[new mom]

Does anyone have advice on traveling long distance with two young children. We are contemplating our first trip with a new born and 2 year old. Having only moved to HK last year, we feel we have to travel back to introduce the new baby to family - but wondering if it is really the best thing to do. Daddy thinks it is no big deal, as a new mom I just feel exhausted at the thought of all the stuff we would need to take, the disruption to routine, jet lag and keeping the kids safe.

[pianokc]

Travelling with the newborn is a breeze, especially if you are breastfeeding. They just sleep! As long as you have someone helping you with the 2 year old, and the 2 year old has a paid seat on the plane, and lots of toys, and activities to keep him/her interested on the flight, then you should be alright.

Travelling when they are 2 and 4 will be a much bigger challenge.

Ensure you get the airlines to give you the first row with the bassinet, so you can put the baby in there to sleep.

Also ask for child's meal for your 2 year old, and a baby's package (get you diapers and creams and stuff)

[FlamingToad]

I recently made a similar journey with my 2 year old and it took a substantial effort for both my wife and me to keep her occupied. We had plenty of her favorite toys and a video player to keep her occupied, but they were only minor distractions. Nobody slept for the entire journey.

Of course this may be a special case; there were other children on my flight that were only slightly fussy, but you should be prepared for the worst.

I agree that the newborn should not be a okay. If they don't have any problems with cabin pressure, you shouldn't have any issues. It is a good idea on takeoff and landing to have your kids either nursing or chewing on something to help with the pressure. Be sure to get an aisle seat, you will be getting up often.

Jet lag will make your children difficult to deal with when you arrive. Make sure to set aside time for naps, they are easy to overlook when traveling and visiting family, but don't let them sleep too long during the day or they won't sleep at night.

[FlamingToad]

Originally Posted by FlamingToad

I agree that the newborn should not be a okay. If they don't have any problems with cabin pressure, you shouldn't have any issues.

That sentence should have read:
I agree that the newborn should be a okay.

I'm sure that there are ways to edit my previous post, but I couldn't find it.

[Katanga]

we did it years ago and found that the jet leg was awful and kept us awake as our kid (9mths old at the time) kept waking up in the middle of the night and sleeping during the day.

We would suggest that you break the journey - we travelled by Emirates with a stop in Dubai. The staff on Emirates were incrediblly helpful and practically looked aftre our girl on the flight.

[hottie]

Get a night flight and the kids should sleep the whole way. You may not, so arrange someone to babysit on arrival. A stop-over can be more trouble than it's worth esp if you want to sleep and the kids don't.