Flying with Toddler

I didn't look at all of the responses, so someone may have covered this, but something that I found helped was NOT boarding when they say you can if you are traveling with children. If you do you end up being on the plane about 30 minutes longer, which can seem like an eternity when you're trying to entertain a small child! I always wait until almost the last minute (letting my son crawl around and play on the floor until then) to board.

I took lots of snacks (different kinds) and a whole assortment of small (and fairly quiet) toys. I'd rotate them to keep his interest and he did great. I got random things from Target and the dollar store (since he was right at 12 mo's he loved the maracas the best and they were actually fairly quiet).

I've taken my son on a plane 3 times now. It was so much easier when he was one than when he's almost 2! I have to take him on a plane again in a couple weeks. ugh! it's a little stressful when they're really mobile. Your one year old will be easy! just bring books, toys that are brand new and snacks. try to fly during nap time. try to make it a non stop flight. that's what worked for me when my son was 1. time went by pretty quickly.

I was so nervous to fly home from Russia with our 16 month old son. The best tip I was given was to make sure that the child is drinking or eating something during take off and landing. This helps them "pop" their ears. I gave him a bottle of milk during take off and landing for the first flight and it worked fine. However during our decent on our second flight the pilot brought the plane down quickly and our little one began screeming. He would not drink a bottle or eat anything. He just cried. Yes, it was embarrasing but I remembered what my sister-in-law told me, "You'll never see these people again so who cares". For our last flight that day we decided to give him a little dose of Tyenol Cold to help keep his head decongested and ears comfortable. This worked well. He did not cry during take off or landing.
It's not easy. Take some little toys. Let them flip through magazines. Bring little snacks. Changing diapers in the tiny bathrooms is a challange. We made a lot of trips up and down the isles holding his hands, letting him walk. Hopefully you don't have a 10 hour flight like we did. Also, we found it easier to carry our son in a Baby Bjorn instead of dragging a stroller with us. Hope this helps. You'll be fine.

L.,

Just a few ideas:
(we've flown many, many times with all 3 of our kids)

Buy a few new toys, books...etc and take them with you on the plane; get them out after take off. They'll be exciting since they are new.....try items that are quiet,(so not to annoy other passengers) but can last awhile...my toddler loves a peg board with pegs or colorforms that stick to a special board. My little one even enjoys listening to a CD player with kids' songs!

Also, I'm sure you've heard this, but have several different snacks and drinks for your little one....Cheerios, small cookies or crackers....and give them to your toddler especially during take off and landing, so their ears won't hurt. Or you can also use a bottle or pacifier during take off and landing. If you use a pacifier, bring several....it never failed that they always landed on the floor of the plane!

A little fyi: my kids usually got an ear infection after they flew on an airplane! my pediatrician did not believe my correlation between flying and ear infections....so, I started documenting each flight we took and when each of my kids' had ear infections! My kids were predisposed to getting ear infections anyway, but the plane ride precepitated it! So, I started taking Hylands' homeopathic ear infection remedy with me and gave the tablets during the flight and for 3 days after. (the tablets melt instantly in the mouth; I used it on a 6 month old) I also used garlic/mullien oil in their ears.....these 2 remedies usually helped! Plus, I carried my otoscope with me to check their ears.

I hope this helped a little,
Pam

My daughter has always done surprisingly well on airplanes. When she was 1, some key items I made sure not to forget in my backpack or otherwise:
- pacifier (particularly for takeoff and landing...ears popping)
- Favorite snacks
- several small toys
- travel DVD player (if she is into watching some basic movies yet)
- a couple of short books
- Anything crinkly (even a magazine will do so the could crinkle and rip to keep herself busy
- If she is formula fed, have the bottles pre-made
- Schedule the flight at night or around her nap time so she will be more prone to snooze.
- Benadryl (I've never had to use it, but always have it on hand to encourage a snoozy toddler, JUST IN CASE)

Don't be afraid to get up and walk her up and down the aisle at early signs of crankiness...could be welcome relief for you both.
I hope this helps! Good luck!!

Hi L.. I have a 2 1/2 year old and I first flew with him when he was 10 months. He was an angel. I had made sure to take a bottle for him and som baby food and a couple toys, but he was mostly interested at looking at everything that was going on around him. I had people tell me that they couldn't believe how good he was and that they would fly with him again! I think it also helped that I held him the whole time.
I also just got back from flying with him again. At 2 1/2 it was a little harder. I really wish I would have taken my carseat on the plane for the ride there. When I flew home I was more prepared and brought the carseat on the plane and he did just fine. He slept the whole first plane and woke up just as we were landing to get off and switch planes. And the sencond plane, he did good, he had books to read and a mini magnadoodle to draw on and kids around him to laugh at and make faces at (of course they made faces back at him).
So I think as long as you are prepared with stuff to entertain your little one, and have food and a bottle or sippy cup, you should be fine. Hope this helped you!

P.S I have flown both times by myself with my son! :)

Lot's of great advice. The only thing I would add is that if you can afford to do so get the baby their own seat. I did this one time and not the other and the time with the extra space was so much more enjoyable, especially if you are traveling with a third person and can get an entire row to yourselves.

One may be too small, but both of my kids (3 years and 15 months) enjoyed the Crayola Color Wonder markers on the plane. I didn't have to worry about them making a mess with them and it kept them busy for hours.

Good luck!!

If you can afford it, I strongly recommend you book an extra seat for your child. Quite a few airlines discount seats bought for young children, so make a few calls before confirming a booking. Kids squirm around so much that unless it's a short flight you'll be ready to tear your hair out by the end of the flight!! Also, my son is affected by the air pressure changes as the plane drops, and has tried to climb on my head while screaming in pain. Not a fun scenario!! When he is strapped in his car seat I can convince him to suck on a lollipop or suck water out of his straw cup, lessening the pain. This is something I can't possibly do if he is in my arms squirming around.

Bring along a small backpack of toys/books/crayons/snacks/water just for your child too.

Above all, try to quell any nervousness you may have beforehand, since kids take their cue from mom. My daughter was an angel (and still is) every time we fly. My son is too, but the descent gets the better of him every time.

Good Luck!

I agree with everyone's advice. My kids have flown more then most adults and all I can say is pack lots for them to do. Also, because of the changes in rules, you can bring juice and such for your 1 year old. I tried to on our last trip and my 3 and 5 year olds don't count as "babies" anymore so I had to throw it away. Also, my kids tend to get air and car sick like I do, so I always bring a couple changes of clothing per child, extra wet wipes and plastic bags. You never know when your child will vomit, pee or poo everywhere. I've been through it all. Try and change his diaper right before you get on the plane and if you have time between flights. Planes have a small changing table in the bathroom, but it's pretty uncomfortable. Heck, I've changed poopie diapers right there on the seat before (it was a pretty empty plane and late at night and I'm so fast and good that no one saw ;) And last...don't worry about everyone else on the plane. Almost everyone has a kid or knows what you're going through. Hopefully you'll get nice flight attendants that will help you out.

I took my son on his first plane ride at 1 month old. My best advice is to keep a bottle or sippy cup with water to give to them at take off and landing to keep the pressure equal in his/her head. My son slept the whole time. Chewing gum works well with an older child and your self

Just went July 14th for first trip w/ my 18 month old, flight was 2.5 hours long with a 1 hour delay due to mechanical issues. Bring juice,milk,passy if they use one on a passy clip so it won't get lost! Small new 'travel' toys. I took paper in my diaper bag and put it on the fold down tray for him to color on... once in the air you can move about and walk him/her up and down the isle if they're squirmy. My major life saver.... PORTABLE DVD PLAYER!!! Worked like a charm!! once they allow you to turn on electrical devices, that + his favorite baby einstein video was a 30 min treat for him, then snack, a trip up and down the isle, playing w/ new 'travel' toys (went to toystore and bought small toys like small stacking cups, small trucks/cars, stuff I didn't mind him losing). Also, my other life saver was having my pouch to carry him in thru the airport. I have a hiphugger pouch for toddlers, and this helped tremendously by giving me hands free for opening bags for inspection.

www.tsa.gov has traveling with kids tips. I understand your concerns, I posted this same issue just before we left!! Honestly, my biggest worry was takeoff/landing - and he didn't even seem to notice his ears popping, he was so curious about the people around him and the new environment I guess that + his passy kept him feeling fine.

Good luck, you'll do great!!

i just took my eleven month old son on his first plane ride. i requested an aisle seat and made sure i packed his favorite toys, snacks, and plenty juice/milk in his sippy cups. I traveled during his nap time going to my destination, but coming back, we had a one hour layover, so he was able to move around more freely at the airport. I even got compliments on how well behaved he was. Good Luck!!!

I have flown with my daughter numerous times and the last time we had a very long flight to California with long connections- not the smartest on my part, but she did great.

Your biggest objective to have toys and food. You can even get a sippy cup of water through security if you say it's flouride water. Bring a few snacks and toys that you can switch out every 40 minuntes or so to keep their attention there. If you're afraid of your childs ears popping- just make sure they are drinking something, sucking on something or sleeping during take off and landing. While they sleep they instinctively swallow. Don't stress about it- it's really very easy. You can even get up and walk around if the baby starts to get restless.

My daughter has no interest in t.v. yet, but if yours does- a dvd player is a huge hit on planes with kids too.

Good luck and have fun.

Hi L.. Last year we, husband and I, flew from Virginia to Kansas with my son, who was then 9 monthes. To and from we had lay overs. He slept most of the way there, but was up the whole time back. I would try to get a window seat to look out of. Though some say to get the aisle in case they get fussy. My son loved looking out the window. Make sure to take favorite toys, that you know he/she wil play with. May want to get a portable dvd player, if he/she likes to watch movies. If he/she is still on formula make sure to make it up before you go through luggage check. You may want to check with the airline with what you can and can't have on board. There is no garentee that he/she won't get fussy, it will happen. It happened to us. All you can do is try to calm them down. My inlaws are coming to Virginia this year for the holidays, but next year should be fun. We will get to fly there with two toddlers. If we don't get PG before then! :P I hope this helped and good luck. It will be an adventure.

let me tell you that i took my 8 month old on a plane from charlotte to boston, and it actually wasnt that bad going up. he mostly slept or looked out the window. coming back home though was a different story. I had major problems with flight delays and even got stuck in atlanta overnight with 3 diapers! It was i good thing he was breastfed!! anyway i would give your little person more credit...its the airlines and airport hassle i would be more worried about.

Take books, toys, and a portable dvd player if you let the little one watch tv yet. If your little one is still nursing, nurse during takeoff and landing to help with pressure in the ears. If they are not nursing anymore, a small lolipop will help. My first aways fell asleep as soon as the engines started reguardless of the time of day and slept through the flight.

Hi... I'm going on my second flight to Arizona with my now 7 month old (she's going to need her own frequent flyer miles!) and I also agree with all the other advice. The only thing I would add is to talk to your doctor about ear numbing drops. I put them in her ears about 15-20 min before takeoff and she never made a sound of complaint :-) Good luck and have fun!

If you are getting him his own seat, bring the car seat. They're much more likely to not mind sitting still if they're in the car seat.

New toys, books, other things you know your child will be interested in but hasn't already figured out.

Lots of snacks.

If you nurse, do so on take off and landing. The sucking helps with the ear popping.

If you have a layover, let him get up and move during that break. Don't confine him when he doesn't have to be. Kids have energy and they need to get it out. Some of the bigger airports even have little play areas.

If you allow tv, get a portable DVD player and DVDs of his favorite show.

Don't worry about what other people on the plane are thinking. Tend to your child first.

I tried to schedule my flights around nap time, that way my son would more than likely sleep through most of it.

Good luck.

I don't blame you for feeling so nervous - I fly with my one yr old all the time and I rack my brain trying to come up with new ideas to keep her busy. What I normally do is bring a sippy cup with her favorite drink, make sure to save some for landing for your baby's ears, and some of her favorite snacks. I bring books, small toys - does your baby use crayons yet? Maybe bring some crayons and a small notebook, and I just bought a portable DVD player that I am going to use on my next trip and bring a couple Baby Einstein DVD's. Hopefully the noise of the airplane will put your baby to sleep - mine usually will sleep about half the trip. The kew is to keep your baby busy so they are not wanting to constantly get up out of the seat. I wish you luck!

I just flew with my 11 month old daughter and she did great! I would reccommend bringing her sippy cup or bottle empty and then filling it with water after you get through security and also some of your child's favorite snacks. I brought the pasta pickups in a baggie that i dumped the juice into the baggie and also a little bowl to put the pasta in and she ate snacks through takeoff and landing and i brought tons of toys that didn't make noise especially books and she kept occupied. i would recommend getting the window seat because then you have an area to kind of store stuff next to you and also my daughter was able to stand up and look out the window and that kept her entertained as well. Also I brought my big stroller with the basket underneath right up to the boarding area and then last thing they tucked it under the plane and then had it waiting for me right when i got off the plane. That made life a LOT easier. If you have any other questions, feel free to email me. Hope all goes well. :) Also, one more thing. I didn't get my daughter her own seat but as I went up to the ticket counter I asked very politely if they could switch my ticket for one with no one else sitting by me. Every time but one they did that and the one time they didn't switch my ticket I talked to the flight attendant and they switched my seats for me. They were really accomadating. Hope that helps.
E.

I have flown several times with my kids since I had my first. Most arilines are very accomodating and helpful when you are travelling with kids. You are often able to preboard regardless of your seat assignment. I would sugggest before your trip getting a few treats and toys and witholding them until you are on board. They will be more exciting that way. I also make sure to have a couple of sippy cups (had to bring them on empty that last time because of security) and ask for juice or water or whatever when you get on. It seems to help equalize pressure taking off and landing. (or if you are nursing still that works too). As for toy ideas, anything that can be attached to one of those plastic chains is a bonus as it is no fun trying to grope around under seats to rescue dropped toys. This is especially true if you are are travelling with your child on your lap. If your chld likes to draw, those magnetic boards are great, no mess and the ones we have have a string attached to the pencil. Oh, and bring your stroller!! You can check it right at the gate (as long as it folds up and stays folded. They usually let you take it right to the door of the plane and it will be there at the door for you as you get off. Even if your child doesn't want to ride it will help you to tote your carry-on stuff. If you need to bring your car seat you can check that in with your baggage so you don't have to try and lug that around the terminal with you. I have always found that I stressed far more than I had to beforehand and it was never as bad as I thought it would be. Most people are understanding and forgiving, especially those that are parents/grandparents so keep that in mind and just concentrate on your baby. Good luck and I hope this helps you.

My advice is not to buy them their own seat. I've never seen this be a good thing. Bring their favorite huggy/lovey/blanket, because you may find the plane puts them to sleep, but also have snacks and toys. I bring a sippy cup with me, you can't have anything in it when you go through security, but they do better if you fill their cup once you'r through. Hold them and if they have a pacifier, BRING IT. If not have something for them to drink/eat, etc for landing and take off. The biggest problem is to get them to pop their ears, it's hurts can they can't just sallow or yawn to do it, they don't understand that. My son only gets a pacifier while physically in his bed, expect for during flights. He loves to fly and we do it all the time. It can be a great experience if you plan well. Good luck and have a great trip!!