Flying with a 15 Month Old

i posted this a while back - but thought it could help you too. sorry for cutting and pasting - but i didn't have much time to write a whole new post! :-)
J.
____________

we have traveled a lot domestically and internationally and here are some suggestions i have...

i am an over packer - but i've never regretted it!! :-) and if we have to sit on the runway for hours - i am ready!! i have 2 large zip top ll bean bags that i put everything in - food, change of clothes, diapers, wipes, my pocketbook, books, toys, camera, computer, etc. i always bring food - all kinds including yogurt, jarred baby food, crackers, sandwich, fruit, graham crackers, etc. and i also bring snacks for me - i am not happy when hungry and neither is oliver. i also fill his backpack with playdough (small containers), books, cars, animals, stickers, those special magic markers that only work on certain paper, aqua doodle cards, matchbox cars, finger puppets, his stuffed monkey, etc. i also wrap most things (some new and some old) in tissue paper. i know it's not environmentally great - but it is a great time waster and he gets so excited to open everything up - doesn't even matter that it is something he already has - it's still exciting!!

i have also just started bringing a dvd player (he is almost 4 years old). we never did before - as we didn't really watch tv until later - but on some of the long flights we take - it is a last resort option.

i am always completely exhausted when i fly with oliver. i think it is b/c i worry before the trip that i am packing everything we will need - and then on the flight i am on high alert to his needs so that he doesn't have a complete meltdown. knock on wood it hasn't happened yet - but it takes me a few days to recover :-) for me - being prepared for every instance is really helpful and makes a tiring time - a little better.

the things that keep his attention most - are playdough, stickers, aqua doodle cards and books. he will sit and be read to for hours!!!

i have NEVER medicated my son - nor would i and would never suggest that to anyone. make sure you are prepared - know that you will be exhausted - but it is never a good idea to 'medicate' just to make life easier. safe travels and let me know if you have any other questions.
J.
ps - when we fly to london we do the redeye and it has worked like a charm!! he even fell asleep on takeoff one time - we weren't expecting it b/c he's usually too curious to nod off - but he was well fed, in his pj's and the plane was dark and he was cozy under a blanket!!!

We have found that THE best way to have a good flight with a child is part preparation (as discussed in other responses) but to also SUCK UP to the flight attendants!!! Their attitude can make or break your flight. When we traveled with our twins we always brought a box of expensive chocolates, or Mrs. Fields cookies... something decadent and yummy, then we'd present it with a bow on top, to the flight attendant in our section at the beginning of the flight and say something like, "You have such a difficult job, and we understand that us bringing our little ones on board makes it that much harder, we want you to know that we appreciate what you do and we want to thank you in advance. Hopefully this little gift will help the flight to be more pleasant for you and your co-workers." I'm telling you, those flight attendants will be cootchie-cooing your baby the whole way, finding her crayons, toys, pilot wings... A friend of ours did the same thing on long flights and was upgraded to first class TWICE, and once even had the pilot hold a connecting flight for them. Like my grandma always says, you catch more flys with sugar than vinegar!

Both my sons have done multiple flights too and from Australia and trust me I know how to do a long haul flight with toddlers (and on my own no less)! Most of the advice below is great. Don't fret too much about changing stations on planes. They always have them in at least one bathroom in each section on the long haul flights. Do scout this out early though so if you need a quick change you know which bathroom to go to. Most important thing next to taking red eye flights is to make sure you've booked a crib for your little one. These are located at the bulkheads on the long haul flights and provides somewhere for your little one to sleep and give you a break from having them on your lap. There is no additional charge for these either, but they are limited so call your airline now and request it. There is a weight limit for them but even my chunky 20 month old still slept relatively comfortably in them on our recent trip. Portable DVD's are great but now most airlines now have individual screens at each seat with channels devoted completely to kids so this added item to carry around on your entire trip can be skipped - but check with the airline. The best toys are new ones your little one hasn't seen and playdough - number 1 think I always pack and don't worry about the mess (ultimately someone else will be cleaning it up). Snacks are essential as the airlines don't really have kid friendly snacks except for fruit and there are only so many bannana's and apples a kid will eat - although mine seem to like to test this theory and tried to eat every piece of fruit available on our last flight. I think they just liked to walk to the galley and back. Be ready to walk many laps of the plane - easier than dealing with tears or tantrums. Looking out the back window's at clouds always seems to be another highlight - pretty much any window except one you are sitting next to. In all traveling with toddlers is not that bad. Custom lines are the toughest if you have an active toddler, but at least when there are two of you one can keep the little one running while the other stands in the line. Remember if you gate check your stroller you wont get it back until after you clear customs. Biggest tip is don't stress, even if your little one cries the whole way. Make it an adventure and always be positive and your little one will follow suit. Have fun

I think the other gal covered everything pretty well, but one bit of advice, make sure you change the diaper literally right before you get on the plane (anytime you travel). Can't predict diaper changes but minimizing them is critical. When our youngest son was 16 months old (this was about 4 years ago), we were on United I think and they didn't have diaper changing tables in the lavatory (do any airlines? not sure...).
There is no good place to change a toddler's diaper on the plane. I asked the flight attendants if I could lay him down sort of hidden away in the back behind the lavatories on a blanket real quick, and they were really rude about it. They suggested I lay him on the toilet with the seat cover down...yeah right. And I don't think my neighbors would have appreciated me changing him in his seat.
Not that I have any babies anymore, but where do people change diapers on the plane? Do some have diaper changing stations now?
So anyway, make sure you have figured out what you are going to do with the inevitabe diaper changes, especially if they poop...

Whether you are a "tv watcher" or not, I suggest getting a portable dvd player as it is a life saver. We bring it on every airplane trip, doesn't matter how long or short and we don't use it as a last resort, we take it out right in the beginning of the trip. I figured, I owe it to the people around me to have my child as quiet as possible and it's not going to scar my child for life to watch a few movies on an airplane ride. Also, my husband will literally run laps with my daughter around the airport to wear her out before boarding as people are much more tolerant in the airport than they are on the airplane. In addition to snacks (nothing too sugary), I always buy some new toys to keep her occupied, she loves it! Most people get off the plane & comment that they didn't even know that there was a child sitting behind them. Best of luck to you & safe travels!!!

Hi K.,
My husband and I were in the same situation as yourselves with a 15 mo. old at the time. Our doctor recommended a dose of benadryl, if needed. We ended up giving her 1/4 of a dose just in case. I am not high on medicating, but I did not know what to expect and we didn't know if she would be crying the whole time. Our daughter was really calm at that time regardless, but we just didn't know how she would take the flight. I still nursed her, so I do not know if that had to do with it, but it was not a problem. I also took her pacifiers so that she would not be affected by the pressure in the plane while ascending and descending.
Everything turned out fine. Other than flying, I do recommend that you pack a suitcase full of diapers, wipes, and any baby food if your child still eats it. It is very expensive there and they do not sell Gerber anywhere. Trust me we looked everywhere. We even found a Babies r'us and I figured they had to sell it here, but NOPE. My daughter was very picky(and only wanted Green beans, which i only packed enough for 2 weeks not a month), so that is just a recommendation. Please let me know if you have any other questions. We were all over Ireland, Scotland, England and France(Paris). I took a baby trend snap and go and car seat this will be helpful if you are going to rent a car. Oh and it is always raining, even in summer... Get a rain cover for the stroller.
I hope this helps.
I. M.