Has anyone travelled long distance with a one year old child?

Question

My husband and I are thinking of bringing our baby along with us on holiday but that would involve a seven hour flight. I'm feeling nervous about the idea coz my baby is very active and I'm afraid that he may not take well to the flight especially since he likes to move about and on planes, this is restricted. Anyone has any tips?

Answer 1

We brought our 10-month-old with us on our flights (one plane change each way) from Alabama to Pennsylvania last year. So this short list is just one person's viewpoint from experience.

(1) It helps if you bring a sack of things that your infant likes to play with, preferably quiet things like picture books and soft toys, if you travel during the day; nonsugary snacks and water are good take-alongs as well. Also, if you have introduced a "lovey" like a teddy bear that he loves above other things and perhaps sleeps with, consider bringing it in the cabin with you.

(2) Travel during normal nap times is also usually a good idea (we had one "active" flight leg and one "sleepy" leg), although I doubt you'll get much sleep for days if you disrupt his daily sleep routine by taking red-eye flights.

(3) If you can, try to get seats far away from distractions, and that includes other adults and especially other young children and babies; you should also consider buying a seat for your infant and having him travel in his usual safety seat for safety and comfort reasons (note that most airlines discount such seats by 50%) -- you don't want to wrestle a wiggly baby for seven hours!

(4) Finally, it's just human nature that some people don't like babies. Try not to take it personally if you get harsh stares or muttered criticism because your child is spirited. Your son won't be this age forever, for better and for worse.

Answer 2

If your child has a mild temperament, I would say go for it. You have to bite the bullet at some point and the sooner the better. Make sure you have as many favorites as possible with you to keep him occupied. Remember once you can take off your seat belts, let him go between you and the husband if he's a little restless. You will have three seats together and that makes it a little easier. Have plenty of snacks and try to get a flight at night or closer to when he goes to bed. Run him ragged tired all day long before the flight and he will probably sleep through. It can be difficult traveling with the little ones but, the sooner they get used to it the easier it gets. I wish you the best and hope all goes well. Have a great holiday.

Answer 3

Can you make a night flight? Leave later in the evening so maybe baby crashes before the plane takes off. Seven hours is a long time on a plane with a baby in tow. Other than the usual toys, snacks, bottles (remember you can't bring liquid on flights now) there isn't much else to keep in busy.

I would make a night flight, much easier on you and baby.

Answer 4

Take an evening flight, if possible. I have a 2 1/2 year old and a 14 month old (both of whom are very active) and we made a 5 hour trip from Michigan to Ohio a while back. HELLISH BAD AWFUL. They got bored after about an hour, and screamed most of the way. We live in Georgia now, and are driving back to Michigan next month for a wedding, and we're leaving at night so they'll sleep most of the way.

If you can get an evening flight, go for it. (A lot of times, the later flights are cheaper, too!)

Answer 5

Try and keep the kid awake before getting on the plane so he falls asleep during the flight. Have something for him to chew on and / or drink in case the cabin pressure affects his ears. Above all, don't worry. Your child will sense when you are nervous or irritated and become that way also.

Choose an airline that doesn't assign seats, and board before everyone else. Then people can choose to sit next to the baby or not. Some very nice people will actually decide they want to sit near you and may actually help with him during travel.

Answer 6

Dramamine!!!! just had a long flight w/ an active one/almost 2 year old. it was horrid!!!! Every one on the flight was miserable. I would never ever advise anyone to drug their child under any circumstance but it was the worst experience with our child ever and it was very hard on her. Also when you get a hotel room invest in a suit. A microwave, a fridge are a huge help. The best thing ever was a hot tub in the room. It's like a pool to them and it keeps them busy while you pick up the room/get clothes ready. New toys also help. Trust me it is worth every penny!!!

Answer 7

I take my children travelling all the time. They slept most of the time when they were little.

This will sound corny, but look for a preadolescent or adolescent kid on the flight to help you out. When my son was 11, we went to Ireland from the states, and there was a young toddler on the flight. My son moved so he could sit next to "Baby Sophie" and they entertained each other for hours. His mom was so thankful! She didn't pay him or anything, it wasn't formal babysitting, but they both enjoyed it.

Answer 8

Only thing I can say is bring something he really enjoys and just talk with him and try to keep his mind busy at all times unless he is sleeping. I took my niece out of town with me on an eight hour road trip. She was mostly sleep because we drove through the night but a lot of times when she woke up we had to pull over and let her walk around a bit and run and stretch out you know. It was kind of hard and nerve wrecking so I just wanna say good luck with that.

Answer 9

we've 4 little women and traveled countless circumstances to the west coast of the U. S. from Europe. for the time of a protracted shuttle you will desire to settle for in strengthen that the youngsters would be bored, would be nagging, start up working for the duration of the plane and worry the human beings around you. So be it! My stories: make certain they have adequate to drink for them. they'll infrequently devour something from the plane, so be arranged for that. make certain you are not getting your food as long as they have theirs. Use cups that don't spill. carry little toys with you which of them are new (sticky label books, pencils etc). you may elect certainly one of them to sleep on the floor. tell the workers which you settle for the duty for protecting the youngster there for the time of turbulence. in any different case they'll "ask" you to wake the youngster and connect its seat-belt. in case you have the prospect chosen a plane that has a in-chair entertainment equipment. often older 747 planes in basic terms have overhead TVs. the youngster can no longer see those and the flicks at the instant are not perfect.

Answer 10

You've been a parent for a year now! What are you afraid of? Embarrassment? Please! How would you enjoy your vacation if you went without the baby? Isn't that the real question? If you want the child with you, then just cross your bridges when you get to them, and stop worrying about it!