Dear Kate - Will you be doing this to George when you come to Australia?

Wills and Kate are bringing Prince George to Australia on their April visit. Given the fun and games involved of taking a nine-month old baby on a 22-hour flight, we thought they might want to read this post first… 

It’s official. Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will bring Prince George along for the ride when they tour Australia and New Zealand, arriving in Sydney on April 16. Evidently baby George’s inclusion in the trip has caused officials to tailor the tour schedule and activities to his needs – but, as parents will know, the biggest challenge will come before they even arrive Down Under: the 22-hour flight from London to Australia.

Given that two heirs to the throne are unlikely to be allowed to fly together across the world, Kate, George and the soon-to-be-appointed nanny will be battling the long-haul separately to Wills, and they might need a few tricks up their sleeves.

This mum has done it all  before, and her story – and accompanying comments from the iVillage readers’ brains trust, of course – may prove to be useful advice for first-time parents Kate and Wills:

***

Moving away from the UK to Australia wasn’t an easy decision, but my husband’s career was here so we made the move. My family were devastated, particularly when we started having children. Thankfully my husband’s work means we have the funds to fly back home twice a year.

Each year we return to London for Easter and Christmas. It’s a 22-hour flight. And my children are aged four and two. My daughter can normally entertain herself for a few hours before becoming restless, but my son hates to be confined and has taken to hysterical fits whenever we board a plane.

I’d hate to be one of those parents who allows her child to run all around the aeroplane. It disturbs other passengers and makes the flight miserable and difficult. So each time we board, I give my children an over-the-counter elixir that sends them to sleep within half an hour. My daughter will remain sleeping for six or eight hours and my son might sleep for  even longer. It is a godsend. As far as I am concerned, this is a valid choice.

I consulted our doctor over the effects of using the medicine for this purpose and he assured me no harm would come to them. He did warn me that the elixir we had chosen to use can sometimes have the opposite effect or children, making them hyperactive for several hours, however this hasn’t happened for us.

When I mentioned this to a friend she was horrified and basically told me I’m being an irresponsible parent. It’s got me my doubting my decisions.

So, am I wrong to to do this?