Flying with 20 Month Old

I would call the airline. They may require a carseat although I have never heard of it. and a carseat may help the littleone avoid airsickness.

I fly back and forth to Argentina with my daughter since she was four months. She is now two! At twenty months I packed puppet fingers, play dough, snacks she doesn't usually get, stickers, mini notepad, and crayons. Not sure if you have a iphone but there are a lot of cool applications you can upload for kids. I also try to not let her play with those toys before the trip so they will be new and exciting!

I like to check my car seat b/c it is very bulky. However, I know a lot of people who think it is easier to put them in a car seat rather then hold them the entire flight. Not sure how long your flight is or how well your toddler does in a car seat. If you did not buy a seat for him/her I would call 24 hours in advanced and ask if it is a full flight. If not request a seat that has a vacant seat next to it.

Also I always pack extra clothes for the baby and me! One flight she was sick all over me, and I did not have extra clothes for me! Always prepare for the "what if" when traveling with a toddler! Good luck!

I would bring some new portable toys - something they haven't seen yet will likely keep their attention longer. Some yummy snacks too -- maybe the special treats they may not get often. We brought some reusable stickers - we stuck them to the seat and to our 16 mo old and it's amazing how they will concentrate on getting a sticker off their hand or clothes. I also brought individually packaged snacks - cookie bites etc. Our son rarely gets treats like this so when we felt he might start getting cranky he got a snack. Not our usual parenting at all, but on a plane it worked well. Good luck :)

We've flown with our 22-month old son six or seven times so far and it's never completely painless but can be done with a minimum of tears. I bring lots of little stuff - sticker books, toy cars, silly putty, etc. I usually stock up at the Target dollar section before we leave on a trip and toss it all into our carry on bag along with plenty of diapers, wipes, ibuprofen (for you and the baby), diaper rash ointment, a couple of empty ziploc bags for garbage and a portable dvd player. I don't know if you're just against your son watching television or if he doesn't like it, but in a situation where a child must sit still for long periods, it can be a lifesaver. I have found it's best to pack as lightly as possible, but always include the things you really can't live without. A blankie, an empty sippy cup (get milk before you board the plane), a favorite stuffed animal, etc. Since you're going to need to store your carry on in an overhead compartment until the plane is in the air, take out a few things before you do to entertain in that 30 minute time period between take off and then. Change his diaper right before you board and elect to board at last call for passengers instead of when they welcome families with young children on the flight. It can be agonizing to spend twenty minutes with a toddler in a plane while others are still boarding and you know it'll be another twenty before you actually take off.

Most importantly, at least for my child are the snacks. I bring piles of stuff, including things he usually doesn't get much of like chips and suckers for take off and landing. I put all sorts of things into tiny little snack bags and whip them out when it appears a melt down is near. It's not something I'd advocate for daily use, but travel days are special.

If you're flying alone bring a stroller to get you through the airport quickly. You can fold the stroller up and leave it at the gate and it will be waiting for you when you land at your destination. Try to check your luggage outside and avoid the long lines, but be aware they sometimes won't allow you to check your car seat with the valet service. Also ask for, beg for a bulk head seat so you can let your little guy stand at your feet and even play on the floor in front of you. If you can't get a bulkhead seat, try to get an aisle seat unless you think your babe will sleep through the flight. I have found letting your child walk the aisles isn't easy anymore, since beverage service alone takes half the flight.

Good luck.

Hi M.,

You don't mention how long will be the flight in your post.
I travelled alone to Europe several times with my now 2-years-old son (more than 20 flights already!).
- I guess you already have your tickets, otherwise, take a night flight. It doesn't ensures your son will sleep through it, but it will help. Once, my son got so exited in the plane that he slept one hour on a 20-hour-trip! But usually the time+ the darkness+ the white noise + the motion makes babies (and adults) sleep.
- The companies I've been using for long/international flights offer a crib for babies (BA even has some kind of special seat for older babies). It's worth calling them and request one (you need to book it to make sure it will be available in the plane - if it's on a limited number, only the booked ones will be sure to have one). Even if you don't plan on using it because your son is already too long/heavy for it, ask for it, as they place those cribs in the buckhead seats, giving you more leg room (letting him play on the floor, or to store your bag)
- Have food you're sure he loves. For long trip, some companies will offer a special kids' tray (in some cases, you also need to request it in advance) but the view of his favorite crackers may prevent a melt down.
- Introduce a new toy and/or a new book (even better if it's a story about trips, or planes!)
- Pack toys that won't take too much space in your bag and don't weigh much. My son's favorite in trains and planes are small stackable cups. He can stack them, turn them to build a tower, transfer cheerios from one to the other... Rubber bath toys are also very handy (they come in bags of 5 different animals or objects... and can entertain a toddler for hours) When he was 16 months, my son was crazy about the farm animals and he is now into sea creatures.
-Triangular crayons are also a must-have if your daughter likes to color/scribble.
- I breastfed my son for 15 months, but after that he was on regular cow's milk. I discovered that some companies don't carry real milk on board. They only have coffee creamers. So, I always carry a few individual bags of powder formula/powder milk with me, just in case. They always have water on board. Just make sure your son likes the taste beforehand! You can also check the TSA and the airlines for their rules. Usually, they are quite flexible with baby food and let you take milk (and food) on board, providing that you taste it in front of them first.
- Obviously, don't forget his favorite blanky, lovey, binky, book...
Have a nice trip!

My daughter is 15 now and she has flown routinely since an infant.

One thing she love was puppets with the air sick bag, playdough...anything different from your daily routine.

As far as the seat......we always opted to buy a seat for daughter just to ensure her safety, a little extra space and comfort

Since he's under 2 years and you could fly without even buying a seat, a car seat isn't required. If you bought a seat, it is up to you. I've had one airline (a Greek) one, not allow me to have my son in the car seat for take off and landing (very odd), but no other airlines have ever done that. The car seat was nice for corraling my son, but he would also kick the seat in front. Last time we flew (at 2 1/2) we didn't take a car seat on the plane (we checked it). It was easier to get on and off the plane without it and my son could stretch out more on his seat and ours. Go with what feels right for you. We also got a special attachment for the car seat, wheels and a handle, which allow us to pop our son in and roll him through the airport. Downside of that was removing the wheels for security (couldn't fit throught some scanners with them on) and then taking the whole thing off to put on the plane.

A new book and/or toy help. Stickers have been big at our house. We normally don't do vidoes, but for plane rides allow limited viewing (but that came a bit later than 20 months). It does help you get some rest if you're doing a long haul.

Good luck.

I flew nationally and internationally with my 2 year old daughter. I bring crayons, puppets, books, and stickers to keep her busy on the flight (any toy without batteries will be good so you're not disturbing the people next to you).
As for the seat, before our daughter turned two, we didn't buy her a seat, she just sat on my lap. What I usually do is gate check her umbrella stroller and just sit her on my lap. This last trip she was already two so we bought her a seat, we didn't used the car seat, but if you're planning on using a car seat at your destination anyway, you can board it on the plane and she can sit on it, this way you will save some money by not having to check it! Have a fun trip!

Hi M.,

If you bought a seat for your son, I would recommend bringing your car seat on the plane. Bring plenty of books, snacks, and maybe some crayons and paper with you. My daughter is also very squirmy, and we flew several times with her (fortunately none of the flights were over 3 hours) when she was 14-18 mos. I would also recommend taking walks up and down the aisle when the seat belt sign is off/the flight attendants are not serving drinks, etc.

Good luck and have a safe (and enjoyable!) trip,
R.

You do not need a car seat for the airplane. The airlines actually brings you an attachment to attach to the regular seat belt. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do on the plane. Especially since 9-11 they are strict about children trying to walk, run, or play in the aisles. Maybe you can bring a coloring book, small toys, some cold medicine(for sleep). Good luck. I flew with a four month old, a sixteen month old, and now 4 yr & 2yr old.

I like to go to the dollar store before a flight with my now 2 year old. Anything new will distract him for a while so you can stock up on a lot of cheep toys at the dollar store.

You didn't mention the length of the flight but if it is long - you may want to consider borrowing a portable DVD player. The last few times I have flown - the flight attendants have not been very supportive when I wanted to walk my toddler up and down the isle. I was asked to sit down on more than one occasion so plan on being in your seat most of the flight.

Good luck!

I took my little one to Germany when he was 20 months old and he did great. You do not need a car seat. If you think he may sleep, you may want to bring it on board if you are bringing it anyway for driving. He may sleep better that way. That is if you bought a seat or if they aren't full. I always bring a erasable/magnetic drawing board, small bag of legos, crayons & paper, play cars, cards, books, etc. Lots of diversions that don't take up a lot of room; it is good to have a bag of tricks. Make sure you bring some snacks like raisins for when you land to help him clear his ears while landing. Chewing and drinking helps relieve the pressure. Good luck!

If you have bought him a seat or if there is an extra seat, you can and should put him in his car seat. He will be much safer that way and you will be bringing his car seat with you anyway. I don't let my little one watch videos generally but my exception is flying as it is so very useful. We have been to Ireland 6 times since my little one was born and so those are all 8 hour flights and so some distraction is essential. I bring a small etch a sketch, coloring pad and crayons, a few favorite books and some little people, a portable DVD with a few favorites and some sucky candy for take off and landing. It normally goes fine. good luck.

Safety first. Think of it this way. The most likely time an accident will happen on a plane is takeoff or landing. Your son will be safer if he is strapped into his car seat that has been belted into the plane seat. A five point harness is ALWAYS a better choice than a two point restraint. Take the car seat on the plane and strap him in for takeoff and landing.

As for keeping him busy. Take a couple of books, maybe even a new book that he hasn't read yet. If he is like my son, a new book can keep him happy for hours and he likes to have the new book read over and over... up to 10 or more times. LOL. And a smallish toy car is good. My boy drives a toy car all over the plane seat, me, the window, etc. My son is three now, and has had about 20 plane trips already. Some trips are great and easy, some have been harder. There is no magic to solve this one.

Good luck.

Just got back with my 22 month old from a flight to FL (her fifth or sixth flight). I did not buy her a ticket this time, so she sat on my lap and looked out the window, we colored, we looked through SkyMall catalog, we read books and ate LOTS of snacks! If you bought your child their own seat, I would bring the car seat so they feel more comfy.

You can bring the car seat on the plane with you. It's a great comfort, as your child will feel at home in "his" seat. On the down side, I found that at that age in a car seat on a plane, their little legs are the perfect length to kick the seat in front of them. Fabulous...try to get a 20 month to stop putting their feet on the seat in front of them when its right there. I would check the seat with your baggage, fasten his belt in his airplane seat and let him stretch out a little. Snacks (especially since most airlines are stingy nowadays), drinks, books and play doh work well and hope he catches some zzzz. I always made sure I had a pacifier, drink or something for my little ones to suck on for the takeoff and landing-so their ears don't pop. Good luck-safe trip!

Just an added note to these great recommendations is if you are flying American Airlines they were completely rude to us. We carried the car seats through and around the airport for our 2-year-old twins and had our carry on and 2 diaper bags with us. We go to board a completely booked plane (which we already had our assigned seats - 2 middle and 2 aisle seats; there were 6 across) and they guy looked at our tickets and told us that the carseats could only be next to a window (which we didn't have). It was an already delayed flight and then they were going to try to move people so we could have 2 window seats, which meant my husband and I would be passing things to each other over 2 other people if we were even able to sit in the same row. It was more of a hassle for us than anything. On our flight home we just checked them and it worked out great. My kids still took naps one in the seat and the other on my husband, but we brought stickers, lots of snacks and they played on our iphones (toddler games). That was the easiest flight so far with them. Good luck and have a safe trip.

I don't believe that you have to provide a carseat while flying, check with the Airlines' just in case. For a 20mos. old to keep him busy, take little books with lots of pictures, snacks, a couple of toys that you can hold or he that doesn't make alot of noise. What he is most interested in at your home as long as its not to big. It really depends on how long your flight is as well. Hopefully not to long. Even if you have an iPod that you can put childrens' music on that he may listen to, I'm sure this would be fabulous!. Children love music. Of course he may just love being on the plane with so many ppl. Try and sit by a younger person or couple so that they understand a little one. You don't need someone elderly who likes peace and quiet and you get those nasty looks or something said. It doesn't make for a nice flight. Good luck and enjoy your trip!!

You don't need a car seat. My daughter is VERY active. We did lots of walking up and down the airplane aisle (which helped a lot). Also brought new interesting books that she'd never seen, coloring, and forbidden treats (aka candy & cookies). Sticker books can keep them interested for a long time too, but he might be a little young. My daughter didn't get really into those until around 2 yrs old.

When you check-in, try to request an empty row...the more space, the better!