Where are you flying to OP, China or someplace around there? Is it a direct flight?

Anonymous wrote:i think most likely i won't purchase a separate seat for my lo and ask for a bassinet seat.
i'm currently still nursing my lo but will start weaning soon...
no, lo can't really walk as yet...
lo eats almost everything!

Purchase the extra seat. Holding a child on a long flight is not comfortable for either of you.

If you do buy a seat for your LO and you don't want a bassinet then I'd suggest not taking a bulkhead seat as it means you can't have your bags down during take off/landing and so things won't be as easily accessible. Also, depending on which airline you are flying those seats often have fixed armrests to house the tray table. This means you can't lift the armrest up to allow your baby to rest on you. On the flip side the bulkhead seats have more floor space which is good for sitting them down to play on.

If you have a bassinet then I think they have to be out of them and on your lap during take off, landing and any other times when the fasten seatbelt signs are on. This means if you are caught in a long period of turbulence they will have to be out of it. On a recent flight to London we had over an hour of the sign being on due to bumpy conditions.

How big is your little one? Check with your airline the max weight/height for their bassinets - it varies a lot. I know my friends' (big) 4 mo old was pretty cramped in hers. Also check their bassinet policies - often babies can only be there while asleep/laying down, so if DC refuses to sleep on the plane you'll be stuck holding them.
If you can afford it, I highly recommend buying a seat for DC, especially when traveling alone. Otherwise, trying to get things out of bags, handle food, etc, will be a pain in the neck while wrestling DC in that tiny airplane seat. At least when two people are traveling with a lap baby, one can hold while the other digs around in the bag.

i think most likely i won't purchase a separate seat for my lo and ask for a bassinet seat.
i'm currently still nursing my lo but will start weaning soon...
no, lo can't really walk as yet...
lo eats almost everything!

I've done long hauls with my son (longest trip at 13 months, 30 hours in the air, plus layovers), but never solo.

It's hard work, even with another person.

A few questions: are you buying a separate seat or will the child sit in your lap? Are you nursing or bottle-feeding? What sorts of solid foods does your child eat? Can the child walk yet?

Airplanes have changing tables in the bathrooms--but not in ALL the bathrooms. Ask the flight attendant when you get on board which bathrooms you can use to change diapers.

Flyertalk's Travel with Children forums have a lot of good suggestions for long haul flights: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-children-221/

if you have done it before please give advices!

how to change diaper?
what do i do with my lo if i have to use the restroom?
feeding?
entertainment?

help please!!