First time flying

Sabina - posted on 02/19/2009

I took my son on an airplane for the first time when he was 18 months. He did great with the help of pacifier. Then his second trip was at 2.5 and he was not using pacifier any more so I gave him a drink for take off and landing. I don't want to scare you, but he was scared on the second trip. I guess he was more aware of things and was very upset when taking off and lending and kept closing the shade on the window and hiding his face in my chest. I would suggest you talk to your son about airplanes and flying and get him ready for the trip. I never did because he had done so well on the first trip. We are flying again this May and I am talking to him about it EVERY DAY. Good luck and hope you have a safe trip.

Alesha - posted on 02/12/2009

Chewing also helps relieve ear pressure.  My daughter has been flying since she was a few months old.  We flew in December and I gave her some organic fruit leather. 

I always buy a new toy at the airport, a game or a stuffed animal or a book.  On our last flight i bought a mini manga-doddle, the trip before that a Grover doll.  Plus I bring a favorite toy, crayons and a notebook. 

The flight can be the easy part of your trip, Kids are usually excited to be on a plane but the wait in the airport is hard especially if there are delays.  A portable DVD player is essential for delays and cancellations.

I hope some of this helps.  Have a great trip.

Jennie - posted on 02/12/2009

Spend some time playing "Plane rides" with your child. Role play the lot, including the boring waiting in lines, putting stuff in boxes to go through securety and that sort of thing, then do the bit where you sit down and the tray table (a huge source of amusement) is down. You will see from this which times your child will likely be most resistant and play those times more to give them an idea of what you expect. It can also inspire you to find new things to help yourself in the final situation, then pack their special bag with toys they have never seen, snacks, a juice cup and sucker (pacifier, dummy whatever you call them). We also taught our little fellow how to use earphones and he was wrapped by this new activity, but it does conflict with Ear Planes (which we just had to give up with when he shoved them down beside the seat. We still can't figure out how to wash them).

Lisa - posted on 02/11/2009

Thanks guys for all your help.

Michelle - posted on 02/11/2009

Have her suck on a juice cup/bottle. Also, One Step Ahead sells ear plug type things called Ear Planes that are made to help with the pressure of take off and landing. I've heard they work well. We took our daughter on an airplane for the first time last March and she did well just sucking on juice. Good luck and have fun!

Wendy - posted on 02/10/2009

I took my son on his first plane ride when he was 1 1/2. In order to prevent his ears from popping on take off, we gave him a sucker, but you can also give him a sippie cup (it's the action of sucking on anything that helps your ears from popping).

I would pack a couple of snacks, some new inexpensive toys (like books, cars etc..), and maybe even a dvd player with some of his favourite movies.

Me and my husband were very concerned with how our son would do on a plane and we were pleasantly surprised.

Good luck.