Flying with 2 Yr Old

I just got back from a trip with my 2 year old and 5 month old and it was easier than expected. She (2 yr old) had flown multiple times before but now that she's older and even busier I was worried! It was cinch, really! First of all, I would recommend taking the car seat onto the plane. Your son is used to sitting in that seat and will probably fall asleep in it easier than the regular plane seat. Also, pack some snacks, of course, but I wouldn't recommend drugging him. Don't overpack b/c you'll just regret lugging all that stuff around. If you have a DVD player, I would only add a couple books and maybe some crayons or a different toy. I bought the I Spy Snap card game to look at the different pictures on the cards, not to play the game. By the time you board, listen the safety speech, take off, etc. there is so much to look at and talk about that you'll be an hour into it before you know it! As far as bringing liquids, you can do it in small quantities and only for the child, not for you. Just declare it when you get in line and it shouldn't be a problem. I also carried on the Tylenol, hand sanitizer, etc. and it was fine, just put it in a quart size bag. Our daughter doesn't use sippy cups any more and I noticed that they now have lids and straws on the airplane for the kids, which was so nice and unexpected, so you may think about going that route too. My last suggestion is to take some balloons for the waiting area. They are cheap and easy to blow up and you can leave them there or throw them out when you board the plane. Your son will have a great time and it's a great distraction from waiting for him and other kids there!

Have fun!

I wouldn't give him benedryl unless he has a drippy nose. It can be very dehydrating and can cause him to be irritable and wired. Especially if you don't give him the correct dose. You should definitely bring baby tylenol onboard in case he has problems with his ears. But it sounds like you are going to be alright. My son really loves those aquadoodle pads. You use a waterpen on the activity sheet and the pictures so show up. It is like coloring with water. Very cool. And the pictures dry up and you start all over again. bring some new stuff that will be exciting for him. like new books. Also make sure you pack two outfits for your son and an extra outfit for you. My son got motion sickness on the way down and it wasn't pretty. Oh, and bring some plastic grocery bags you can use for garbage or soiled clothes. You may even want to bring large ziplock bags for any soiled clothes to keep the smell from coming out. You'll do great. Have a safe trip. one more thing, dress in layers because the airplane can get very hot.

I recommend getting a sticker book of his favorite characters. My son loves Toy Story, so for our upcoming flight from IL to CA I'll have a new sticker book packed away to surprise him with.

You can bring milk from home. Just be sure to have an insulated case for it. You can also purchase Horizon non-perishable milk at Target in the baby section. It's 2%, organic and pasteurized and does not need to be refrigerated.

Avoid the medications - your husband is right. I've never used them on my almost 4 year old and he has done over 30 RT flights, including trans-Atlantic.

Add to your list: a complete change of clothes for you and your husband just in case. Also, I had trouble with TSA last time we flew and bringing milk. I was told to have my pediatrician write a note on prescription pad with the # of oz he would need for the trip and then you should be fine. Most airlines don't sell milk and many don't sell juice.

Another cost saving measure, pack an empty water bottle, and fill it on the other side of security from a water fountain.

Good luck! C.

Tylenol will have no effect on making him drowsy, but Benadryl will. I would not recommend doing it as it's using a medication inappropriately, but everyone on here would be lying if they didn't admit to thinking about it in such situations.

They may not sell whole milk at the airport, but at 2 years, he should be transitioning to a less fat milk anyhow. We just moved our 23 month-old to 1% per the blessing of our Pediatrician because she's so high on the growth charts. I'd ask your pediatrician.

It sounds like you've covered the rest really well. Just remember that you'll have to purchase his own seat for him since he'll be past his 2nd birthday - we were in a similar situation a few years ago when we traveled a few days after our son's 2nd birthday. The airline required his birth certificate for verification.

I'd check TSA.gov or call them to see if you can bring milk through the security check point. Usually you can as long as it's not in excessive quantities, is in a sippy cup, and the child is accompanying you.

The only other advice is to bring ear plugs for the DVD player. As a business traveler, it is horribly distracting to listen to Disney movies because a child wants the volume up high. Plans are small, confined spaces, and you never know what the sensitivity of the person next to you may be.

Good luck.

I flew from WI to AZ with my 2 1/2 year old, the flight was also about 3 hours. Here is what I brought (some will be repeat of what you already plan on bringing):

* Diapers & Wipes
* Sippy cup
* Her favorite blanket and stuff animal
* A variety of her favorite treat/snack in unopened packages (something that is gummy or requires chewing is good, give during take off and landing to help with the pressure in the ears)
* Baby Tylenol (which I gave a dose, was told by pediatrician it could help with the pressure in the ears... and in turn might help nap better since the pain will be gone or not so bad)
* 2 small coloring books & crayons (picked up cheaply at walmart or target)
* Mini Magna-Doodle
* LOTS of Stickers (I took the paper off around the stickers to make it easier for her to pull the stickers off)
* Playing cards (I let her put sticker on them, we went through the numbers, just something new to her)
* NEW small books

We did not have a DVD player at the time (got it a few moths later) BUT that is going to be a big help! I would bring along 2 movies or a few DVDs of his favorite cartoons.

Regarding the milk if it is a required dietary need then the drink can be brought through security, just make sure to have it out in one of the bins so they can quickly understand what is going on and hopefully it does not delay getting through the check point. If you have the time maybe call some of the eateries beyond the check point to see if they have whole milk, I honestly do not remember if they offered it or not. With my daughter I just bought chocolate milk for her, it was a super special treat as well as let her pick out any juice she wanted. Now if your son is sensitive to other milks/juices then just to be on the safe side bring whole milk along (best if you can get it in a smaller container, unopened, it will really help to speed you along through the security check point).