HELP.. I Am Flying with My 23 Month Old on a Four Hour Flight.

Give yourself plenty of time to check in and get through security. Until you board, walk around a lot to get the little one tired. I always make a big deal of picking out something to drink (usually water and apple juice for us - I mix it together in a sippy/straw cup) or look at the planes out the window. Go to the dollar store for crayons, coloring/sticker books, thin reading books - do not give/show them until it the flight. Pack snacks and other food for you and her. We bring a portable DVD player as a last resort, too.

We always start with going through the inflight magazine, the shopping catalog, and then make sure she drinks through the sippy/straw cup to help her ears. Once we can put the tray down, if she's hungry start with snacks or food. Otherwise, pull out a coloring/sticker book. We also like the slates that you can write on and then move a lever and it erases. I use it to draw pictures that we can talk about or show my daughter letters and other things. If she sleeps, great - if not, pull out the DVD player after you've exhausted everything else.

Does she have any sinus issues? My kids had ear and sinus issues, so at the docs advice we always gave them benadryl before we flew to keep the sinuses clear and help with pressure. It worked AND it made them sleepy - bonus!

First of all, get to the airport early and let the little one walk and walk. He/she will be much more likely to be more willing to sit then. Bring some old favorite toys, book and snacks. then add new items for a change of pace. If he/she likes to open presents, wrap the new items up. Unwrapping can be almost as much fun as playing/eating with the items. One of my daughters loved having books read to her and the other one ate on and off the whole time. Remember that every hour on the airplane saves a day of driving!

Ask for a bulk head seat, it gives you so much more room! Call 24 hours in advance to get it if they will let you, otherwise ask at check in. Bring a snack, her favorite toy, and something new to keep her excited.

Been there done that many times LOL It will be ok. First when you check in make sure they put babe in arms on your ticket. This way they know the baby doesn't have a seat and if the plane isn't booked they will get you a seat with an open seat next to so you will have more room and a place for your little one to sit. I also just brought lots of new toys and books. Fun stuff like coloring books, pop up books, musical toys etc. I also bring the portable DVD player. At that age my first daughter didn't watch that much t.v. but she did like Baby Einstein videos and a couple other ones. I also always brought candy. I don't feed my kids candy usually but on a plane I would rather have them eating that then throwing a tantrum cause they can't get off my lap. So I bring mini marshmallows, dum dum suckers, m&m's along with just regular snacks. And as for the ears popping just make sure you have your kiddo eating or drinking something during take off and landing. The swallowing will keep the ears clear. Good luck I know it's stressful but it will be ok.

#1 go during naptime or at night. #2 take LOTS of light snacks (even skip meals and just keep giving her lots of small snacks, to drag it out). #3 pick up some special toys she hasn't played with or seen before (we got my son a magna doodle when he was 2 1/2 , and you'd be suprised how much he played with it - we were driving across country - 18 hours - and he did awesome) she'll be great. keep your cool and keep it fun and exciting. talk about the "adventure" and all the fun things you're going to do. it will "fly" by (haha!)

portable dvd player.

A portable DVD player is a huge help when we travel. Buy child-sized headphones and bring a bunch of movies (or favorite tv shows on DVD). Maybe even find a new movie that your daughter has never seen.

Snacks are also critical. Bring a lot of different things - it will keep her from getting cranky and it will keep her occupied.

Get to the airport early so you can try to get seated in a row where the middle seat is empty and you'll have more space for your baby.

K.
http://www.discoverytoyslink.com/karenchao - perfect toys for any age, any occasion!

take her favorite toys, rattles, anything that she likes that makes her happy

http://www.bigbluetrunk.com/ourcorner/550
Here are some ideas.

Go get a new, cheap, kid backpack that has lots of pockets in it and put new fun gifts in each pocket. Like crayons & paper in one, happy meal toys in another, favorite candy, in another... Only let her open one poclet every hour or so. It always had worked for me! When we went back east I also brought a portable DVD olayer and that worked well as well.

Good luck!
Stephanie