What can I do to keep my 20 month old baby quite on the plane?

Question

One more thing, the flight is at 7 a.m. so the nap thing isn't going to work. Thanks for the advice so far. :)

Answer 1

I just flew 7 hours from UK to USA with my 21 month old. Not easy, but along with her favourite book and toys, I had some chewy fruit drops for take off and landing, to keep her swallowing so her ears didn't pop.

Also she loved the small TV, so i put the headset on a music channel and held it on her which she loved, that kept her occupied on and off.

Because she was on my lap, she was very wriggly. So I took 3 pairs of shoes on the plane, let her choose which she wanted to wear and got up and had a little walk up and down the ailse. Then again buckled another pair of shoes and off she went again.

And I took a little bag with a couple of small, new toys she hadn't seen before and let her open it and find them.

Hope one of these helps a bit. I'm a frequent flyer with her but if yours gets rowdy I usually smile at people around me and say she is usually so quiet. Then suddenly their glares soften and they are more accomodating.

They're only kids after all!!

Answer 2

I agree - keep her awake until you get on the plane. Take along a sippy cup or bottle with some room temperture milk and finger foods. She should be able to fall asleep and nap on the plane. But if the air pressure gets too much for her little ears, she will cry or get fussy - you can't avoid it. But it's better for her to cry or open her mouth to equal out the pressure. Believe me, people won't think you are a bad parent! Ask the flight attendants if they have any suggestions about what to do if she's crying a lot. They will probably be more than happy to help you out and will appreciate that you asked for their opinions.
If she likes to color take along some crayons and coloring books which you can get at the dollar store.
Good luck to you - I know how trying it can be to take a young child on an airplane!

Answer 3

Constant entertainment. Dvd player, snacks, books, quite toys, plenty of paper and crayons, stickers, anything they the baby would do at home. Also took my 18 months old on a 7 hour flight with the car seat. The car seat was so big a bulky that after I put my son in it his feet were smushed against the seat in front of him. He kicked the whole time. Not to mention it was a pain to try to get the seat buckled and it was so wide it was uncomfortable for me and my hubby. On the way home we had the seat checked and my son has so much more room. Plus he got to use the tray table because before with the car seat it wouldnt came down. His feet werent squished and I think he acted better not being in his car seat. Good Luck

Answer 4

How long is the flight? I'd bet your baby is still taking at least one nap a day so you might want to try to keep the baby awake for as long as possible so that he/she will sleep on the flight. Don't forget snacks and the baby's favorite toys to help in case the baby doesn't sleep. You're a brave soul, good luck!

Answer 5

I have taken my son who is now 2 on many flights and I usually made sure we flew during his nap time. If not My Pediatrician suggested giving him a dose of Benadryl before we flew so he would sleep and his ears would not bother him.

Answer 6

Give em something to suck on during the flight like a bottle or pacifier. Some babies cry because of their ears and the sucking will help pop their ears.

Answer 7

Try to keep the baby awake for a few hours before, and wait to feed her until you get on the plane. That way he/she will eat on the plane and most likely fall asleep after.It's worked for me! Good luck and happy travelling! :)

Answer 8

Bring a coloring book that they can color.

Buy a portable DVD player and have them watch a movie on it.

Have them take a nap.

Answer 9

Try buying, renting, or borrowing a portable dvd player and bring a few favorite videos.

Also, something to suck on will help with ear pain during takeoff and landing.

Answer 10

Fill her bottle with Wild Turkey.