Seeking Tips on Overseas Plane Travel with a 1 Year Old

a backpack full of tiny wrapped presents that the child has never seem before. tiny boxes or bags of their all time favorite snacks. music with headphones. i have travelled over seas many many times with tiny children and these things always helped. lots to drink also you get really dehydrated on planes. and remember the more relaxed you are the easier it will be for everyone. Have Fun!

I've got two little ones (almost 2yrs and 3).. we travel to England and the west coast a lot (my husband is from England, I'm from CA) so my kiddies have been well travelled since they were born. The only advice I could really give you is to expect your son to the the opposite of whatever you've prepared for! (I'm only kidding) The only things I've ever done is bring lots of fun snacks (nothing too messy, or make sure you've got lots of wipes on hand.. and a few special toys that are for the plane. (sometimes a new toy might be enough to occupy him until he decides we wants to sleep). I've restricted nap times on flying days, which make them a bit cranky on the way to the airport, but all the excitement tends to keep them distracted, then once the noise of the plane starts, they fall asleep... I would make sure you eat before you get on the plane. eating a meal in a small airline seat with a baby on your lap is IMPOSSIBLE! =) Good luck.. and if things go terribly wrong, don't worry it's only a few hours and we've all been through it!

=) R.

Hi D.,
ok, I don't know about flying overseas but in Nov. we flew to Florida with my 1yr old. We took his car seat and that's what he sat in on the plane. And I'm so glad I did because originally we were going to have him sit in my lap. I just found it worked out really well. He would have been SO figity! Insted he just sat there as if it were a car ride. (obviously I brought toys, snacks and his milk with me so he had some amusment during the flight.) We also took a stroller with us and that help out with the airport. If I had to walk far or lug alot I could stack it in the stroller if he wasn't in it. You do need to fold it up at security which can be a pain but you can bring it all the way down to the plane and then when you arrive they bring the stroller out so it's there when you get off.
My ped. said that I could give him tylanol before take off and landing which might help with his ears. So I did and that seemed to work ok.
Overall it was a really good experience flying with a 1 yr old.
Good Luck!!

Hi,

When my daugther and I took a trip to Costa Rica my doctor said that Benadryl would help her sleep without overdosing her with meds. It really worked. I would give it to her once we were seated in the plane and she would sleep for most of the ride. If your child is awake during the ride, walk up and down the aisle, that'll help her not to feel crammed and forced to sit.

I travel to the UK and France with my two little guys, now 2 and 3.5. When they were a year, I absolutely made sure to bring the carseat with me. Ask to be seated next to an empty seat (call 48 hours ahead to request this and repeat the request at check-in time) and explain that you understand if they can't. If it doesn't work out that you are next to an empty seat, they can check the carseat at the gate, but keep it with you until that point; you never know what will open up with a no-show, and you will be first to be seated next to an empty seat.

Buckle the carseat facing the rear in the seat next to yours (this worked for us up until age 1.5). This way, baby can see you all the time. Baby will eat and sleep sooooo much better reclined like this.

Take toys that light up but make no sound. Bring a portable dvd player (they don't care at that age if they cannot hear it).

If you are still nursing your son, nurse him immediately after take-off to clear his ears (some do this during take-off, but I was uncomfortable having them out of their car seats). Otherwise, offer a bottle.

I have to say that we've never had a 'trip-from-hell', and both boys mostly slept across the Atlantic until about age 2.

Good luck, have fun, bon voyage!

Be sure to take off all metal, etc. beforehand. I had my two children when I went through security. Because my daughter, who was 2 at the time, walked touched the gate three times and set off the alarm all three times while I was taking off my sling with my baby in it they made her go through special security screening. Be sure to keep your child close and don't let him touch anything.

Bring lots of extra play things that he's never seen. Bring snacks and his cozy creatures from home. If nothing else works you can always try Tylenol.

I've travelled a lot with both my boys ever since they were 3 weeks old. I would recommend when travelling with one to bring an easily foldable stroller, and try very hard to pack EVERYTHING for the plane into one or at most two easily used bags. Bring twice as many diapers as you think, don't burden yourself excessively with wipes as they are heavy, and bring extra food for the baby just in case you get held up on the runway. Feeding just as you take off helps with the pressure change. I find it is easier to fly at night - and the MOST important thing was that people around you see that you are TRYING to keep him occupied/happy/not crying - even if he does cry (and many do) it is OKAY just do your best. Oh, and DON'T expect anyone to be sympathetic or helpful - if they are, that is great!

Do not worry--you both will manage and get through the flight..even through a cry or even a tantrum or two. My daughter is a long-time veteran of transatlantic and cross-country flights (she is almost 2 yrs now). Here is what worked for me when my daughter was your son's age on long flights: lots of familiar dried snacks (crackers, etc) and jarred food (like graduates by Gerber..easy to tote around). Check with the airline about any limits liquids and foods to take on flight for your toddler (security reasons). I also find it helpful to bring new toys and open them for her on the plane--and bring out one at-a-time. Also, if into coloring..bring some washable crayons..not too many or end up all over the floor! The flight attendants are normally very helpful and have helped watch my daughter while I have to use the restroom (as it is too small for both of us! ha) They have also been helpful playing and distracting my tot when having a tantrum...sometimes a change of face actually stimulates them and focuses the bad mood on a new person to interact with. There was just about 1 time out of the many, many long flights we've been on that she had a jet-lag/exhaustion tantrum and even that eventually came to an end...she fell asleep--but I am sure it'll be smoother than you think. I am still always anxious every time despite our experience but it always works out. Enjoy your trip!

Hi! My son was 2 lbs. 4 oz. when he was born, too! He was a 27 weeker. We lived overseas shortly after he was out of the NICU, and I did several trans-Atlantic flights with him. He sat in my lap each time. The flight attendants/airlines were usually great. Since they knew I was travelling with an infant, they typically put me in the bulkhead seat. I would definitely check on that, because it gave me extra room. If he is still small enough, the airlines have bassinets your son can sleep in. On one of our overnight flights, he had one, and it was wonderful. He slept almost the entire time. For him, I would bring lots of diapers, and things that entertain him (books, favorite toys, etc.). For you, I would bring a magazine and maybe an Ipod. I always had wishful thinking that I would have time to read, but it never happened. The people that sat around me were always wonderful and understanding of having a young child sitting near then. If you can't get a bulkhead seat, you could always ask for a seat with an empty seat next to you. That worked wonders for us as well, because it gave my son his own space and a little room to move around. Hope this helps. Good luck!

maybe you were already thinking this, but because you mentioned your baby being on your lap, i felt compelled to share this from usa.safekids.org

"Infants and toddlers on airplanes are safest in a car seat with a harness, in case of turbulence. A child who rides in a car seat on the ground should ride in that car seat on a plane. Air turbulence can be dangerous and can appear suddenly without warning.

You need your child’s car seat to travel to and from the airport anyway, and car rental companies might not have reliable car seats available. Also, children who ride in car seats on the ground appear to be more comfortable and better behaved when using one on a plane."

Happy Travels!
S.

I have not traveled over seas but hear in the US lots, but for all flights over an hour, a portable DVD player has been great and then for every two hours on the plane, we bring one little toy for each child and a few of the toys are brand new (easy to open on the plane) that they can play with. Having the babies drink during take off and landing helps with their ears and pressure from not building up. Don't wear anything that you dont mind getting dirty (between all the excitiement and having small air plane bathrooms to change in lots of things happen).. request an aisle seat, but no need to sit to far back. Have a great trip.

I would suggest a "dry run" of everything you plan to take through the airport and on the plane. I traveled a lot with my daughter at that age, and the toughest part is hauling stuff around the airport. I found it helpful to bring the stroller from the travel system because it had a huge basket.
I've also head that the attachment that makes your carseat into a stroller is a great help too, but I haven't tried it.
Another mom suggested trying to get an empty seat and bring your carseat. It's totally the way to go. There has only been one time for us that that hasn't worked out, so it's definitely worth asking.
I would have lots of dry snacks for the plane and lots of take and toss cups (you can buy milk/juice/water at the airport to avoid security issues). I big favorite of ours is the water bottles (usually at the magazine stands) with squirty/sport tops. They are fun, not messy, and don't require a cup.
Bring some little toys and books that your baby has never seen before and a dvd player if you have one. Just remember that whatever you bring, you'll have to carry (and you'll be tired from the trip).
Chances are that your son will be so tired from all of the excitement that he'll sleep a good part of the trip. Don't forget to bring a book and snacks for yourself just in case. Good luck. (:

I took my daughter on a flight not that long ago by myself and the only real problem I had with security was bottled water...make sure you get nursery water(needs to be cleary marked) to bring with you because they wont let you bring regular bottled water...they suggest you make the bottle in front of them or you have to buy the water on the flight which is $2.00 a bottle. I gave her a bottle on the flight up and down so that her ears would not block...it worked!!!! Good Luck :)

a portable dvd player is great for traveling. Also a carrier for your son while walking around the airport. Sometimes there are open seats so we always bring the carseat with us just in case. So i have found the best plan is to pile everything but my daughter onto the stroller and carry her in the front carrier. this helps at check-in and security. I don't put real shoes on her since they have to come off too!
The best thing we've ever done for flying (and we fly alot) is buy the dvd player. If the airplane has enough floor space we've made a small bed for her at our feet (but this only works on certain planes.)
hope this helps!

Though some people might have strong opinions about this (believe me, I heard a couple), I needed a "leash" for my son when he was two. At first I was hesitant to use it and struggled trying to keep him near me in the airport, then finally I took it out and put it around our wrists. There's a lot of waiting in line involved at airports, and he kept wanting to run off, causing me to run after him, with all carry-ons in tow. I started getting visions of someone taking him and boarding a plane somewhere and never seeing him again, which may have been overreacting, but to me, the leash eased my mind and helped us get though the lines.

Mine are older now so check with the airlines on the food issue. My husband was stationed in Hawaii when we traveled with our one year old. The night flight is good, provided he sleeps well. Make sure you bring his favorite blanket or toys. He will sense your emotions so make sure that you make a fun adventure out of it. After all 90% of anything is how you approach it. If he thinks you are having fun, he will too.

Be sure to have snacks and drinks that he likes. Also, I used to travel with a small bag with "treats" in it. I would wrap them up and every once in a while when my daughter seemed bored and having trouble sitting I would give her a gift. It was simple things like a pad of paper/crayons/ anew book for us to read etc...and/or I could use them as rewards for good behaviors like when in the airport waiting. Good luck!

A couple of new toys to present during the trip is a great idea. I know many people that have done this and it's been a saving grace.

Do think about the security check in process. I find it quite easy to navigate when I'm travelling with an adult - one takes the kid, the other manages the stuff through the X-ray. But, I travelled alone with my eight month old and struggled. I had a stroller which I brought in to check at the gate and the car seat for the plane plus our carry ons. The security folks were not at all helpful - not sure if it was because they weren't allowed to help or if they were simply not helpful and by the time I made it through security I was hot, sweaty and flustered.

Also, you might want to double check the rules about fluids before you get to the security line. A friend of mine was not allowed to bring in even the small Gerber tubs of baby food. On the other hand, I got by with visible (and full) sippy cups. Her experience was right after the scare about fluids began. My experience was more recent. They've probably relaxed the rules...but find out. If you're already under stress trying to get through the line with the stuff and the baby, don't let yourself get totally derailed by have TSA make you toss anything you've packed for your son.

Anyway, do your homework, think the process through, consider what you must have with you, and have a plan before you get in that long line!

I just got the Fisher Price Doodle Pro toys for my girls before a 4 hour flight. It's one of those things you can draw and erase, draw and erase, etc... It was a great distraction on the flight and at our destination. My 16 month old needed help with erasing, but it kept her attention. Just an idea!

First off screw everyone else on the plane!! You are with a baby!!
That being said...I flew when my daughter was one and I gave her a little benadryl (dr said it was very ok) just to calm her down a bit.
I was able to bring a sippy cup through security then (2 yrs ago) but I am not sure the rules now. Also, I bought an extra seat so she could lay across 2 of them to sleep. They do have changing tables in the bathrooms but I changed her right there on our seats as she has always been a monkey and I can barely keep myself straight in those tiny bathrooms! If you nurse or bottlefeed do either at takeoff and landing to help ease ear issues.

If possible get him his own seat. Bring his car seat and strap him in....just like the car. Don't let him out, don't walk the aisles...if you do it once you will be fighting him about it the entire flight. Having a 1 year old on your lap the entire flight can be so frustrating, uncomfortable and unsafe. If you can't purchase an additional ticket for your son bring the car seat to the gate anyway....if there is space on the flight they will probably let you use the empty seat...if not they can check the car seat at the gate. I've traveled many times with 4 children at various ages, with and without car seats and I highly recommend bringing one with you.

Make sure you have your child's lovey and some small activities...new items he's never seen before are great to pull out throughout the flight. Good luck

I live in Japan, I have a 4, 3, 1, and 3 month old. I have done the trip back to MA with them four times so far, twice alone, and am about to do it alone again. Usually, if there is an empty seat on the flight, they'll let you put your baby in it and when you let them know at check in your travelling with the baby on your lap, they sometimes block the seat off next to you. Going through securtiy is easy, I always bring drinks and food for the kids, just put the liquids in a plastic bag, usually when they see a mom with kids, they don't mess with the diaper bag or question the drinks. i've brought up to 8 juice boxes on a flight, plus medicine, hand sanitizer, etc. Also, bring a bag for dirty clothes in case something happens, and bring a change or two of clothes for the baby and a shirt for yourself.

Hi D.~
My daughter is 1 1/2 and we've flown all over with her. Try to check in early and request a seat with an empty seat next to you...that way your little one can have his own seat during a majority of the trip. I also try to buy new toys and books to bring on the trip because they seem to entertain her more than the ones she is already familiar with. Our doctor recommended giving her benadryl abot a 1/2 hour before the flight to avoid any ear pain, but we haven't found it to be a problem...I always bring it with me, but haven't given it to her. Security is pretty lax when it comes to stuff for the baby, especially if you are up front about it. They will make you take out all liquids (formula, food, benadryl, etc...) to go through the scanner, so make sure that it is easily accessible and in clear zip lock bags.I also suggest you keep a lightweight stroller with you and check it at the gate so you can wheel him around instead of trying to carry everything.
I hope that helps!

you could try benadryl to help him sleep

Try to get an aisle seat!

Hi, I have 11 months old daughter, we were traveling over christmas to Czech Republic and now we are going again at the end of April. I know how scary it is. My daughter is very active baby and I didn't know what to expect and didn't want to be pain for the other passengers either. It went pretty well. I bought the Ergo baby carrier one week before we travel and hoped that she will like it. She loved it and actually slept in it (I was standing in the aisle) almost the whole 8 hours flight - overnight flight. And the carrier helped me a lot even for the airport, because I had my hands free and she was happy and could sleep any time - she doesn't stay in the stroller long. I would recommend don't get crazy with packing things for carry on with you on the plane - I had so much on the way there and it was very frustrating to keep up with everything - and my daughter was more interesting in things around than in her "old" toys :) On the way back I didn't have that many diapers - you are changing as little as possible, because it is hard - I end up changing ones in the plane because she pooped, but usually was enough at the airports. don't worry about changing in the plane, it is actually pretty easy. Take enough wet wipes and hand sanitazer for yourself. Our daughter was touching EVERYTHING!!! If your baby takes pacifizer, take more that you don’t have to worry about cleaning them after being on the floor or anywhere else. We had probably about 10 of them :-) I would say that on the way back I had probably about 4 diapers, a lot wet wipes, hand sanitazer, pacifiers, two little toys and one book that she likes (but she didn’t really play with them), one outfit, one light blanket, and few things for myself. Anyway, if you will have any question, you can email me ____@____.com. I’ve done it and I’m still worried about the next flight. Good luck!!!

Travelling at night with a baby is the way to go! I flew a few times with my son when he was under one year, and it was a breeze. I did buy him a seat, and he slept in his carseat. I used the Go-Go Kidz http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_kids.html

to transport him in the carseat thru the airport. You will have to take your baby out of his stroller to go thru customs. My advice is do a trial run at home with the stuff you'll bring. I had my son in the Go Go Kidz, a knapsack, and a tote. Then I got a buggy for our luggage. If your baby will be on your lap, bring his favorite toys and comfort things. An umbrella stroller is very compact and the way to go for travelling. We used the free one you get at Toys R Us for 3 weeks in Europe. No worries! And don't worry about the other passengers. Most people are understanding, especially when you're travelling alone. You'll do great, and so will your baby!

Hello,

I have traveled with my son overseas since he six months old. When he was really little, I paid an extra $40 or so for a bassinette-its really a glorified cardboard box, but it gave my arms a break for a little while. You could check with your airline to see what the weight restrictions are for the bassinette. Once my son was over a year, I bit the bullet, bought him a seat and brought his car seat. When you bring a lap baby they need to be strapped to you with a special seat belt that does not allow for great comfort and eight hours is a long time-even if it is at night.

The other thing I that I and several friends have found useful is a portable DVD player or videos downloaded onto an ipod. It is small and compact and provided enough entertainment-my son does not watch alot of videos or tv, so when we travel it is a huge treat.

As for going through security, bring as little as possible with you. Follow the airport guidelines on sizes and put things into plastic bags. You can get juice and water in the airport before boarding after you clear security-just bring your own empty bottles or sippy cup-preferable one that does not get pressurized. The First Years ones that come in a eight pack are good and you can toss them afterwards (airplane germs!) I also recommdend bringing several diapers and a travel pack of wipes in case you get delayed, at least one change of clothes for your child, your child's own blanket and a change of top for yourself, just in case. You might want to bring a couple of new books-cloth or lift the flap books for entertainment. You also should bring snacks that your child likes, because they may not like the airline food. Ask your airline if they provide kid snacks or food for lap babies. Sometimes they do-although I found it to be horrible stuff. Take off and landing can be the worst, so if your child is using a bottle, that is a good time to give it to him. The sucking and swallowing helps equalize the pressure. When my son was still a baby I was nursing, so i covered us from head to toe in a blanket and let him nurse-it probably looked VERY silly, but it gave him comfort and avoided a scene from nosy passengers. Finally, I find that most flight attendants are very nice and helpful if you are polite and courteous to them. Bon Voyage! C

I haven't flown alone with an infant - and not overseas, but I do have some recommendations, just based upon the experience of flying to Houston with my husband and (then) 13 month old daughter.

Good for you for preparing so far in advance!! I also fear becoming the passenger that everyone hates. :)

Here's what I'd recommend:
Someone recommended gogo kidz, which we bought and found to be a tremendous help for getting around the airport - definitely pick one up and use it. It means one less thing to try to carry.

I know it is expensive, but buy your child a seat to be sure that you have one (don't take a chance that you can talk them into giving you an empty seat - there might not be any!). Although not required, the TSA strongly recommends traveling with a child in his/her own seat - in a carseat - for their safety. If the plane encounters any trouble, and you don't have a seat for your child, they ask you to lay the child on the floor in front of you. What could happen is simply horrifying.

If you can book a bulkhead seat, you won't have to worry about people reclining in front of your baby and limiting his space. The carseat takes up a lot of space.

Bring a stroller, but be sure to check it with your larger luggage.

Pack your carry-ons as light as you can. Bring as few carry-ons as possible and bring ONLY the necessities. I cannot emphasize this enough. Remember, you'll have an infant, a carseat (and/or stroller, depending), coats, shoes & tickets/ID to juggle in the security and boarding lines - not to mention your quart bag of liquids (see link below). Include plenty of small toys and snacks to entertain your little one. Roll your changes of clothes (rather than fold) so that they take up less space. Make sure you have some plastic grocery bags to seal up any dirty duds when on the plane - it will just make everyone's life a little more pleasant. Also, a couple of receiving blankets will pack light and come in handy for a bunch of uses: blanket, towel, napkin, cover for an airplane pillow...etc. Because they're flannel & inexpensive, if you have to toss it, you won't feel bad.

Above all, Security: Familiarize yourself with the TSA regulations and come prepared for the security line: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm
Make sure that the shoes & coats you & your child wear can be removed and replaced very quickly & easily. Make sure your pockets are empty before you get in line. I also found that if you keep all the baby food, formula etc. in the diaper bag & just let security know that all that stuff is in that bag, your experience will be pretty smooth. Make sure the quart bag of liquids is easily accessible to go through the x-ray. Security is not allowed to help you, so make it as easy on yourself as you can.

Good luck and have a safe trip! I hope this helped!
~kat

If your son not too heavy bring a front carrier (snugli) to put him in so you can have both hands free getting off the plane. also a back pack is great to use as a diaperbag

I would offer a lot of the same advice as others have here - but one thing I didn't notice and highly recommend is bringing the cute outfit in the carryon and changing the baby into it like 5 minutes before landing. I visit family overseas and always want my kids to look their best when they see their family for the first time in ages(not easy after such a long trip) but I learned the first time that the clothes they wear on the plane get filthy. All it takes is about 2 minutes of the baby crawling on the floor in the airport or on the plane and the clothes are BLACK. I am not the type to let my kids crawl on any floor in a public place, but you feel like you have to let them get their energy out so they can rest on the flight but wow is it nasty. And the spills and the germs and everything else - just save the cute outfit for right before landing!

Oh - and check with the airline regarding the portable DVD player. We actually went out and bought one for one of our first flights over with two kids only to be told on the plane that they don't allow them (something about it interfering in the same way a cell phone can with the cockpit controls). We were more annoyed at the space it took up in our bag than anything!

I have taken my 1 yr old daughter on numerous flights since she was roughly 3months old. Jsut last week we flew to Phoenix AR whioh originally was supposed to be a 4 1/2 hour flight... ended up being a 10 hour flight. Luckily it was a night flight and she slept most of the time, however there are some things i would reccommend. Take lots of snacks... that usually keeps them very busy. Don't forget juice, formula/milk, diapers... the essentials. Bring some small toys and books. also i would reccommend bringing a small pillow for when he falls asleep. If you can, try and snatch an open seat next to you so there is plenty of room and yuo arent cramped. I always bring my daughter in a smal stroller and gate check it so its right there when you get off the plane. Im not sure if you will have a car or will be renting, if you are renting...I highly reccommend renting a car seat with the vehicle. That way you dont have to lug your own and its there and waiting for you. Hopfully this will help you have somewhat of an easy flight. I think the most important thing is just to remain calm... the people around you will understand and usually the flight attendants are pretty helpful and accomodating.

N.