Flying Tips Needed!!!

I have a excellent tip, take me with you amd I will baby sit for you in the evenings, I dont cost much I wont take up much room, ( well thats debatable ) tylenal & benadyl enough said

I love kids on the airplane. I am 39 and HATE sitting still. I am good for about an hourthen WHAM I gotta get up. I can't imagine a kid wanting to sit there for that long.

It is okay to take him for "walks" down the aisle. Most people think that you have to stay "pinned" in your seat. Unless that seatbelt light is on, you can move around.

Get him up at least once an hour for about 10 mins. Then switch activities. Have him come back to something different each time. If someone else can set it up for you so that it is a "suprise" that is even better.

DOn't let other around you make you feel that you need to "keep him quiet" or "keep him still" he is s kid. Kids need to be free. Enjoy your plane ride. If you are stressed about it, so will he be.

Please when you feed him, make only healhty choices. Processed food (yes even the ones made for kids) are full of chemicals that are no good for the young body. Have some healhty finger snacks and a face cloth or two handy-please use wipes sparingly they are so hard on the environment.

Have fun and so will he.

B.
Family Nutritional Coach

Our family makes an annual trek to Hawaii every year so I am very familiar with planning this same adventure! I agree with the other two responses so I won't repeat that stuff. I'm not sure how big your son is, but mine was too big to be in a bjorn at a year old. They are great for airline travel, but one year I put my daughter in the bjorn and got her to sleep just before boarding the plane and they made me take her out of it before we took off. Something about airline safety for takeoff, but I just thought I would mention it in case you were planning on using the bjorn.

Each year we go I fill my baby bag with NEW/BORROWED books, toys and snacks. I always take more than I need because I never know what will be a hit. The bottle thing is huge because you don't want their ears to pop and getting them to drink a bottle is essential at takeoff/landing. As a backup I take lollipops because nothing is worse than a little person with popping ears :( If you are looking for gadgets to take to Hawaii for use on the beach/sleeping/etc. then feel free to email me. My kids are now 4 and 2 so I've used a lot of the baby/beach/travel gear and I definitely have some favorites that I can share, but this post is getting long so just email me if you'd like feedback about travel gear. Oh, last thing... this seems pretty common sense, but planning out a nap on the airline is great. I'm not sure what time you are heading out, but we usually take the first morning flight out and I try to keep them awake until we board the flight. Then I feed them and they sleep with a full tummy. That makes the trip a lot easier to manage by breaking down the total travel time. Have a great time!!!!

Hi S.,
Most of the responses already have good tips - so I will try to keep it short. My daughter is now 20 months and has 19 flights under her belt (including Australia, twice)...You will be surprised at how well he does! Some other tips I would offer are:
The Munchkin sucky bag things, with peeled fruit. My daughter loved this thing and would take her a while to chew/suck all the juices out (ice cubes are a good one to put in them too, but a bit messy). We always bring our laptop, with a few of her favorite DVD's. She never used headphones and the noise never seemed to bother anyone. Its also fun to wrap some new or even old books & toys. It makes it a fun "game" to have them open something. Be prepared with lots of games of "patty cake", "this little piggy", "head shoulders knees & toes", "peek a boo" - just another interactive way to keep them busy and pass time!
Good luck! You never know - he may end up sleeping the whole time :)
A

ps. I remember the first flight we went on, I think my daughter was 3 months...I was so nervous and an older woman behind us in the security line said to me "Dont worry - most of the people on this plane have had babies & understand what its like...and all of us were babies at one time. And even if she does scream the whole time, you will never see any of us again"!!! It made me feel so much better...

If you haven't already booked your flight, try to book it during his usual nap time. Are you getting him his own seat? If not, I sugggest that you bring a bed pillow from home so you are both more comfortable while he's on your lap. This saved me when I flew with my 4 month old cross country!

Also, nurse him or give him a bottle during takeoff and landing to help release the pressure build up in his ears. Bring lots of quiet toys to keep him occupied - books, crayons and paper, small stuffed animals, etc. And also bring lots of snacks in case you are delayed.

Good luck and have fun in Hawaii!! I'm so jealous!! ;-)

Lots of fun activities (you can even wrap them up, to create more of a buzz and time to open) and lots of snacks! One toy/activity that I just found (that would have been perfect on a flight) is one of those magnetic boards with scenes. Of course, watch the magnets for the mouth (my son never really put anything in his mouth, so it's okay for us, but you decide). We got the one that has airplanes, trains and cars on it, but they have different scenes you can put together.
Good luck!

I agree with the moms who suggested taking his own seat. We flew with our son couple months ago when he was one and didn't even pay for his seat but took his car seat with him. When you get to the gate you can ask them if they have room for his seat and if they have an empty seat they will let you bring the car seat on the plane. It worked great for us. Since he was strapped in his own seat he knew that he had to sit there. We just kept him busy with his favorite toys and snacks.

You're lucky it's only to Hawaii! My daughter's first flight at 13 months was to Europe, and luckily she wasn't quite walking yet.

If you want a really relaxed kid, test him on Benadryl (make sure you test it because some kids get hyper on it) and give him some before you take off.

If you're breastfeeding, offer him the boob on the way up and on the way down. If you aren't, give him something to drink or something to suck on during those times.

Have a small new toy for him to play with. Maybe even two, or some puzzle type things. We got a travel magnadoodle and a coloring pad which only turns color with water (no staining!). Don't let him see the new toys until you decide it's time to bring them out on the plane.

Hopefully you'll be able to walk around with him on the flight, it really helps pass the time. Or if it's naptime, let him nap!

hey S.,

the most important thing is if in fact during your flight your son may cry or might disturb the neighbors around you that you stay calm through all of it thinking of anyway to distract him. i think that babies/children have a sixth sense when their mother is nervous and it rubs off on them.

i found it most helpful during my flight with my 2 yr old to make her run ( or in your case crawl) it off at the park before the actual flight so that she would be more inclined to sleep.

i also brought bribes like candy, which i never give or have in the house, so that she would be most appreciative and distracted by it.

hope that helps!!

Anything new is exciting and fun, so before you leave, go out and purchase a few NEW toys, books, etc. You can wrap them or not -- just keep them out of sight until you are actually in the air. Bring them out one at a time. When he gets bored with one thing you'll be ready with the next. These things need not be expensive -- the novelty of them is what works. The $1 bins at Target are a great source for stuff like this. I can especially recommend "lift the flap" kinds of books because after you read them together a few times the child is happy to hold it on his own and play with the flaps for a while. You can see a great one I got at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Trucks-Planes-Trains-Fisher-... Bring crayons and either coloring books or paper. You can use the snack tray and let him scribble away. I also usually bring a bunch of stickers (the foam ones are great!). He can create a masterpiece with nothing more than a blank piece of paper. Pack plenty of snacks -- things that are easy to eat with fingers and not to messy to clean up since he'll likely drop stuff. And although he is a little young for this, here is one more idea. Pack along some circular cereal (like Fruit Loops) and a shoelace. Let him string the cereal into an edible necklace. Between making it and eating it, you've bought yourself 30 minutes of quiet activity! If you have a portable DVD player, they can be a lifesaver too if you pack a few of his favorite videos. Finally, try to schedule your flight at a time when it will coincide with a naptime. The rocking motion of the plane and the hum of the motors should help him knock right out, and any time he is asleep is that much less time you need to entertain him! Good luck and happy flying! :)

Hi S.! I flew with my daughter twice, once at just past a year and once at a year and a half. I found that a portable dvd player with her favorite cartoon helped. Take a sippy, bottle, pacifier or snack for take off and landing to help him pop his years. Try to get an aisle seat so you can get up and walk him easily. I agree with the mom who recommended asking if there is another empty seat available-space is good. Sometimes there is nothing you can do, though, and he will just cry but try to put the other passengers out of your head. Remember, it's not like you are pinching him and making him cry, it just happens. I found the other passengers were understanding since I was doing everything I could. Some even offered to take her and comfort her! I also tried to bring her favorite bear. She sleeps with a certain bear and it is her total comfort toy. I would imagine between you, your husband and your parents, he will have many outlets of comfort. Good luck and enjoy Havaii!!!

Don't know if your son takes a binky, bottle or sippy cup or is still nursing but when you get ready to land have one available as this helps to get the ears popping. I was traveling with my 2 month old and caught a cold on the trip and had a stuffy head for the ride home. I want to howl in pain! I felt so bad and understood how this effects the little ones. Another trick is about an hour before you land give him a dose of Tylenol (just like you would before you get his shots to help ease the pain you know is coming) I did this on the last fly with my daughter and she fell asleep as we were landing... no crying or pain

Hi,

I jsut took my baby to hawaii a few months ago. He was 9.5 months when we took him. He wasn't crawling at that time, which I think was a good thing. So here is my advice.

Have the following supplies

Diapers (at least 6) I only brought 4 on the plane....and I kept having to change poopy diapers....I used them all and wished I had brought more

2 pacifers

4 instant formula and a bottle (if he is still on formula)

Snacks

something thing for dinner/lunch. Oatmeal works well. you just need to ask a flight attendant for hot water. Most airlines don't serve food on these flights anymore. At least united didn't.

change of clothes for baby

toys

My son got super tired and didn't want to sleep on the flight--too much for him to look at. He finnaly fell asleep in the last 45 minutes of the flight. He gets fussy when he CAN"t sleep. So, I would walk around the plane when he would start to get upset.

Also....you probably already have a fligt booked. But if you can change it, consider taking a red eye. We had a red eye on the way back, and although I was dreading it, it ended up being great. My son slept the ENTIRE flight. Of course...I didn't really sleep. But, on that plane there were at least 4 or 5 other babies, and ALL of them slept the entre time.

Bring a change of clothes for yourself as well as your child!! You know the rules - have him suck on takeoff and landing, bring snacks and toys and just take it as it comes. The flight will never be as bad as your worst nightmares and you have 2 on 1 coverage for your little man. I fly every year from Hawaii to the east coast (solo) with my 2 girls and have done so since my first was one. The worst part is if you have delays and you end up hanging out on the runway for 3 hours in addition to your 5 hour flight.

Since you are flying west, your day will be extra long. Let him take a nap and then try to keep him awake once you arrive until his "regular" bedtime in the new time zone.

Have a great trip!!

S.,
Could you please clarify something for me, are you going along with them or sending your son with them? If you are not going, I think it is not a good idea. He is only one years old, and will be terribly lost without you. Especially since you are a stay at home mom.

If you are going, then everything changes.

E.:)

Hi S.,

I flew to Boston when my baby was 7 weeks old, so it was a totally different situation. However, I can give you a few tips that really worked for me and seem to make sense for a baby of any age.

If you are bringing formula or breastmilk through security, be sure to "declare" it to a TSA person before putting it through the machine. I had breastmilk (3 5oz bottles) and it was no problem. I'm not sure what the deal is with formula (if it has to be premixed, etc).

I would definitely recommend putting your baby in a carrier (sling, ergo, bjorn, etc) while going through security. It will make things a lot easier.

Most planes don't have changing tables in the bathrooms. The one I was on had one, but it was totally rickety and small. I would never put him on that thing again! So...be prepared for a diaper change on your lap or somewhere in the back of the plane (maybe he could stand?). Then again, you may not have to change him at all.

Have him drink from a bottle, nurse, or suck on a pacifier during takeoff and landing to avoid ear pain.

Good luck!

Have him eat or drink on take off and landing to save his ears from popping....

I have flown with my almost 1yr old about 5 times! We fly to Seattle so its only a 2 1/2 hr flight but here are some tips from my experience. Try to give him a bottle or juice cup while the plane is taking off and landing... it will keep him swallowing so the pressure does not hurt his ears! I also learned to keep snacks with me at all time.. if he gets a little fussy and antsy some goldfish do the trick for me! Also, lots of toys!!! If you have a portable DVD player that might be a good Idea if you have any baby einstein movies that he likes to watch. I havent used mine on the airplane but if I had a longer flight I probalby would! It really isnt that difficult.. My son does not usually fall asleep in my arms anymore at home, but he will on the airplane, I think probably cuz of the movement! Anyways... I hope this helps!! OH, ALSO... when u check in if you didnt get him his own seat ask the airport personnel if there are any seats available with an empty seat next to it.. ya it may get filled later but there is a chance it wont... also, Aisle seats are the best when traveling with a baby!!!
J

Hi S.,

If you can at all afford it, I would recommend get your son his own seat. Set up his car seat, strap him in and now you're on a 20,000 foot road trip. Anything you would do for a road trip, would work in this situation.

The other nice perk to this solution is that no one has to go through the drama of holding him on their lap the whole trip, you don't have to play pass the baby and the rest of the plane doesn't have to listen to your son fuss when he's tired of being passed around.

We flew to Missouri when my oldest was not quite 2 and we did this. He was used to the five hour car trips to see his grandparents, and since he was in his car seat, it was just more of the same. He did just fine and we did, too, even though it was bulky carrying the car seat all over three airports.

Good luck!

If you are nursing or bottle feeding, feed your baby on the way up and on the way down. Thus, you will need to time when you are feeding so that your baby will want to eat during those times. Also, what has worked for me has been to take a few of your baby's toys away a few weeks before you fly. Wrap each of the toys individually in different packs such as in a see through tupperware, etc. Once on the plane, when your baby starts to fuss, bring out one toy at a time. Leave it in the see through container for awhile and slowly take it out. Once he is done with the toy, put it away and bring out the next one in the same manner. Once you land, leave them in your luggage so that your child is interested on the return flight home. It works. My daughters have both flown across and out of the country using these methods when they were young. Have a great trip!

Bring as many snacks and toys as you can fit with you. Also, bring a bottle to sip on during take off and landing to help with his ears. If he fusses while your on the plane, don't worry, you're likely to never see the people on the plane again. Oh, and don't take an expensive stroller with you. Out of three flights with my son, my strollers have been broken twice! And, of course, no one will call me back about paying for the damages. Good luck and enjoy Hawaii!

a change of clothes for baby AND you (just in case....)

Make sure you pack an extra set of clothes for yourself in your carryon. If he spits up on you, you don't want to sit in that for the rest of the flight.

If you're coming to Kauai, email me direct and I can help you with some kid-friendly beaches and restaurants.

Have fun! D.

Hi S.,
In addition to what the other mothers suggested I also recommend getting your son his own seat if you can. Or try to get 3 together with no one in the middle so you can put him down. After our first trip with our son we started buying his own seat (which is 1/2 price until they are 2). I also recommend bringing a portable DVD or Laptop to play DVDs. It has been a lifesaver for us. We travel at least twice a year to NY from LA (my son is going to be 6 and he's been to NY at least 10 times already) and the DVD player is great when nothing else will work. If you are lucky you son will sleep for a good part of the trip. The engine made my son fall asleep right away when he was younger.

Also remember that the diaper bag does not count as carry on luggage so you can still bring other things on the plane.

Good luck and have fun on your trip.

Hey we're flying to Hawaii in 2 weeks with our 1 year old too! Maybe we'll be on the same flight :o) Sorry, no tips from me this will be our first flight with her but thank you for posting, it's given me some good ideas!

i would assume that you bought him his own seat. what helped with flying with my daughter was bringing lots of small toys and snacks. we had her carseat by the window so she could look out and what not. we bought her juices and such after going through the check points. but you may be suprised that your son does better then you think. what i did with my daughter was schedualed the flight when i knew she would be tired. also a good thing to do is have your son drink as the plane is going up and down to help release the pressure in his ears. this is what i packed for a 7 hour fly to michgan with a 15 month old - diaper bag (diapers whipes, snacks, cups (2), change of clothes, needed meds (in the quart sized ziplock bag).. then i had another bag full of toys that werent too noisy, and books, we also took a dvd player (but had to turn it off because she didnt have head phones on (not that you could hear it anyways)) good luck!

Lots of good tips here.
I know many times Benadryl is used to help the ears/sleeping inability of children on flight travel, and/or use to help a child sleep on flight.

HOWEVER, a better alternative is "Hyland's Calms Forte- for kids." It is homeopathic and has no contraindications. It will help calm a child and is really great for traveling and for those times on a flight when nothing else will work. It also helps them to sleep. My friends have all used it for flights.

Look it up online, or at Amazon.com Your natural food stores should have it too. Try it first, before your trip... being it is homeopathic it will work for some kids and not for others. But it is not habit forming nor harmful.

Good luck,
Susan

Sara,
our pediatrician suggested a dose of Benedryl and Tylenol 30-60 minutes before take-off for our 1 year old. It worked, she slept most of the way to New York from LA. The rest of the time was filled with snacks, milk bottles, toys, books etc. We purchased her own seat and took our carseat with us what a life saver. Traveling with kids can be tough because of all the gear that you have to take with you. Good luck and enjoy Hawaii.

We too flew to Hawaii when our son was 10 months old. We got him his own seat, but only used it occationally. We had brand new toys he had never seen before so they would be exciting, I breast fed during take off and landing for his ears (you would just need a bottle or pacifier if you are not), and took turns holding and walking him up and down the aisles. The flight attendants were great! One of the other passengers was not on one of our flights, but oh well!

Good luck and have fun:)

Purchase a Kiddie Kangaroo car seat soft pocket travel system for your little man to store snacks, sippy cups, toys etc. in while traveling. He will love being able to choose what he wants & when he wants it while on the flight or later in a car. And you will love not trying to pick things up for him from the floor!
Go to www.kiddiekangaroo.com for a list of stores that carry or ship to you. You and your son will love "his pockets" as my Grandson does!

Make sure you have tylenol, and pacifiers (if you use them). Travel like normal.
TAKE FOOD FOR YOU!!!!!!!! We just got back from Hawaii, and they tried to charge us $10 for a little sandwich! It is too long a flight for you to not have food. Soda and water were still free.
My daughter is 17 months and loves to stack blocks. I found some great round ones, and she was really good about being quiet. Close the windows when he gets tired, it is easier to sleep. Get a window seat. there is lots more room there. Get a row, just ask the check in people, that way you are only bothering your family.
We kept our stroller to the gate, then checked it. That worked great. We also had a seat for her, which was really nice.
Security will let you take stuff in for him. One security person said that kids get what they need. Carry a diaper bag for him, a purse for you and maybe a purse/laptop case for your husband, so you have what you need for your son.
Sandles, no belts, keep your boarding pass...
Relax, Have fun!
R.