Things to Know for Traveling

I made this exact trip with my son over Christmas - he was 11 months old and I had to go alone. We flew into Atlanta and then drove to Athens (about 2 hours away). The truth is, letting my son walk in the terminal to his heart's content was so stimulating that he slept the entire flight to Atlanta. This is his 6th time on a plane, and it happens every time. Keeping him stimulated and entertained in the terminal before the flight inevitably causes him to sleep for at least 2 to 2 1/2 hours. The car ride was a little tougher, since he'd already slept we just had to keep stopping and getting out with him.

Before we left, we took him to the toy store and had him pick out a couple toys that he really liked (in this case, books that made noise and sang to him). He didn't get them until we were on the trip, and they worked perfectly.

Definitely brings snacks she likes - and something to drink (my son was still nursing, but the point is you want them to swallow to clear their ears).

A bulkhead seat offers a lot more room, but you also have no place to store any bags during takeoff and landing with that seat, so you'll have to put that overhead and then retrieve it.

I agree with the diaper change - it's basically impossible to change a diaper on a plane. Very hard and just not fun.

Focus on your family and your daughter, don't worry about anyone else. They may not like it if she fusses, but it's only 2 hours and not the end of the world.

Good luck!

A.-

We traveled with our daughter who was 13 mos. at the time to CA. about a 4 1/2 hour flight. A must have for us, was a portable DVD player. Preferably one with both an AC & DC charger. Our daughter did fantastic with the help of Elmo for about 2 hrs. of the flight. We also brought along juice for her in a thermos (which we had no problem getting thru security with). The biggest thing was the stroller. I invested in a Chicco brand Capri umbrella type stroller, perfect for traveling.
Here's a few other tips I can offer:
1). Ask for bulk head seating when you check in at the gate. (A little noiser, but worth it for the leg room).
2). Take non-sugary snacks onboard (ie..cherrio's,crackers).
3). Take along books & quiet, small toys for her to play with.
4). Feed her an hour before you board (so you don't have to juggle food onboard).
5). Change her right BEFORE you board (VERY hard to change a toddler in the small bathrooms).

As for the car ride afterwards, part of our trip was a 5 hr. car ride from CA to Vegas, she slept a good part of it & we stopped mid way & let her stretch her legs. Take books & snacks & that portable DVD player will work wonders!

Thats about all I can think of. Above all... HAVE FUN!! Don't stress if she cries,,, people will deal with it & you'll never see them again! :)

The only thing I can add that was not obvious to me when we first traveled with our daughter - bring pull-ups for the plane trip instead of diapers. It's impossible (and disgusting) to change a diaper in the lavatory, and pull-ups are so much easier on you. I wish someone had told me this for our 1st plane trip. And the DVD player - on a airplane or car ride is the perfect place to splurge on TV time, even if you're not a big TV mom.

We travel a lot with our two kids (4 yrs and 13 months) so I can offer a little advice. As you know you don't have to buy a seat for your daughter. However when you get to the gate, ask the agent if there are any open seats on the flight. If they have assigned seating and there are going to be open seats, ask if you can be assigned a row with an empty seat. That way you'll have some room to spread out a bit. But if there are no empty seats, don't buy a seat for her, just try to get an aisle seat or a bulkhead (front row) to give you extra room. Also, if there is assigned seating, board last- not during the "preboard". My kids always got antsy in their seat while everyone else piled on the plane so I started boarding at the "final boarding" call = less time confined to a seat. That way, we sat down and the plane took off minutes later. (If you're flying on Southwest --no assigned seats-- then you'll have to preboard to get seats or a whole row together)

Whenever we travel with our kids, we always bring a variety of finger foods and a drink. (security allows you to bring a bottle or sippy with liquid through) We also bring toys (quieter ones)to entertain. If she gets antsy, you can always get up and walk around or let her play with the magazines in the seat pocket. My kids always love looking at the pictures and the crinkly sound of the pages (they allow you to take the mags so I figured they wouldn't mind if my kid crinkled the pages-better than a screaming kid right?) Sometimes you have to get creative.

As for the car ride, try to time it around nap time. Even if you have to hang around to time it right-it'll be a nicer car ride with a sleeping baby. Good luck and have fun trip!