My husband and I will be traveling for the first time with our just turned 2 year old in the fall. It'll be our first time traveling by air with our daughter and to make the matters worse, the flight will be about 12 hours long. The farthest I've traveled with my daughter is about 35 miles by car... I have no idea what to expect, except I'm really anxious about it -- the luggage, car seat, feeding, making sure we have all of the necessities, how my daughter will handle it, and with whatever else that has not even occurred to me yet. Any tips on how to make our trip easier is much appreciated!
Wipes - lots of wipes. Wipe down the seating area before he sits. Cause he's going to touch EVERYTHING. Chances are he will sleep a bit. If you don't own a portable DVD player or some sort of tablet loaded with his cartoons of choice, you should get on that ASAP!
Bring healthy snack and a few not so healthy ones, too!!
Relax and enjoy!
I'm surprised so many are saying to check the car seat. I travel a lot with my kids. I put the kids in the car seat on the plane sat that age. They were more comfortable and would sleep in it more easily than without it. Just look at the side of your car seat and make sure it says FAA approved(most are)
Other than that, my thoughts are similar to everyone:
Change of clothes for everyone ( so you can change when he spills juice on you)
Filling snacks (eg bagels, in addition to Cheerios type snacks)
A sippy cup (empty and buy juice after security)
Blanket
Portable DVD player and DVDs of favorite shows
Sticker books
ETA: buy some inexpensive earphones. On the plane, the flight attendants will want her to wear them when watching shows on the DVD/iPad/etc. And ear buds that you have lying around won't work with a toddler, you need old-fashioned earphones.
First, relax, it will go much smoother then you are expecting it to! My boys were both born in the UK and we have been flying to Montana almost yearly all their lives. Some tips that helped me. First off, I checked my car seat always, I would check it at the gate or in a special carrier, but I never carried it on the plane. It is bulky, and the kids were always more comfortable in the seat with extra room, they could even lay down with their head on my lap. It also allowed them to sit closer to me to help them feel safer with landing and take off. The one time I lugged the seat on and made my son sit in it I regretted it the entire trip and checked it on the way home. Second, when you check in or pick your seats ask for the "bulk head". The disabled or those traveling with lap infants get first dibs on the bulk head, but if you can get it you will have way more leg room so your little one can stand in front of you to stretch, and there is no seat right in front of you for her to kick ect. Other then that just make sure you have snacks, and entertainment. My kids usually slept most of the flight anyways.
Blessed Be.
Buy a seat just for her.. it will make your life much easier and safer.
Don't over think things. You can check your stroller at the gate if needed. She will be fine... If you show any anxiousness, she will pick up on that so make it an adventure and have fun.
We fly a lot and my daughter was about 4 months old for her first flight. We've had a couple of long trips and on those when she was a toddler, I had playdough, books, games, snacks. Now with DVD's, IPad's etc it is a lot easier for parents to incorporate fun. For some reason, the jet engines usually lulled our daughter to sleep before take off so that was a benefit for us!
She will be fine.. keep everything simplified and don't over do it. My cousin travels to the US to visit family every year with her 5 little ones in tow, now ages 1-11
Enjoy your trip!
ooh man!! how fun!!! so from LA - a 12 hour flight, non-stop? You going to Europe or Australia???
First, use the KISS Method - keep it simple silly.
If you stress, she will stress.
A backpack with diapers, wipes, etc.
Check the car seat. Unless you have one that you KNOW fits in an airplane seat? Check it.
If she doesn't have tubes in her ears? Make sure she has something to drink on take-off and landing - it will help her ears with the change in pressure.
You might be surprised, she might sleep for most of the trip.
Be prepared for her to want to walk the isles.
Keep simple toys - manipulatives - things that you might put in your car and are easy to move around, light to carry.
The more stress you put on yourself - the harder it will be - and she will pick up on that stress and react. So go with the flow - keep it simple and know that it will ALL work out!!
I would make/buy her a busy book. The best way I have seen to do it is to get those clear plastic binder pouches- the kind that have a slider on the end to zip open and closed. Then fill each one up with different busy things... One with beads and strings, one with felt dress-up dolls, one with crayons and paper, one with toy cars, etc. maybe even buy some new small toys to play with in it.
A bag of dum-drums (or other slow-to-eat treats...) will probably help too. ;) lol.
As for the car seat, I would reccomend gate-checking it (where you carry it with you through the airport, and check it when you board he train.) Most airlines do so for free, and that way you don't have to worry about it possibly getting lost or damaged it's regular luggage. Some people like to use their seats on the plane, and if you plan to go that route I would call the airline and ask about your particular seat... Sometimes, even if it SAYS it is airline approved it doesn't work too well, and you wind up having to hate-check it anyway. (It's easier not to deal with it, trying to haul it through the tiny aisles while wrestling with luggage and a toddler... I'm not too worried about the safety aspect either, considering that in the event of a plane crash, the seat is kind of like a drop in the bucket at that point.) I would only check it with the baggage (again, Most airlines do for free) if you will be having a few layovers, and don't want to haul it around multiple airports.
When we flew with our DD, she was almost 2. We actually used her big stroller as a luggage carrier, and carried her. Much easier to maneuver! (They also gate-check strollers for free...)
For food, I would try to find as many healthy snack items as you can. Snacking was a great distraction, and I can't imagine trying to to eat a meal on the plane with a 2yo. (Which, with a 12 hour flight, I'm sure you will have to try...). You won't be able to take drinks through security, but you can definitely take some empty straw/sippy cups (or whatever your dd uses) through empty, then fill them up with water or whatever you buy once past the checkpoint.
Also... If your DD has a lovey, make sure you check for it before leaving and boarding the plane. My daughter managed to lose hers at some point, and was devastated when she had to sleep without it. I didn't even notice it was gone until bedtime. :(
I would not recommend the car seat, unless she loves sleeping in it. It's big and bulky, takes up a lot of your seat space, and conveniently places little feet very near the seat in front of them (good for kicking/pushing).
Don't stress too much. It will be a challenge, but it will end (in ~12 hours).
If you need to bring the car seat (can't arrange for one on the other side), try to get a GoGo Babyz attachment. This allows you to roll the car seat through the airport, with your little one in it. (This also allows you to strap your 2yo into it, reducing chasing around the airport).Gate check car seat/attachment.
If possible, send the other adult in early to secure spaces and set up, but be one of the last ones on the plane. Let your kiddo run around as much as possible up until you have to board the plane.
Bring an extra set of clothes for you and kiddo (you never know).
Bring small items to keep kiddo engaged when not sleeping. This includes small toys, small boxes (can put inside each other or put stuff in them), blue masking tape or removable stickers, various snack items (entertainment and nourishment!), small books. If your kiddo responds to screen time, this is the time to use it.
Bring sippy cup (empty then fill with water after security) or lollipops for her ears. 2yos don't know how to pop them.
Blanket for sleeping.
I like to get a seat as far back in the plane as possible. It's noisier (just in case kiddo is noisy). The white noise might even help the kiddo sleep. If there is a free seat, that's generally where you'll find it. And it's easier to get up and move around/stand. This may be crucial for a 2yo. Just keep your eyes open and keep out of the flight attendants' paths.
There is generally a bathroom with a changing table, if you need one. But you might have to search it out (there is often only one).
Good luck and have fun!
You may want to consider a CARES harness but don't expect to use a car seat on the plane. My DD was not yet 3 on her first flight. She did fine. We took the stroller to the gate and checked it. Find out if you can gate check a stroller and a car seat. We baggage checked the car seat (in a protective bag). It was fine. Car seats are usually loaded with other fragile items at the end, just before takeoff. You may get a car seat AND stroller allowance for her. Make sure to make use of her carry on allotment, even if she doesn't "really" need it. Bring toys, but quiet ones. Books. A portable DVD player. Take her on walks to the bathroom, even if it's really just for you. Bring a favorite toy and blanket for naps. Ask the airline in advance if you can order a child meal or if they give the kids goodie bags. Check in earlier than you think you need to. If she has no experience with security lines (like at an office or museum) then take her through one to kind of get an idea. Kids under 13 no longer need to remove shoes, but she will likely need to go through a metal detector on her own feet.
You can take a small amount of juice. I suggest juice boxes and bring an empty sippy cup to fill up at the water fountain past security. You may also take some children's medications, in small bottles above 3oz. I prefer to take them sealed. Verify with the airline and airport any restrictions on what you can travel with. Put all liquids in small containers in quart ziplock baggies in the top of your carry on to show security.
I suggest something to drink for the takeoff and landing. You can ask the flight attendants for juice or water before you take off/land if you find yourself without.
It will be OK.
ETA: Backpacks. They are your friend. Keep your hands free to push a stroller or walk around with a kid before boarding. DD likes having her own little backpack and was SO PROUD. No one seemed to care that she had a preschooler backpack and I also had a carry on for her. Put spare clothes, shoes, and diapers or pull ups in the backpack she carries.
ETA 2: I believe that children over 2 yrs old need their own seats, so make sure you have factored that in your travel plans. This is a good thing overall. DD slept in her seat and I was able to eat and do things without holding her on my lap. I personally didn't mind being close to the restroom. I do agree that it may go very well. Most flights there is very little problem with children, in my experience. They can be great little travelers.
Check as much luggage at the curb to have less to deal with once you get on the aircraft. Bring small carryon's with extra set of clothing, snacks & sippy cups (you can buy juice & milk in the airport). Dvd player or ipad (similar electronics) with age appropriate movies downloaded. If she doesn't already use a headset, get her started now so she is used to it for watching movies. Books to read, small toys, favorite stuffed animal crayons, coloring books, etc to keep her busy. Definitely bring the carseat because she is used to it in the car. Seatbelts on airplanes are easy to take off & its SAFER for her to be in the carseat. If the seatbelt sign is off, and she's getting bored, take her for a walk throughout the cabin. It you are potty training be sure to have pull ups because if there is turbulence you may not be able to get up to take her to the potty. Also talk to your pediatrician about benedryl, children's tylenol or something similar to take an hour or so before landing for her ears.
Hope this helps!
Good luck & God bless!
My cousin recently did a long haul with 3 kids under 5. She said she just kept reminding herself, that at some point, the plane would land and the trip would be over. It gave her strength and resolve.
For us, under 1 and over 3 y.o. proved easy, the caveman that was my child at just under two, when we went to Australia was damn near impossible to contain or corrale. He thought that the emergency release door lever looked like so much fun. Also, he wasn't much interested in tv, the ipad or dvds, but the overhead bins seemed like a great time.
Best,
F. B.
We got some mileage out of melissa & doug's latches board. Consider it and or other games/ manipulables with pieces which stay attached. Also, consider triangular crayons (they don't roll as far).
Get a bag for the car seat and check it. Check all luggage except a carry on full of two outfits for each of you guys in case something happens. A bag full of snacks and toys. His own bag for crayons and such. Make sure he has his own seat. I can no express that enough you will be thankful for that extra space. Bring gum and hard candy along for take off and landing. Don't pack any sort of liquids in the carry ons pack it all in your checked bags and the also GATE check the stroller you'll want to use. Let the check in know when you check your bags your gate checking the stroller and they will give you a tag and the flight attendant will put it under the plane and pull it out as soon as the plane lands before you get off. Get there around 3 hrs ahead of time. I know it sounds like a lot but you never know how security will be. It could be quick or you could be stuck there for an hour. You will want plenty of time to get to your gate especially with a little one in tow. No need to rush.
My youngest was two the first time he flew...he slept most of the trip. Granted we flew from Baltimore to Atlanta to New Orleans, but he slept on both flights. And both returning flights.
We brought snacks with us, enpty cups with straws that he could use, and let him pack his own carry on of toys, coloring things, etc. We also had portable DVD players as well.
We checked his car seat, and just had him buckled on the plane...but then we had his seat for driving around while we were there.
I hope that helps some.
At some point your child will cry . Don't worry about anyone else on the plane . It is a part of life . They will get over it . Pack a change of clothes for everyone and at least two for your daughter . Put them in a ziplock bag so you can grab them quickly and easily . Change your daughter on the seat . It would be impossible in the bathroom . Bring oranges . When you peel them you will have the best air freshener that won't bother anyone . You can get milk warmed up at Starbucks after you go through security . Bring lots of new distractions , coloring books , toys , snacks etc . Just try to relax and go with it . Good luck ! You can do it ! 🌷
I second taking the car seat on the plane. At that age they don't really want to stay in the plane seat, and it is uncomfortable for sleeping. Put them in the car seat and treat it like you would a car, seat belt on at all times, unless they have to go to the bathroom. Hopefully she will sleep, we did a 12 hour flight with a 5 year old recently, he slept at least 8 hours of it in the middle, both ways. Oh, and car seats must be in the window seat, and have an FAA approved sticker.
Give her plenty of time to run around the airport before and after, if she gets some wiggles out, that will help her to be more calm later.
We have never taken a lot on trips with my son, with very little, maybe a coloring book or just some paper and crayons, and the tablet with games, although we always limit that. If you're going international (I'm guessing by the 12 hour flight you are), they should have free movies too, bring kid friendly head phones so she can watch something.
