Am I crazy? Taking 22m to London as a lap child?

DH is going to London next week for business. We just decided that DS and I will join him for the trip! I really want to go to London. We can't get DS a seat. How difficult do you think the flight will be with my 22m old as a lap child?! Flight there is at 6:30pm so we will be flying during bedtime. Flight home leaves in the afternoon....

Also, does anyone have any suggestions on places to see/go (especially toddler friendly ones)? We won't be there for very long so I want to make the most out of it!

I hope I am not the whole trip.

Re: Am I crazy? Taking 22m to London as a lap child?

I'm just happy you're going!

Re: Am I crazy? Taking 22m to London as a lap child?

Very excited for you that you are going!!!
What do you mean by you can't get DS a seat...is the flight full? I'm just asking b/c when I flew overseas (a night flight too) there were some empty seats so the stewardess let me have 3 seats to myself and I laid DS down lengthwise with a pillow under his head and made a little bed for him. (DH sat somewhere else entirely so we could have the room) There was actually another Mom & DC that did the same thing...but there was ample empty seats that's why I ask. DS on your lap the whole flight may be difficult - unless you're in first class it's usually very tight and uncomfortable. Would he sleep on you?

Re: Am I crazy? Taking 22m to London as a lap child?

Ask USUK2004!!

Re: Am I crazy? Taking 22m to London as a lap child?

IDK, I think if it's bedtime, he'll just pass out on you. Does he still fall asleep on you, ever?

I think you'll be ok & how fun! I loved London!!

Matt & I did the Ripley's believe it or not one night we were there b/c we were walking back to our hotel and thought "hey, why not". . .it might be fun for him, we thought it was

Re: Am I crazy? Taking 22m to London as a lap child?

Not crazy at all, its not a super long flight, and because its a red eye, hopefully he will sleep for a good part of the flight. I always do it with my kids when they are under 2.

I posted lots and lots of stuff on a thread in travel last week about restaurants in London. There are tons of parks in London which is great so that if the kid needs some breathing space, he can have a runaround.

Good luck! I think Farah is on LI now, she is isn't posting too much.

Re: Am I crazy? Taking 22m to London as a lap child?

I flew to Italy with Jack on my lap when he was 13 months and that was hard - but a much longer flight. It's totally doable. I say go for it and have a blast!

Re: Am I crazy? Taking 22m to London as a lap child?

Thanks for all the suggestions! Right now we are having a passport issue... I hope we are able to still go!

Yankinmanc- I will check out the thread on travel, thanks!

Re: Am I crazy? Taking 22m to London as a lap child?

Did you check to see if this is possible? My MILis a travel agent and I think she said when flying international you are required to buy a baby a seat.

Re: Am I crazy? Taking 22m to London as a lap child?

Re: Am I crazy? Taking 22m to London as a lap child?

2 weeks before my son turned 2 we flew to California We boought a seat for him. But he slept on my lap for most of the flight. We could have done without the seat.

Re: Am I crazy? Taking 22m to London as a lap child?

i am the wrong person to respond to this...

i did the london to nyc trip solo while pregnant with DD#2 when DD#1 was the same age as your DS. same situation, DH was on business for a few months and we visited for a bit.

let's just say i have not flown since . and this was with DD having her own seat. she wasn't loud, she just wouldn't sit still. i was exhausted and DD wanted nothing to do with napping...that was until 5 minutes before we landed, yes landed. then i had to carry around a sleeping two year old around the airport because i wasn't allowed to bring stroller on board...even though they lost mine on the way to london and found it 3 days later

fun times. not doing it again anytime soon

Re: Am I crazy? Taking 22m to London as a lap child?

London is awesome. Definitely Lap Infant a 22mo old. The flight attendants on our last couple of flights were super good with the kids, and we were able to get up & walk around the cabin several times. They also helped with keeping the boys occupied.

The Aquarium in London in amazing, and right outside the London Eye, and across from Big Ben. Westminster Abby is right there as well. I think the Tube stop is Embankment if I remember correctly. Covent Gardens is also pretty cool, and the street cafes are awesome if you are travelling with a tot.

If you intend to take the tube, be careful...some of the stations do not have escalators or elevators. I think it was outside of central London, but one station had 92 steps (circular, no less) and no elevator or escalator. I think it was Camden Market. Just be sure to look for signs, as there are always signs to let you know if there is no elevator, etc.

Re: Am I crazy? Taking 22m to London as a lap child?

If I only had 1 DC, I'd totally do it. Have fun!

I would try to go during bedtime if possible.

Re: Am I crazy? Taking 22m to London as a lap child?

Re: Am I crazy? Taking 22m to London as a lap child?

WOW.. just wanted to say Have Fun!!! I'm sure you'll be fine..

Re: Am I crazy? Taking 22m to London as a lap child?

Message edited 7/9/2011 9:58:57 PM.

Re: Am I crazy? Taking 22m to London as a lap child?

I've just seen this - did you end up going?? I can give you the 411 if you want - just returned from NY last week. FM me if you still need info.

For what it's worth - DS had his own seat this time (we flew in May when he was about 22 months). When we flew in March I swore it was the last time he would be on my lap. The problem is, now they're so long, it's hard for them to be comfortable when they sleep. I would say it'd be difficult, but doable at 22 mths.

Good luck!

Re: Am I crazy? Taking 22m to London as a lap child?

definetly go for it -

at 18 months - we put a blanket down at our feet and let B sleep on the floor in front of our seats and he did great that way

also there is way to get passport in NYC very fast- i am not sue of the details but i know someone needed almost next day and they got it

Re: Am I crazy? Taking 22m to London as a lap child?

Not crazy - we flew to Ireland a few months ago when ds was 19 months. Enjoy his last free flight.
Also keep an eye out if there are any empty seats and you might be able to move around a bit and get him a seat for free.

Regarding passport i believe if you go to the passport office you can get one on the same day. You and your dh would probably both have to go though.

Re: Am I crazy? Taking 22m to London as a lap child?

I say go for it! What an experience. I just flew to Florida by myself with a 22 month old a 4 year old AND a 9 year old. The flight was only 3 hours and it was fine. How long is the flight? I love the night time flights. Just bring a mini doodler, some quiet toys and Leapster etc in case she cant sleep. If the both of you are going together its even better b/c she can switch between your DH and you. Good luck!

Re: Am I crazy? Taking 22m to London as a lap child?

We paid to have it done by an expeditor and they totally screwed it up. It didn't come in time and DS and I had to stay home. I am still so LIVID about it. To top it off DH has the most gorgeous room right on the river, next to the eye with a beautiful view of Westminster abbey and Big Ben