaker, (remember the chances are it will be you sitting in the wet patch for hours, so it's best to avoid spills). Stewards are sometimes kind enough to leave a carton of apple juice with you, rather than you coming back for tons of refills.
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      - Another tack, which may be worth a try, is if you haven't booked an extra seat for your child, then be prepared for some hard core negotiation at check in. Ask for a spare seat next to yours, after all not too many other passengeres will want to sit next to a young toddler for the duration of a long haul flight. If there are any available, you'll have a reasonable chance.
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      - On the flight, try and do lots and lots of walking up and down the aisles. It helps to interact with other passengers, (but try to give them their space too!), for you and your child, try to keep smiling, as well as keeping tight hold of your sense of humour for any stressful moments.

Remember that with some new tactics and your skills as a parent, you can cope. Also that it's not for ever, just the duration of the flight, and will pass, once the pair of you arrive in another country for a brand new adventure.


I'm sure other parents have loads more ideas too. We're always happy to receive such gems.

In the meantime, take a look at our top ten tips for flying with kids, and we wish you luck on your exciting adventure.