Flying with 13 Mo - Plano,TX

We've travelled a lot with our son - now 14 months - as a lap child. Bring ID for your baby. Our son loves food and books, so we packed tons of snacks, favorite stuffed animal/blanket and books. Even popped in a Baby Einstien DVD in our laptop when grounded for 5 hours when returning from an international destination gone awry. Bring whatever your child really likes. We take off his shoes to minimize the impact of the kicking on the chair in front of us and encourage him to drink fluid on the ascent to keep his ears from clogging up.
Best of luck.

I've done this 3 times with my daughter, who is 2 now. Once we had to sit in the plane on the runway for 2 hours. From that experience my first advice is to take plenty of snacks. Remember that you need to survive being in the airport for a couple hours as well as being on the plane. Dry snacks are less messy (Goldfish, crackers, cereal bars). For drinks I pack juice boxes in the diaper bag/back pack (highly recommend a backpack). They don't need to be refrigerated so they travel well. Just squirt the juice into the sippy cup when you want to give her a drink. You could buy drinks from airport vendors, but I've found it easier to have these things at hand. Also, bring a "bag of tricks." Bring one or two small toys that are new and a favorite book or two. Don't forget the special blankie or lovey if she has one. I also packed a couple of unconventional toys. The folding ruler that I grabbed at the last minute at Walmart kept my 15 mo old entertained for at least a half hour on a plane. Another winner for entertainment on the plane was window clings (if you don't have a window seat, they stick to the food trays too). I found a booklet of window clings in the teacher supply area in Walmart. You can gate-check your stroller, so go ahead and bring it if you will also be able to transport it once you get to your destaination. It sure makes getting through the airport tons easier. You just wheel the stroller right up to the plane, get a specal tag, and leave it at the door of the plane. It will be the last thing in the cargo area and the first thing out -- waiting for you when you deplane. Also, check ALL of your luggage. Only thing you need to deal with on the plane is the baby and your backpack. The worst part of the flight will likely be take-off and landing. I have given my daughter tylenol and/or benadryl to help relieve the pain and pressure from take off and landing. If you're not opposed to that idea, just give it to her about an hour before boarding. Also, try to get her to drink something on take-off and landing. The sucking/swallowing action will help relieve pressure. Also, change her diaper right before you get on the plane. Hopefully you won't have to change it again until you arrive at your destination. Be sure your travel baby wipes container is full. Those things are quite handy for wiping sticky hands and faces. Then, after all your prep, PRAY :-). We have been pleasantly surprised every time we travel with our daughter. Not sure if she is simply a good traveller or if all of our preparation pays off.

All I can remember is to bring lots of fun things to distract her with. May want to bring something for her to suck on during takeoff and landing like a bottle of juice (so ears won't pop or be too irritating). If she likes cartoons, take a personal video player to watch her favorite cartoons.

I've done this with four children! Yes, a few times with all of them at the same time. :-) If you give her a cup or bottle to drink as you take off and as you decend, it will help her "pop her ears" by swallowing. If she is not thirsty, then animal crackers or a snack she likes works, too. It's hard to teach, even when they are 5 years old, to swallow or yawn when their ears hurt. Also, try the recommended dose of advil for any changes in pressure that cause discomfort about 30 minutes before you take off. I hope this helps.

I have flown by myself with my 3 1/2 year old and 11 month old on several occasions. My advice isn't anything unusual ... Bring snacks, tiny board books, flash cards (I punched holes in a couple of sets, then put them all on a key ring), medicine, drinks and wipes. Despite all that, pack light. You might be surprised at how few people offer to help you. If she is sitting on your lap I wouldn't bother bringing a car seat on the plane. Check as much as you possibly can. Combine your purse and the diaper bag so you have one less carry on. Get a couple of small toys for her to open on the plane. A little Benadryl or Tylenol 30 or 60 minutes before the flight wards off any ear problems and make help her sleep. When you check in find out if there are any empty seats and ask to be moved there so you may get a seat for her even if you didn't pay for one. The extra room can be nice. Above all don't let any cranky travelers make you feel bad about traveling with a little one. You deserve to be on the plane just as much as they do. Good luck!

I just flew with a 5 month old, and it went just fine... she slept through take off and landing for the first strech, and then just observed her new surroundings and flirted with the guy next to us for the second half. the air pressure didn't bother her a bit. My mother swears by a little trick a flight attendant showed her over 25 years ago with me on a flight when I was under 3yrs old... in case of air pressure bothering you're little one's ears, she said they offered me two cups with hot wash cloths in the bottoms of them to hold over my ears. Though I don't remember, my mom says that it stopped the crying instantly. Other than that, my only advice is to not worry about the other passengers... If your baby is crying, there's not much you can do about it! other than that, just enjoy the flight, and know that it's a whole lot better than trying to drive!!! good luck!!!

Hi L.,

My husband and I flew to Colorado with my son when he was 9 months old. I don't think there is a foolproof way to make your child's first flight go smoothly. My son was fine on the way there, but he had a terrible trip back.

I am still nursing him (he's now ten months), so I nursed him during the takeoffs and landings. If she has a bottle, sippee cup or pacifier, give it to her to prevent her ears from popping. Also, if she has a special toy or blanket, take that along for security.

Neilen's attention throughout the flight, however, was mostly directed toward a little girl baby (who was also 9 months). They entertained one another wonderfully. So it may be helpful for you to find a couple with a toddler who would be interested in allowing your children to be playmates.

Other than that, your best bet is to try to entertain her yourself. Also, take lots of snacks for the wait at the airport! They tend to become very annoyed in all of the excitement.

Hope some of that helps,
A.

L.,
I have a two year old girl and she has been flying since she was 8 months old. Have snacks, drinks and small toys and books. I go to dollar stores and buy little toys and books. If they get lost you are not out any big money. And they are usually small so they fit nicely into a backpack. I bring these items out one at a time when she is bored with one I wait a bit and then pull out a new toy. this keeps her surprised and stimulated. Also don't be afraid to get up and walk up and down the aisles with her. I have found that the majority of the people on the plane and the stewards love kids and have no problems when they act out. there are on most planes baby changing tables in the bathroom so you don't have to be on the floor.

good luck
Timmie

A couple of things that worked best for us. Be sure and bring lots of her favorite snacks. These were a lifesaver for us on a 2 1/2 hour trip to Az. Also, if you have a portable DVD player, that was great. For my son, even a cd player with some of his favorite cd's kept him entertained.

Good luck!!

one thing I forgot, have them wear an overnight diaper during the flight. it will hold more if you get stuck on the tarmac. bring an extra too.

good luck! it will be fun!

I recommend that your toddler fly in a car seat. You will need a car seat when you arrive at your destination. I suggest that you bring small toys, books, and snacks that will help keep your toddler occupied. Also, if you can try to book your flight time around lunch time, your todder can eat lunch, then nap. I hope you enjoy your trip!

Hmmm, i could share my flying experience with you but you would probably cry! It was really hard when i took my son down to South America when he was your son's age... It was a 14 hour flight!!! Can you imagine?
Some Tips... Take a portable DVD player with you in case your son likes to wath blue's clues, wiggles, etc...
Take some "pull-up" diapers... The changing table inside the restroon is really small and if he is just wet, a pull-up diaper will get the job done a lot faster, believe me... You can even change him from your own seat.
Try to give him a bottle/sipcup while the plane is taking off/landing because of the preassure in the ears... It will help a lot.
And the best one, be patient! If your son cries, like my did the WHOLE flight, try not to look at anybody's face... They will be probably mad and you don't need another thing to upset you...
I wish you good luck and hopefully he will sleep the whole time and you will have the best flight ever!
Take care!
F.

The portable DVD player was a god send when we moved from Canada to Dallas. Also new small toys, favorite blanket or snuggly is a must as well.

When we travel one carry on is just full of small toys, movies, DVD player, snacks and juice. Also don't forget to pack a bottle to suck on during take off and landing (helps their ears pop).

Have fun and travel safe.

cyn

My daugter flew with me at that age(as well as 3 & 4 months old) and also sat on my lap. She slept most of the way all 3 times. I just made sure that before take off and prior to landing, to put a pacifier in her mouth to keep her ears from popping. If your daughter still drinks out of the bottle, that works too. I believe I also wore one of those carriers to keep her secure to me. Hope that helps and if you have any other questions, feel free to ask!