At the end of this month we are flying with Henry (age 7) and Edie (age 15 months) to Tokyo to visit my parents who are living there for a short time. They are living in the Hiroo neighborhood of Tokyo doing some law work for the Mormon church. Traveling on a long international flight with a 15 month old is not an idea situation but I’ve been getting lots of great advice from friends and family and you all, and thought I’d share a few of them with you today (and please feel free to chime in with your own advice, we’ll need it!)…

1. Request the front row of your section so you can use their baby bassinet if you’re flying international. You’ll have to call to reserve the right row and may have to come early to reserve the bassinet on that row since most planes only have one and it’s first come, first served. (I was able to reserve one on the way back but still hoping to switch things around and get one on the way there as well).

2. But if you can’t do that…when you’re checking in at the gate- if it’s not full, see if you can sit next to an open seat (if your child is under 2 but needs room).

3. Make sure to bring a charger for the phone/ipad for older kids. You do NOT want to run out of batteries in the middle of a Baby Einstein.

4. Choosing an overnight flight and then asking your pediatrician for something to help them sleep a little deeper (like children’s benadryl).

5. Choosing seats as a family that are actually apart, not together. This was an interesting idea. It could help in a few ways: A. It gives one parent a break for a time, B. You may find that one set of seats are next to more baby friendly travellers, and C. It gives that baby wanting to wander someone to visit down the aisle.

6. 30,000 feet is not the time to teach them a lesson or discipline. Just keep them, yourself and the other passengers happy. Which brings me to the next one…

7. Lots of dum dum lollipops! Or any small treat that is both entertaining to eat and sweet.

8. Wrapping toys. I’ve heard this idea a lot. You wrap a few dollar store toys and the kids can open up one every hour or so for a long flight. Edie might be too young for this but it’s a great idea for 2 or 3 yr old I think.

9. Mess free coloring sheets. No possibility they can color outside the lines and onto the tray table.

10. “Look at the in flight magazine & try to find all the puppies”-Love this idea by my friend, Rachel. Edie LOVES puppies.

11. Flashy, spinny toys for tantrums  (like these).

12. Walking the aisles. Over and over and over.

13. Age appropriate phone/tablet games like Peekaboo barn (they have a whole series for littles).

14. Good idea to practice using headphones now so they’re used to not pulling them off by the time you fly.

15. Pack new dollar store toys or books they haven’t seen (maybe trade with some friends!)

16. Bring containers or bags that things can be taken in and out of.

17. Dress them in footed pjs. They’re simpler and easy to change diaper.

18. Bring earplugs and candy bars for your neighbors too.

19. You my be able to fashion a bed at your feet for a little one with blankets and coats (until the bucket seatbelt light comes on…). We’re planning on bringing our soft travel crib.

20. Lower your expectations (you probably won’t read that book on the plan) but have something within arms length to read or listen to if you find yourself with a sleeping baby on your lap.

Any tips you’d add here? Would love to hear your advice!