My husband will take us on a 2 hour drive to the airport and then just my daughter and I will be on a 4 hour flight. Any tips for a smooth trip. It's a late night flight so I'm hoping that she will be sleeping most of the time on the plane. Should I bring her carseat on the plane or check it at the gate? Is the pressure on her ears still a problem at her age. She's too old for bottles and pacifiers and too young for gum.
The trip here went wonderfully. We packed a dinner and she ate in the car ride to the airport. I put a child safety harness on her (like a leash) and let her walk around the airport. I carried a backpack full of snacks, small toys and changes of clothes for both of us. I checked the carseat. She was excited at takeoff. She was so cute while she clapped and cheered that we were flying. Then we reached the clouds and she paniced. She said she was scared and wanted off right now. The fasten seat belt light went off and I held her and she fell asleep in my arms in the next 10 minutes and slept the rest of the time. I never needed any of the snacks or toys. My problem is now she says she never ever wants to go on a plane again because it's too scary and we still have to fly home?!?!?! How do you get a child over a fear of airplanes?
Good luck and safe flying. She is not too young for ear problesm. I am 38 and still have ear problems.I suggest benedryl. Drinkin from her sippy cup.
Hi L.,
I have flown a lot with my kids, the first being when my son was 10 months, so I feel pretty comfortable now. If it was me, I would check the carseat so you have less to carry on & off the plane. I would suggest (if possible) to take your stroller...I always put my carry-on in the basket so there's less for me to carry. You can push your daughter all the way to the plane, and then when you get off, your stroller will be waiting right there.
Once your through security buy whatever she likes to drink for her sippy, pack lots of snacks, small toys & books (favorite ones and maybe something new too). I like the Crayola Color Wonder markers & finger paints. No mess! Hopefully she'll sleep, but if not, keep her entertained! If you have a portable DVD player you could bring her favorite DVD's along too. Maybe for the pressure, try a sucker....I know it's not the healthiest thing, but it works. I buy those Ring Pops, my son keeps it right on his finger, it's so big it takes a long time to finish, plus I don't worry so much about the candy piece falling off and him choking.
I've learned from traveling, always be prepared for the unexpected...extra clothes, Tylenol, wipes....
Good Luck & have a safe trip!
I took a plane ride with my daughter but she was on my lap which was easy. I think it would probably be easier to check the carseat and let her stretch out to sleep. Bring some books and things to keep her occupied if she doesn't sleep. For her ears suckers are good. I used that with my daughter. A dr. friend of ours said that it is the swallowing that helps pop the ears so a drink or the sucker will be good. Good luck, it is always more stressful planning for the trip than actually taking the trip.
I have three kids and we fly to my family often. My Dr. gave me Baush and Laumb ear numbing drops once for one that is more sensitive with his ears. It's not a "drug" type fix, just a little drop you put in that numbs their ears so that they don't feel anything. it works right away if needed. I bring it with always just in case. We never bring a car seat because we mostly fly to family that has one for us, but we did bring one on a trip once, and it did keep my son from sqirming around, but he was younger. I suppose it keeps the seat from being damaged too? One idea also for sucking at take off is suckers. get a couple of little dumb dumb suckers for the hard times. Hope that helps.
Hi! My family and I are also taking our first plane trip next month. I have two boys (2.5 yr old and 10 month old). I'm planning to give my youngest a bottle during the flight. And I am going to give my 2 yr old some small snack (like animal crackers, cheerios, fruit snacks). If I can carry on a juice box that'll work, and if not they usually give out drinks. And just to keep him still and as quiet as possible (a CD walkman, a few books, and a travel puzzle).
Good luck! Hopefully we will both have a great experience!
Hi L., I actually just got back from a plane trip with my daughter, she is 21 months. She was excellent on the way there which was in the morning and not to good on the way back which was at night. Hopefully yours will be better! I packed snacks, and books and I took a portable dvd player and played some of her favorite shows. You can bring a sippy cup, but like what was mentioned before you can't fill it up until you pass security. You can also check the car seat. I put mine in a large garbage bag and labeled the outside with my name and address incase something happened to it. I don't think they allow the bigger car seats on the flight. Plus, its way too much to carry! Good luck!
I'm with ya as well... I'm flying next week with my 21 month old son and am very nervous about the flight. I'm pretty much planning on doing what everyone has suggested below-- bringing the portable DVD player, books, snacks, sippy cup, etc. I'm praying that somehow we can get him to sit for 2.5hours, at this point I'm thinking that it's going to take some sort of miracle but we'll see. Good luck to you as well and have a safe trip!
We just got back from taking our 2 1/2 year old to Florida and I used a lot of the advice I received from this Group. I was so worried about how he was going to react and he was great. I did give him some Tylenol and made sure I had plenty of juice. I picked up the little bottles of juice and had him drink it from his sippy cup as we took off and landed. I did not have any problems getting his juice through security either--they never checked his diaper bag. I also recommend taking a car seat though to keep her strapped in. On our flight there was another little boy that the parents had problems keeping him in his seat. You can always ask someone to help you.
Bring lots of activities--I bought a travel doodle pad to give to him on the plane and DVD player--we did not even have to bring the dvd player out.
Good luck and try not to worry too much.
Plenty of snacks and things to do, but don't forget a change of clothes for her. I know it seems like it takes up alot of useless space in your carry-on, but it could be a life saver. I have flown with my kids many times and have needed the extra clothes. Once my daughter had a poop explosion in her diaper at about 1 1/2 yrs old just after takeoff on a 3hr flight and those extra clothes were the only salvation I had. Another time she got sick and threw up all over herself completly unexpected because she had not been sick or anything. Also bring a couple of plastic grocery bags to put dirty clothes in. Plan for the worst and hope for the best!!!!!
Hi L.,
I took a plane with my boys last month. I have a 3 1/2 and a 16 month old at the time. What we did with out 3 year old was let him pack his own backpack. He packed crayons, books, stickers, snacks, ect. That way he felt involved with everything. He did really well on the plane. Bring a sippy cup with you so that if she does have problems with her ears she can take a drink. Be warned though, don't fill it until you pass through security. I didn't think about it and bought juice at the airport and filled both cups and then they made me dump both out because you can't have any liquids go through. Good luck. She will do fine I'm sure.
Chris
You can take the large carseats on the plane as long as they are FAA approved (check the stickers on the side of the carseat or the manual) I took it on the plane with my son so he was strapped in and safe. I took fruit snacks for him for take off and landing. Pressure on ears is a problem at any age! A sippy cup also makes the child suck the liquid out and that helps too with the pressure. The portable dvd player was a life saver too! Let your little one run around the airport like a crazy person too! People will look at you like your crazy and secretly be praying that your not sitting next to them, but when you put your exhausted toddler on that plane they will be grateful, and so will you!!! Good luck!
we just took a flight with my son who is 17months. We gave him snacks and juice when the plane was taking off and landing that seemed to work for his ears. I do belive you have to have a car seat for 2 and old make sure and check with the airline. On the way back we had a early morning flight he fell asleep as so as the plane started. We took his favorite blanket and toy which helped. Good Luck Have a good time
Could you bring some brand new books with you?
I would definitely bring your car seat with you on the plane. She won't fit in the regular seat belt and the airlines are NOT gentle with anything, even if it's gate checked. Good luck and happy flying!
I just had a plane trip with my 4 year old and 2 year old. What I do to make flying easier, is practice everything that could happen on the flight. My four year old and I had turbulance drills. We all practiced having fastened seatbelts, and yawning when ears pop. I explained how it feels to have ears pop. I have also had raisens in hand for popping ears; they're just as chewy as gum and can be swallowed. I have always checked carseats: that way we have more room for us. I also bring more books and toys than I need. If she doesn't sleep, and wants to walk around let her when the seatbelt sign is off. DVD's on the laptop are also a good idea. She may sleep, but it also may be too loud and exciting for her to sleep.
Good luck.
H.
We went to Disney World when my son was 2 1/2. I brought a DVD player and lots of stuff to entertain him. I did not bring the car seat on the plane. I gave him suckers and fruit snacks (big treats to him) during take off and landing. He was fine.
