DXB Layover With Infant

[Lemon_Party]

Looking for some advice from those with experience. Flying long haul for first time with our toddler who'll be 16 months when we travel.
A schedule change has given us a 9.5 hour layover in DXB flying from AU to Europe. We land 5am Dubai.
Will have access to first class lounges and have seen a few threads where consensus is there is enough to keep one occupied for these layovers - but generally infants aren't mentioned!
I'm considering:
- Just stay airside and in lounges
- Booking airside airport hotel room - $250 ish for 10 hours
- Going through passport control and spending day in Dubai, possibly booking a day room at a hotel (I think this is now permitted without testing etc)
Haven't done any travel of note with a kid and looking for some advice on what others have found worked and to avoid.
Thanks!

 

[Scr77]

What class are you flying? Will you and Bub be desperate to sleep by then? With a teenager in tow and flying J, I would normally book a room so we can sleep.

 

[Lemon_Party]

What class are you flying? Will you and Bub be desperate to sleep by then? With a teenager in tow and flying J, I would normally book a room so we can sleep.

We have F award tickets and its a late evening departure so really hoping we’ll have all slept - but have to plan for the worst I guess!

 

[blackcat20]

I’d consider a hotel room, even if it’s just for somewhere for your little one to play without you needing to worry about disturbing people.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Looking for some advice from those with experience. Flying long haul for first time with our toddler who'll be 16 months when we travel.
A schedule change has given us a 9.5 hour layover in DXB flying from AU to Europe. We land 5am Dubai.
Will have access to first class lounges and have seen a few threads where consensus is there is enough to keep one occupied for these layovers - but generally infants aren't mentioned!
I'm considering:
- Just stay airside and in lounges
- Booking airside airport hotel room - $250 ish for 10 hours
- Going through passport control and spending day in Dubai, possibly booking a day room at a hotel (I think this is now permitted without testing etc)
Haven't done any travel of note with a kid and looking for some advice on what others have found worked and to avoid.
Thanks!

We have F award tickets and its a late evening departure so really hoping we’ll have all slept - but have to plan for the worst I guess!

It's a pain to go through passport control and leave the airport for less than a full day. I'd recommend the Dubai International Hotel. Then you can go to the F lounges for Dinner / breakfast etc. We've done this a number of times but without children.