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flying with a toddler
- Thread starter Bonnet
- Start date
tigsmom
Well-Known Member
If you can afford a separate seat buy one. Trying to hold a toddler on your lap the entire time is not fun at all. Bring some small things that they like to play with to keep them entertained and a small snack too. If at all possible try to time their nap with the flight. I know many people do not agree, but my doctor told us to give our little one (almost 20 months at the time) some benadryl about an hour before the flight. She did this with all of her kids and it made the trip easier. Also have something for them to drink/s. u. c. k. on during take off and landing to keep the pressure from building up in their ears.
Good luck and have a fun trip. :wave:
Good luck and have a fun trip. :wave:
happymom52003
Active Member
If you can, take little toys and activities that are new to the child.....this will keep their attention longer than toys they are used to. Stickers are good too, and those little travel magna doodles. I also take special snacks....for example, I usually do not give my kids rainbow goldfish because the colors freak me out....but I do take them on the airpane! It also helps to take the child's comfort items....a blanket and/or stuffed animal. And a portable dvd player always comes in handy....and we usually buy or borrow a new dvd that they have not seen yet. And it is so much easier if they have their own seat with their carseat. I know it is a pain to carry the carseat through the airport, but it is sooooo worth the trouble!
As for the benedryl......if you want to try that apporach, then test it out first before you go! It has the opposite effect on alot of children.....I know people who have given their kids benedryl for the first time before a flight and it was a nightmare because it made the kids hyper and cranky.
And the most improtant advice.....try to stay relaxed no matter what....ignore rude stares or comments from other fliers if your kid is acting up or kicking the seat in front of him/her .I always warn the person in front of my toddler that she will probably kick the seat, and while I will do everything in my power to keep her from doing it, it WILL happen because she is a toddler! We fly southwest, so this lets the person choose another seat if they want! But I have always had very understanding parents in front of me, so we have never had a problem with anyone getting mad (of course this only applies to toddlers.....if the child is older, then they should not be kicking the seat in front of them). I hope your toddler does great, but if they don't....just remember that the flight will eventually be over. You'll get through it!:wave:
As for the benedryl......if you want to try that apporach, then test it out first before you go! It has the opposite effect on alot of children.....I know people who have given their kids benedryl for the first time before a flight and it was a nightmare because it made the kids hyper and cranky.
And the most improtant advice.....try to stay relaxed no matter what....ignore rude stares or comments from other fliers if your kid is acting up or kicking the seat in front of him/her .I always warn the person in front of my toddler that she will probably kick the seat, and while I will do everything in my power to keep her from doing it, it WILL happen because she is a toddler! We fly southwest, so this lets the person choose another seat if they want! But I have always had very understanding parents in front of me, so we have never had a problem with anyone getting mad (of course this only applies to toddlers.....if the child is older, then they should not be kicking the seat in front of them). I hope your toddler does great, but if they don't....just remember that the flight will eventually be over. You'll get through it!:wave:
I'll echo a lot of what has been said. Separate seat, special treats/toys, travel magna doodle, stickers, plastic Slinky, new books, and a portable dvd player all saved us. We got a dvd from Target in the $1 bin that showed all different types of animals and that was a big hit. Try to schedule your flight so that your child is well-rested because even just getting through the airport, going through security, etc takes a lot out of them.
It is exhausting trying to keep them entertained especially not being able to move around-- Make sure everything is well-organized because you'll be switching back and forth a lot, from one thing to the next. Have fun!
It is exhausting trying to keep them entertained especially not being able to move around-- Make sure everything is well-organized because you'll be switching back and forth a lot, from one thing to the next. Have fun!
mousebymarriage
Active Member
I have never done the benadryl thing but I agree with those who say to buy her a seat. My kids have flown every year since they were 6 months old (DD is now 11, and DS is now 6) we have always gotten them their own seat and they are great travelers. Definately pick up a few new little toys and coloring books to keep her occupied and bring her a few snacks to munch on. Cereal in a baggie is great for the plane, so are goldfish, and teddy grahams. If you have a portable DVD player or laptop bring a couple DVD's maybe even one she has never seen before. Good Luck!
P.S. if your flight allows early boarding for people with small children DO NOT do it! What we have always done when they kids were really little , I would board with the car seat first to install it, then my DH brings the kids when they call final boarding. This allows the kids to stretch their legs and roam around until the last minute rather than them having to spend even more time strapped in the car seat!
P.S. if your flight allows early boarding for people with small children DO NOT do it! What we have always done when they kids were really little , I would board with the car seat first to install it, then my DH brings the kids when they call final boarding. This allows the kids to stretch their legs and roam around until the last minute rather than them having to spend even more time strapped in the car seat!
Bobster
Active Member
Lots of babies fly and have no problems. Unfortunately, our 7-month old was not so lucky.
We flew down from Montreal with WestJet a bit more than a month ago (late November to mid-December). It was the first time flying for him. We asked to sit in the back of the plane (to be closer to the changing area), but they said we had to sit in the middle due to the baby (as that was the place in the plane with the most oxygen).
Our baby had been a very healthy little boy until our trip. From our second day in Florida, we wasn't himself. Got more and more cranky. As the day went on, we was crying for things he wouldn't normally cry for. Next day, he had a high fever. Went to the clinic Disney recommended and turns out he had an ear infection. Doctor said it wasn't unusual for babies when flying. He gave him antibiotics for 10 days. We were there for 16 days, so he was fine to fly back (we had him checked before leaving and he was cleared). Luckily we had rented a car so it made the multiple clinic and Walgreen visits pretty easy.
We were worried about the flight back but didn't have much of a choice (rent another car and drive 3000-miles home was the other option).
Well, he got another ear infection from the flight home. More doctor visits and medicine here. Suffice to say we will not be flying again with him for a long time.
To make a long story short, I would suggest...
1) Make sure you have travellers insurance.
2) Bring your child's thermometer.
3) Watch your child closely the first few days. If he really isn't himself, don't delay getting him checked.
Finally, aside from my wife's food poisoning in the second week of the vacation, everything else was great down there.
We flew down from Montreal with WestJet a bit more than a month ago (late November to mid-December). It was the first time flying for him. We asked to sit in the back of the plane (to be closer to the changing area), but they said we had to sit in the middle due to the baby (as that was the place in the plane with the most oxygen).
Our baby had been a very healthy little boy until our trip. From our second day in Florida, we wasn't himself. Got more and more cranky. As the day went on, we was crying for things he wouldn't normally cry for. Next day, he had a high fever. Went to the clinic Disney recommended and turns out he had an ear infection. Doctor said it wasn't unusual for babies when flying. He gave him antibiotics for 10 days. We were there for 16 days, so he was fine to fly back (we had him checked before leaving and he was cleared). Luckily we had rented a car so it made the multiple clinic and Walgreen visits pretty easy.
We were worried about the flight back but didn't have much of a choice (rent another car and drive 3000-miles home was the other option).
Well, he got another ear infection from the flight home. More doctor visits and medicine here. Suffice to say we will not be flying again with him for a long time.
To make a long story short, I would suggest...
1) Make sure you have travellers insurance.
2) Bring your child's thermometer.
3) Watch your child closely the first few days. If he really isn't himself, don't delay getting him checked.
Finally, aside from my wife's food poisoning in the second week of the vacation, everything else was great down there.
WickedQueen22
New Member
we took JetBlue so she could watch cartoons and chow down on her snacks.... :shrug:
mouselvrmom
Well-Known Member
I have never tried the benadryl, but I do make all of my kids take motrin in case of any ear pain and a decongestant to try to avoid the ear pain. My hubby now take a sinus medication as well because a few years ago his ears hurt him so bad that it lasted into the trip almost 4 days. It seems to help.
That is about the only trick I have found really works for me. I find that no matter what I plan, it never goes the way I expect it to go. One year, she was interested in nothing and only wanted to stand in the aisle which was super inconvenient for the carts. The attendants were very nice about it, they said it was much better than a screaming child. We always make sure we have juice, gum, life savers, snacks, movies, coloring activities and other small toys. We have tried the nap thing but no matter how tired she is she just won't settle for a nap on the plane. Get her in a car and she's out, but not on a plane. I generally want a nap on the plane before she does. :lol:
Hope it goes well for you.
That is about the only trick I have found really works for me. I find that no matter what I plan, it never goes the way I expect it to go. One year, she was interested in nothing and only wanted to stand in the aisle which was super inconvenient for the carts. The attendants were very nice about it, they said it was much better than a screaming child. We always make sure we have juice, gum, life savers, snacks, movies, coloring activities and other small toys. We have tried the nap thing but no matter how tired she is she just won't settle for a nap on the plane. Get her in a car and she's out, but not on a plane. I generally want a nap on the plane before she does. :lol:
Hope it goes well for you.