Suggestions for Travel with a 2 1/2 Year Old

I think that they also sell these ear plug type things in the pharmacy at mejers called airplane ears that are supposed to help.

i've had the joy of flying sevearal places with my children when they were younger and it can be trying but i is also a very neat experience for them. at 2 i would assume you got him his own seat. if not you might want to it really does make things easier, and you can't count on the flight not being crowded. also if you don't already know your seating assignment ask for bulk head seating it gives you a little more leg room and will give him a little more room to move if he does get antsy. toys and snacks are a must but with new airline restictions be sure that what you pack can be taken on the plane. they normally let parents with small children baord early if he is at all worried about the flight or if you think you need the extra time to stow your items then do so, i always waited till the last minute to aviod having my kids confined any longer than needed. as for his ears take a sippy cup or something he can suck on and it'll help his ears pop or even giving him a snack so he is chewing will do so. my last thought is don't go into this so bent on not giving him something that you don't at least take some tylenol or something to give him if he needs it. my oldest son would cry because his ears hurt when we would fly and nothing worked to help them pop, he's 7 now and even able to chew gum and we still let him take some medicine to releive the pain because for whatever reason his ears bother him tremundously on longer flights. good luck and remember what an experience this will be for your little one. don't get stressed out. he will probally cry or bother someone or talk loudly or want to look around, let him within reason, this should be a fun trip not a stressful event. take care. Kari

HI N.,

I have a 6 yr old and a 1 yr old and I have traveled at least once a yr. When my 6 yr old was little and still now I give her suckers and gum to eat on the take off and landing I also give her a little advil or what ever I have its not to subdue her its to help them relax its a new thing and she use to want to run around the plane. If he takes a bottle or sippy give that to him when you talk off or land that is really the only time that his ears will pop I also would say when they are that little they might just sleep my daughter on year fell asleep 5 mins after we got on and slept the whole way it could happen to you too. I hope that helps a little bit

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Just in case though I would bring some Dramamine. I found out the hard way on a trip to Georgia and Tennessee that my two year old gets car sickness. Your son can have a quarter to half a pill if need be. The dramamine let me son ride easier without knocking him out. Also if you are concerned about his ears, I would invest in some type of ear plugs. I know Meijer sells the wax ones because my kids have tubes in their ears. That way you know water and noise won't bother him. Have a great trip though!

Since he is over 2, he will have to have his own seat. Only babies that are under 2 years old (and you can prove it with a birth certificate at the counter) are allowed to travel on your lap. I also firmly believe that if it is important enough to have a kid in a carseat in the car, it is equally important for them to be in one in an airplane. In turbulance or a crash, they simply won't be as protected by a lap belt. Board the plane early so you can get everything situated and stowed. Bring plenty of snacks (only solids, otherwise the TSA will confiscate it-my husband even had a jar of peanut butter confiscated), new toys and old favorites. The most important thing to bring is something for him to chew on or suck on during take-off and landing. Make sure you get to the airport plenty early because of the new TSA rules, you don't want to be rushing through the airport, or risk missing your flight. I've traveled with my daughter since she was a month old, and using these tips I've never had a problem. Enjoy your trip!

Hi!
I have been traveling with my kids since my oldest was a newborn...he is now 3. If they let you...give him his favorite juice(if you dont normally give juce...find the yummiest one on the shelves!). Let him drink it on the way up and down. This allows for him to swallow and keeps his ears open. Lollypops(Either the square Jollyrancher or Tootsie Pops) are great for the ears too. Gummy snacks(fruit snacks)...anything that will keep him chewing and swallowing. I kinda throw out all of my "health rules" and give him whatever he will consume!
New books are great, matchbox cars too. Just remember...his noise seems much louder to you than to other people around you! I would also check the car seat if you are planning on bringing it. It is really much worse with it than without. You have more room to spread out.
Good luck!
K.

In 2005, we took a trip to Florida with my 2 year old (just turned) and the roar of the jet engines weren't enough to hurt her ears but the drone of it put her right to sleep all the way there and all the way back! You may not have as much to worry about as you think!

I have a 4 year old and a 2 1/2 year old that started flying when they were barely over 2 and 9 months old.

The flight isn't much more than 3 hours, is that correct? The DVD player should keep him occupied for a good bit of the trip, especially if you bring a new movie that he's not seen before.

I would suggest books that you can read to him, crayons and a coloring book (if he's into that) and little snacks from home that he loves. You can also talk to him about what he sees out the window!

Have fun!! We took our boys to Disneyland in Paris last year and they LOVED it!!

Traveling with kids by plane can be fun but I suggest you keep him strapped in his seat. Tell him it's just like being in the car. Other wise you'll spend most of the trip running around the plane and of course getting dirty looks from the grump businessmen :-) Have a great trip and try to see Universal Studios while you're there!

give him decongestion medicine i just traveled with my 10 month old and i gave him that and he was fine

Ask your doctor about numbing drops for his ears. We got those for my daughter and they work wonderful! We put them in before take off and landing and it working like a charm. Make sure you bring something for him to eat and drink while on the plane too. I also went to the dollar store and I got her a couple little toys that she got to unwrap here and there while in flight. She was excited about something new and then she played too!! Hope this helps! Have fun!