Traveling with an 18 Month Old - Cumming,GA

hi,
since we live 800 miles away from our family, i can tell you that i've flown with my 3 kids lots of times...(they are 3,8, and 11). if the plane has two seats in a row,take that setup, and you won't have a stranger to worry about bugging every time you get up with her...if not, i'd suggest the aisle, just in case. at that age, they tend to drop stuff on the floor, so small toys aren't always great. my kids always liked the little board books with the flaps to open. also, if she likes stickers, bring stickers or a sticker book..make sure you have lots of small snacks, a sippy cup, (not sure what the rule on that is now..), and maybe a lollipop for her ears. some doctors recommend giving them a decongestant before you fly to alleviate ear pressure...and if you do, you might get lucky and have a sleeper! by the way, if you fly near bedtime, unless there are delays, you may get her to sleep the whole way. whatever happens, remember that most people have been in your shoes at some point, so don't worry if she cries, or wants to get up, etc...it may stress you out, but believe me, anyone else will just be glad it's not them...this time! good luck...and have a great trip.

I know other suggested the isle, but I sometimes like to take the window. It's easier to stuff the blanket to the side, or whatever else you need, without falling into the other persons lap, or the isle. Plus, if they happen to fall alseep the chances of the snack/drink cart waking them up when they come around is less of a worry. The further away from that the better, some just don't get to be quite when they see a sleeping baby! And I ALWAYS flew red eye, because the chances of having someone right next to you are less. In fact, when you check in get there a little early so if there are any empty seats you can have them switch things around and they can place you and the empty one together. They can even block it so no one else can take it (unless the plane ends up being full of course). They are usually really workable. I also like red eye because my kids would always sleep on them!

Last tip is just to make sure you have her chew or suck on something during landing and take off to help with the air pressure in her ears. Works like a charm!

Bring her blankie or whatever she sleeps with. My kids would frequently fall asleep on the plane. I always got them their own seat so they could stretch out with their head on my lap. I had one pretty bad experience with my son on a plane and another passenger gave me her portable CD player w/headphones and that calmed him right down... so that's an idea. Most planes have that place to plug in headphones to hear music, so that might be all you need. I agree with the others... board books, stickers, snacks... forget stuff that is going to roll around and fall. Keep your eyes open for cheap new little toys that will keep her occupied. Good luck!

I have flown with my three kids probably a dozen times, (atlanta to NY) starting when my first was six months old... my biggest thing is keeping them quiet so they don't disturb the other people b/c when you board a plane with three small kids, you get the feeling nobody wants to sit around you!:) I have given benedryl around the 18 month age and sometimes it works and they sleep the whole flight, but when I tried it with my third, she fought it the whole way and then fell asleep as soon as we landed- which is when I wanted her to be awake! My advice is even though the flight is two hours, it seems much longer sitting for take off and sitting after you land to unboard, especially if the airport is a busy one.... bring lollipops- it takes a while to eat and is a treat they seem to love and also will keep them quiet when you run out of ways to keep them entertained. good luck!