Suggestions to Keep 18 Month Happy on Flight

When we flew with my daughter, I found small toys to wrap up! (Crayons, a new coloring book, small truck, a few big legos) Every now and then I would give her a new "present" to unwrap and play with. Even if it was one of her old toys it was fun to play with since it was a "present!" It took her a while to unwrap the presents which made it time consuming and fun!!

*And like most everyone else I broke down and bought her a Playskool VideoNow Jr. PVD player (it's a kid version of a portable DVD player) She loved it!

Hi L.
I do fly a lot with my son (usually 15 hrs flight to over seas). I think the best thing - bad as it sounds - a portable DVD player. Some of the disney movies are interest them in their age - we call them traveling movies and Patrick likes Lady and the Tramp and The jungle book the most. Crayons are also great with some paper or coloring books.
You just have to think about "quiet" things.
If someone looks at you "funny" - oh-well - they are only kids, they do cry sometimes =)
K.
Mommy of Patrick 2

Here is something that no one ever told me... sippy cups and bottles WILL leak because of the pressure, so pop the cap off the baba or whatever just till you get up in the air. Stickers were a great distraction, a simple notepad and two crayons will go miles. I was also 6 months pregnant and travelling with a 18 month old...I can so relate! Dont over pack, take the minimum you can get away with...a simple backpack will suit you best. You can check your stroller at the gate, so dont check it with your luggage. When you go thru security, you will have to break down your stroller to send it thru the x ray, ask them to help you. Make sure you bring a few ziploc baggies, different sizes in case you do need to do a diaper change, or for dirty napkins, whatever. When you check in, ask if there are any empty seats (tho not too many anymore) so you will have some squirming room just in case. If there is a favorite bedtime pal, that is a must (plus you will need for nap/ sleep at your destination). Mostly, dont be afraid to ask for help if you need it. And dont be surprised if people give you the eye roll as they sit next to you. Do you remember the name of the people the last time you took a flight and they're kid screamed? Nope, and if your baby doesnt handle it well, so what... its a few hours out of someones life, and they'll get over it. More than likely, your baby will be an angel...and youll give back advice to someone else who needs it. Good luck have fun and let us know how it went!

The dollar store is a good idea and actually what I was going to suggest. You could also wrap anything that you got from the dollar store and just spread out the little presents during the flight depending on how long your flight is. One gift at takeoff, one gift in the middle of the flight, one gift at landing, that kind of thing.

It is not that bad flying with them. I have taken my daughter to Idaho (about 9 hours travel time) three times, once when she was 4 1/2 months, once at 2 1/2 and once at 4 /12. Each time was pretty easy. Just make sure that you pack diapers (if not potty trained) and extra clothes. Also take something to munch on as the airlines do not serve food anymore.

Good luck and have a wonderful trip.

M. N.

L.,

I always bring lots of food snacks and drinks, but now with the liquid restrictions on airlines, ask the flight attendant as you're boarding to get you a juice or milk so you have something for your son to drink when you take off. Also, if you don't have a DVD player (ours broke) you can also use a laptop. I place my son (4) on one side and my daughter (2) on the other and the laptop on my tray table in the middle :-) Finally, when you choose your seats try to be near the engines - the sound seems to lull my kids to sleep.

Hope this helps and good luck,
K.

Hi L.,
My kids have travelled with me since they both were very young, my son's first flight was when he was just 3 months old. Here's what's worked for me.
. Lots of snacks - cheerios, fruit puffs, anything they love.
. Crayons, washable markers, coloring books, or just paper.
. Portable DVD player and his favorite movie/DVD - great investment if you don't have one already!
Sometimes my daugher, who is a very active 2yrold will be entertained by the simplest things. She played with a plastic cup and napkins that the flight attendant gave us and didn't play with any toys we brought for her! Good Luck.

The portable DVD player and VeggieTales have really gotten my two kids attention on trips. The other life saver that we keep in the car all the time is a couple of Travel Doodle Pros. They have the full size ones in the house. They've used these things for at least two years and haven't tired of them yet. The full size come with some small magnet shapes that a child might put in their mouth, but the travel size doesn't have any loose parts, and a short cord attached to the pen. It's listed for ages 3 and up, but the Travel version is safe enough for an 18 month old, I think. Here's a link so you can see what you think about it:

http://www.fisher-price.com/us/products/product.asp?id=28942

I regularly take long flights 4 or more hours and my 18 month old can't stand sitting for so long. She gets SUPER antsy on short flights as well. We walk and walk and walk up and down the plane. I bring her favorite toy plus a new one (could be book or toy). She does ok with that for a little while. If you have a dvd player or laptop bring it and play his favorite shows. I don't recommend candy i.e. sugar on a long flight as that gets them going even more. The portable dvd player is totally worth it and they're not expensive anymore. Check if your airline has an in-seat t.v. Good luck.

DVD player is the best investment ever. We drove from FL to IL with a 2 yo and a 2 month old. THey did not make a PEEP. Our 2 yo watched cute dvds and our 2 mo old just listened!!

Thanks,
C.

I just got back from flying with my 2 sons which are 5 months and 18 months. I was flying by myself with the 2 of them and we did just fine..so I wouldn't worry too much. The best thing ever for my 18 month old was smarties. The candy smarties. He absolutely loved them. I took a coulple packs and then towards the end of the flight when he was getting really bored of sitting in his seat I got the smarties out and the rest of the flight went awesome. So I advise taking a snack that you know he really loves and wait till he gets kind of antsy and then give him them. Hope all goes well!!
-R.

Breastfeed or feed going up and coming down. Bring some paper and crayons and books to keep them busy. Music on headphones is nice or a small tape recorder with music but activity bag is a must. Best of Luck...

D. Geymayr, R.Y.T., HBCE, CD, CLD
Prenatal Plus - Yoga
www.prenatalplusyoga.com

When we travel, I always buy something new. Like a book or small toy. The Dollar Store could be a good stop. One time on a long car trip, I finally broke down and purchased a portable DVD player. It's a God send! I am not a big fan of promoting tv, but I only break out the dvd player for trips. I found my little guy looses interest in his toys/books pretty quickly. Not good if it's a long flight. Of course your son may have a longer attention span than mine. Plus it gives him some thing to do in a strange place. I usually let him watch his dvd in our room at night before he goes to bed. Being in a strange place sometimes they get really excited and it's hard to settle them down. The dvd gets their attention easily. You might want to look on some websites for ideas as well. Don't forget to pack extra clothes for you & him both to carry on the flight. You never know what might happen!! :)

Hello L.:

Did you ever figure out what to bring? I am traveling this Friday with my son who is just about 17 months do you have any suggestions.

Thanks,
T.

It was suggested to me for the child to take some children's Benadryl prior to the flight one to empty the sinuses and also to make them drowsy=). We just flew with our very active 18 month old and it was fine. The engine sound is like white noise and he actually slept and cuddled on our lap the entire flight. As for actualy toys, my 18 month old has such a short attention span that I would have had tons to keep him entertained. Remember to check what liquids you can bring on the plane with the new exclusions......Jen

I try to schedule a flight at night during my daughter's bedtime or nap time and always make sure it is non stop. I bring toys to entertain her and snacks for the trip. My daughter is 15mth olds and having her sleep is the best solution. It is very hard to make her sit still for a trip once she started walking. If the airplane isn't too busy I sometimes let her walk to the bathroom with me and let her play in the sit next to me. Good luck

I would suggest using the same type of items you would use on a car trip. Maybe some small picture books. His favorite toys if they are not too big. A small stuffed animal. Something that he likes to chomp on. My husband suggested carrot sticks. Not for him to eat just chew.

Lots of luck

We just traveled with our then 16 month old daughter and we just made sure to have plenty of snacks and juice and also toys to play with. Also, if he takes a pacifier you'll want on for him for his ears(pressure changes). That's all I can really think of. Good luck.

I recently traveled with my one year old son and with my brother with his 18 month old daughter. She did really well with the protable DVD player. By the time it made it through one show she was out. I didnt have a dvd player for my son, but I brought a lot of books and quiet toys and I sat by the window. On the way there and way back after the first hour of checking everything out he slept the rest of the flight. Also be sure you have lots of snacks, espescially chewy stuff for the landing to help equalize his ears. I know it sounds funny, but I warned everyone who sat around me and apologized a head of time. That way everyone was pleasantly surprised when he didnt scream the whole fight!! And if he is like my son, they do exactly the opposite of what you say!!!
Good luck and congrats on the baby on the way
K.

I can't remember how old my son was when i first gave him playdough (between 18 mo and 2) but it is still one of his favorites on plane trips.