Flying with 10Month Old

3 words....portable DVD player!! :) A small bag of toys/books also helped us. We traveled from Ohio to Oregon with a 18 mo old. If you haven't booked the flight already, try to choose times that would go along with her feeding schedule. Or just use a more "exciting" approach...a new sippy cup with yummy juice, a water bottle, candy(suckers)etc. Also, I found that having the aisle seat worked best then we didn't have to bug the person in the aisle to get up when she wanted to walk around. Good luck to you!

I hate the idea of drugging my babies with no reason, but if you're ok with it, I'd just call the pediatrician and ask them for a dosage recommendation.

hi, my name is A., and i started flying with my son when he was only 6 months old. i never gave him a pacifier or a bottle on the plane. as soon as we took off he was out. i fed him cereal before we left for the airport and that was it. i did keep a bottle of water with me but never had to use it. it all depends on the baby. don't give her any medicine to make her sleep. if you are really concerned, ask her pediatrician.

I flew with my daughter. This was 2 months ago. She was only 3 months old at the time. We had a big plan all ready to go. Feed her the bottle while taking off. If she's not hungry, give her tha paciffier. Well, she was out cold. As soon as we got on the plane and got situated in our seats I started rocking her & singing to her. She was out like a light before we ever taxi-ed to the runway. She didn't wake up for take off. She woke up a little while in the air but was back asleep for landing. So... if you can't stretch her meal to wait until take-off, try to get her to sleep. Worked for us. Happy flying!

Due to her age, please don't give her medication without asking your doctor. Side affects can vary and you wouldn't want your little one to go to sleep, out of convenience, and not wake up.
Maybe just paying extra special attention to her during the flight will keep her occupied. Maybe you can time it where you get her up early so she'll take a nap, during the flight.
Good luck.

If it was me I would talk with her doctor first time I ever flew was a year after the 9/11 attack and I was nervous since I had never been on a plane my doc perscribed me a couple of pills and they worked great. I think they also just came out with something you could buy over the counter but not sure if its only for adults you could ask at the pharmacy at the drug store as well. I am a travel agent but no one has ever asked me that please post what you find out I would like to know what you find out good luck on your trip. :-)

I would talk to your doctor, and have him give you something for this, being so young. And it's hard to say for a little one, cause I would suggest chewing gum, but she is little and this helps most poeple.
I wish you a safe trip. but this is all I could think of for you to do. The doctor would give you something with the right amount for her.
L. A.

As far as the ears go for take off and landing...if she is sleeping, don't worry about it. She will swallow and naturally adjust her ears. So do not wake her during those times if she happens to be sleeping. If she is awake however, she will need to swallow on something. You can take some juice, some cheerios, puffs, etc. Anything that will make her swallow. It does not have to be strictly liquid. I'd even take a lollipop and let her suck on that a bit. It would be something new and interesting to her and the candy melting in the mouth will create the saliva you need for her to swallow. Sugar aside, it beats a crying infant! As for the Benedryl, if she has never had it before, I would not give it to her. Some kids have a bad reaction to it, and some will become hyperactive from it instead of sleepy. The cabin pressure in and of itself will usually put the little ones to sleep. It does not work for mine though, so I take one new toy for every hour of the plane ride. The key is to hide them and not show them until absolutely neccessary. A new book, toy, teether, etc, should buy you some time. Also, on a side note, I know it will be hot to do this, but turn off the air flow above you. It will cut down on the number of germs being directly blown on you and your daughter. Also, pack a shirt in your diaper bag for yourself. You never know when a little one will spit up all over you and you don't want to be stuck having to wear it the whole plane ride! Hope this helps. N.

Be sure to check with your Dr on the amount of Benadryl. Try giving it to her once or twice ahead of time to see how she reacts since sometimes it will cause children to be more active than normal instead of sleepy. Definetly not what you need!

A.,

Haven't you heard that they've recommended that children under FIVE do NOT take these drugs? There have been deaths, there is nothing worth it, not even a bad trip with a crying baby or a fussy baby, wouldn't you agree?
I also wouldn't dope my kids up.

I've traveled with both of my children since they were 3 months old and I've never had a peoblem.

A passanger in first class had a problem, but I didn't ;)
He went up and sat in the cabin area with the flight attendants, he was a crew member flying first class and got stuck with me and my 17 month old.

She wasn't bad, just wining a little cos she wanted to wonder around, but I held her and calmed her.

You can also try things she can suck on, like teething crackers, it makes her swallow, at take off just in case. I am VERY sensitive when I fly and neither of my kids have had much trouble.

You'll be fine, just remember that even if someone is annoyed, there's always a lot of very nice and understanding people that will give you encouraging smiles, they gave my dd cookies and played peek a boo too. :)

Oh and the baby bjorn was always a life saver. Frees up your hands and she can accomodate herself comfortably if you aren't buying a seat for her. I always put my kids in the also and they just fell asleep eventually (my 19 month old wont go in it now but did at 10 months)

We recently flew with our 1 year old, although it was his second time flying, and we knew he was ok the first. We took Benadryl, but have never used it. My husbnad, a doc, thinks that while you should not do it routinely, it is ok. We did give him tylenol in case it hurt his ears. Call your doctor for the reccommended dosage.
My suggestions are to fly during a time when she will be tired. My son sleeps great on planws, and is usally asleep before we take off. He also sucks on his dog's ear, so we gave him Rover to suck on, we have also given him a Gerber Wagon wheel, but anything would work. Don't stress too much, it may not bother her. \I do suggest bringing favorite books or toys. Beware of bringing new ones, she may not tae to them as you thoought.

Dear A.,
forget the Benadryl, if there are no amounts listed it might not be safe for a little one. When my oldest flew at this age we got him a brand new exciting....Sippy Cup! He thought it was so cool that he sipped water out of it happily, you could try mixing in apple juice to make it even more attractive if she does not have tooth problems (once won't hurt?)
good luck,
K

GOOD MORNING
I have two boys 5 and 2 1/2 and they have both boy traveled. We did benedryl the first time. It is actually by age and weight so call your Doc. 10 mos.....if I had to guess I would say 3/4 to one tsp. My girl friend is a sleep study nurse and she usded Melatonin. We use this at bed time if they are unusually wound up!! You can get it at GNC in 1mg cherry sublingual tabs. If she will chew it good other wise chursh it and put in a bit of food. Does not put to sleep it just calms them and allows them to fall asleep. They make earplugs for flying...I think you can get them at Target and CVS. A sucker will help too. Good Luck :-) Take a portable DVD Player it saved us!!!!

I wouldn't do the Benadryl unless your pediatrician recommends it and gives you the correct dose. Benadryl has the opposite effect in some kids--it made me hyper as a child and has no real effect on my daughter when she takes it for allergies.

I would do my best to plan the flight time around feeding time or nap time so that she is likely to want to eat, drink, or sleep during take off and landing. I flew from Philadelphia to Honolulu and back with a nine month and several other flights with babies without any major ear difficulties. I hope things go just as smoothly for you!

I gave my son a small sucker and just had a sippy cup handy for him. We flew when he was 10 months old and he did great. I did give him some Benedryl for the 1st flight, but not for the flight back. I called both my Dr. and a pharmacy for infant dosages. Don't guess, just call them!! Good luck!

I am not a big fan of giving children medicine if there is no medical reason to. I took my son was he was a year old and I just let him look out the window and kept his mind off of things. He didn't have any problems. I'd try a sucker or crackers even, something other than medicine. It will help her body learn to adjust naturally on future flights. Some people never have problems with thier ear popping during flights.

I just flew with my 9 1/2 month old. He had no problems what so ever flying during a 2 hour flight. I would recommend her sucking on anything. My son naturally knew to yawn when his ears needed to pop. Working in a pharmacy I know that it is not a good idead to give your baby benadryl. This works well for older children however sometimes benadryl can make a child very hyper instead of sleepy. It is best to only give your baby benadryl if they have an allergic reaction and for no other reason. Basically, when we flew I just made sure I had some toys that he hadn't played with in a long time. But I didn't even use them on the plane as he slept most the way or was too busy inspecting all the new parts of the plane (windows, trays...etc.)

I asked my doctor about this, she said that babies ears aren't as developed so they don't have popping or any discomfort flying. My daughter didn't seem to know or care that we were flying - for all 5 hours each way. We held her on our laps but took a car seat in case there was an extra seat.

I found out how do dose benadryl by going to ask dr sears.com. It gives you dosages based on weight and of course, ask the doctor before giving it.

A mom with a 4 yr old and a 14 month old

I don't think I would give Benadryl. It's probably not a good idea to give to an infant unless it's needed. I would take a bottle with a little sugar in it. Even if it's not feeding time, what child won't take sugar? If this is the first time flying with baby, you may find that she is fine with it. If you still like the idea of giving something to calm her and help her sleep, Tylenol is pretty safe for infants.

Call your DR!! They can offer you the best safest solution maybe they know about something that you dont and can offer advice, or try homeopethic meds natrual stuff, turkey makes you sleepy ( i know she is a baby but you can grind it up so she can eat some) Please the best safest thing to do is CALL THE DR! They can give you peace of mind as to what to do, and give, and how much......Good Luck with your flight!

S.

A.,
I am a mom of two grown kids, both of whom we have flown with. I am also a doctor. I would be surprised if there wasn't something you could give your daughter to eat or some kind of juice you could entice her with while taking off and landing. If you are absolutely positive that there is nothing she will take, then you should call your pediatrician and ask for the proper dose of Benadryl for her weight or for any other suggestions your doctor may have. Never just give a child a medication without first consulting your doctor and never give more if the first dose does not seem to work. Good luck and enjoy your trip.

If you are going to give your daughter Benedryl to keep her calm on the flight make sure you try the Benedryl once before you go to see how she reacts. Some kids have an adverse reaction to Benedryl and it wires them. You would not want this on your flight. How long is your flight? I flew with my son starting at 5 months old and he did pretty well as long as I had some of his familiar toys with me.

As far as the Benedryl dosage goes, you may want to ask your doctor, but my educated guess would say 1/4 teaspoon as I just finished giving my son Benedryl for a rash and he is almost 4 and got 1 teaspoon.

I just got back from florida with my daughter (she's only 6 months old) and when we took off from Charlotte she wouldn't drink her bottle nor did she want to nurse and she did fine on the plane when we took off without anything. I was told though that if you put styrofoam cups to each of the ears it's supposed to help with the pressure.

A., I have flown multiple times with my daughter over the course of her 2 years beginning when she was 9 months. She has constant ear irritation (never ear infection just sensitive ears) that was quite concerning for me as it can be quite painful for her. I took a sippy cup with a straw as the sipping can help release the pressure but so will a sucker because the sucking and swallowing help level ear pressure. The sucker was new to her so she was more willing to suck on it.
I do not advocate the use of Benadryl for things of this nature but do know of folks who have and although it made the kids sleepy it wasn't always helpful with the ears. You could be stuck with a sleepy child who is now in pain.
Take several things that are comforting to her and get settled in by using those comfort items. My daughter has always loved to watch what goes on around her so talking about what was going on and having a window seat has always helped too. During departure have fun with everything that is new for her.
The first time we flew there was some issue with take off but there was more with the descent however, all was minimized with talking my daughter through it and encouraging to sip. Every flight since has been a non-event. Stay calm and it will help your daughter stay calm as well.
Good luck and enjoy your flight!!

I do not think you are supposed to give benadryl to a child that age easiest thing to do is just call your doctor. Maybe she could try sucking on a sucker?

i would check with your doctor before going the benadryl route. i've flown a couple of times with my now 8-month-old, who also will not take a pacifier. he has nursed most of the flights but one time, he wasn't interested and i figured he would scream his head off, but he didn't. i think your daughter would nurse if the pressure was hurting her or you could always just stick your finger in her mouth - she would probably suck on that regardless. good luck!

Dear Flying Mom, Please do not give your daughter a dose of benedry.
She will go off of how you feel on this flight. Remember she is from you and always response to your reaction and behavior.
She will be fine as long as you are fine.

make faces with her during take off and landing - open mouth for a yawn like reaction. That's where most of the crying comes from - pain in the ears with inability to adjust them. That is why eating helps - the swallowing makes the ears pop.
I wouldn't use Benedryl unless she's sick. She'll either be awake and happy or not. People on the plane will deal with it. There isn't much else to be done.

When I first flew with my oldest daughter, now 8, she was 2 months old. Her pediatrician told me to give her a dose of children's Tylenol an hour before the flight so that the pressure wouldn't bother her. She did just fine.

Someone mentioned giving her a sucker... how about a sugar-free safety sucker? That would keep her entertained, happy, and swallowing. I have a 14 month old with stranger-anxiety BIG TIME! Safety suckers help in restaraunts with him... I wonder if it would help your little one with the plane ride?

Hi A.!

Flying with little ones can definitely be tricky. I was worried too about the ear pressure for my son. My daughter took a pacifier like there was no tomorrow but my son had absolutely no interest whatsoever and wouldn't really take a bottle either. I went ahead and took a pacifier with me anyways and discovered that flying was the one time he would take it! I really don't like to medicate unless the child needs it, so I'd really encourage you to try something else, but that's just me. You might be surprised at what your 9 month old will take on the flight. Good luck!

Please do not give your infant benedryl, just my feelings.

Hayley

I'd stay away from the drugs! My kids have flown several times with no problems. Bring some toys to distract her.

a friend of mine just flew to germany from the states with a 3yr old & 1 yr old..she gave her 3 yr old candy to chew on that was age apropriate, and she gave her son juice to drink, they let her bring a couple small games to keep them entertained throughout the flight & for landing and taking off..she had a window seat & played 'eye spy' with them for things out the window. there's not any information on meds for children under 2 because unless your doctor says so it's really not safe for children that small. my daughter was 2mo. old & got bronchitis and our hands were tied, the only thing we could do was use a humidifier & nasal suction with a hand held asperator. we always surprize ourselves under sticky situations, i'm pretty sure when push comes to shove you'll find a way to keep them happy, you know your kids better than anyone. good luck.

We flew with our oldest when he was a baby ALOT. He never got a bottle (breastfeeding) and I refused to give him medication for no reason. Babies can have benedryl but you need to contact your doctor to find out the dosage chart for that young. In addition, I highly recommend you give a 'test dose' a few days before the flight. Do NOT wait until you're on the plane to find out that your daughter is one of many who has the opposite reaction to benedryl -- that is, making her very hyper!

Basically, you'd like her to be swallowing on take-off and landing. At 10 months old, she's old enough to be spoon fed so while she's sitting there in his seat, just feed her baby food from a jar or yogurt or whatever her favorite thing is. Or give her water in a sippy cup or straw cup to drink.

It's not even really necessary but it depends on your child and you won't know until she flies. My son was seldom bothered by the pressure thing, except for the one time he flew with an ear infection. We usually offered food or water but he usually refused and was just fine.

If she's eating cheerios, make a cheerio necklace. Go to the craft store or bead place and get that stretchy filament string. Then string a ton of cheerios on it. Give it to her halfway through the flight attendants announcements that everyone ignores.

Plain cheerios work best--I did the fruit ones on a trip to Jamaic and we were all covered in primary colors for the rest of the flight!

I did the benadryl melting patch things and they worked great. I don't think of it as drugging my child--with the air pressure changes and all, any mucus they had (both my kids had colds the last time we flew) will make them miserable. And the occasional benadryl to help everyone travel better isn't going to hurt anybody.

Personally, I am not a fan of giving kids medicine for no reason, but that's just me. Especially if the medicine does not list a dosage for your daughters age. Can you possibly schedule the flight so it will be around mealtime? Or maybe give her a bottle of water to suck on during landing and taking off. Buy a couple of new toys and hide them until the plane ride. Bring them out one at a time to entertain her. Does she like books? That would be a nice quiet thing to play with on a plane. Or the color wonder books and markers. I don't know if you can take those on a plane or not. Your pediatrician may have some more ideas. Most kids do really good on planes, so I'm sure you'll be fine.

The main thing is to keep her swollowing during take off and landing (for her ears). Could you get a few of those safety suckers from your drs? Then you could let her lick it and the extra saliva will keep her swollowing. IT will also keep her busy for a while. As for the benedryl, what is her weight? I would give her 1/4 tsp. I know some people have strong feelings against it. Do what YOU feel comfortable with.

I gave my children benadryl when they were all young. It depends on her weight. My youngest was just 3 months when the doctor allowed me to give him benedryl, the dose was 1/4 tsp and he was about 11 lbs at the time. Call your doctor and ask them about it. Hope you have a safe flight!:)-S. E.

it looks like you have already gotten some good advice. i would agree not to give her any medications without dr. approval. try the sippy cup or juice in the bottle but if she will tolerate things in her ears you can buy earplugs designed for flight. they are called "EarPlanes" and come in adult or pediatric size. you should be able to find them at the pharmacy if you cant and your are interested i can order you a pair through my office. but i think i have seen them in pharmacies. you put them in before take off and then again before landing and they are good for i think two flights they try to help equalize the pressure in your ears.

good luck i have a little 12 month old and have been hesitating flying with him to see family due to the same issues.

-E.

I wouldn't give her anything. She should be fine without having to take anything. I flew with my oldest son when he was 7 months old and I didn't give him anything and he was fine. Should you choose to give her benedryl consult either her doctor or a pharmacist and they can give you the correct dosage, but they will need to know her weight.
D.

I am a 31 yr. old married mom of almost 12 yrs. My husband and I have 3 boys ages 10,7 and 4.