I will be travelling with my wife as well so I will have some help - We have toys for him but what are some tricks that people have used to help a restless child on a plane?
2006-06-26 05:29:10 · 13 answers · asked by epennpalos 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Nurse, nurse, nurse!! On take-off and landing, it is the very best thing that will prevent horrendous pain from pressure in the ears.
2006-06-26 06:03:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
This is one I know about. I have a 6 year old and a one year old and fly back home to visit family at least 4 times a year. If you can, try to schedule the flight during a normal naptime. They will be over stimulated and everything but if you remain calm, they will too. I am not sure I agree with getting their exercise out ahead of time...this could cause a break down from being over tired. First I would recommend changing him before getting on the plane as it is much easier than in the tiny bathrooms on the plane. Second, if you have a seat for him put him in it for as long as you can as the more you hold them, they more tired they seem to get. If not, then you and your wife can trade off. Thirdly, keep two bottles or sippy cups of something to drink before taking off and landing, especially landing. In fact, as you start to descent and get closer to landing. Try to offer this prior to the discomfort as it is hard to get them to nurse or take the bottle when they are in pain.
As for the rest of the ride, I try to give snacks, toys and books...they were good for me and then a bottle and hopefully a nap. Mine would usually sleep for about an hour and then I would have another hour to go, so I would try to feed them and play with them. If they have something they usually sleep with make sure to bring it. A "dirty" blanket or whatever smells like them is also helpful.
Things might help as peek a boo, this little piggy and the simpliest things. As far as toys go.....maybe get a few new things he hasn't seen before? I have noticed that you end up losing some of these. In fact, the things mine liked the best were not even baby toys at all, rather chapstick, empty box or water bottle, etc.
I don't think you will have a problem with a 6 month old at all really. Of course I am not sure how long your flight is. Once they start walking is when the flights become more difficult because they want down. And speaking from experience once they are "down" there is no turning back. My second one has never been down.....ha!!!
Also bring an loaded diaper bag of extra clothes, diapers, wipes and so on. It also helps to have an extra shirt in their for you. Unless you want to spend 3 hours smelling like sour milk.
2006-06-26 07:38:58 · answer #2 · answered by Lisa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take the carseat on board. Pay for a ticket if you need to, but if that's not an option, take it to the gate. As long as the plane isn't full, they'll still let you take it on board, and they can check it as luggage at the gate too.
He's used to staying put in the car in his seat, so it really helps in a plane too (plus he's a lot safer in a crash).
Then....nurse or give him a bottle on take off and landing..so his ears don't hurt.
Six months is a bit of a challenge because they aren't that into toys yet. Little bits of food he can have...like maybe a pretzel stick (the fat kind..he'll just make it all mushy) or baby cookies that are big enough to mouth and suck without being too messy.
If its a long flight, you can give him some dimetapp (ask doc for amount) to put him to sleep (unless he's one of those kids it makes bounce...test first!).
That's about it. If he doesn't sleep, expect lots of peek aboo's.
Also bring several changes of clothes and extra formula, just in case. I had a 10 mo old get sick on a cross country flight, she doused all 4 of her outfits and mine!
2006-06-26 05:41:42 · answer #3 · answered by Lori A 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The thing my father always did before a big plain trip is to wake us up early and get us a lot of fun and exercise before we ever got to the plane. I would try keeping your son awake and active so that you can get him to more easily sleep on the plane. Play with him while you waiting to get on the plane and play with him right after boarding. Then get him settled in for a good nap.
2006-06-26 05:33:46 · answer #4 · answered by kryar 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bring a lot of snacks and things to keep him occupied. My wife took my son on 16hr flight to korea. Keeping him occupied is the best bet. And have a backup plan. Or wake him up early or something so he will be tired and sleep on the plane.
2006-06-26 05:35:21 · answer #5 · answered by Raistlin H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Best suggestion, bring a bottle for him to drink during take off and landing, it will help reduce the pressure on his ears during those times. Try to fly during less busy times at the airport.......one neat trick, if you have a stroller with the car seat that just clicks into it, bring both up to the gate with you and ask the folks at the check in desk for a seat for your baby if one is available. Sometimes they will accomodate you even if you haven't bought a seat for the infant if an open seat is available on your flight. It makes life allot easier with a 6 month old if you can leave them laying in their car seat buckled in next to you.
2006-06-26 07:20:54 · answer #6 · answered by Saskia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, make sure you have a pacifier if he uses one. Helps with ear popping. Take lots of water in baby bottles to that will also help with ear popping. During take off and landing, make sure he's sucking on something.
6 months is pretty young, you don't have to worrry about tantrums. You might just consider walking around the aisles when he gets fussy.
2006-06-26 05:34:24 · answer #7 · answered by adprokc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah snacks toys but a good one is the day you go one the trip ware him out play with for like 5 hours straight then after a while he'll be asleep and on the plane trip he'll be sleeping
2006-06-26 05:34:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call the airline ahead of time and ask for a seat for your baby carrier. Babies under a certain age may ride in Mom's or Dad's lap, but they're safer in their carseats, strapped to the airline seat. Bring a change of clothes for him as well as diapers...disasters happen. Bring food, formula, snacks...try to keep him on his feeding schedule. Try to keep him on his napping schedule, too. He'll probably sleep, well, like a baby!
2006-06-26 05:35:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do everyone on the plane a favor, and leave him home if you can't control him. Believe it or not, some people would prefer you had used birth control, especially when they have to listen to hours of his crying.
2006-06-26 05:37:16 · answer #10 · answered by Rachel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has been awhile (my baby is 13 years old), but I think you need to make sure you have something for him to suck on for when the air pressure gets to his ears. You should look it up. Try the website I listed below.
2006-06-26 05:35:02 · answer #11 · answered by Sondra B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋