Traveling with a 11 Month Old

A couple years ago, we took a very crowded and very delayed flight over Christmas when my little boy was 15 months old. There were many children on the flight and everyone was cranky. When a family walked on the plane with 1 year old twins who were both crying, you could hear a collective groan. Then the dad pulled out a bag of ear plugs and started handing them out to the other passengers apologizing in advance for anything his kids would do to bother them on the plane ride. It broke the mood and everyone started laughing. I thought that was a great idea.

Hi - I have done exactly that - traveled to Hawaii from DFW with a 10 month old! I let my baby move around (he was crawling\pulling up) as much as he could in the terminal before the flight to Hawaii. Then I brought new toys for the plane ride. My husband and I frequently got up and walked the plane with him. I was still breastfeeding and that got him to sleep. On the way back, it was an overnight flight and I ended up breastfeeding him practically the whole flight back!

I am in the process of traveling home with my 1 year old from Italy. There is a six hour time change here. He did very well but be prepared for him not to sleep. He was not fussy but wanted to play the whole time. We also had a 5 hour train ride and he slept the whole trip there! Too much to see in the air I guess. I brought his car seat and we were able to get him his own seat because there was room. I would take it, ask the attendent at the gate if there is room. If not they let you check it. There is a handy little device you can use to attach his car seat to your rolling carry on with your son in the car seat. That worked well for us. Amazon has them. My son adjusted once we got here quicker than we did.

Let me know if I can help more

HI -

I have been traveling with my son since he was about the same age as yours. Take plenty of toys, snacks and entertainment. The best thing I have ever done was to get a portable dvd player. I turned the sound off until he was 2 so he did not have to worry about head phones. It pulled all of his attention to that and he fell asleep within an hour. My ped also told me to give him a dose of motrin 30 min before boarding. It helps to relax the ears and to give him a sippy for take off and landing to also help with the altitude changes. My son travels so well and you would never know that there is a child with me. I hope this helps!

I did the same trip last year with a 7 month old. The best thing we did was use our frequent flier miles to upgrade to first class!! It gave us so much more room. If at all possible to travel first class, do so. Also, give pacifier or bottle or sippee cup -- something during takeoff and landing for them to suck on and relieve the pressure in their ears. And finally, take some new toys/books and a portable DVD player with Baby Einstein videos!

Hi M., Do not give your son Benadryl to knock him out! It's dangerous for an 11 month old unless they're having a major allergic reaction. A small dose of Tylenol can help calm him. Let him suck on something taking off and landing to keep his ears from popping. And new toys do wonders, or toys he hasn't seen in a little while. Bring snacks that he likes and his normal food, more than one meal because you never know what's going to happen at the airport. You can bring food through security and even his milk/formula and juice. My son was fascinated with the tray table on the plane, so make sure you have someone that's not a grump in front of you ;-), most people are really understanding about that. Get up and go for walks. As far as the time difference, I'd try to keep his schedule as close to "normal" on Hawaii time as it is at home. He'll probably be ready for bed early the night you get there and it might make for a cranky kiddo but if you want to keep your sanity and enjoy your vacation adjust his schedule. You may want to even try to adjust it slightly before you leave.

I have a 16 month old little boy who has now been to Europe 3 times. We haven't ever gone west but I imagine a lot of the time issues are the same. For the plane ride, I can only suggest a lot of patience and don't hesitate to ask for help. I have even asked a flight attendant to hold him so I can go to the bathroom before. They are usually more than willing to help. I have also walked to the back to ask for water or juice for him more often than when they come through with the cart. I do take my own food and they don't usually have milk. Also take some things that you may not typically do at home so they seem like new activities - we started coloring on one of our trips. Plus, the best thing I have learned about traveling with an infant is to ask for seating in the bulk-head. I must warn you that they may not be able to move everyone in your party but they will do their best. It just gives some wiggle room. We made a pallet on the floor with the blankets and pillows they provide on long flights and he spent a lot of time in the floor. Some airlines even have bassinets that attach to the wall of the bulk-head that little ones can sleep in; you do have to request it at check-in but it really frees you up if they fall asleep. We have used it on two of our trips. He was too long this last time.
Then once you get there don't try to stick with the schedule that you use at home. Feed them when they act hungry and let them sleep when they are tired; they will adjust on their own at least mine always has. I will admit the first couple of days (especially the nights) can be a bit tiresome but usually by the third day everything is good. Coming home it takes around the same amount of time.
I hope that this helps! Our trips have always been a lot of fun even with the little man! I hope that you come home thinking the same thing!

I flew with my 8 month old on a 4 hour plane trip. I recommend buying a few toys they havent seen yet, and give them either a bottle or pacifier during take off and landing to keep their ears popping. For us, we couldnt use Benedryl because it makes my son hyper. We didnt need it anyway - he was perfect on the plane, he didtn cry once! I also recommend getting their own seat and put them in their car seat. It makes it a lot easier for a long flight.

I think the weirdest thing for them is the pressure on their ears. You can't explain it and they don't understand. So try to give him a cup of juice or something to chew to help the popping of the ears. If possible try to get a seat where you can get up easily. Any time you can move around a bit help. Don't forget comfort items and a portable dvd player to help pass the time. Enjoy hawaii...we love it. That has been our favorite vacation. Remember to allow youselve a day or so when you get there to get adjusted and the same when you come home. Their body clocks don't adjust as fast as ours do and they will usually remain true to their own schedule. So be flexible and have fun!

I know this will sound a little odd, but I promise you that it works. I have taken my older son, now 4, on many plane trips and I use a product called "Bach Flower/Rescue Remedy". You can find it at health food stores. It is all natural and made from different flowers and simply calms your child. You can put a few drops on your son's tongue as needed, or you can add it to his juice if that's easier. It tastes good so my son never had any problems taking it. Within 30 minutes of taking it my son would be calm and usually fall asleep. Even if he doesn't fall asleep he is much calmer and finds it easier to relax and have "quiet time". It works well on plane trip, car trips, and I have even used it on nights when it's bed time and he's having trouble calming down. It's amazing! Good luck!

Hi M.:
I have a small suggestion. I started traveling with my son when he was 8 months old. He would have so much fun (and loved the repetitiveness of) counting, then eating Cheerios. I would put them on the carseat in front of him (or tray table) and, one by one, count them up to ten. He loved it and could have played forever.

Also, do you know about gate-checking your stroller? It's a beautiful thing! Don't forget lots of wipes and a definite change of clothes for both of you (we both once spent 6 hours covered in vomit).

Benadryl and something for your son to suck on when the plane is ascending/descending (i.e. pacifier, bottle, breast)!

R. Elkin, MOT, OTR/L, CKT

Forget knocking him out. I've done the trip and the plane is usually big enough that when it's time to get up for stretch time there is more than enough room. Bring a variety of toys. Schedule a time when each person taking the trip can dedicate time to your son - VARIETY. He will probably sleep some, but not all so just be prepared.
Keep telling yourself - I'm going to Hawaii when you think the time is not going by quick enough.
J.

I went to hawaii in June & I recommend taking a very late flight... we went & came home on flights nearly at midnight! No one was on the plane so we had room to spread out and sleep in our own row of seats. Also i would reccomend giving him a bath right before you go & lots of lavender lotion & comfy warm clothes for the flight... it makes my son calm... as far as meds go my son doesn't fall asleep on anything so I'm not sure... Also i know when we got there we had time to go to sleep then wake up fresh since we took a late flight! The flight home is the tricky part! Hope everything turns out great!

We just flew to Maui with a 4 month old, my sister in law with a 9 month old in December. We bought a few new toys and that helped pass the time. I would reccomend trying out benadryl before you go to make sure it doesn't have an adverse effect! Good Luck.

We went on a 23 hour car ride to SC when my son was 13 mos. I bought a bunch of Color Wonder products for him. They are great because they only write on the special paper and not on the plane! My son hadn't ever seen them before so he was thrilled. I also bought a bunch of new books and small toys (magna doodle, etcha scetch, etc..) and he did great the entire trip! Good luck!

Mother used to give me benadryl on overseas flights starting at 3 mo. Worked like a charm!

Dear M.,
I would say talk to your pediatrician about this. See what they recommend. My children have been to Hawaii twice with their grandparents, but they were older. My mom always made a "busy box" for the trip, for them. It included crayons, coloring books, books to read, small toys, snacks, etc. I would definitely take a couple of new toys your child has never seen before so he will be curious about them when they come out of the bag, and some old tried and true ones.

Call the airline ahead of time or go to their website about how many oz. of liquid in bottles you can bring. They are very strict now and you don't want to be caught by surprise at the airport by having to pour out or throw out bottles.

Good luck!

My doctor suggested both Benedryl and Tylenol together. I tried it with my daughter at 20 months and my youngest a month ago at 18 months. We had to stop along the way to Las Vegas. She slept for the longer legs of the trip (2 hours) and woke up fine. We only had a two hour time difference and she is a little older than yours. Be sure to call your pediatrician before giving both of them to your son just to make sure that he/she approves and that you have the correct dosage. Good luck and enjoy Hawaii.

I went to Hawaii when my daughter was 10 1/2 months old and the flight was actually not too bad.. I kept her busy with books and toys and had plenty of snacks for her just in case she got hungry. I did take a pacifier for her to suck on so that her ears wouldn't pop so much. She actually had a great flight because of all the attention she got from the fligh attendants and other passengers. and yes, the time change is a little hard to get used to, but it only took a few days to adjust, then by the time she got adjusted to the time difference, it was time to come home. She was really tired once we got back, and it normally takes a few days to a week to adjust back to your normal time. I'm sure your baby boy will do just fine..

Good Luck!!

One piece of advice for you...if you decide to try the Benadryl with your baby - test it before hand! It worked like a charm fro my oldest and he was OUT like a light, but my youngest gets CRAZY and WIRED when you give him Benadryl! It had the complete OPPOSITE effect! And this happens EVERY time we give him Benadryl for hives, etc. Just food for thought! And by the way - have fun in Hawaii! I am soooo jealous! We haven't been since the before our kids were born! :(

Be cautious with benedryl if you use it- Yes, they sleep for awhile, but my daughter was completly messed up for 2 days after when I tried it for a long car ride. She didn't sleep well again until the 3rd day. Plus using Benedryl puts them at risk if they ever have an allergic reaction to something. Body can build resistance to the drug and won't work as well when needed.

With my daughter I brought along favorite snacks and new toys- gave her a new toy periodically to play with. I also downloaded sesame street to my IPOD, she didn't listen because she hates earphones, but watching kept her entertained a bit. Expect some amount of fussing though. Who can blame the child? Even adults hate being cooped up for a long time.

Ask for a bulk head seat if possible- you'll have more space and he can maybe play a bit on the floor. Oh- and don't forget to save some new toys for the trip home!

I read some of the other responses -- Please don't medicate! Especially with all the new evidence about the downside to medicating children under 2 years old!

I don't have any great advice except pack your patience. We flew with my youngest when she was 11 months old. Not nearly as long a flight (only to NJ, about 3 1/2 hours), but we did have connecting flights on the way home, w/delays. It wasn't as bad as I was anticipating. She behaved quite well. Obviously, at that age, a child's attention span isn't the greatest, but we brought along her favorite toys and books. Do you let your little one watch TV yet? If so, then a portable DVD player is a must! My daughter loves Sesame Street and Raffi, so those DVDs helped to keep her occupied (and I didn't feel too guilty because I think Sesame Street is great and my older daughters' grew up on it and both are great learners who would rather read than watch TV). She napped, but not as well as she usually does in her crib. This actually helped with the time change, because she was tired and was willing to go to sleep early (since NJ is an hour later). The toughest part is if you need to change a diaper because there is no space unless the flight isn't full and you can use an empty seat. Otherwise, kick your husband out of his seat for a few minutes (assuming he is sitting next to you) so you have a little more diaper/clothes changing space. There is also the issue with cabin pressure changes when you take off and land. My daughter did very well. When we were coming down, she kept brushing at her ears but it never bothered her to the point where she cried. The general advice to deal with cabin pressure changes to to have your little one drink his bottle as you are ascending/decending, but my little one wasn't interested.

We also drove to NJ (a full 24 hours) when she was just 6 months old, and again, it wasn't too bad. I think you will be surprised that traveling with your little one with go smoother than you are anticipating!

I traveled to Maui with an 18 month old...and I traveled by myself, my husband met us there a week later. I can feel your pain! =} I just made sure to have a lot of snacks and toys for her. I also made sure to have a change of clothes for both of us on hand. If your little one is on the bottle, make sure you have more formula than you'll really need in case you get stuck some where. As far as the time change goes, I kept my daughter up late when get got there so she'd adjust a little better. I was lucky and she adjusted quickly.
Good luck and have fun!

We took our son to Hawaii but he was about 18 months at the time. One thing that helped was those small dvd players. He watched a few shows, ate lots of snacks. I also called my pediatrition and asked her what I could give him to help him sleep on the plane. You might contact your pedi.

I would try Benadryl and talk to your Pediatrician about the dosage on it. We've used it and it has helped in the past. Be sure and get the smallest dosage for carry on for the airplane. You might want to take Tylenol also to be on the safe side.

We have a 2 1/2 year old and we've been traveling 1-2 times a year by airplane to my family. It is getting more difficult since he has been 1 1/2.

I thought the suggestion on the new toys was great too. I would definitely get a couple of new ones that are small and can fit in your carry on bag/diaper bag.

I would pack lots of books, DVD player if you have one. We usually take lots of books, new toys, paper, crayons with us. I would pack lots of snacks too, maybe some of his favorites. Hopefully, he will sleep, our child at that age slept most of the trip for us (however it was a shorter trip-2-3 hours).

Good Luck and have a wonderful trip

Well I have not done this yet but a few of my friends have given their kids benadryl or triaminic to put them to sleep. I have personaly used a dvd player with a new movie, I also bought new toys and books so she would be really curious and it did keep her occupied. Hope this helps.
A.