Flying with a toddler?

Question

I'm flying with my 15 month old in a week. Looking for tips when flying/traveling with my toddler?

Answer 1

bring plenty to occupy him-books,cds,movies if possible-try to bring thigs that will distract him and not the other passengers.
reguest to have a row of seats to your self if at all possible.
put hot towels over his ears for take off and landing.
bring some healthy snacks for him to munch on.
maybe a favorite blankie or stuffy.
explain to him/her(sorry) exactly what is going on during the flight and show him all the neat things like how the seat belts work and how he can have his very own table.

Answer 2

The few times I've traveled by plane with my kids, I always got them their own seat and used the car seat in it. I figured there would be nothing worse than trying to keep a wiggling kid in my lap on during a long trip. Pack a little bag with toys now. If it is something the child already has, it will look new again in a week. I had good luck with drawing boards - kinda like an etch-a-sketch but with a tied on pen. We also read lots of books - at 15 months, a soft book with activities would keep the kid entertained. A stuffed animal that can do multiple things is good -a baby doll with a pacifier, a bear that the child can "feed", etc. Talk to your doctor about giving the baby some Benadryl. I'm not into trying to sedate my kids but it seemed to take the edge off and kept them from having stomach aches. Last time I flew, the mom next me kept her kid in her lap and the kid puked all over as we landed - not pleasant! The big thing is to not try to keep the child entertained every second. Let the child be. When the kid starts to get fussy, then offer a new activity. The mom with the barfy kid spent the whole time asking her kid questions and trying to get her to do stuff. I just gave my kid a toy and she played happily. I did have to distract her a few times but she was really good on the flight.

Answer 3

Several tips:
* New toys are more likely to entertain- but you don't have to break the budget - hit the resale shops before you fly.
* have your pack organized so you can reach snacks and toys easily while holding your toddler with one arm
* If you can afford to buy a separate seat - do it! If you can't you can order a special toddler seat belt for flying from onestepahead.com. It's about $30
* If your baby likes dvds bring or borrow a player. Just remember it will have to be screened at the airport.
* New airplane regulations are very finicky about liquids on planes. Formula and breastmilk are ok. Juice, milk and water are no-nos. Bring a sippy cup/bottle and plan on buying some on the plane. Some airlines provide drinks. Find out in advance!
* Bring lots of wipes. No one likes the thought of sticky baby finger germs even though parents are used to them.
* Be relaxed and prepared psychologically for crabby 15 month old behavior. It's ok. Even irate passengers were children once.

Answer 4

Bring an empty sippy cup on board, so you can fill it with some apple juice/water when the flight attendants come around with the cart. Using a sippy cup will help with their little ears popping.

Bring some new small toys, books, crayons , paper, etc.

Bring some dry snacks (sometimes they don't hand out the little bags of pretzels)

If possible get the toddler their own seat. Trust me you will be alot happier when your little one has their own seat instead of having the little one on your lap and being stuck inbetween 2 strangers.

Answer 5

Don't move a lot and keep still most of the times. Try not to walk that much either.....when you're on a plane, just try to talk or sleep and don't get up at all (its because the plane will move and turn a lot) unless you need to go to the restroom. Bring blankets and all your things you will really need when preparing to fly.

1. flashlight

2. blankets

3. medications

4, clothes

5. shoes

6. pictures of family and what so not (it may not seem important to u but it really is important you bring along pictures :)

7. pillows (if you can bring it on planes)

8. ear plugs cuz the plane will be noisy and you want to protect your baby's hearing and yours too

9. Little snakcs and juices and toys

Good luck :)

Answer 6

As with any trip of event that you have set times for.... Keep your baby up extra long as to change up its sleeping cycle. Try to make is so that while at the airport waiting on the plane, you are able to feed your baby. So then once on the plane, all you have to do is give her a sippy cup and she will fall asleep. Then when she wakes up, she will be in a good mood and by then the flight should be over and you are on your way.

Answer 7

Bring toys, toys, toys that are snapped to the diaper bag so they won't try to make you throw them away. Also take plenty of cookies and tylenol. You may want to take a glow toy also.

Call ahead and see whats okay and what's not.

I traveled on the train and bus with mines when they were young and I did all of the above. Being prepared makes the trip a lot less stressful.

Answer 8

Bring some cotton ball for their little ears, I flew with mine over the summer and he slept the whole way there, but on the way back he was awake and just played with the magazines and some toys. If it's a long flight you might want to bring different things because he will get bored with one very quick.

Answer 9

i first flew with my son from ny to tx when he was 18 months old. luckily i didnt travel alone. at take off and landing he sat in my lap and we looked out the window. once we were airborn we read books and stuff. i got him to fall asleep which was great. he never cried about his ears hurting him so that worked out good for me. Incase that happens with your little one make sure you have a sippy cup or comething to chew on because that helps. Bring books and little things that he/she loves to look at or do. that will help to pass the time. try to get them into looking out the window and such too. hope this helps.

Answer 10

I did a 6 hour flight with my 22 month old son and honestly my best advice is to bring lots of surprises and some special snacks . good luck!