Any Good Tips for Mommy and Toddler First Airplane Ride

Hey A.,

I've had to travel all over with my lil munchkin and this has seemed to work pretty good....
She has her own lil carry on bag that she can carry filled with cheap lil entertainment that she hasn't seen before that I put into the bag right before we leave (color book/crayons, interactive book on sale @ Borders, knick knacks in party favor sections, snacks, stickers, and candy)Also I always have a full drink at hand that I don't let her touch 'til we're taking off incase her ears start popping.
Hope this helps!

First, if you can afford to have your daughter in her own seat, rather than a "lap child", it's safer - but you have to bring the car seat, and it has to go in a window seat on the plane. I use a "Sit 'n Stroll" from Triple Play Products; I can roll it through the airport and convert it back to a car seat on the plane. Warning, it won't fit through airplane aisles anymore (unless you're stopping in the first class section ;)). At 18 months, my toddler had her own (smaller) rolling backpack (she wouldn't have been able to wear it, but it gave me a strap to add to my load if necessary; it wasn't necessary with her, she rolled it around like mommy, lol.) Her backpack had many of her favorite treats and new books, a magic board (you lift up the top film and the writing disappears), some quiet toys (activity doll, play camera, crayons & coloring book, etc.) and her purse (mirror, brush, play cell phone.) If your toddler is less independent, a harness is a good idea in the airport; there are so many distractions! My girl had some ear problems, so her doctor recommended a teaspoonful of Pseudopenephrine (?sp) one hour before take off. This means it will be one of the liquid items that have to pass the 3-3-1 rule, and fit into your one quart baggie. Allow yourselves at least two hours at the airport, and probably a third if you're traveling in the next few weeks. After you pass through security, buy some bottled water, fresh fruit, and her favorite juice - bring her empty sippy cup in your carry-on. Yes, the flight attendants will eventually be offering liquid refreshments, but you want to make sure she is swallowing during take offs and landings. She's too young for the chewing gum trick, but you may consider lollipops (my doctor okayed them at 15 months for travel, but my daughter didn't want them then.) If you have to change planes, allow at least an hour layover, two if you're going to sit down to eat. Put her in night-time diapers or pull-ups (whichever she is wearing, you want the extra absorbancy) and change her every two hours. Double (the number of pull-ups) that you think you'll need in your carryon, and include plenty of wipes, diaper sacks, and a couple of clothing changes. Layer her clothes, so you don't have to pull everything off for her to be comfie. Whatever you don't anticipate needing during travel, pack into checked baggage; you will have to bring enough along as it is, so, even if you have to pay to check your bags, it's worth it. And, above all, don't stress yourself out. If she cries, that is actually good for her ears, and most of your fellow travelers will understand (some may even offer to help entertain.) Make sure you have whatever you need for yourself, take care of yourself first (you can't do anything for her if you're not well) and relax as much as possible. Good luck!

I certainly agree with the responses from other moms. When worse comes to worse, my very last resort... if my son gets bored with his toys and is too antsy.... I pull out the portable dvd player. It's not something I do often, but it totally settles him down... and my calms my nerves as well. Good luck to you! I definitely second the suggestion about the stroller. I throw all of the security items in it after taking off shoes, emptying bags, sippee cups, electronics, etc, and just re-organize at the gate. It's really challenging to walk a lot with a toddler. Plus, he may enjoy pushing the stroller around the gates while you're waiting for your plain to arrive. Best of luck.

Hi A...Make sure you bring lots of "brand new" toys with you, and snacks, (juice if allowed) well as much as you can accomodate, and don't let her see the toys until she starts to get bored playing with the airplane surroundings. Be prepared for a rough ride, at least that's what we had with our 2 yr. old son in October. Although, he screamed only when he had to be held, takeoff and landing. (it was brutal) Other than that, he stayed somewhat occupied. Try to change your seats to business class..First row. This will give her and you a little more leg room and room for her to play. We got lucky on the plane and the stewardess moved us to first row...Luckily not already booked. Good luck and take care. I don't have any friends here either and I've been here 8 years...Well, had to unload the old ones....lol....I too am pregnant with my second, due Dec. 1. :)

A.,
I flew back and forth from Germany (6 + hour flights) often with my two daughters when they were both babies, toddlers, and as they got older. My main recommendation is to have your daughter's favorite quiet toys in her own backpack. Make her a part of the packing process. You can even have her be a part of the choosing of her favorites to take and gently guide her to the quiet toys (for the flying pleasure of the other passengers). Also make sure she has her favorite sleeping "friend" to cuddle with if your flight will coincide with her nap time. Definetely beforehand get a children's book from the library which talks about an airplane flight. My kids were pros...they would say are those the runway wheels being tucked under the belly of the airplane and we are going to go faster now, when do we get to see the clouds, oh I can see the land below and everything looks minature like our Christmas train set. I see the ocean, the cars, a bridge, some cows, etc. Oh, we are going higher, we are getting closer to the ground, I hear the brakes screeching us to a halt at our new airport. Lastly keep her hydrated and chewing (and swallowing) during take off and landing. Gently teach her how to yawn to "pop" her ears, or have her suck on her juice or water in her sippy cup. It can be especially painful and scary for a child who has not been "prepared." Believe me you and the others on the plane will have a pleasant trip and not a disasterous flight. We always got off the plane last and umpteen passengers, the airline attendants, and our next door seated passengers were continuously thanking me graciously and complimenting my children and how well behaved they were on the plane. Soon your daughter will be asking when the next airplane ride will be!!

Hi A.,
I have taken lots of flights with my son form the age of 6 months and also flew to England with him when i was pregnant with my second child, he was a toddler.
I would say make sure you pack a bag with things she will like snacks..books to read to her if you have a portable dvd player her favorite show (wiggles etc..)would hold her attention for a while..
Don't be afraid to ask for help from staff when ever you need too. And most importantly of all if your child begins to fuss and cry...stay calm! don't worry about the people around you they will survive...just do whatever you need to do to keep her calm and happy. People are a lot more understanding than you think. I'M SURE IT WILL BE EASIER THAN YOU IMAGINE .
good luck with the flight and your pregnancy

Hi A.! Congratulations on adding to your family. We moved here from Seattle, so our trips home are about a 12 hour day. Not a day I look forward to! Kaylie is 21 months and we'll be going home next month. One thing she loves are those small Thomas the Train take-a-longs. You can sit her in her own seat (if it's available) and set it up. I always buy a couple of boxes of band aids and she will keep herself busy playing with them for a long time. Also, those little etch-a-sketch type toys. You can find them at Target.
Good luck with your move! Enjoy your pregnancy...I can't wait to be pregnant again!
Blessings!
J.

I just flew back home with my son (2 years old) and hubby. I took a backpack with toys and things just for him. He helped pick out everything, and I found a few new toys and books to surprise him with in case the old ones weren't enough. I also took along the Crayola Color Wonder Markers and coloring book. He also helped put his teddy bear in the backpack, which helped when he got tired. We also took along a sippy cup and got some juice for him at one of those stores in the airport after security. Also, I felt like taking the car seat on the plane helped because he was comfortable and familiar with it already, so he didn't feel like he was in a completely different environment.

When I fly with my daughter, I go to the Dollar Tree and stock up on new coloring books and some stickers. I also invested in a portable dvd player, which helps a lot! I bring along healthy snacks for her and her own cup. Once you are on board, the stewards should be helpful in getting you some juice or milk for take off. Also, try not to buckle her into her carseat until the last minute. I let my daughter hang out on my seat while I stand until the last possible second. = ) Good luck and safe flying.

Take lots of snacks for the toddler. Also, get them a small new toy that is just for the plane ride. You can practice with them ahead of time...this is how we sit on a plane, this is how we are quiet on a plane, etc.

Good Luck!

Check a stroller, that is a big help. You can have it till you get to the gat, and they bring it to you as soon as you get off. Crayola wonders markers that only write on there own paper. Her own bag of treats. You can not take drinks through security, but you can buy after through security, and on most flights. Talk to your doctor about Benadryl, or a decongestant that helps with there ears. We try to get to the airport early enough that we can check our bags, eat lunch, take decongestant, than go through security, get some juice and snacks, they have a better selection in the gift shops than on the plane. It won't be as bad as you think. Good Luck.

Toys snacks and try to book a seat for your toddler so you can put her in the carseat they usually sleep during the plane ride atleast mine does.

bring lots of toys and snacks. Also, have a pacifer or bottle (or if you nurse latch on) when the plane is going up and coming down. I took my son to vegas when he was 18 months by myself and it was not too bad even though I called my hubby and told him that Xavier was not going to make it to vegas because I was going to leave him in New orleans at the layover LOL. Entertainment and layovers are the key to traveling with a baby.

I have flown with my son multiple times since he was 3 mths old and he is now 2 and 1/2. The best thing I could have done was buy him a portable dvd player (with headphones). That has saved me so many times on the airplane. We traveled alone a couple of times with no help from daddy. Lifesaver. I bring enough movies to last the plane ride. Just make sure that you take it out of the carry on at security like you would a laptop. I carry that thing everywhere. Road trips, extended stays or late nights at a friend's house, even to the closing of our house! It keeps him occupied. Additionally, make sure you bring the usual, snacks and a couple of sippy cups of drinks. Security will allow you at least 2 cups/ baby bottles of juice/ milk for the baby. Use the stroller for sure. Just the storage space make it worth it. Security has been very helpful with me and one airport even let me jump ahead in line to a specific station for strollers. Security can take a little while, but if you declare all your baby's liquids in a larger ziplock type bag, there aren't any problems. Make sure to bring medicines that she may need as well. Tylenol, benedryl etc. As long as you declare them at security you are fine. They allow more liquid items for babies.

Try to pick a flight when she takes a nap or as late as possible non-stop. If you have to travel when she is awake and it is a long flight you might want to break it up. I carry a portable DVD player for my son and it has been just awesome. If he is not asleep he watches a movie. Of course pack snacks she likes and you are allowed up to 16 oz's (check on this because I could be wrong) of juice or milk in a sippy cup or bottle. I was breastfeeding and carried a whole cooler of frozen breastmilk in their little baggies with me when I relocated. Hope this helps. A.