How do I keep my 1 year old calm on a plane?

Answer 1

This is a tricky age because he's too young for a lot of toys. I assume he's walking so plan to spend a lot of time in the aisles. Coloring stuff is good to bring.

You will have an easier time if he has his own seat and if you bring his carseat. They are calmer and easier when strapped in. Plus, while he's sleeping, you can get to the lav (tell someone nearby where you're headed in case he wakes up). Turbulence can hit and he'll be safe!

Ear problems are entirely overrated as being a problem. Also, while sucking helps, it's not on take-off and landing. It's actually the whole way up, ascent, and at the TOP of decent that passengers of all ages have problems. Make sure he's awake as the plane starts to land. Just being awake will probably do it.

Go to the ped a few days before leaving and have him or her look in your child's ears. Healthy ears with no infections should be able to handle the pressure. Bring Tylenol if that makes you feel better. The problem with the ear gizmos is that a lot of small children wont actually cooperate with having those things stuck in their ears and it might create more problems than solve them.

I do suggest changing him standing up. Don't laugh! This is seriously much, much easier for travel in general. No need to look for a changing table. Toddlers HATE lying down in strange places. I go into more details in this totally non-commercial article I wrote for the local American club years ago;
http://flyingwithchildren DOT blogspot DOT com (just put real dots in, Yahoo wont let me post the link-sometimes they do, sometimes they don't...)

I'm neither for nor against drugging kids inflight but only consider it if your flight is more than 5 hours, talk to your ped and try it at home first. Twice I saw kids wired on that stuff! Not a pretty picture...

Also details about the carseats and how to get them through the airport. My daugher's carseat is 25lbs and I'm alone with three kids and I can manage it! You can too.

Answer 2

Earplanes For Toddlers

Answer 3

My mom taught me something that works wonders. I don't have children, but I carry balloons just in case a kid starts crying and it always works. I would suggest that you start the trip by being excited about flying--kids seem to pick up on their parents nervousness. If they think it's such a cool event, then they will be more excited. Bring crayons and coloring books. You can also play games like "I-spy" and other games that you often play in the car like "who can be quietest longest." To help your child adjust to the air pressure differences on take-off, you can either give him/her gum or pinch his/her nose and tell him to blow really hard. Airplanes are new environments, so if you play your cards right, there will be so many things for them to see and do, and they won't get cranky. Also, I would suggest moving around the plane once the seatbelt sign is off. This can give the child more to think about. Before you go, you can increase their excitement by thinking of all the things that fly and getting pictures of them, then telling the child that you are going to do that too. Good luck!

Answer 4

Get some EarPlanes for children. These go inserted in the ears at take off and landings and help to stabilize the air pressure so there isn't as much pain. Ask her doctor if she can take a dose of Benadryl, which will also help the ear pain and could calm her. Several days before you leave, give her a regular dose - on some children it makes them hyper, instead of sleepy.

Answer 5

There are never any guarantees but mainly the same way you keep them calm in any other situation.

Here's a great website on flying with children:
http://www.flyingwithkids.com/travel_tips.htm

Answer 6

Toys, Toys , Toys and sit in your child in a window seat soo he can see everything outside going on .

Answer 7

Benedryl works wonders.
I also have some liquid horse tranquilizer... .25 cc in their sippy cup will send them to sleepy time land for a good 8 hours.