Taking Toddlers by Plane-dealing with the Airport and a Beach.

Oh fun! Traveling with kiddos.

You can take the stroller with you inside the terminal. You would check it at the gate when you board the plane. Same goes for the car seat unless your child is going to sit in it during the flight (must be a 5 point harness type approved by the FAA). Just see the person at the gate before boarding for help.

Re the beach... We went to Cancun when my ds was about 18 months. Take a sunscreen, sun blocking shirts, hat, etc. One thing that happened to us is they lost our luggage and we didn't get it until the next day. My advice would be to pack about 2 days worth of diapers in your carry on. We barely had enough to make it. Also, pack lots os snacks and food in case of delays. Snacks keep little ones busy too. We had a couple of cans of those toddler meals and cereal. My son normally didnd't eat canned food, but he seemed to enjoy it.

BTW, I'm very sorry to hear about your son. I just noticed that and my heart goes out to you.

I flew by myself with my son when he was 2. I bought a new backpack he had never seen before and packed it with toys and books he had never seen before and had snacks and drinks. You cannot bring drinks or snacks through security so you will have to buy them on the otherside, I let him pick out one he really wanted then I bought some healthy ones I chose. You can take the stroller on the plane, they will just take it from you when you board. Make sure you tell them when you are checking in at the gate that you have small children and a stroller so they can tag your stroller. I got the suggestion to sit in the bulkhead because there would be more leg room but I found this inconvenient because you can't have your carry-on bags under your seat while sitting in that row, so I had to ask the Flight Attendant each time we needed a new toy out of the bag. Look up the flight security websites and make yourself familiar with all the rules and regulations so you are ready at the gate to go through smoothly. Make sure everyone has on shoes that slip on and off easily and a stroller that calapses easily.

The best advice I can give to you is do not be embarassed if your children yell or cry. I got very stressed because I was concerned what others thought when he cried and it made everything worse. Be open and optimistic and I bet you will have a great flight!

The best thing I can tell you for the flight is to get a portable DVD player if at all possible! I have traveled with my daughter nearly 12 times now (she got her first wings at 6 months) so I know it can be a dreadful experience. However with good planning, it won't be to bad.

Usually the people at the screening area of the airport are helpful. Every time I've flown they have allowed me to bring through a baggie with snacks, the small toddler fruit juices, etc. I was even able to bring through unopened 6 oz. bottles of Nursery Water. During our last trip, I was traveling alone with my daughter and we were stuck at the airport for 8 hours one day and 6 hours the second day. The only thing that saved me was Disney and my DVD player (I think we watched The Little Mermaid 10 times!) Take at least one change of clothes for the little ones, plenty of diapers and wipes, and then some new toys, etc. to keep them busy. I've even taken a playdough pack on a plane before. Also, make sure the wee ones have something to drink or chew on for take off and landing (i.e. raisins, fruit snacks, etc.) because they don't know how to pop their ears on their own and the chewing will help. OH, yeah, you can check the stroller right at the gate and then it's waiting for you after the flight.

As for the beach, take LOTS of sunscreen and apply often. Hats and sunglasses if they'll wear them. Then, a bucket and a shovel is probably all they'll need to keep busy for a long time.

If you have any more questions (or need some other ideas for snacks, things to do, etc.) from this seasoned traveler, just let me know!

Hope you have a great time!!

K. G.

I was flying by myself with my, at the time, 13 month old son and i HATE TO FLY much less with a kid by myself! I called his doctor before we left and she told me to give him some tylenol about 1/2 hour before the plane trip and he slept most of a 2 hour flight. It was great. I had packed extra clothes for me and him, just in case our bags got lost, some of his favorite toys and books and some snacks.

Now on the way back home was a different story. I forgot the meds before we got on the plane and man was he night and day. He wouldn't sit still, he tore up the in flight magazines but we made it in one piece!!

I hope you have a great trip and I'm really sorry about your little boy!

Hello C.!

I have traveled quite a bit with my son (now 3 1/2). I wish someone would've told me about the whole stroller thing before I traveled with him the first time. No, you do not have to check it with your baggage. You leave it on the jetway just before you board the plane. They stowe them beneath and when you get to your destination, they will put them back on the jetway just as you are getting off the plane....very nice! I would usually just make sure I was wearing a backpack with all my stuff in it so I could walk around the airport until I needed to be at the gate...we would go buy snacks, walk through shops, ride elevators, etc. Anything to keep him occupied!

The beach...I wish someone would've told me to put our sunscreen on at least 30 minutes before we got to the beach so it has plenty of time to soak in. That way the sand doesn't stick all over the kiddos. Also, when you get to your destination, buy some cheap sand toys that you don't mind leaving at the hotel when you leave.

I hope you have a great trip!!!

T.

When my son was 18 months, we took him to the beach as well. This was his 1st plane trip and beach vacation. We did check his carseat and just used an umbrella stroller while in the airport. We didn't have to check this...it fits in the overhead ben or the flight attendants will store it in one of the closets. That was a definite lifesaver!!!

As far as keeping the kids busy on the plane....DVD player! Also, a few new toys that they can play with ontop of the tray table along with lots of snacks :)

For the beach, we packed floats, sand toys, etc. Have a fun trip!