Traveling to Japan with a 22 Month Old

Hi A.,
I lived in Okinawa for 3 years. It all depends on if you are flying on the military flight or commercial -- I flew on the military flight (I had no kids at the time) but the people with kids got extra seats so that the kids could lay down and sleep, since we left at 2:00 a.m. or so. But if you are on the military flight -- well then you are with all of the others who are in the same situation - and will be willing to help you. I had a lady on my flight with two children on her own cause her husband was there already. But everyone helped her. I agree take toys and snacks -- they don't give you much on the plane's.
I have to 2nd the other mom who said stay up -- I did and it was the best thing to get on schedule right away!
Good luck and if you need any info on Okinawa -- let me know -- we lived close to Kadena AFB, and I worked on one of the daycare's there on Kadena. I loved Japan. Good Luck -- e-mail me if you need info: ____@____.com

One thing that helped us when we were stationed in Germany, was bringing a variety of healthy snacks (preferably ones that take longer to eat). You can use them when she needs a distraction and is getting ancy. We did a lot of walking up and down the aisles, made it into a sort of toddler sightseeing event. Does she have any videos she really likes? Bring a portable DVD to do little half hour spurts of sit down time between the walking and snacking. A few favorite books are good, a couple new toys with lots of things on them for her to explore. If she does better at night, try to plan your flight for evening into bedtime. My oldest would eventually go to sleep if I laid my head back and pretended to sleep. My youngest is a harder case, but that will sometimes work on him. Hang in there and enjoy your overseas station, we really liked ours! Definitely check out ACS and what they have to offer as far as playgroups and activities. That will help you get to know people quicker. Take Care.

We lived in Japan for 3 yrs and found it best to stay awake as much as possible the day before we left so we could sleep during the flight. Once on the other side don't given and sleep if it is when you should be awake find something to do until it is your normal bed time this will help with the jet lag. Granted we did not travel with a small child at this time but our daughter has flown since she was 11 weeks old and with Tylenol before we leave and having her pack her travel on bag she always traveled well. Good luck and get in out and see as much as you can. It is a beautiful place to live. :-)

Hi A.!
We lived in Japan for 25 months, so made lots of these trips back and forth with our kiddos. My daughter was the hard one on the flight. She was 4 when we left. Here are some ideas:

Don't take the carseat onto the plane. It's just too long to sit in one place. Our daughter thought she was really big not to have a carseat, but get the same belt we did. We loosened the belt a little so she could sleep (take jammies, diapers, pullups or whatever!) We told her before we left we'd get on the plane, play, eat and when it came time for night, we'd put her pjs on and get her animals out and tell her to sleep. Some flights it worked; some it did not. We took her favorite toys (all in separate QT ziploc bags for easy clean up and easy finding in a backpack). One idea for your sanity is that only one "toy" out at a time. That way you can keep track of what is out and what isn't and hopefully not lose things. The portable DVD player is an excellent idea because it'll keep her busy for a long period of time. Do you have a Leapster or something like that? Those are also great. Another thing we did was to get a small rolled-suitcase (you know those little ones like for an overnight?) for her to take through the airport. That can hold her pjs, blankies, special stuffed animals (that for my daughter only came out at 'sleep' time), etc. You can decide if she carries the electronic equipment!

Tell her what to expect before you get onto the airplane and how you know she'll be a big girl and help mommy. Tell her when it's time to go to sleep, you'll put on her pjs and that's her cue to sleep. We talked to both kids until we thought there wasn't anything else to tell them, but when we got to the airport, we'd retell them (...and now we go through security...and now you'll roll your suitcase to the gate...and now we get onto the airplane...and now...) as we went and they seemed to understand better.

No matter what you do, it's still a long flight! Some of our friends who lived there with us would give their active kids Benedryl so they would sleep on the airplane. Our doctor told us that was definitely an option...if that doesn't hype the kid. We didn't medicate the kids and our jet lag period seemed shorter...but who knows?! You certainly wouldn't be faulted if you tried it!

I hope you are able to sleep some on this trip. The Japanese are very helpful once you land, but it's always easier if you're at least a little rested.

Good luck!

I second the vote for DVD player. We don't normally allow it in the car, but we borrow one from Grandma for especially long car trips or flights. Also maybe get a couple new books or toys and don't let her see them till you're on the plane and need a new distraction. Bringing a few of your own snacks is a good idea too. If you are flying at night I would definitely ask about the bassinets, if she's not too big. You'll likely have plenty of opportunities to get up and walk around too.

We have flown a lot with our daughter who is about the same age. Never as long as you will be, but my sister-in-law is from Japan and they have taken our niece to Japan at least twice a year since she was born.

Not having a car seat would be a good idea. It will give you a little more room to move around and be more comfortable. A portable DVD player has been a lifesaver for us! We don't take it out until our daughter starts to get really antsy. On longer flights we have taken a new DVD so there is a special treat to look forward to. We have also had a lot of luck with taking coloring books, sticker books or even just paper and lots of stickers. Our daughter will stay entertained for a long time with a sheet of stickers. We always have a couple of her favorite books and toys and often a new book or a new small toy.

Be sure to pack lots of snacks. The ones they provide on the plane aren't always kid friendly. You will also want to have a couple bottles of water or juice. Those you will have to buy once you get through security which stinks because it is a lot more expensive. If you have small bottles of baby juice (like the Gerber individual serving bottles) you can probably take those through security.

About 10 years ago I flew to Africa (without kids) but the best advice I can give you is to take a toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste and clean underwear! On a long flight like that you start to feel really grungy and it is amazing what a difference clean underwear and clean teeth can make. It would also be a good idea to have a change of clothes for your daughter and yourself just in case something gets spilled on either of you.

Giving your daughter Benedryl or something like that might not be the best idea. For some kids it makes them hyper rather than sleepy. And most of those types of meds are no longer considered safe for young kids.

It may sound a little contradictory after all the advice of things to take, but the lighter you can pack the easier it is to get through security and the easier it is to get to the things you need once you are in the crowded seats.

Have a wonderful time in Japan. We have family friends who have lived on Okinawa for over 20 years and wouldn't consider ever living anywhere else!

We took my 2 year old on a flight this year (not as far as you are going) and she LOVED it! She said "whee" when we took off. Sitting in her own seat with a seat belt is not the same as a car seat. I loosed the belt a little and she was able to lay down in the seat with her head on my lap to sleep. We also had a portable dvd player and she loved watching her cartoons.
Best of luck with your flight, try to not to be scared or your daughter will pick up on those feelings. Just remember most people are very sympathic (because they are parents and have been in sticky situations with their own kids).

Hi A.,
How brave you are to travel across the world with your little girl. The first thing I would do is call the airline you are flying on and tell them your situation: that you are flying alone with just your daughter and are nervous. They should be able to provide you with a special type of bassinet for your daughter to sleep. Also, having flown by myself with 2 babies, I had my diaper bag packed with everything I knew my two little girls would want and need for the entire flight: favorite snacks, books, activites, etc. Also, take this time to make special requests on the airline, like sitting in the aisle, if that is more comfortable for you, or near the bathroom etc. Do whatever you can now to make this flight the most comfortable for you and your daughter. Preparation, Preparation, Preparation! Even strategically locate things in your diaper bag by how frequently you need things, like bottles, diapers, wipes, etc should be near the top and very accessible. Also, the flight attendants will definitely help you out. Even if you have to go to the bathroom, and you don't want to take your little girl with you, they will watch her for you. Sometimes, if the flight is not full, they will seat you in an empty row so you can take advantage of it. Be sure to ask for that. And when you arrive at the airport, get there early so you can talk to the check-in personnel about the best seats for you, and ask for preboarding where you can get seated first before everyone else. Hope all this helps. Good luck.

Hi A.

I would pack some of her favorite toys she likes to play with . A comfort item a blanket and plushed animal . Do you have a portable dvd player ? Books any thing to distract her while flying .Most of all you need to relax so she relaxes . And if you are flying at night she may sleep . The plane may be quiet since it is a long flight .