4 1/2 Hour Airplane Ride with Active 9 Month old....HELP

Hi M.,
I am M. H. too. haha. I recently took my 16 month old on a plane. Try to get the bulkhead row( right after first class-)it gives room for the baby to get up & down. Do you have all three seats in the row? If not ask the guy at the desk if anyone is sitting in the 3rd seat. Then ask for the sanity of all involved if they can move that person or block that seat. (they did it for me )As for entertainment- my son was happy to play with the papers in front of us. Good luck. Have fun in Jamaica

We have traveled twice with our now-10 month old (once at 9 months, too) and it actually went pretty well. Besides bringing a few favorite toys, I bought a couple of new small toys and books for him, which we introduced when he started getting bored. He really liked looking at all the new people and things, and was entertained by the tray (and light, and air above the seat) for a while. Little finger snacks (Cheerios, etc.) were helpful, too. You might ask the flight attendant for an extra plastic cup for him, just for something different to chew on. I also packed a small blanket in my backpack that I put under him while he slept -- it was easier to crunch up in different positions than a pillow.

If you're going with your husband or a friend, I've also heard the recommendation to have him do the preboarding and get all the stuff in your seats while you let the baby run around as long as possible. The more tired out he is before the flight, the better!

Good luck and enjoy your adventure!

I flew with my pretty active daughter when she was 10 mo old so I feel your anxiety about this! here is what helped us:

- hold off getting on to the plane until the very last minute (unless of course it's Southwest and you want to try to choose your seats)
!
- when you get to the airport ask the counter people to see if there are any seats with an open seat next to them- this was a lifesaver for me!!! I went with a friend- we both had our girls and a whole row ended up being open- she sat on one end, I on the other and we had the girls in the middle seat w/ snack, etc. Even if it is just you, it is SUCH a blessing if there is an open seat to put him in-

-bring lots and LOTS of snacks!
- bring as many toys/books as possible

Those are the only suggestions I have --its really about keeping them as distracted as possible for as long as possible

Well This will be the decider for you for future trips:) I think next trip you will DEFINITLY get him a seat!
But since you haven't this one, I would say to try the Benedryl route. I am NOT a fan of "drugging" a kid normally BUT if you are flying along and have to have the kid on your lap for 4 1/4 hours, it will be SO much easier if he is sleeping most of it. Give the Benedryl as the people are still getting on the plane (or whatever your doc reccomends) then let him nurse/bottle as you take off and hope for sleeping for the bulk of it.
IF HE WILL NOT SLEEP OR YOU HATE THE IDEA OF BENEDRYL.... Lots of dollar store board books he hasn't seen. You keep showing him new ones and keep the chatter up about what is going on. Once the caption turns off the seat belt sign you should be able to get up and walk the aisles too. Bring lots of different kinds of finger foods for him to knaw/snack on. AND OF COURSE! If he has a favorite lovey/stuffed animal have that avialbe.
My son and I fly all the time and he is now 2 years 9 mo. Our last trip was two weeks ago and that was the FIRST TRIP he didn't expereince discomfort from his ears popping.
Like most all of parenting, just try to stay two steps ahead! GOOD LUCK!
OH! And I would reccomend gate cheaking an umbrella stroller so you have it right there to pop your 9 mo old in as you navigate finiding your bags.

Before our first flight, my dr recommended we give our very active daughter some childrens benedryl before the flight to help her settle and possibly sleep.

We just completed a trip with our (also active) 10 month old yesterday. He was still 9 mos when we flew out. He was WONDERFUL and we got many, many complements. Here's how we kept him that way:

1) Bring a TIRED baby!! This is the best advice I can give to you. Try to fly late night or early morning. Both of our flights were during the baby's normal sleeping time. If you can't do this, try REALLY tiring him out before hand--keep him up extra late the night before, get him up extra early in the morning--make him TIRED!

2) Try to get an extra seat for the baby. We actually bought a seat and it was the best decision we made (we are poor, it was expensive, but I'd still do it again!). We brought his car seat with us and this made a HUGE difference--I would highly recommend doing this if you can manage it. The extra space was nice, but him being in a seat he was familiar with made him very calm, comfortable, and willing to sleep!

3) Bring TOYS!! We brought a few portable favorites and a few he had never seen and this kept him occupied and happy while awake.

4) Hold off on feeding the baby. We delayed his first bottle until take off both times, and had snacks handy for landing. The sucking and chewing kept his ears popped and meant no crying, unhappy baby.

5) Take advantage of preboarding! Getting on first allowed us to get the baby settled and comfy before the crowd came in.

Good luck with your trip to Jamaica--I hope it goes as smoothly for YOU as it did for US!

Better you than me! My 19 month old is also very active & after a while would get bored.
Once I was flying to NC alone (before I had kids) & a woman was flying with her son who was maybe 2 or 3. Not me but others were saying "oh great we get to fly with a baby, please give that kid some Benadryl or something". They were laughing about it and I thought it was so rude. The little boy was not acting up at all and was quit good actually. He behaved so well the whole 3 1/2 hr flight and did not make a peep. His mom also did not drug him!
I could never give my kid Benadryl at such a young age it could be dangerous. But good luck and I hope he behaves well for you. I'm sure he will.
But beware because I have heard all too often about moms and their families getting kicked off flights because of a "crying or whining" child. I don't think it is fair you cannot always control kids especially a 9mo old. Some people just like to complain & be rude especially the older folks!!
Good luck! I would love to take my son to NC by flying but I am too afraid he'd act up. Also I would not buy him his own seat either because tickets are way too expensive these days.

I would suggest the following:
- A portable DVD player with a few of his favorites
- Snacks
- New toys that he hasn't seen before. Should hold his attention for a while if it's something new. Also some of his favorite toys or if he has a favorite blanket.
- Pacifier if you use one
- window seat
Our sons first plane ride he was barely 6 months old. We didn't buy him a seat but there were extra seats open and they will arrange for you to have the extra seat for the baby. Last year when we flew my son was 1 1/2 and we didn't buy a seat but we had a window seat and the middle seat. I sat at the window seat and held him there. He never tried to get up. He watched his movies played with his new toys and ate his snacks and slept for half of the flight. This year he is over 2 and we have no choice but to purchase a seat for him but it will be worth it. I always change him on our laps and did it very discretely. Have a nice trip I wish we were on our way to Jamaica!!!
Don't worry about what other people think. If your son cries he won't be the first or the last! On our first trip I cried with our son because I felt so bad for him and so did others around us. Last year there were a bunch of infants and toddlers on the flight and it was a very quiet flight. Although some people did make comments when they boarded and realized how many children were around them!

Can his brother help in keeping him busy? Make a game of it. We use a DVD player to keep our 28 month old contained. We don't use a car seat on the plane any longer and makes him more comfortable. Books, toys, food helps. Good Luck.

I have flown a lot with my little boy by myself and it has always been a pleasure but has always been a lot of work! I am flying again on Monday! He is now 21 months.

I always put him off for a nursing (bottle feeding) until we are taxiing down the runway--this way he'll be sucking and his ears don't bother him with the pressure changes. Same thing on the descent. You can also give a pacifier if that's your bag. That's the part that bothers most of your fellow passengers--the baby is crying because his ears hurt!

The whole benadryl thing is creepy if you ask me. Drugs act more potently in lower air pressure so be very careful and get a physician's advice on dosing if you want to go this route. I think 9 mos. is too young.

Snacks are good. Kids love the tray that goes up and down--so if you don't get a bulkhead row (absolutely the best place to fly with a baby) then don't fret it. I agree that you should try to ask for help with your fellow passengers to get you more room. 2 seats are crucial with changing diapers. Your only other option is changing on the floor in front of the bathroom (ew!). Don't worry about other passengers' reactions to diaper smells--just do it and seal that dirty diaper off as soon as possible in a plastic bag! Warn your seatmates about the impending change and give them a chance to vacate their seats for a few minutes. "If you want to stretch your legs, now's a good time because I need to give the baby a change!" Try to time changes at the best times: not just before meals, not during the movie etc.

When you get to the gate, ask the gate attendant what the laods are on the plane. If they have many extra seats, then when you get on the plane, you'll have a chance to move around to try to get two together after everyone is seated, but before the plane starts moving. Ask for help moving your stuff from a Dad...they're used to helping Moms and will understand your anxiety. Try to at least get an aisle seat so you can get out easily.

Bulkhead seating is great because you can stand with your baby there, once the flight has leveled off. You can "fly " your baby around. You can pick out all of the older matrons who think your boy is adorable and wave at them. So many people will wave back! Just act like it is fun and have a good time and everyone else will start loving your babe.

Keep up a conversation with your baby about everything that is going on in the plane. Name everything. Introduce him to anyone that looks interested and tell them about your babe.

Great toys/entertainment:
a cloth napkin that you can play peekaboo with and make into animal shapes over your hand (rabbit, bird etc.)
a sock puppet or two that you can hold dialogs with
a small car
a small baby doll
a quiet rattle
chew toys
lap games (pat-a-cake, rhymes, claps, pointing to body parts etc.)--get a book, ask friends or make them up!
songs with gestures

Finally: walking the baby. With a carrier or sling, this will be a great way to keep baby comforted while giving him a chance to look around and check everyone out. The sling is good because if your baby is overstimulated, you can tuck him in to shield him from bright lights, loud noises etc. to keep him feeling safe. Walk very slowly, as slowly as you can get away with, up and down the aisle. Stop and say hi to interested parties. Pause in the bathroom bulkhead and survey the plane until baby is restless again. Return to your seat until restless again. Repeat with the baby in your arms.

Do not do this while the carts are out and serving people unless your timing is very good or there are enough empty seats that you can scootch into!

Have fun! You may be pleasantly surprised! Your babe may be intimidated by his surroundings and not want to crawl away from you after all. Glow in your achievement and don't let the Jamaican customs people make you pay too many taxes on your new goods! (take all new goods our of their wrappings!).

Take care,
S.

My youngest was 10 months old when I took him to Europe by myself. He was also a lap child. I am not going to kid you...it is a lot of work. The thing to remember is that it is all new to him...so that right there might keep him entertained for a bit. Just try to stay cool, calm and collected regardless of how cranky he may get. Remember that most people on that plane have kids and have been there. My son ended up doing absolutely beautifully and I got lots of compliments, but it was not easy and it was a lot of work! Good luck and bring some cute toys for him to play with (quiet ones! and ones that won't all end up on the floor!)

H. Z. (SAHM of 4 3/4, 3 1/2 and 12 month old boys)

First, definitely ask at the gate if there are any extra seats. I've had luck with this several times, and it makes a big difference.
Second, buy a new small toy for him - a quiet one if you can find something. If he will watch videos, get a portable DVD player.
Another thing to keep in mind - it's generally louder at the back of the plane. This can be to your advantage - others around you won't hear/be bothered by you son much, or disadvantage - if noise bothers your son.
Wear him out as best you can at the airport, hope he sleeps on the plane, and have a good vacation!

I traveled alone with my son when he was that age and smaller, so I know what you're going to experience more or less. All the advice given so far is right on target. Snacks distract kids like nothing else. As far as toys go, my advice about that is, if you can spare the time and money, wait to buy the new toy in one of those silly airport stores and let him pick it out himself. That way you KNOW he's going to love it and it's brand new. I did that with my son before a trans-Atlantic flight and it worked like a charm.

Another thing, very important: DO NOT MIND IF OTHER PEOPLE EXPRESS ANNOYANCE AT YOUR CHILD'S CRYING. There is always someone on a flight who is insensitive and/or has never traveled with a child, so has no idea what either of you is going through. I personally think parents have it worse than the child when he/she is crying because of ear pain or whatever. So never mind them, ignore the dirty looks or anything that may happen. Your first priority is your family. Your child will be more comforted if he perceives that your are at peace too. If you are agitated, it won't help him. Good luck.

I just flew across country with my 11 month old. He was great! He only cried when we had long delays on the runway (but really... who DOESN'T get cranky with that?) and during our decent. Snacks were good, as were books. But our lifesaver... PORTABLE DVD PLAYER with an Elmo DVD. He LOVED it. And it would keep him quiet and still long enough to get sleepy! Good luck. Jamaica will be sooooo worth it. Try and expect the worst, so you can be patient. It was much easier on my than my husband --- I think I'm used to it more.