Opinions Needed Please on Airline travel with 16 month old!!!?

Question

I will be traveling by plane on a pretty short flight (3 hrs) with a 16 month old - in your opinion - should I pay for his own seat or just let him sit with me? Has anyone done this? If so, do you have some advise for me?? My son is very active, and I dont know how Im going to get him to sit still for this flight!!

Answer 1

When I traveled with mine, I brought a backpack full of new toys, little snack bags of cheerios, goldfish, etc, as well as lots of wipes for quick clean-up.
We arrived at the airport with extra time to spare, so that she could run around and use up her energy before boarding.
She traveled on my lap...generally speaking, everyone will try to avoid you like the plague, leaving seats around you, and you will have the use of these seats without paying the extra adult fair.

My pediatrician recommended cold medicine(with decongestant and antihistamine) one-half hour before boarding, to dry up fluid in the Eustachian tube (btw. ear and throat), making flying much more comfortable, as well as giving them something to drink during take-off and landing.
The cold medicine made her drowsy, and she fell asleep by the time we hit cruising altitude, and woke up when we bounced on the runway...and the only time she played with her things was while we were waiting to take off.
I packed an extra outfit for me...t-shirt, shorts, bra and panties, and three extra for her...life savers if she spills something all over both of you, or, if you get stranded over-night in an airport!!
I also always brought two or three of those little fleece receiving blankets (I got mine @ Wal-Mart). They roll up small enough to stick into a pocket of the back-pack, and are useful for everything, including an instant bed anywhere....and are cheap enough to throw out if something gets on them! I think they retail for $3 or $4...and go on clearance for $1 at least once or twice a year!
I also made sure that I had an umbrella stroller that fit into the overhead, so that I could take it onto the plane...when boarding and leaving the plane, especially when we had to hurry to make a connection, that stroller made all the difference in the world. Even if she insisted on being carried, we were able to pile everything else in the stroller!!
One more travel hint...Zip-Loc bags! (freezer type, because they are sturdier!). I pack outfits in separate bags for ease in grabbing things out of the diaper bag, and they are worth their weight in gold when you have a stinky outfit, and can seal it up so everyone on the plane doesn't smell it! I use them for everything...toys, food, frozen juice boxes, clothes, wipes, etc.

Answer 2

I second the opinion that he needs his own seat. It is really not safe to travel with a lap baby. Chances are you'll be fine but if anything unexpected happens, the child is not secure or protected at all. I fly a lot, had about 46 flights last year and twice I saw lap-babies bounce out of their mothers' laps and end up on the floor. One hit his head so hard on the leg of the seat in front of him that you could hear the crack. It's very scary.

Also getting him his own seat leaves your hands free to tend to him and entertain him for the trip.

If you have not booked the flight yet, try to fly around his normal naptime or bedtime so he will be more likely to fall asleep on the plane.

And start preparing him now, even if your trip is a few weeks off. I know he's very young but you can still explain to him what it will look like in the plane, how it will feel to fly, even that his ears might bother him during takeoff. Flying for the first time can be an overwhelming experience for little kids, and the sensory overload can make them fussy and cranky. If you teach him that it will be a fun experience, and set the rules now about crying and fussing, some of it will really stick even though he's young, and it'll make for a more relaxed flight for everyone.

Answer 3

Oh, how I remember this feeling! I traveled international with 3 children under 6 years ago. Luckily, it was not that bad for me,the kids and those on the plane LOL. A few ideas that really helped me: 1) try to schedule your flight for when he normally naps or at night when he sleeps 2) take him to a park before you go to the airport to really wear him out 3) bring lots of things to keep him entertained, books for you to read to him, coloring activities, quiet toys. 3) request a bulkhead seat where there is more room for him and he wont be kicking anyones seat 4) remember that YOU paid for your seats like everyone else and toddlers will be toddlers.5) have his ears checked a few days before you leave, make sure he wont be hurting with an ear infection, they do sell some great earplugs for children who will be flying to help stabilize the ear pressure (walmart I think sells them). Most normal people understand when children fly and dont get too upset about babies being a little louder than others. And if someone gets rude, just ignore them. Have a nice trip!

Answer 4

Consider getting him to where he will be tired before the flight. Lots of running around or maybe some chamomile tea? A good filling meal before the flight, no sugar or caffeine.

I would not pay for a second seat, but if you can easily afford it, go for it. Personally, I would plan ahead. "If you sit on my lap and watch this dvd I brought, when we get off the plane I have a super secret special treat! But you have to sit on my lap and be quiet."

There is a good possibility he will be given a seat as many flights have empty seats on each flight, by the way.

Answer 5

Check with any airline before you book with them, but im pretty sure you can, ive travelled many times from England to Hong Kong and Frace on my own, when i was as young as 10 or 11 i think. The staff look after you really well, help you check in and take you to the gate etc, keep checking on you on the flight. And collect your luggage with you when you land. I think because your 16 you might be classed as an adult and not need this special treatment.

Answer 6

Your baby should have their own seat and be seated in a baby seat, so they will be safe. That way if anything happens, your baby will be as secure as possible. Its better to not take the chance and be safe.