First Time on a Plane and Going Out of the Country

There are places that rent carseats and those kinds of big baby items so you don't have to travel with them.

I know that people are going to tell you to try Benadryl, but be very careful. Some parents give their child too much and the child ends up in a precoma state. Also children and infants can have an opposite reaction to medications which means it can make them hyper.

I can second the advice on finding out the proper dose of Benadryl or some kind of decongestant for your little one. Our pediatrician recommended it before we flew with our 16-month-old. It helps with any motion sickness as well as the ear popping, not to mention that it may make her a little drowsy and help her nap. We were told to give it 1 hour before the flight.

Everyone else already suggested the other things we did - favorite snacks, plenty of toys to rotate through, etc. If she is riding with you as a "lap child", make sure you know what you are going to do with her car seat. We put it with our checked luggage and there was no extra fee, but this was a year ago. The main reason we did that was to not have to drag it through the airport and "gate check" it, but also because if you have connecting flights on a small plane they will put it underneath with the checked luggage anyway.

I called the airline and they were very helpful. I felt much more prepared after talking to them, and my husband was impressed at how smoothly everything went! He had never thought about the car seat, etc.

Also, for the whole week, you probably know this, but try to keep your daughter on something close to her usual schedule. It will make all of you happier.

Honestly S., I just don't think there is any great solution that works every time. Guage how long the flight is, whether it might make her crabby and make you and everyone else on the flight unhappy. Because, let's face it, much as we love our kids, it can be a frustrating experience when kids are fussy and screaming.

Something to distract might help. But at 15 mos., it may not be the problem you expect. Make sure you have powder formula, if that's the case, as tinned can go bad fast. But feeding a baby however way helps to keep the ear discomfort at a minimum.

I haven't read your other responses, but my biggest piece of advice is to prepare yourself to not have a vacation like you've been used to before. My husband and I travel a great deal and the first time we went with our little darling it was a big shocker of how restricted we felt. For example she was 4 months when we went to Vienna and at 7pm we were in our hotel for the night so she could go to bed...normally we'd be going out to dinner and just starting the evening. In my experience if you are sensitive to her needs, mainly sleep, your trip will be more enjoyable. Bring things from home that she's used to sleeping with, try to keep her bedtime rituals the same, always have snacks and drink on hand, and carrier so you can wear her when she's crazy tired but you are not anywhere that you can lay her down to sleep. Have fun in Mexico!

I don't know if you've already bought tickets or not but my suggestion would be to get a flight at or around a time that she naps. Games or movies will keep her entertained for a while but there's nothing easier than good old sleep to pass the time and keep them quiet! Now, this is probably a little controversial but I called my doctor about it. So, here goes... we gave my then 13 mo. old son some Benadryl to help him get to sleep ( we did fly at naptime so he just needed a little help to feel sleepy). I called our ped and asked what I should do and he gave me the proper dose for my sons weight and age. He said it was perfectly harmless. I told him I felt a little guilty about "drugging" him up and he laughed and said it really wasn't that big of a deal. Good luck and have fun!

I took my newly walking 11 month old to Turkey to visit a friend and the trip was 16 hours. I prepared for the worst but it went unbelievably well. I took benedryl and other things but never even opened them. I was breastfeeding and that was my lifesaver. I nursed at take off and touch down and anytime my ears would pop, I assumed hers would and I would nurse. If you are not nursing, give her a bottle or sippy cup at those times to clear her ears.

I brought all kinds of toys but she had the most fun with regular things like - trying to screw the cap on a water bottle, looking through the sky store catalog and interacting with the people around her. I put myself at the bulk head that had more foot room in case she wanted to get down and stand up or play on the floor below. It's just those seats don't recline at all so it's not as comfortable for you.

I was worried about being exposed to colds from the germs being recirculated through the airplane. I would take airborne before you go and see if your daughter would take a little.

Do whatever you can to make it so she'll sleep most the way. The loud constant droning noise helps them sleep longer. Schedule the flight during nap time or keep her awake longer the night before. That makes it much easier on you.

Take whatever you use in daily life that you will need. It may be hard to find there. Bring books, toys, wipes, suncreen, hats...

Prepare for not relaxing at all but you could be so pleasantly surprised at how easy it turns out to be. Your so lucky you get to go someplace warm!

S.,

My husband and I flew to India with our 15 month old this past summer which involved two, back-to-back, nine hour flights. We were really nervous but he did fine, super actually.

I think the trick is to be prepared for anything. Have a change of clothes with you, more diapers then you think you will need, and lots of food and snacks. The airlines were great about getting us milk and water, but they don't really have toddler food.

We brought his favorite books, and some new "surprise" toys for when he got restless. He enjoyed looking out the window before take off as well.

A friend told me not to be worried about what the other passengers were thinking and that was good advice.

Have fun and enjoy your adventure.

M.

When we moved out here my twins were 16 months old and had learned to walk the week before so that was fun trying to keep therm in their seats for 8 hours....!
I remember we wrapped small toys for the kids to open every hour which helped relieve their boredom. We also got Cheerios and string and got the kids to make necklaces which they then could eat. The back galley of the plane was a great place to let the kids play with rolling toys (cars etc) but make sure you dress them in old clothes as plane floors are not the cleanest of places and ask the air stewards for their OK to do this - wait until all food has been served.
Board the plane as late as possible, not first when they call for parents and kids as that gives you extra time to let the kids run around whilst everyone else is getting in their seats - sometimes as much as 30 mins less time sitting on the plane.
We also bought along some books to read to the kids and paper and crayons as well as a favourite blankie/ toy to help the kids nap.
Last of all, remember that if it turns into the flight from hell (yes we have had one of those on a return trip to the UK), then it really does not matter. You will never see anyone on that flight again and they will all have forgotten about it by the time they get through baggage claim. Hard to do when you have throw up all over you and marker pen where your eyebrows used to be but keep smiling and ignore the frosty looks - everyone was your kids age once....!
Good luck!

Don't sweat. Make sure she is ok with her hearing and all no ear infections or anything. Ask the dr. what he recomend to be honest I think she will be fine with the flight make it fun for her don't let her see your nervous other wise she will be. Also bring stuff for her to do on the plane and off in the hotel. So while you guys are getting ready she can play and kinda fell like its home. So her favorite toys and stuff. It will be fine and congradulations to your brother and have a blessed time.

S., First and most important, If there are ANY signs of congestion, your daughter needs to be on a decongestant, also practice a new game, open your mouth WIDE, pull your ears, and hers... (MAKE SILLY FACES) The ear pain can be excruciating for a child, even if you hate it, take a sucker...Next, take a small bag of new toys, quiet ones, and possibly a small cassette or cd player with headphones. soothing or silly music.
On the trip itself, keep to her schedule as much as possible, it will help you both! Good luck hon. Have FUN! K.
MoM of 5 grown, been thru it many times!

My kids have been travelling to the uk (8 hour flight)and back since my eldest was 8 weeks old. Definately take a full change of clothes for her in case of any accidents, and at least a t-shirt for you. It's good to take a new toy to hold her attention and some yummy snacks. Also suckers for take off and landing to help with ear pain. Crayons and a pad of paper are a good idea. I also find it easier when my youngest (now 3 years) is in a carseat because he knows that he can't just get in and out of that and he falls asleep really well in it, so if you're able to take one it's a good idea.
Just try not to stress too much even if she doesn't enjoy the flight or is noisy etc, you are never going to see any of the other passengers again so don't worry yourself with what others feel about your daughters behaviour, good or bad. If she has a favorite blankie or toy take that to make it easier for her to sleep in a strange environment.
Good luck, I'm sure she'll be just fine. Just a comment on the benadryl advice, it can make some kids hyper instead of sleepy, so keep that in mind before giving her drugs.

Hello S.. It looks like so far the advice that you are getting has to deal with what to take to keep your child occupied. My son is now almost 24 years old but remember his first trip like it was yesterday. I was in the military and we were traveling from Europe back to the States and he was about 6 months old (a little younger than your child). A friend had already made the trip once with a little one and she told me to make sure I take a bottle filled with water or milk so that he could have something to suck on during take off and landing so that his ears would not pop from the pressure. And the next advice she gave me proved to be very valuable...make sure you take a couple changes of clothes and be ready to use that little bath room on the plane to change lots of poop. He pooped and we had it all the way up his back! It might not happen with your child but you need to be prepared!! I know it's a lot of advice but try and take heed to most of it because it was all good advice....I pray that you have a safe, uneventful trip!

Hi S.!
We have done the Mexican adventure 3x and with great success. Here are some things to consider....
-make SURE your little one (and the rest of you) rinse your mouths out with bottled water ONLY when brushing teeth in the hotel

-the sun is brutal...we always buy the SPF protective swimwear that fits like a little wetsuit...Our little guy & girl NEVER ever got a sunburn...and it saves 80 gallons of sunscreen--since most of their little bodies are covered by the suit

-bring some no-brainer foods that he/she will eat if the buffet food doesn't cut it...like oatmeal, fruit cups, etc.

-bring some 'down time' toys for shade time...books, etc.

Not sure if you have a portable DVD player...but we absolutely love ours. You can get one for less than $100 these days...great for the plane and for hotel room downtime...while you are getting dressed, etc.

Have a GREAT time and don't stress out. Enjoy the warm sun & the great surf!!
K.

we took a backpack jsut for our little one (2 at the time) and had some new toys in it, to keep her interested. I highly recommend gummy bears for take off and descent, instead of gum. Take enough for all of you because everybody loves gummies. If she is still on a bottle, you can take powder in teh bottle and they will give you water on the plane as soon as you get on, but I bought a bottle at the airport, just because I wanted it ready for take off and fed the baby (8 mos at the time) as we were taking off. Buy the 5 dollar snack pack, it will keep them interested for quite a while and it's easy. I have heard a lot of people recommend portable dvd players. I like self contained games, like etch a sketch, and books, and some favorite little cars or trains, my 19 mos old is loving cars and wooden trains. Good luck.

I just flew to Mexico last month with my then 10 and a half month old. For the plane, I called my doctor and she was able to give me a recommended dose of benadryl. They said that any pressure that she would get in her ears would be relieved by that(It also makes them sleepy). She told me to alternate that with tylenol if needed. My daughter slept most of the plane ride. I went there for my wedding, so we had family on the plane too. SO she was able to so see different people and not be so bored. Also make sure to pack unopened snacks. They won't let you bring any liquids unless it's in a bottle.
If you bring an umbrella stroller, it doesn't count as your checked baggage. I brought both, because my umbrella stroller didn't have a cover to block the sun. However it was a giant pain to have the big stroller.
I was really worried that my daughter would get sunburned, because she is so fair. I used waterbabies spf 50 pretty frequently at least every hour(pretty much everytime i thought about it. When she wouldn't keep her hat on, I just put the sunscreen on her head. Anyway, we used the waterbabies on us too, and none of us got burned(we are all fair skinned).
I brought a few toys that she could play with outside, but not too many. Make sure that you pack enough diapers and water diapers. They cost double if you buy them on the resorts and where I stayed we weren't close to any stores.
For food, as long as your daughter eats regular food, the resorts have everything you could imagine.
If you have any other specific questions, feel free to message me.
My trip went pretty smooth, so I would be happy to share any other specifics.

First off I suggest you put the stuff you might need in her diaper bag and maybe pack your purse in your luggage. Going to the airport with a baby/toddler is rough, not only do you have to take off your shoes/coat and empty your pockets you have to do the same for her so the less stuff you carry on the better, just make sure you have your license and her birth certificate or shot records with you (I almost couldn't take my daughter thru security b-cuz I didn't have proof she was mine, luckily I had her shot records in my wallet). You can take a stroller with you if thats easier most airports let you keep them up front on the plane, but you might want to check into this before you hall it threw the airport.
On the plane make sure you have something she likes to eat with you, adults chew gum to help with the ear popping but babies can't so gummy bears, fruit snacks or something chewy that will make her have to swallow a lot when chewing it would really help. Or if she is still on the bottle, let her have it right before you lift off and when you descend, ear popping hurts adults so I can't imagine how it is on a baby. I also recommend trying to plan your flying time during her nap time so she will be tired and maybe sleep the whole time or if that wont work take a fun toy she has never played with before that way it will keep her occupied more than an old toy she has already played with would.
And just a couple hints for you, put ALL liquid stuff in baggies (even toothpaste) just in case and take extra baggies with you for on the way home. Tie matching ribbons around all your suit case handles (and car seat if its not on the plane with you) so you can spot them easier, when at the baggage claim. And I know this might sound funny but put all under clothes (bras & panties) in a big zip lock bag b-cuz if your suit case has to be opened they are not aloud to open anything in baggies lol (not sure about you but I don't want any stranger fondling my undies lol) Hope this all helps, have a great flight.

I don't know how long your plane trip is going to be. it would be a good Idea to have some game/toys for your little one to do.Also you might want have a stroller that your car seat can fit into. When I first traveled on a plan with my 3 kids they were1 year,4, and 6. We were moving to Okinawa Japan then that trip was very long. If you are in the middle seat where you have to climb over people see if someone would switch with you so it will make it easy for you to get up and getup to go change her. It was much easier on the trip home after 3 years there. You may want a few little snacks for her as well. They will have you check the stroller at the plain and if you have to pay a little extra now I am not sure but it would be work it as I know how hard it can be to get from one place to another. They will also give it right back to you as you depart the plane. Good luck.