We are taking my 15 month on his first airplane ride. It is a 6 hour flight. Does anyone have any tips on how to occupy/soothe him during the trip? He is walking now so he will want to see things. Also, he will be sitting on our laps.
Since it is summer, I want to thank everyone who answered my request on how to occupy a 15 month old on a 6 hour airplane ride. I was so nervous but with all the ideas, all went fine and I would do it again. What really helped was the multiple toys hidden away until needed. We also kept him on our lap because once he hit the floor, I knew we wouldn't be able to get him back to the seat. United 777 actually had a changing table in the bathroom (what a relief). Thanks again!
I would bring toys things he doesn't normally play with. Also bring a dvd player and play a movie he really likes or a new one he hasn't seen so you can play over and over again.
I am a mother of three, and have successfully traveled from CA to MN frequently since they were babies.
I dont' know if you can still rent DVD players in airports, they would have a kiosk at each airport, you pick one up at your departing airport and drop it off at your destination. Movies work like a charm. Otherwise, if you plan on traveling often with your little one, invest in a DVD player. They are pretty reasonably priced at Costco.
Another idea is to go to Toys R Us and purchase little inexpensive toys that you know he would enjoy ie. a Matchbox car, or a little travel game. Wrap them in fun paper, even tie them up in ribbon (it takes longer to unwrap that way). Hide them in your carry on, and pull one out every hour or so. A new story book, something interactive, works well, too.
Just be careful with balls. I gave my oldest boy a Gymboree ball as a treat on a flight, and he proceeded to throw it across the cabin, into a guy's gin and tonic,which then landed in his lap! Another time, he had a little foot ball, which he threw and it hit a dozing woman in the head!
Good luck. Most importantly, pack a good sense of humor. Most other travelers are pretty cool when it comes to parents with babies on a plane. If not, know that the trip will be over soon, and you will never have to deal with them again.
J.
Bring the carseat up to the gate even though you did not buy a ticket. If it is not a full flight they will let you set up the carseat on the plane. This is a lifesaver!! We have four children under the age of five and we bring two seats to the gate all the time. If the flight is full they gate check the seat. We have those carseat bags with a shoulder strap so when they store it it will stay clean and protected.
They do so much better in a seat. Also, I get a new cheap backpack and go to the dollar store or dollar bins at Target and fill it with new toys. I set up a picnic blanket while we wait to board and present the new pack then. New cheap toys will keep them occupied for hours.
Lots of great advice already! I have traveled many times across The USA with my son (age 2 1/2). I would add two things: Don't freak out about other patrons reactions if your child does melt down. 99% of people are really understanding and if you are uptight before and during the flight, your child will pick up on it and spiral down. Also, I try to avoid long layovers. As hard as it is to fly 5 hours or more, the disruption of deboarding and a new place and waiting again, boarding, etc. is difficult. Direct flights are the way to go!
All I can say is bring a change of clothes for yourself. I thought I had it all covered when I travelled with my youngster (I had two changes of clothes for him). Surprisingly, I was the one that needed it! He knocked his dad's drink all over me. Have fun on your trip.
Some tips that worked for my 15 month old a couple weeks ago was:
1. packing a lot of mess free snacks (ex: halved grapes, puffins, string cheese)
2. filling his backpack with enough activities that he will get a new one every half hour. One mom I know gift wraps each activity for added entertainment. Some of our must haves are:
books, mini magna doodle, non roll crayons, books, small containers of playdough. I collect toys from happy meals, and the dollar section of Target and hide them away until we take long trips. That way the kids haven't seen the toys before and I'm not upset if we lose it while traveling.
3. wipe the pull down table with antibacterial wipe since child will most likely be eating from the tray.
4. Pack a trash bag since kids generate a bunch of trash and you'll need a place to put it all.
5. We don't let our kids walk up and down the isles because once they start it is hard to stop and will more than likely prompt a tantrum when the seatbelt sign is on and they want to walk.
6. If you have access to a kid friendly mp3 player (fisher price fp3) we were surprised to find that our 15 month old really enjoyed listening to songs and stories on the mp3 we had brought for his older sister.
good luck!
Pack snacks. Changing pressure in the cabin during take off and landing can really hurt your baby's ears. Chewing and swallowing can help reduce ear pain in this case. Pack some zip lock baggies of Ohs, crackers, berries, etc. Bring your child's favorite snuggle toy or stuffed animal; two favorite story books and a special new one. Consider a personal DVD player and some headphones. Start to prep your child with info about the planned trip. At 18mos, hopefully your child knows about quiet play. Reassure your child that once you arrive, that he can run and play and holler again. Good luck and have a lovely trip.
You've gotten a lot of great advise. I agree with bringing new books, little toys, special snacks, etc. I would add that the new toys should be quiet toys. Your neighbors on the plane will thank you for that. I agree with the carseat idea, and the change of clothes ides. The only thing I would add is that you should try to keep some sort of schedule for your child while you're on the trip. Take into account the time change and put your plan in place keeping to a snack, meal and nap schedule that works for everyone. When we traveled by plane and our kids were a few years older, these suggestions worked like a charm.
We flew to Europe to visit friends when our daughter was just 30 mos. It was hellish coming and going. She wanted to get out of her carseat and walk around so badly! Where was she going to do that? Too much foot and food cart traffic to make it safe or feasible. No leg room for us,let alone no little spot near our feet for her to stand or sit or anything resembling play. She screamed and pitched a royal fit for hours on end. We were a wreck! We brought along all of the wonderful things recommended in the previous posts and they DID amuse her for part of the time, but the long, long flight was more than our normally sweet, easy-going, soft-spoken daughter could handle! I pray your trip goes much, MUCH better than that!! I guess until the airlines come up with a child-friendly seating arrangement that includes a place for the kids to play, we all better buy 1st class seats or tough it all out!!!
We moved cross country about 2 years ago and have made the trip about 10 times now with 3 kids 8,7, and 3. We always made sure we had lots of things to occupy them. Books, games, playdoh toys. Anything that they were into at that time. I also would buy new things for them to have get on the plane. A new book, sticker books are great. We also always took jet blue for the tvs and I bet you'll find that he'll sleep more than you thought. Hope all works out and you have a great flight.
I just took my month old on a 6 hour flight, which is going to be different than taking a 15 month old, but maybe this will help. If you are breastfeeding him, try to nurse him during the take off and landing, that way his ears are able to pop. The stewardess also told me that if he was sleeping, you don't need to wake him up to nurse during those times.
Take him for walks up and down the aisle. It seems like most people understand how it is to fly with a child especially on a long flight.
Also, be prepared...there are usually no changing tables in the restroom. I saw others with older children trying to change their childs diapers in them, which worked but they sid was a little difficult. Just a heads up!
You may already know this but in case you didn't, hope it helps!
One of the best tips I've heard and passed on to other people is to bring a kleenex box and let him/her pull kleenexes out and then put them back in again. It should keep your child occupied for quite awhile. I've had Gymboree customers of mine who've come back from a trip thanking me for that suggestion so hopefully it will work for you too. Have fun on your trip!
J.
I think you've already gotten some great advice! Be sure you pre-board! It will give you extra time to get settled and pick out the best seats. When we flew with our 2 year-old, we checked her car seat. It made it much easier to get through the airport and since he'll be sitting on your lap, you won't need it until you land. Best of luck! :)
