Airplane travel to beach with my 15 month old?

Question

Anyone have any suggestions on airplane travel with my 15 month old ? He'll be in our laps. Short flight - 3 1/2 hours total including one :55 min. layover.
We are going to the beach and have never taken him to the beach. Any safety suggestions - beyond sunscreen, cover-up, hat, sunshades, and water to drink ? we have a full-body flotation suit for him. i'm just VERY nervous about the flight w/him and about taking him to the beach. I'm afraid I won't be prepared and will forget something important.

Answer 1

I avoid beaches with my kids but I can help with the flights. I'm an ex-F/A and I fly with my three between Europe and California about every six months, plus shorter trips in between.

For such short flights, it wont be a problem with the ears. Just visit the ped before leaving to be sure he doesn't have an ear infection and otherwise, hís ears should be fine. It's a myth that they have to drink or suck on take-off and landing. Ear problems are highly overrated.

He'll be safer and everyone will be more comfortable if you can bring your carseat and see if you can use it on board in an empty seat. Wont you need it at your destination anyway? (Never risk car company seats, they can be expired, nasty, the wrong size, etc.). Double check that your carseat is FAA certified. Most are in the U.S.

On check in, ask how full the flight is and ask if you can be seated with an empty place besides you.

I go into way more detail in an article I wrote and placed on a blog for all parents to see. It's totally non-commercial and written to help out other parents (and my ex-coworkers, if parents have fewer concerns!)

http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com

Have a good trip and be careful with your little guy and that hot Florida sun!

Answer 2

I have flown several times with my daughter and I tried to combine bottle and nap time when we were taking off. She hated being wet so I would change her 10 minutes before loading time. I pack a carry on just with her stuff. Snacks - bottles - books any treat that would keep her quiet… oh and her favorite blanket. I over pack and try to prepare for everything.

I am not sure what airline you are flying but Delta and Untied let us board after First Class so that we could get situated. This helps a lot!

When we went to the beach last summer we brought all that stuff. We were not prepared for the fact that she did not like the sand. I wish I had brought her other shoes and something other than her swimsuit to wear. She hated the salty water - bring an extra towel that he can use to dry eyes. I packed several in a baggie so sand would not get on them and risk getting into her eyes.

We did not use a flotation because I was scared of sharks.

One thing I regretted was taking our good stroller. I swear sand still is coming out of it.

Don't forget your bug spray!!

Have a fun and safe vacation!

Answer 3

(dragon, NO ONE makes their 15 month old cry on purpose!)

Make sure you give him a pacifier, a bottle, or a sippy cup during takeoff and landing -- this helps equalize the pressure in his ears (and gives him something to think about other than the noises!)

Make sure you take snacks, and try to stay as close to your home schedule as you possibly can -- a variety of small toys (including some new ones) will help to pass the time -- and if the flight is scheduled for nap time, even better.

A carrier or sling will help you to keep a hand free for bags, etc., while you are traveling.

also -- make sure you take enough diapers/nappies, wipes, formula (if he's still drinking formula), baby food, and a couple of extra outfits -- these days with air travel, you can get delayed or have a flight cancelled -- if you travel with plenty of 'spare' everything, you won't be caught out by the problems.

Don't take it to mean that you need three days' worth of everything, but at this age, most everything is small and light.

Answer 4

Even with a flotation suit, you have to stay with him at all times. Floatation devices do nothing in the ocean. In fact, it's almost better not to have them, because they could be carried off by the current. It's best just to hold him with you at all times in the water. For the flight, just take a lot of things to entertain him. Bring drinks and snacks, because swallowing will help his ears not to hurt. If you have a portable dvd player, bring that. 3 1/2 hrs might not seem like a long time, but in a cramped plane with a bored child, it'll seem like forever. Enjoy your vacation!

Answer 5

counting on your infant's character, you could take exhilaration in the flight and the sea coast. First if your infant is mild way and does not grow to be a grouch whilst they did no longer get their nap, then shop him wakeful as long as achievable maximum excellent as much as the flight. this manner, he/she would be able to be sleeping maximum for most of the flight, if no longer all. 2d, do no longer forget the diaper bag with all the needs. undesirable own adventure - I forgot to top off diapers on a 4 hour flight, ought to kick myself for this every time i think of back. do no longer forget to maintain a bottle of Tylenol if your infant unexpectedly have been given a fever or some thing and you're conscious of it incredibly is interior the luggage you checked in. third, deliver your infant's well known toys (no musical or speaking ones - some passengers can get annoyed) to maintain them busy in the event that they're wakeful for the duration of the whole flight. some yummy snacks will additionally shop them busy. make certain it incredibly is low on sugar so they do no longer hype up. A e book will additionally do - get one with colorations and pictures which will carry the child's interest. ultimately, each and every little thing you have for the sea coast looks incredibly darn stable. maximum serious is to maintain your eye on the child in any respect circumstances, even whilst he/she is enjoying on the sand. mothers and dads who take their eyes off their infant for ten seconds ought to remorseful approximately it a life-time later. in case you could no longer shop your eye on the child, make certain your companion is doing it. stable success and have relaxing!

Answer 6

As best as you can DON'T MAKE HIM CRY.....it just annoys everybody on the plane.....make sure that he stays in the shallow water, basically the water shouldn't go higher than his knees......I have also provided a site below that tells you which items are prohibited and allowed.


Just e-mail me, click on my profile....or [e-mail]