Tips for a Long Plane Ride

When traveling with young children I find it's best to take a red-eye flight so that they go to sleep on their regular schedule and pretty much sleep through the flight. The biggest problem for little ones tends to be the ear-popping discomfort that can happen as the plane reaches and then descends from altitude. If you can get him to drink from a bottle in ascent/descent it might help since the process of swallowing can help move the fluid in the eustacian tubes.

Good luck!

V. T

I took my (then) 10 month old (extremely high-energy) on a 10 hour flight so I feel you, girl! I tried Benadryl to help him stay sleepy, but it had the reverse effect and hyped him up, so if you are going to go that route, try it out at home first! My guy stayed awake completely on the flight over (due to the Benadryl) and completely on the flight home (don't ask me why, I have no idea), and we survived! Chances are there may be some other children on the flight that capture his interest and walking over to them or having them come over to you will be a great way to occupy him. Also, people (as in adults, I suppose) are very accomodating and understanding of little guys and their particular needs. There were many adults who entertained my son on the flights and even watched him while I got up for the bathroom. If he enjoys movies yet, bring along a portable DVD with his favorite toys (and bring some new ones he hasn't yet seen so that they'll occupy him). Finally my last piece of advice is to have a "change only" bag with just diapers, wipes, a set of clothes, etc. so that you do not have to rummage through all of your other bags to find what you need quickly when you need it. You'll do great and so will he. Think of it as an adventure and part of your trip, not just the way to get to your destination! Let us know how it goes!

To help with the pressure changes during takeoff and landing try having a bottle ready when you get to your seat, but do not give it to him until you are taxing. That way, as you take off, his sucking on the bottle will help relieve the pressure in his ears as you climb. Do the same thing at the end of your flight as you begin to descend, unless of course he is sleeping. A pacifier works well too.

Depending on how you feel about it, you can always call your pediatrician and let him/her know about your travel plans. Our pedi gave us an option and instruction for using Benedryl to help our kids sleep on the plane. It doesn't always work, depending on you r child so you will want to try it out before your flight if you are considering this rout. Call you pedi before you do this so that they can give you specific dosing advise for you sons age and weight.
I hope this helps.
Happy travels!

Hi K.,
3 of my kids were born overseas (I now have 4 and we are getting ready to take another overseas trip in 2 weeks). We have taken numerous plane rides with them at various ages. 1st of all, there is usually a 6 month/20 lb. weight limit on the bassinet. I'm surprised they are letting you use it at 10 months. Usually, they can't guarantee that you will actually get the bassinet that attaches to the wall...there are only 2 or three per airplane, so sometimes their idea of a bassinet is a cardboard box on the floor (no joke). I always got the bassinet that attached to the wall, but I made numerous phone calls and always stated that I did not want the cardboard box on the floor in case of bad turbulence. So, I would check on all of those things. Secondly, just do whatever you need to to pacify your baby. Pack lots of snacks, toys, books, etc. that you need to and don't be afraid to walk the aisles with your baby or let him crawl. People would much rather see you going up and down the aisles numerous times than hear a fussy baby (some people really enjoy seeing the little ones on the plane as well). I've never used Benadryl (though I've heard it works wonders), so that might be an option for you as well. I just did whatever it took to keep my baby happy and "packed" lots of patience. Make sure you have a pacifier, bottle, cup, or that you nurse during take-off and landing to help your babies ears adjust.
Have a great flight!
Kara (mom to 4 boys)

Hi K.,
As a flight attendant and mother I do have some suggestions, thought keep in mind I've never taken MY son on long flights. If you've ever taken your child on long car trips you can incorporate some things you've used and done there. The good news is, though your son is crawling, he isn't walking and this means less activity than a toddler. Good for you for requesting the bulkhead seat and a bassinet (though we always recommend purchasing a seat for your child and using an FAA approved child restraint system/car seat). Be prepared though for the airline to make mistakes or to have a change in aircraft model, which could affect your seat assignments, and take it in stride, your child will absorb and react to your behavior and stress. If you can, look into requesting an infant meal, you can always take with you what he doesn't eat. Either in your diaper bag or another tote/backpack, bring NEW surprise books and small toys to keep him interested and occupied. Don't let him see the contents until the moment you need them and only one at a time. Try not to introduce more than one an hour and you can always bring old favorites as well. TSA does allow parents to bring formula or pumped breast milk, but I recommend powder for those who use it for ease of travel. Check out TSA.org or your airline's web site for family travel suggestions.

Try to only be out of your seat while the seatbelt sign is off, and be prepared for unexpected turbulence. I have seen parents hurt during flight and unable to care for their kids, so never put yourself at risk, even if you can't stand the smell of that diaper.

Lastly, and only from the mind of a flight attendant, keep in mind the crew is there for your safety. There are certain things they can and can't do or can and can't allow. Please never hand them trash during any food or beverage service (and never hand them dirty diapers), their hand are clean for the service. Though our airline asks us to never hold a child unless necessary, I have many times (I can't help myself, I love children). We are instructed to recommend warming a bottle or food jar against the parent's body to prevent over-heating and burns, but ask for bottled water to mix formula of you can, I don't suggest using tap water for anyone under 1 year or with suppressed immune systems. We do not have microwaves on airplanes.

I could go on but I've bored you long enough. Safe travels and feel free to contact me if you have specific questions.

S.

Hello,

My baby now 13 months old has been to germany twice once at 4 months which was easy the second time at 6 months and now in Australia at 13 months seemed to be quite easy. I just have very low expectations before each flight. Crawling could be a problem if you are a germ freak. We let her do what ever she likes (within reason). The bulk head is great and your baby should sleep quite well from our experience. There is something about a plane. Take some benadryl check with your doctor to see how much you can give your baby also give some to your baby before you fly to see if your baby gets hyper.

My only tip is to see if you can get your Dr. email address so that you can email if there are any problems.

Have a great trip it really is not that hard.

P.

When I traveled like that with my then 5 month old, I remember loving the fact that I bought a simple foldup stroller instead of my "cadillac" one. Then added a clip-on net for putting things into, and I made sure there was a basket on the bottom to hold extra stuff, like 2 blankies at least.

Then I packed an adult-size backpack. I used a Galloon Size baggie for each "theme", Like Medicine's, Bottle stuff, Diaper Stuff, toys, etc....This made it alot eaiser to find things when I was digging. Plus, the more baggies you use while traveling, the more you have available to you if you need an extra one :o)

Have Fun!

Hi K.,

I have two boys that I have taken traveling with me since they were born and a lifesaver for me in the airport, plane and restaurants is my No Dropsey! Check it out at www.nodropsey.com.

Good luck!

Hi, K.. I had to chuckle when I read your question. I remember when my son was about 6 mos old and I flew from Hawaii to California (6 hr flight)... I went at night so he would sleep and of course, he stayed awake the entire flight, had diarrhia and was antsy. I wish I had an answer for you. Maybe check with your doctor and see if there is anything you could give him during the flight. Best of luck!

I've taken numerous long flights with my girls, and I'm forever grateful to our pediatrician for having suggested Benadryl. As the other moms said, try it at home first to be sure it will have the desired sleepy effect on your son. I found that it made my girls very sleepy, and had the added benefit of keeping their sinuses clear (which can be an issue for babies especially - NOTHING worse than a baby with plugged and painful ears!).

Other than that, take way more diapers and formula/snacks than you think you will need. One time we got stuck on the tarmac for 6 hours prior to our 6 hour flight and I nearly ran out of both diapers and formula - scary stuff. The flight attendants can heat up bottles for you.

ALSO, bring a change of clothes for the baby and yourself. A girlfriend of mine had her baby throw up all over her - right as they took off for a 5 hour flight! So just bring more stuff than you think you will need. Chances are you won't need it but it's good to be prepared!

Bon voyage!

My son and I have flown across country twice now, at 2 months and at 6 months. The thing that kept him the most occupied was standing on my lap and looking over my head behind us at all the people and activity going on. Many passengers would smile and engage him, which for a sociable guy was awesome!

My pediatrician recommends that I give my children (3 1/2 yrs and 9 months) Benadryl. It opens up their ear canal for better drainage and it helps them sleep. Give your pediatrician a call and see what he or she recommends.

sorry but he only thing I can say is chamimile tea and benadryl, and a portable dvd with his favorite movie and a few new toys that he has never seen! hope it helps.

Although my longest flight with my son (now 19 months) was only 5 1/2 hours, we've flown often since we live nowhere near our parents. Depending on the airline (we usually fly Southwest because there are no assigned seats), there's usually an empty seat next to us, and that REALLY helps! We also usually fly early in the morning (long flight) or at naptime (short flight). You may not be in the same situation, but I'm still nursing, so he usually nurses during take-off and will sleep in his sling almost the whole flight.

I agree with the other moms (except the Benadryl; never tried it). Take plenty of toys, books, activities, and snacks. I would also make sure to take whatever he would eat at meals as well. There is no limit to how much baby food and breast milk/formula you can take on the plane; you just have to declare it at security. My son is also energetic, and it's normal to see us walking up and down the aisles. We don't do it while the flight attendants are serving, and we try not to do it often, but it's nice for me to stretch my legs, too.

Good luck, and have fun!

You've got lots of great advice here... just adding to it:
We flew SFO to Amsterdam (11 hrs) several times with my oldest when she was 11 months - 2+yrs. We would fly at night as often as possible and I brought my boppy with me and let her sleep in that on my lap (those bulkhead seats are great for stretching legs). I also skipped the stroller and carried her in a sling to keep my hands free.
My little one would get so upset with the pressure change that she refused to nurse and would throw her pacifier... I'm not sure what the airline regulations are these days, but I finally figured out that if I used my bottled water with a sport/squirt cap and dribbled a little bit of water in her mouth she'd have to swallow it - worked like a charm!
Good luck and try to be well rested before your flight - traveling with kids is a lot of work!