3 year on a plane

[mrtoad]

OK. we are booked to go for my daughters first WDW trip for the first week in Feb.

We were planning on driving but somehow my wife has talked me into flying. I did not want to becuase I am a bit nervous since Sept. 11. I have not flown since 2000.

Anyway, my daughter just turned 3 less than a month ago. I was looking for advise from other parents on this. As an adult you can chew gum to help with your ears. What do you do for a child who is so young?

Also, any other tips about flying with a 3 year old would help. I am way stressed over it as it is. Having a child be upset on the plane would make it so much worse.

Thanks in advance,
Mike

 

[dizneykev]

We have traveled with my now 2 1/2 year old 4 time snow on planes and I think we have it figured out pretty well. It is not the most comfortable solution for adults, but it seems to keep everyone happy.

#1 is seat selection. We always choose to be in the very back row of the plane. We do this for a few reasons. First of all, for some reason people still associate this with the back of the bus or something, no one wants to sit there if they don't have to. This way if my child is a little rowdy or fussy, we don't disturb as many people. Second, we are the first to board and last to get off so we don't slow anyone else down or bump into them with all of our stuff (and you will have stuff). Also, if you ask the gate attendant to let you board with first class they will let you in most cases.

#2, we bring his car seat along. My son knows the rules of his car seat, when he is in it, he cannot get out. it is a safe place for him and it is sort of comforting for him. Plus, he knows how to get comfortable in it to fall asleep.

#3, we try to book flights either near normal nap times or at the ends of the day when he might be sleepy. This works well. (Some parents suggest a little tylenol to help them relax, but that is your call.)

#4, the ear popping seems to be the easiest. We usually have a sippy cup with his favorite drink in it. This is usually something special that we do not let him drink all the time. In our child's case, this is powerade (thanks to Disney World), but it may be juice or soda for your little one. We do not let him start drinking it until we are off the ground. He usually drinks it over a 5-10 minute period of take off and this swallowing and s__________g seems to keep his ears from popping. A lolipop may also work well.

With these tips, we have never had any problems at all. Remember to take your stroller to the gate with you and gate check it. (do not rely on rented strollers, they are pricey and not as convenient as your own) It also is easy to put either the sleeping child, or a carry-on bag and car seat in to get it from the terminal to baggage claim, etc. If you find you have to carry your car seat, extend the straps all the way and wear it like a back pack, this works great.

I hope this tips help and I think you will enjoy the quickness in which you get to your vacation and the extra time flying allows you to enjoy. Have a great trip.


Dizneykev

 

[garyhoov]

You should be able to pick up these "Ear Planes" at your local pharmacy:

They are absolutely fantastic! We flew to Arizona with my son when he was 3 and his ear pain was the worst part of the flight (I remember reading shortly after that a study that said kids ears were much more sensitive than adults and the pressure difference is much more painful for them).

When we flew to Disney World the next year, we put these in his ears at the beginning of the flight and he was fine.

A sort of funny story: For the second flight, he was getting nervous about flying, so he wanted to keep the window shade down through the flight. When we landed, he opened the shade, he looked out (and of course all airports look the same) and said: "Hey! We're not at Disney World, We're still at the airport!":lol:

Have a great time!:wave:

 

[BRER STITCH]

Originally posted by dizneykev

...We always choose to be in the very back row of the plane. We do this for a few reasons...if my child is a little rowdy or fussy, we don't disturb as many people. Second, we are the first to board and last to get off so we don't slow anyone else down or bump into them with all of our stuff

Hi DIZNEYKEV! :wave:

Thank you!!!
If only every parent was as thoughtful and considerate as you guys, flying would be a lot more tolerable for everyone! I have had some terrible experiences with "over-energetic" children on planes, and it's no fun - especially when the parents just ignore the kid while he hassles everyone within reach!

It's amazing how many people just don't "get it"!

In addition, you shared some great tips with MRTOAD for flying with a young one. I am copying it and sending it to my sister for her next trip!

Thanks again!!!
:sohappy: :sohappy: :sohappy:

 

[MouseMadness]

I think everybody else has pretty much given any advice I would've had, now my main concern is YOU! I certainly hope you're able to relax on this plane ride. Good luck. Several people in my family have real trouble flying, they are extremely uncomfortable, and they'd take something before flying to help calm them.


I would agree with the carseat... definitely a good idea, both for comfort and safety. Just remember the car seat HAS to be in the window seat... the first time we flew using one, they didn't tell us until everybody was seated and ready to go that we had to move the car seat! DOH! :brick: so I had all these people around us staring as I tried to maneuver the seat and baby in that tiny little space while feeling dozens of eyeballs staring at the back of my head. AAAAAAH!

As far as the tylenol, I'd say anything to make the kid relaxed and comfortable is okay. If she's at all got a stuffy nose, for example, I'd go ahead and give the decongestant. I can speak from experience when I say that a cold makes the ears a thousand times worse. I landed in tears once because of it! ouch! Also, if she has any allergies, which one of mine does, I'd give a little bit of something for that too. (My now 6 year old has a pretty severe peanut allergy... not so bad that she'll have a life threatening reaction just from touching one, but if they serve peanuts on the plane, it'll make her uncomfortable, so we usually do a bit of benadryl before taking off. Makes her sleepy, too. )

Hope I've been able to be a bit helpful, too, although I think dizneykev covered everything really well. Have fun! :wave:

 

[dizneykev]

I'm glad I actually posted something that people thought was useful. I am kind of confused about the car seat in the window seat. We have flown and changed planes probalby 8 different times now and ALWAYS put the carseat in the middle seat or the aisle and have never had anyone say a word to us. Perhaps the flight attendant just didn't want the child to reach out and disrupt people moving in the aisles to the restroom or the cart service during the flight. I know of no such rules about where you have to put the seat. Plus, with the seat in the middle, it gives the wife and I both a little more rrom on each side.


Dizneykev

 

[MouseMadness]

Originally posted by dizneykev
I'm glad I actually posted something that people thought was useful. I am kind of confused about the car seat in the window seat. We have flown and changed planes probalby 8 different times now and ALWAYS put the carseat in the middle seat or the aisle and have never had anyone say a word to us. Perhaps the flight attendant just didn't want the child to reach out and disrupt people moving in the aisles to the restroom or the cart service during the flight. I know of no such rules about where you have to put the seat. Plus, with the seat in the middle, it gives the wife and I both a little more rrom on each side.


Dizneykev

I'll ask next time I fly... we were told that it's because the seat can cause a block of that row if there is an emergency and a quick evaction was necessary. She was originally in the center seat. I would think that's some sort of federal guideline, not just some rule that particular airline made up. But come to think of it, our last flight, the couple behind us had their child between them. :veryconfu Dunno, lol. I'm just passing on what I was told. :wave:

 

[tigsmom]

Anytime we have flown with our little ones & their car seats we were always told to place it by the window & NOT by an emergency exit. Another thing we have seen is people not knowing they need to actually buy a ticket for that seat. There was a couple arguing that they were told they could use their car seat (the kid was under 2), but all the seats were sold. They wanted somebody else to give up their seat so they could use it. (nobody offered and they were very rude during the whole flight.)

I have a friend who always gives Tylenol & benadryl to her kids when they fly...:snore: . Lollipops work wonders as do stick candy and sippy cups.

 

[mrtoad]

Thanks for the advice all. I already have added the earplanes to the list of things to get.

And I agree MouseMadness, a cold on a plane is horrible. Back in 95 (I think) we went to WDW with a whole bunch of people. My wife and I had adjoining rooms with my father. My brother was around 4:00 and he gave me strep throat while we were there. I was so sick by the time we left to fly home my ears were so sore. So on the plane it felt like someone was sticking pencils in my ears.

And I think I am going to get something from the doctor to help me relax. I never ever had a problem on a plane before. I always preferred to fly. But after Sept. 11, I have been terrified of the time I would have to step on a plane. I am not really worried about me, I just can't think of every having to look at my child sitting next to me in a situation such as what happened. I know that I have to do it. It is the right thing to do, but it is still there for me. I already told my wife I would call the doctor to get something. So hopefully that will help.

 

[MouseMadness]

Originally posted by mrtoad
And I think I am going to get something from the doctor to help me relax. I never ever had a problem on a plane before. I always preferred to fly. But after Sept. 11, I have been terrified of the time I would have to step on a plane. I am not really worried about me, I just can't think of every having to look at my child sitting next to me in a situation such as what happened. I know that I have to do it. It is the right thing to do, but it is still there for me. I already told my wife I would call the doctor to get something. So hopefully that will help.

Xanax is what I'm remembering, but don't quote me on it. I'm 99% sure, though. One family member only uses half a pill, because it makes her too sleepy. Your doctor, obviously, will know what you need.

 

[Yellow Shoes]

Originally posted by tigsmom
There was a couple arguing that they were told they could use their car seat (the kid was under 2), but all the seats were sold. They wanted somebody else to give up their seat so they could use it. (nobody offered and they were very rude during the whole flight.)

Wow--can't beat the combination of stupid AND rude to ruin what is already a horrific situation (i.e., being crammed into airplane seats)

 

[artvandelay]

If you can, try to get a direct flight to Orlando. The crew will be used to dealing with families and small children. Whichever airline you choose should have a car seat policy on their web site. I flew Southwest with my 2 year old and they were very helpful. We were able to pre board the plane and get him set up w/o bothering anyone.

 

[mrtoad]

We are planning on doing anything to keep my daughter entertained so she won't bother anyone. I was going to let her watch DVDs on my laptop. Can you plug one in on the plane or do I need to bring a spare battery?

 

[MouseMadness]

Originally posted by mrtoad
We are planning on doing anything to keep my daughter entertained so she won't bother anyone. I was going to let her watch DVDs on my laptop. Can you plug one in on the plane or do I need to bring a spare battery?

How long will your flight be? And is she used to traveling? I've always been fortunate enough that my kids sleep at least an hour of the trip away! My biggest problem is usually the baby kicking the seat of the person in front of her. I hate that! I'm always at a loss for what to do!

And I've never seen plugs for laptops on the plane.

 

[mrtoad]

Originally posted by MouseMadness
How long will your flight be? And is she used to traveling? I've always been fortunate enough that my kids sleep at least an hour of the trip away! My biggest problem is usually the baby kicking the seat of the person in front of her. I hate that! I'm always at a loss for what to do!

And I've never seen plugs for laptops on the plane.

I think my wife said the flight was just under 3 hours. She has never been on a plane. We just drove to Mass. from NJ for Thanksgiving. It was about 5 & 1/2 hours each way. On the way we thought she would fall asleep, no dice and got a little cranky. On the way home she fell asleep for over two hours which was nice. I just know a movie, if it is one she likes alot, will keep her occupied. Curently the flaver of the week is Spy Kids. I will just make sure I have 2 fully charged batteries. I wanted to bring my laptop anyway to transfer my digital pictures during the trip.