Traveling with an 11.5 Month Old

Sometimes they surprise you, so keep as calm as you can - I swear they can pick up on our anxiety!!! As far as the airplane goes, bring some books and toys - preferably favorites or new ones that you can give to him on the plane! The toughest thing at this age is getting them to stay in the seat - so distraction is good. He will likely get fussy at some point. Remember, that's ok this is all new to him, just remain calm and try to be a calming force for him. Make sure he's sucking on something during takeoff and landing for his ears (bottle, sippy, etc)

Take the rest of the time as it comes. If he needs you as he might since it's all new - be there for him, and give it a couple days of adjustment. I still think he'll surprise you!!! Enjoy

D.M. was right, try to be as calm as you can. They can pick up on anxiety and it will rub off. I've never flown with my son (now 16 months) but we've done a lot of car trips, a LOT of them. Really, he mostly sleeps even now. If he wasn't sleeping, he was watching everything out the windows. He's a big time people watcher too so your little one might be really into seeing all the new stuff and new people. Bring some snacks, if you bring formula/milk then you'll be able to bring that in through security (tell them first, check with them about how they want it packaged), bring toys but preferably no loud ones unless they have quiet settings. Have the proper nap time stuff because he will probably get sleepy in the plane.

Get yourself the gigantic size bottle of Benadryl or Nyquil or, better yet, Jack Daniels. Sip at it regularly throughout the vacation.

Seriously, all you can do is what you have already planned...keep the schedule as in tact as possible. But kids need to have a little flexibility.

I was worried about my LO sleeping in not her room because from the few times she had she would not fall asleep. I did one day of naps and nightime sleep in her room in a pack and play, then one day and night in a random room in our house in the pack and play and then one day and night in our room in the pack and play. Basically I wanted her to get use to sleeping in a pack and play no matter where the pack is set up. It worked REALLY well and she slept great on the trip. The clingy craziness during the day I am no help with because she was 100% like this too, but at least she was rested. The plane... Have lots of toys! My LO loves to rip Kleenex so we let her do that for about an hour... helped pass the time.

Take him out of his "comfort zone" as much as possible until the trip. Like the other moms said, stay calm and reasure him as much as possible its "ok"!! Take him to a friends house, shopping, grandmas more, out to eat, etc. prior. Let me have more play dates. I know he's young, but if another friend has a child his age, let them play for a few hours together w/o the presence of mom! Good luck!

My moby and ergo have been lifesavers during our multiple trips with DS.
I put him in the carrier on the plane. It helps him fall asleep, and when he's awake, it keeps him from wanting to go on the ground all the time.
It's helped a lot with naps too, it was a familiar place for him to fall asleep. I would just pop him in there, go for a walk, and he would fall asleep within minutes. This way, I could keep him on his usual schedule no matter what was going on around him.
In the end, it was always much easier than I had anticipated

I took my son to England when he was 12 months old (one layover for a total of 12 travel hours AND a 6 hour time difference.....not fun). But he did great!! Kids are resiliant. As long as you are calm and prepared, everything will be fine. Make sure you have familiar items with you (blankie, favority toy, etc.) as well as new toys and snacks for the plane ride. Also, bring more diapers, clothes, toys & food than you think you'll need for the plane ride- you never know what may happen and you may be stuck on a tarmac somewhere. Bring an extra shirt on the plane for you and your hubby in the event your LO decides to throw up on your or in the case of a diaper malfunction. You might want to consider a sling--works wonders for walking through the airport and also is very calming for baby to be in one. Just think of the adage, "Plan for the worst and hope for the best!" Be over-prepared and just expect that traveling with a LO is not ideal, but it is certainly do-able! Be confident and calm as possible! Good luck and enjoy your vacation.