Help! Flying Across Country with a Toddler

I recommend not to get a night fly. I tried with my son and he was sleeping without problem but I had a really hard day the next day.

About the car seat, I think is better not to take one if you are alone and have so many things to take. I'm wondering if you can get a taxi that have a car seat when you call for one...

For the flight try to take new toys/books for him to play with.

Here is my 2 cents. I have traveled a lot with my almost 3 year old. I have a 1 year old that has only traveled once and we are headed to the east coast tomorrow. My experience has beenthat it is best to travel during the day, an early morning flight after a good nights sleep. He will probably sleep a couple hours on the flight as mine have always done well. Definately take the direct flight. Also use a DVD player and that should buy some time. Let him walk around the plane as able and ring a new "airplne toy" with you for something new. Also lots of snacks! My almost 3 yr old daughter has always done well, she has traveled to the east coast a lot. I'm worried about my new 1 yr old that has only traveled once when he was 6 months old. He is walking and can't sit still! Hopefully he'll sleep or watch a video. I will not be alone though. I don't think you should take the car seat. When we were in NY we did not use a carseat in the taxi, just heald her (14 months at the time) in our lap. It was wierd but not a law in the taxi. Then when you rent a car you can rent carseats from the car rental, we have done that as well. As far as sleeping at your friends house. I'm sure he will do fine sleeping with you. But you could always take the pack and play with you and check it as baggage if you think he would sleep better that way.
Good luck!

Hi C.,
You have already received some great advice, but I'm going to add my two cents. We've flown to both NY and Boston several times with our son since he was 9 mos. We always got him a seat, but I know that air travel has gotten much more expensive lately. That being said, I would go with the extra seat if you can. We found that our son slept best in his car seat at that age, so we did bring it on the plane. We timed flights so that they would start right before one of his naps. He was so excited about being on a plane the first time that it didn't work that well, but it did after that first flight. Let your son walk down the aisles when the seat belt sign is off. Also, bring several small, new toys/books for the flight and give one when he starts to get wiggly. Color magic from Crayola is good because the markers don't actually mark; they only work with Color magic paper. Also, I would strongly advise against taking a red-eye. Not only will you be tired, but if your son fusses, he will keep up a plane full of people who are likely planning to sleep. Your less likely to get sympathy on a red-eye, imo. We did have one flight where none of these things worked, and we resorted to making a concert like light show out of the overhead lights using the buttons on the arm rests -- prolly drove other people insane, but at least he stopped screaming. As for car seats, in NYC, taxis let us put our son on one of our laps (last summer when he was 4) and put the seatbelt over both of us. We didn't need to ask. We just did it, but that's New York. We only did that twice; it scared me a bit. We took the subway as much as possible (and exclusively on earlier trips -- he loved it! As for renting a car seat, just be sure to have one guaranteed ahead of time. Rental places do run out some time. On the plane, just remember that many of the other passengers are parents, grandparents, etc., and have been there too. Have a wonderful trip!
K.

I think getting a seat, if possible, for your son is best. That way, like another mom said, he can stretch out. But he can also use the seat as a play surface. When our oldest was 18m, we flew from Ohio back home to CA & bought a seat for our son but checked his carseat & he used the seat as a place to play along w/the tray table. For the flight itself, buy him some new small toys, maybe at your local $ store & keep them as a surprise until you get on the plane & then slowly bring them out over the course of the flight. Make sure you bring enough diapers & wipes for a day, a couple of changes of clothes for him & an extra shirt for yourself. Bring him plenty of snacks & juice but you can also get juice & water it down yourself from the flight attendant. I suggest you use a backpack as a diaper bag for the plane ride that way your hands will be free instead of trying to keep the bag on your shoulder. I assume on a flight of this distance, you'll have assigned seating so while pre-boarding may be tempting, just wait & board later so your son can be active as long as possible before getting on the plane. Some airports even have play areas now w/climbing equipment & toys. Have him suck on something at take & landing so his ears don't hurt. Since you're flying alone, I highly suggest you travel w/as little equipment as possible. Just the stroller that can be checked at the gate. If you rent a car, then you can also rent a carseat for an small extra daily charge. Maybe the friend you stay w/can borrow a pck-n-go from someone or just have him sleep w/you. If you're worried about him falling off the bed at nap times, make a little bed on the floor for him outa pillows & blankets. As far as cabs, I wanna say you don't have to have a carseat & that he can sit on your lap but don't quote me on that....look on-line & see what the law is. While it is easier said than done, relax....your son will pick up on your anxiety & that will make for an unenjoyale flight! Hope this helps & happy travelling!

I'm sure you'll get other advice with more details but I have to respond to the idea of sharing an airplane seat with him. You don't need to bring a car seat (we never did) but I think 18 mos is way to old to share a seat with him for such a long flight. Talk about miserable for you, him and the people seated on either side of you. If you have 2 seats, he can lie down and you can kind of sit on the floor w/ your upper body on the seats cuddling w/ him so he sleeps. Otherwise, in a seat w/ you, there's almost no chance he'll sleep. Maybe that's ok for a newborn but an 18 mo old is way too fidgety overall, never mind naps. For flights, we've found little snacks are a big help. And he could watch videos of animals. Kids that young usually like that. And then likely you'll be walking him up and down the aisles a lot!

I am a New Yorker, just moved to San Francisco and made the cross country flight with my 2 yr. old several times. It's not easy with two parents, let alone one. I always bring the car seat, umbrella stroller and a large tote bag on board; these are sort of the essentials. I bring the car seat because I get my daughter her own seat on the plane and she sits in it but if you are holding your child you could check it. I think you will most certainly need it on the other end for the taxi/car ride from the airport if not anything else. And if you take a taxi or car in NYC you will need it, yes.

If you can bear the expense it actually is much better having them sit in it in their own seat on the plane as they are strapped in and don't wander or fuss and have a chance at sleeping that way then if they are on your lap. Plus they keep their hands and feet to themselves rather than disturbing another passenger the whole way.

For the plane I stuff as much as I can into that tote bag; I put diapers, wipes and cream in a zip lock freezer bag that I can pull out to go to the restroom as it is too tight to bring a bulky diaper bag in. I also pack a small cooler bag or lunch sack with ice pack full of snacks; juice, yogurt, lollipops (sucking helps their ears) pretzels, fruit etc. because the food on the plane is never suitable for kids and they don't always have whole milk etc. My daughter is a reader so I bring allot of books; soft cover only to cut down on the weight and some coloring books or a travel size doodle pro. I usually buy a half dozen small toys I can pull out at intervals to keep her entertained. Nothing with pieces to get lost or noises which may disturb others though.

I also make sure to bring a change of clothes for her and an extra shirt for me as we have had some mishaps now and then and 6 hrs. is a long time to sit in something wet or soiled. A favorite blankie or stuffed animal also helps.

As for staying with friends or family you might want to ask if they could borrow a crib or pack and play for you to use while you are there; I've been surprised to find that most of my relatives and friends know someone with an extra or one they have outgrown. I've borrowed highchairs too when my daughter was smaller.

Good luck!

First of all, relax! Your son will feel the tension if you are this tense. Have a great time! I've taken my daughter on trips to the East Coast quite a few times already and she did very well. Her first trip was right after she turned 1. She was already walking by then, but luckily for us, the flight was not full so she ended up getting a seat. :) I brought lots of snacks for her so that she wouldn't get fussy or go hungry during the flight. By then she was into "wild" coloring so I brought along a coloring book and crayons to keep her from getting bored. Books were great, but that laster a few minutes only. I took a portable DVD player and that made the difference! I brought the Wiggles, Barney, Disney movies so that she could choose and actually watch what the show. As for the flight times, we've done both. The good thing about a day flight, when you get to your destination, it's already late afternoon / night time and they can start to adjust. With the nigh flight, we both got to sleep. It wasn't the most comfortable sleep for me, but she was fine and slept well. I took a stroller w/ me, you can check that @ the gate, and pick it up at the gate when you land. Since you're going to stay @ friends, don't pack so mush and just do laundry there. This will save you from having to take a big bag, a stroller, a child, and a bag of activities for him. In the plane, all I had was a bag for her and a small purse (that fit in the bag) for me. Traveling w/ a child is not the easiest, but it sure doesn't have to be the hardest. Good luck! I know you and your son will have a fabulous time!!! :)

I have travelled quiet extensively with my 21 month old. I always stress about it but it always turns out okay. Just flew to the east coast. We took the red eye flight and it was a life saver. He was a little cranky at the airport but slept soundlessly through the flight. Yes, I was tired but it beat trying to keep him entertained through the day. I also just packed a backpack with just essentials. Diaper changing pad, two change of clothes, two books, one blanket, food, cookies raisins and milk and one change of clothes for me.
I would also recomment buying a sit n stroll ( ipicked it up second hand through craigs list). It is quite an asset as it converts into a car seat and if you have an extra empty seat, you could take it into the airplane.Good luck and happy travels. My son has been on an airplane about 25 times(maybe more) and it is worth all the effort!!

check out this site. It might help with all the things you have to bring. You can have some things shipped.

http://www.babiestravellite.com/

As for a travel bed, here's one from babycenter.com (and on sale now): http://store.babycenter.com/product/nursery/cribs+-+porta...

We bought one and it's comfortable. Just have to get your little one used to sleeping in it. They're a bit tricky to fold b/c they're like the car sunshades, but once you get the hang of it, they're much easier to lug than a pack n play b/c they're very lightweight and will last up to 6 yrs old.

They do sell a stroller that converts into a car seat (called sit n stroll by tripleplay products also at babycenter). We have one, but it's difficult to do by yourself and I had to have my husband do it each time b/c our daughter was 3 and heavy, though it was great to have when flying. We bought our stroller the first year it came out (2002 model), so I can't tell you if the new ones are better. We converted the car seat into a stroller while she was on it. Might be much easier when the child is off the car seat. It was great to grab a taxi and then convert it into a car seat. There might be one at a store where you can try it before buying.

Anyway, good luck and have a great trip!

I just flew to Boston with my 18-month-old son, and everything worked out just fine. I, too, was nervous about it, especially being on my own. I didn't buy him a seat but lucked out with an empty seat next to me each way; if you want a guarantee and can afford it, you might get him one because I don't know how we would have made it without that space. However, everyone was very nice (I did have a full row for part of one flight), and I think you'll find most people are sympathetic, whatever you do in terms of seats. I brought small new toys and books which he was a little interested in, flew JetBlue so we'd have the TV (less interested), and still he did fine making faces with people and walking around. I packed a backpack full of lots of snacks, toys, diapers and clothes, and had more than we needed. I checked the car seat and suitcase and gate-checked the stroller. I would try to stay as minimal as possible (we were lucky in that my mother borrowed a Pack & Play for us, and the one night we stayed elsewhere he and I shared the bed). If you have any such resources, that will help. As for New York, we rode a taxi when he was 7 months and in a carrier. I don't know what the law is about car seats but your friends there should be able to find out, and I wouldn't think you need to bring the car seat just for that. We also took a train to Boston on that trip and he enjoyed the ride. Good luck. You'll both do well, I'm sure!