Help Taking Our First Plane Trip with Our 15 Month Old.

I have travel a lot with my kids. I bring lollipops, video games and dvd player. (perfect for a 15 month old) You can put in his favorite show. He will be fine. Just have fun!

C.
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When my son was 16 months we took a trip from NJ to California, then Hawaii and back to NJ. On the way to CA I brought him a bunch of new stuff and wrapped it as gifts to slowly give him throughout the ride. little things like small toys and books. i also nursed him or gave him something to eat during take offs and landings to help with his ears. That stuff helped but I'll be honest, it wasn't the most fun I've had on a plane. He wanted to get up and run around and there's not much room to do that. Another suggestion is to bring a portable DVD player with his fav. movies. good luck!

Books are always good, so are magazines (SpongeBob and My Luittle Pony are my girls' favorites). Bring his/her favorite blankie and/or teddy or other lovey, several pacifiers if she uses one, as they can fall and it's hard to rcover it between/under plane seats while you are trying to sooth your toddler or put her down for a nap.

For foods, I would bring:
- small packets of crackers (there are organic cheddar bunnies at Whole Foods, they come into a box with 6 packets)
- cubed of cheese of your toddler likes it
- apple slices, carrot sticks, cucumber slices cut up, soaked in water with lemon to keep them from going brown and then packed in those small ziploc containers with lids
- water or baby tea
- pre-mixed formula (if applicable)

Also bring some Bach Rescue Remedy in case she gets agitated you can put some on her wrists, and a mister with lavender essential oil mixed with distilled water also for relaxation (shake before use and spray some on the blankie or around before the nap).

Select a few of her favorite toys, and make sure you bring a carrier that's easy and quick to üput on and comfortable for both of you so you can easily carry her and the hand luggage when you don't have the stroller.

I hope this helps - have a great trip!

I'm traveling with a (will be at the time)20 month old soon. She was on a plane when she was 6 months, and didn't move around as much :) I've been told to invest in a portable dvd player. My daughter could watch Elmo all day, so I will try that. During take off and landing its good to have a sippy cup or bottle on hand for popping ears. Also, when you get there, request the bulk row for more room.

We've traveled a lot with our almost 3 year old. I would suggest small, fun compact toys. I found some great monkey barrels at the dollar store. I didn't let her play with her new toys until we were on the plane then slowly introduced new ones when necessary. Another great airplane toy is little pop up $1 books you can find at wal-mart. Favorite snacks are great, check with airline for current rules. Best of luck.

L.

Hi! When we took our daughter on an airplane the first time, she was 17 mo. old. I bought a new challenging developmental toy, something she could try and practice on the plane. SPecifically at that age, I brougth big chunky beads and a shoelace for her to practice stringing. Fun, and kept her busy. Also, one of those swipe-able mini drawing boards magic erase or something. Clean, easy, and fun. Hope that helps.

Hi J.,
That will be a long trip for you all, but you can do it.
We travelend a great deat from Texas to NY when my son was little. When they say early bording...do it. That way you both can get settled and in your seats without the hastle of to many people around you.
One thing that I would suggest is to keep anything he likes to suck handy. Pacifiers are great if they take one, but lollipops may be even better. You can get so many now with characters and colors. Bring your Sippie cup. You may have to bring it empty and fill it after you go through security. I also suggest playdough. You can get those mini containers that have just a fist full. Perfect for the plane tray. The Crayola Color Wonder series stuff is great. They can color and you can relax that marker wont get all over the plane. I will also echo the praise of the portable DVD player! I hate to say it, but they help out a great deal. Find some new shows/movies that your little one has never seen and it will be easier too. Do remember a headset too...the planes are loud so the kids really need them. Also, make sure you pack extra clothes, wipes, those things you may need if you get delayed or if your child gets sick. Don't forget a Ziplock bag or two for dirty stuff. Pack snacks, and more snacks. My sone loved raisins and fruit snacks at that point.
Last...relax and try to enjoy it. Most kids do well. Praise Payton for sitting and listening to you and being good. He will LOVE it!
Oh...utilize the flight staff...they are there to help. Godd luck.

Hi J..

I've traveled quite a bit with my three little ones, often traveling by myself with two at a time when they were babies and these tips worked for me.

1. If you can, try to plan your trip so that it coincides with a nap time while flying.

2. Pack a bag full of activities that you know your child likes; i.e. favorite foods, books, toys. It and your diaper bag should be your only carry-ons so you are not too overloaded. If you are traveling with another person, you could bring one more but I wouldn't go beyond that. If you bottle feed, bring enough bottles prepared with the right amount of dry formula and just bring some lukewarm bottled water. You'll need to buy this after you get through security or you'll have to throw it away.

3. If your child likes movies, you could always bring a portable DVD player.

4. I have always bought a seat for my child and carried their car seat on. It was so much easier not to have to worry if there would be an available seat or to wrestle with an infant who doesn't want to sit on your lap. They get used to their car seat, so being strapped in it doesn't necessarily feel uncomfortable.

5. Have some Motrin or Tylenol handy in case their ears hurt. I always just gave them a dose an hour before flight just in case. It also helps some children to nap.

Hope this helps.

L.

I have done so much airplane travelling with my son, make sure you keep him up as much as possible before getting on the plane first, then just make a little bag with some books, crayons and toys that doesn't make noise ( they can be very annoying to other passengers). Talk to him, read to him and bring some of his favorite snacks..

Hi when i traveled with my son for the first time he was a little bit younger then your daughter Payton. He was into movies so i purchased an inexpensive portable DVD player and i let him watch movies on the plane. Also if she still uses the bottle or pacifir on take off and landing try to make sure she has it in her mouth for her ears. Good luck with the trip.

Give him one dose of Benadryl at the gate and he should sleep for a little while. This is the advice my pediatrician told me. Also a portable DVD player works great. Pacifiers and preferably a bottle because they can suck so their ears wont hurt as bad.

Hi!
I flew from VT to FL with my 15 month old daughter,they allow you to keep your children on your lap which is a good security thing for your child. Make sure he has something to chew or suck on to protect his ears. I hope this helps.
Good luck and have fun....
T. D

i took a flight from NY to WA state when my son was only a month, so it may have been easier for me,but I just stocked up on pacifiers, bottles, and quiet toys. if he's into watching movies quietly, even at a young age, i suggest bringing a laptop or portable DVD player with baby einstein movies. My son is 18 months old now, and he had a bad stomach virus on the weekend, so we had to bring him to the hospital, but bringing the laptop gave him a huge distraction that was well worth it.
i also read somewhere that even if he does have a problem with his ears, and won't drink a bottle while lifting off and landing, and he does feel pain from his ears, he will probably cry, which is what you would want him to do, because when he cries, his ears will naturally equalize, so it's ok to let him cry for a little bit (even if the other passengers probably won't appreciate it, but it is all for you child, not them)

hope this helps out. oh, i don't know about other airlines, but jet blue is great, they even have changing tables inside the bathrooms!

Bring some favorite toys and some new ones to pop out. Give him a binky, bottle, sippy, or boob (if he's nursing) during takeoff & landing, and anytime you feel like your ears need to pop. When our daughter was really young, we dosed her with Tylenol before boarding, but we haven't done that in a long time. Never tried the Benadryl trick, but it would definitely work for my kid.

What airline are you flying? Most of the major carriers don't do pre-boarding anymore. Ask to be sure, and if they don't have preboarding, well, don't worry about the fact that the line is piling up behind you. If anybody complains that you're taking too long, tell them to call the airline and tell them to reinstate preboarding for families with young children. (Can you tell I have an opinion about this?)

If he's in his own seat in a carseat, he has to be by the window (I learned this the hard way - the airlines won't tell you that until you get on the plane.)

SOMEONE TOLD ME TO GIVE MY CHILD BENADRYL SO THAT SHE WOULD BE CALM AND GO TO SLEEP FOR THE PLANE RIDE..IT WORKED ON MY OLDEST DAUGHTER BUT MY LITTLE ONE IT DOES THE OPPOSITE..