Traveling - Mission,KS

I'd say if there are any flights on Midwest Airlines to go for them...ALL of their seats are business class which mean they are a little larger, more leg room and just downright more comfortable...ALSO, you are only 2 across as opposed to 3.

As for navigating the airport I would recommend traveling with just an umbrella stroller...they are cheap and if something happens to it or you want to ditch it, it's not that big of a deal. You can also ask for special assistance on the Chicago end for someone from the airline to pick you up at the gate and take you to baggage claim (they usually offer this for handicapped or pregnant folks).

Calm and still on the flight...LOL...well, I would certainly consider something that would help pop her ears (drinking from bottle, sippie cup, gum, taffy, etc.) I would also pack her out a little backpack she can pull of games and books to keep her entertained...color wonders, crayons & coloring books, some kind of lovey for her, snacks. If there are some travel games or something similar I would not let her play with them for the month leading up to the trip so it's "new" to her or else you will have to buy new stuff to hold her interest.

I would also consider giving her some dramamine for the flight in case she gets motion sickness (so be prepared with extra outfits and plastic bags). You also may want to consider a little sleep deprivation in the hopes that after take off she'll zonk out and sleep the whole way...:) Good luck!

Hi A.! What an adventure! LOL
I've done a bit of traveling (only 2 round trips with my daughter...at age 16 months, 18 months, and will be doing it again next month) 2 out of 3 on my own! It is REALLY an adventure! If you don't have a carseat at your destination (hmmm, maybe you can borrow one your friend might get early for her shower! LOL) that's the way to go...otherwise you can check it as baggage (I don't think they count it as a "bag" in terms of charges) or carry it on, same with a pack and play if you need it (I think at this age, an airmattress works fine in a pinch)...I usually bring an umbrella stroller...just makes navagating the airports easier (and keeps her in place while I check in or whatnot...and if she's not in it...my carry-on is!). You have to fold it up and put it thru the Xray maching though...that's always fun. You can use it right up to boarding and just check it at the gate. Be sure to put you and kiddo in slip on shoes if possible...you'll both have to take shoes off at security. Also, slip ons make it easier to take those shoes off when you get to your seat (sock-feet are less disturbing when they inevitably contact the seat in front of you, no matter how hard you try to keep them from kicking the seat!)
As for the flight itself...
I basically give up on all "rules" when it comes to sweets and videos! I bring a backpack filled with "smaller" bags...one for takeoff and landing (that I put behind me in the seat so I have it on hand all the time) with a couple small toys (preferrably new) to take out one at a time...a couple of "pushpop" Lollipops...smaller chance of choking, less messy and VERY valuable for take off, landings, and emergency "be quiet!" times. A bunch of small "post-it" notes in different colors...great to "decorate" the window and the tray table with (and easy to remove!). That bag is usually her "leash backpack"...she loves to wear it and I keep the "leash" tucked in the front pocket unless I absolutely need it (like when I'm juggling money, a bottle of applejuice and a fussy toddler!). Then another little bag with LOTS of snacks, one with a travel DVD player (yeah Elmo!) and headphones, another little bag with more toys, novelties, crayons, paper, stickers, and then the front pocket of the backpack with just a couple diapers, wipes, hand sanitizer, etc. and a side pocket for my cell phone and wallet.
This way, everything easily stashed under the seat in front of us for easy access and can be taken out as needed. Our first trip I took her on was over 3 hours and she was a "lap child"...that is the last time I'll do that! It is SO worth the money for a second seat if you have an active child. Just to be able to have the extra leg room (my daughter liked to stand up in front of the seat occasionally when she had her own seat) and a place to plop them while you get organized. Yes, they often spend a lot of time in your lap anyway, but it's much easier if you have a second seat/tray for snacks or DVD player. If she's going to be on your lap...make sure to not drink too much yourself before the flight and pee before you get on the plane! Those rest rooms don't give you much room to bring a kiddo in!
I bring an empty sippy cup and fill it once I go thru security with some juice so she'll drink for take off and landing. Also, I break my rules and let her have her "bink" (pacifier)during the trip as well (usually at home, it's bedtime/naptime only.
Being prepared can make YOU feel better...I usually end up still dealing with a crying, fussing, toddler, but least I know I tried my best!
Good luck!

Our 18 month old loved the daily medicine keeper (found in pharmacy area). We put cheerios in each day & she loved opening & closing the days & finding the cheerios. That was about 30 min. worth of entertainment (and she is a very active girl). Be sure to take extra cheerios (or other snacks) for refills. Also, wax paper & stickers were a hit. You can take the stickers on & off. portable dvd player if available. As for all the stuff, we like the GoGo GO Babyz to take the car seat & 'contain' our kid through the airport. Our daughter loves it. happy travels!

snacks are good to have on hand and a sippy cup. It is an hour flight if I remember correctly. Take books and a few things to keep her mind occupied. I would recommend skipping her nap until the flight she will most likely sleep, lots of white noise on a plane.

make sure you get a non-stop flight. It is well worth the extra money as that is usually where it is hard with little ones especially if the plane gets delayed on the layover for some reason. I was on a layover for 8 hours one time with my 14 month old. He was very good through the ordeal but was very hard on me carrying him around that long because I didn't even have a stroller as it was in the baggage underneath. If you have a non-stop you will probably do fine. If your baby gets fussy--probably ears hurting or something make sure you have a lot of snacks so she is moving her mouth so her ears pop. My little one did very well on the plane flight and slept through most of it. I have a harder time flying as my ears hurt a lot so think it was harder on me than the baby. I wouldn't take too much carryon stuff. Have the diaperbag with all the necessary items with snacks, sippy cups, and a few toys to keep her occupied. A small magnadoodle would be great especially with you sitting with her. You could teach her things like draw letters and shapes and tell her what they are as you draw them, then have her scribble or try to draw when she wants to draw but is a great learning tool and will occupy her time for quite a while. My oldest son loved this toy and took it to doctor's visits or anywhere he needed to be quiet. We would draw one letter at a time and tell him what it was then let him erase it and draw another one. This became something he really enjoyed and would bring it to us about everyday to have us draw more letters. When he learned all the letters we started on numbers. He was writing most of the letters on his own by the time he was 2 1/2 and could recognize them all, knew the numbers to 10 and most of the shapes. However it does have small parts so I wouldn't let him play with it on his own when he was a year old but he did play with it when we were there with him. He would even get his dad to do it when he was home from work. We had the larger magnadoodle and had a box of stencils (the ones you get from tupperware) and he loved to make those shapes and animals with the stencils too. I wouldn't take a lot of little toys that if she drops them they are hard to get to or go rolling under the seat. Take her favorite doll and a few things. The snacks and drinks you will want to have plenty of.

We just went to Florida (a much longer flight than to Chicago) and it went very smooth considering it was our first time with our VERY active daughter. DO NOT check your car seat or stroller at baggage check when you arrive. Take them with you to the gate. It is free to take them this way. Your diaper bag does not count as a carry on or an extra bag. I would suggest a portable DVD player, books, or crayons to keep baby occupied. In all honesty, we were convinced we were going to have the horrible kid on the plane but she was happy to look out the window and sleep. It was like a car ride, she was lulled to sleep. If you are traveling by yourself with all the stuff, the airlines can usually get someone to help you to the gate. Good luck.

The first time I took my son on a plane he was about 30 months old (2 1/2), so a little more mature than your little one, but I was really nervous too. I was also alone with my son, which made it more nerve racking. Here are some tips. Try to get a straight thru flight, unless it's more than a 3 hour flight. Then a layover might be good for you. Make sure the flight is a good time for your daughter. Arrive at least an hour and a half before the flight, to get through security. Check everything except a tote or backpack of essentials like diapers, snacks, empty bottle (or sippy), small non-noisy toys, books, and a change of clothes (for both of you). If you can get away with not bringing the car seat on the plane, I would suggest it. There is just not enough room for them....I learned the hard way on the flight down...checked it on the flight back. Since your daughter is under 24 months, you could probably buy one ticket, and keep her in your lap. They make lap airline seat carrier things you could get. I believe the site is www.onestepahead.com , but if not you can always do a search for something like that. Also, having a stroller is great, and you can check it at the gate, and they will have it waiting for you when you get off the plane. After you get past security, you can buy juice, water or milk to go in your daughter's bottle or sippy. She will need it for the ascent and the descent, to keep pressure off her ears. Make sure you have enough for both. I have been on 2 airplane trips with my son (now 4), and he loves it. Try to make the experience positive for her. Get her ready by reading an airplane book to her before your trip. Talk to her about it. Maybe even buy her an age appropriate airplane toy for her to play with before your trip. I did that with my son, and it seemed to help get him ready. As nervous as you are, don't let her see it, and you all will be okay. And remember, even if things don't go perfect, you did the best you could by being prepared. Every flight I have ever been on has had an unhappy child on it, not all can be pleased. Let's just hope yours is a happy child!! Good luck and have fun!! What a great experience for her!!

Hi A.,
I took my son to South Carolina (from St. Louis-with a connecting flight in Chicago) back in the summer and he was 20 months old at the time. I was worried about the flight as well. I actually talked to his doctor since he has had some problems with his ears. The doctor said that it was OK to give him some Benadryl to help relax him. Let me tell you....that was awesome! I gave him some, and he slept the whole way! He did a lot better than I thought on the take off and landing. He sat on my lap the entire trip. He held tight to me on the take offs and landings, but he loved the plane. I couldn't belive how well he did! I did check his car seat but I didn't have to pay extra for it since it is required by law for children to be in a car seat. My friend had a car seat bag that was a blessing. I think you can get those at Babies R Us. I took his umbrella stroller, not his big one. I was able to take it directly to the gate. Fold it up, and the people who take your boarding passes will give you a ticket and put the stroller on the plane for you. When you land, you hand the people at the gate your ticket and pick up your stroller so that you can put your daughter directly into it. It was very nice and very convenient. I also brought a few toys and such for the plane. My son now loves to color so if you are looking for some in flight entertainment that will not make a lot of noise coloring books and crayons are the way to go! I brought some snacks and his sippy cup on the plane but he was not really that interested in any of that. He was more curious and excited about what was going on around him to care about his snacks. I hope that this has helped you. If you have any other questions, please PM me and I will be happy to help you any way that I can!

I am a seasoned traveler with baby. I have a 20 month old and we just returned from Florida. This was probably my daughter's 8th trip on an airplane, twice overseas. So here's my suggestions.

Snacks: cracker cut cheese (perfect kid bite sized), grapes pre-cut in a toss away container, the little packs of teddy grahams and an empty sippy cup (refill it after security). We have a backpack-type diaper bag. It holds a lot, but really, you only need diapers, wipes & snacks, especially for the short flight you're taking. We also got our little one a Dora roller-type bag (at Target). She would not let it go. She had her story & coloring books, crayons & dolly inside. It made her feel really big and she was preoccupied with being in charge of it.

Go to the TSA's web site to make sure you know about security & travel with children. Also, you can check your car seat for free and if you need a stroller, gate check it. I have found that the flight attendants are VERY helpful if you have a little one. Listen to their advice and accept any help they will give you.

Most important, stay calm yourself as your little one picks up on that. Be sure you talk with your child about what is going to happen, especially the security part. Kids don't like surprises. Just have a good time and the flight will be over before you know it.

Well in December my husband and I flew to Georgia for Christmas with our 3 month old son. I have to admit it was a bear getting through security with all the "stuff"! But since your daughter is already walking may not be as big a deal.

We had to take our son out of the car seat all together, and walk him through the metal detector carrying him. The stroller had to be broken down and put on the conveyor belt along with the car seat. Once you get done with that and you are boarding the plane, you can dump all of that right before you step on the plane. Like literally on the chute that you walk down to get to the plane. They throw it on top so to speak, and then when you get to your destination your stuff is the first to come off, and waiting for you in the same location when you get off the plane.

On the plane he was pretty good. I was nursing so I had to feed him on the way there and on the way home, which of course got him settled down. My husband was the sight buffer for me while I fed him so it worked out pretty good. But I held him the entire time, and it wasn't as bad as I thought. But I was nervous about it too. Oh, and we were flying Delta, but typically we fly Southwest. Good luck!

First, relax. Be calm. Your daughter will most likely charm everyone around her.
Next, here is what I do (I travel a lot for business, and I like to combine business and pleasure when I can, so I bring my son with quite often):
Umbrella stroller that can recline for naps
car seat checked (if I trust the airline) or gate-checked (if I don't)
Diaper bag: enough for one day; one outfit for kid; lovey/blanket for naps; 3 books; a few fav. toys; snacks; sippy cup/bottle.
Airport: Check in online and print tickets at home if you can. Slip-on shoes for both of you. Take your time at security and don't worry about inconveniencing people. Most people are very forgiving and will volunteer to help if you let them. Be sure to work with the security guards and let them know if you need help. They will help. It's their job.
Past the checkpoint: Find a big window and let your little one look at the airplanes. Many airports have a kids play area (I know they do in Chicago; I forget if they have one in STL). Find it. Ask the security guards; they'll know. Also, find a family bathroom before you need it. It will save you some valuable time. Go to the bathroom and do a diaper check before boarding. Gate-check the stroller right before you get on.
On the plane: Let people know that you are nervous and it's your first time flying with a little one. They will be more forgiving. Make sure to have a full cup/bottle at hand for take-off so her ears can pop. Pull out toys/books one at a time so there is an element of surprise and each one can last a little longer. She will most likely go to sleep, but if she doesn't, let her look out the window (great fun) or play peek-a-boo with others if they are willing. Some great other things to do: sing songs with actions (the itsy bitsy spider, etc); fold, unfold, and refold the drink napkins; practice moving ice cubes from one cup to another; practice drinking out of the plastic cup (only if you think she can handle it); identify her facial features and let her identify yours (where's your nose/where's mommy's nose); practice taking off and putting on socks and shoes.
In Chicago: Let everyone else off the plane first so you have time to collect everything. Make sure you remember how you are going to connect with your ride, and give a call if you can to let them know where you are and what you're doing. Let them help you get your bags at the baggage claim, and have a great time!

Hi A.,

I travel internationally with my 18 month old son approx. every three weeks. I always carry more diapers/pull-ups than I think I will need because you never know when you will be delayed, especially when flying into or out of Chicago. Our last trip was supposed to be 23 hours and it ended up taking 50 hours because of delays so just go prepared as most airports, surprisingly, don't sell diapers. I also carry a small package of sanitizing wipes to wipe down the tray and other areas my son will be playing with. We carry a cup of water just for him and a few healthy snacks too. For each trip I buy him a few small surprise books and toys. The dollar store normally has great, inexpensive, travel size books. Stickers are a great option for our son too. If you are flying from St. Louis to Chicago it is only about a 50 minute flight so it's fairly easy to keep them entertained. Southwest has great travel books and crayon sets, if you just ask nicely. I DO NOT recommend checking your stroller. You can GATE CHECK it and they will bring it back to you as soon as you land. They sell gate check bags at Babies R Us for about $12 and they are worth it because we've had several strollers ruined from grease etc getting on it under the plane. We also have gate checked our car seat. Now that our son is older though we never carry our car seat. Less is more when we travel because don't like carrying anything extra, our journeys are tiring enough. I can pack the entire backpack for a trip in my sleep now. In all our travels I have never had anyone be rude. Most of the time people are more than willing to help you anytime you need it. I even had the pilot of a plane help me get settled and bring me water once when I was travelling alone. If you are calm your child will be much calmer too. Unless you check in early Southwest has children board is group 2. Most other airlines allow you to pre-board so you can get your overhead stuff settled before everyone else gets on. I always carry a tiny bag inside the backpack that I can shove under the seat in front of me with just a few diapers and toys so I don't have to get into overhead all the time...this also keeps my son from getting out of the seat and heading down the aisle. Have a Great Trip!!

I have travelled with all four of my sons alone. I even travelled with a four year old and infant twins so I can reassure you that it can be done! A stroller (umbrella style works best) with the car seat attached to it with tarp straps works great for hauling the baby and the car seat. Hang carry on diaper bag and purse to handle of stroller. If you also have larger carryons or have to haul luggage alone, choose luggage with good wheels and a strap so that you can pull the luggage behind you with one hand while you push the stroller with the other.
Also, you could rent a luggage cart and load all items in it and carry your baby in a chest or back carrier.
Bring bottles and have the stewardess fill them with water or juice (or if you are breastfeeding, nurse during takeoff-it works like a charm!) and feed your baby during takeoff.
Bring snacks and small soft toys. Anticipate having to possibly walk the aisle of the plane if she gets fussy.
Good luck! The first trip is the scariest and then after that it just simply becomes routine! Enjoy the trip! K.

I know when I traveled with my daughter when she was 18 months old, I took a carry on bag (rather large one) and filled it with snacks, coloring books, something for her draw on, and small misc things for her to do. Your flight won't be to long, so you should be ok.

Carseat - I carried her carseat on the plane (this also ensured me that I had it once I got off the plane and the airline did not loose it). As for a stroller, that's a hard one. You might just buy a small umbrella stroller from Wal Mart when you get to Chicago.

I hope this helps. I know I am traveling with my daughter again this April (she is 3 years old) on a 3 hour flight. So, we'll see how that goes.

Best of luck to you and hope this info helps.

My oldest daughter traveled a lot when she was a baby because we lived in Houston and our family in KC.

Tips: Bring a backpack for her that's just her stuff. Crayons, coloring, book, snacks (Gerber puffs, crackers, carrots, apple sauce - remember a spoon), juice boxes, dvd player & dvds (if you have a portable one), small magnadoodle (they make a travel-sized one) and any of her other favorite things (maybe a small stuffed animal she likes).

If you're going to ride with her on your lap (not paying for a ticket), then make certain that you tell someone before your flight. At least on Continental, there are certain rows that have an extra oxygen mask for a lap child. The last thing you want to do is get all situated and then have to switch seats with someone in a different row.

I would also take your stroller all the way to the gate and then do the gate check so you can take her right down to the plane in her stroller and then put her back into it when you get off. Having a hand when you need to grab your bags from the baggage claim is vital. Good luck!

If you can borrow a carseat on the other end do so, they dont need a carseat on the plane, as long as they are buckeled into their seat its ok, i held my son on my lap when we flew. He slept most of the flight so that was good. Make sure you have something for her to drink, and have her keep taking sips as you are taking off and landing it helps with the popping of the ears. Bring her fav animal or blankie something from home. Bring stuff for her to keep busy.