Flying with Children for the First Time

I have flown several times with my two boys and really is a lot easier than you may expect. I always try to pack a separate carry on bag for them with a variety of entertainment options. I buy new coloring books for them...the crayola color wonder markers are great because they won't leave any marks behind.

I fly with my 10 mo old once a week. Here are my super traveler tips. 1. Don't worry what anybody else thinks! take your time. your kids won't act like angels and they can all get over it. I hate when people glare at you for having kids! 2. Put all of your baby liquids in plastic bags because you have to take all of the liquid stuff out of the diaper bag and this makes it easy to grab it all at one time to stick it in the bin. 3. put your stroller on the belt first so you can put your kids back in it first then repack your bags. It is also good to try to get in the wheelchair lane if you can. 4. Give them a bottle or a cup take off and touchdown. It helps with thier ears. There are also drops your ped can give you to numb the ears. I have used it also.
Yesterday I drove 4 hours to Denver for a 9pm flight, flew to Memphis and made the 45 min drive to my house....no big deal. And if it makes you feel any better the people directly behind me had 3 kids under 3! You can do it too!

My 2-yr-old just completed his 4th round-trip flight. the first 2 he was under age 2 and rode in my lap to save money. I felt more comfortable that way too as I was able to nurse during the flight and not carry bottles to get thru security, plus he slept much better in my arms or his Dad's than he would in a car seat. For our last 2 flights he needed his own seat which required a car seat. Since I am pregnant and didn't want to deal with lugging a carseat thru the airports, I took a friend's advice and bought him a CARES harness (www.kidsflysafe.com) I love this device! He thinks he is such a big boy because he gets to sit in his own seat, but at about a pound, the harness provides the 5-point harness protection he needs and takes up very little space in my carry-on. We simply check the carseat with our luggage (he gets 2 pieces of his own to check because we paid for a seat, so no problem there) and we are prepared for the flight and the rental car.

Definitely take your stroller to the gate. Putting it thru the security check is a pain, but if your gate isn't near the security check you will be glad you have it. Plus it is also great to be able to get from one gate to another quickly if you have to change planes. My son carries his own small backpack with a couple of books and small cars, crayons. etc. We also have a personal media player with movies on it for the trip (similar to the DVD player but everything is stored on a hard drive instead of DVDs) and his blanket and small pillow that I carry in my backpack for him. I flew alone with my son a few weeks ago and the passenger sitting with us was amazed that he handled everything so well. Don't forget the pacifier or sippy cup for take-offs and landings. And always ask when you check-in for early seating so you can get yourself and the kids settled. Good Luck!

K., My husband and I flew with our son when he was about 15 months I think. The flight was about 2 1/2 hours and we were afraid that he would not be able to sit that long without wanting to run around cry, scream, yell, etc. We made sure we had his sippy cup, a snack, a couple of books, and his favorite pillow that he sleeps with (its kind of like his blanky). I was so glad we took his pillow because he was asleep by the time we took off, and slept through the whole flight there and back. So, if your little one has a favorite blanket or stuffed animal take that so that he or she will feel comfortable. Good luck.

Our latest road trip was the best yet when we used the Taby Tray. It can be used on a plane as well - as it is so difficult for children to use the tray - it doesn't reach them.

It kept our daughter busy for hours. She was able to use it for snacks as well as having a surface to play on. I love the cupholder and crayon holders, as I am not having to pick these up from the floor anymore. She even drew on it with crayon and we could wash it off with soap/water. Great for short trips also.

The tray is sturdy and very simple to attach. It works great on our stroller as well --- we use it at the mall --- makes shopping/eating there enjoyable!!!

I will be buying another when when we have our next one, as I will have 2 kids close in age to contend with!

You can get the Taby Tray online for the best price at www.kidscornershop.com. Hope this helps.

When you make your reservations ask for the front seats in the plane more room.Don't change your flight at the last minute. I was flying alone with 3 kids ages 2-4-5 We(my sister) decided to go to the childrens museum in Minneapolis I changed my flight for 3 hours later and ended up flying standby. My 4 and 5 year old had to sit 10 rows behind me(they loved it because the stewardess gave them pop and treats) I got a middle seat and had to hold my 2 year old on my lap .

See if the flight attendants will get the older child his pilots wings. I was on a flight that had to land because of bad weather and ended up being 6 hours instead of 2. The flight attendant was very nice and took my son (2 at the time) to meet the pilot and got him his wings. She also let him help her pass out drinks to the other passengers so I could take a break.
I found that taking some small snacks and toys helped immensely! The dvd player also is a great idea, but make sure you have headphones so that noone can complain about the noise (had someone do this one time).

My daughter took her first flight at 3-month old when we were moving back from Europe, since then she has been on 7/8 round trip flights mostly to west coast (she is turning 2 this week). I used to carry her in Babybjorn baby carrier in front of me until she got too heavy, so I had both hands free for diaper bags, carry on etc. And I can use the toilet with her in front as I travel without my husband most of the time. Then I started purchasing her own seat at 9-month old (some airlines offer discount infant fare) so she can travel more comfortably for the 4/5 hours flight. Or check with airline on how full the flight is going to be, if not too full you can probably take up an empty seat next to you to give you more room. I used to nurse her during take off and landing to ease ear popping then make sure she munched on cherrios or goldfish when she was able to chew.

I usually pack back-up liquid formula, bottle, sippy cup, homemade baby food, snack (cherrios, gold fish, wheat crackers, fruits etc. but sugary candies/cookies/snack), cold and fever medicines just in case. Just make sure you let the security know and show them. DVD player is a plus but not necessary. Instead, I pack stuff animals she can't sleep without, blanket, favorite books, non-noise making toys and at least one extra outfit for her and a few more diapers than you think you need.

Car seat is up to you , I usually do when there is car ride involve at the destination since ours recline so she naps better without bobbing her head. Stroller is a must for trips. You can check in at the counter if you don't want to stroll through the airport but it really helps with diaper bags, carry on etc. until the cage. As you are traveling with your hubby, one of you can push the stroller without problem (unlike me, I usually carry a backpack diaper bag, a rolling carry on with extras and back-ups in case luggages don't made it and push the stroller myself).

Good luck and have fun on your first family flight.

I made it an adventure for my child to while flying. I packed a few things in a lunch bag to carry on with me. So that every 30 mins to 45 mins my daughter was able to reach in the bag to find something NEW to do. All depends on how interesting things are. Small dollar store puzzles, sticker books are wonderful. Visit the party section at Target or the Party Store and buy some of the stuff you place in goodie bags. HAVE FUN and WEAR YOUR SMILE.
S.

Hi K. -

Yes, take the portable DVD player and your stroller. The stroller will be helpful to transport your children and diaper bag. Your stroller will also allow you faster service through security. I would also suggest taking snacks for your daughter with a sippy cup. On the plane you can ask for juice/water and put it in her cup. For a friend who flew out on Saturday I packed goldfish, animal crackers and a sandwich bag with napkins, a plastic spoon and some applesauce. Will your daughter have her own backpack to carry with her on the plane? If so have her pack a favorite blanket or "lovey", small toy, favorite movie and books for her to look at at the airport or on the flight. If you allow your daughter to have suckers, pack a few so she can have them during take off and landing to help with the popping of her ears. I do believe you can pack formula for your son. You will most likely have to show the security personnel. Also offer your son a bottle or pacifier (if he uses one) during take off and landing as it will help with the popping in his ears also. I hope this is helpful! Have a great family trip!

A couple of probably obvious things are taking some chewing gum for the older one for the ears popping... and if the little one sucks a pacifier,, make sure they have it when you take off, since the little can't chew gum.

I haven't flown since 9-11 so I don't know all the rules of thumb on what you can and can't take on. I did hear on the news this morning that they are starting more random checks of your carry on bags, so make sure you google it or something and make sure you know what you can take.