Does anyone have air travel tips?

Najma - posted on 06/21/2011

So, I ended up taking my trip a couple of weeks ago and it was quite an experience! I ended up travelling with just my son and my mom. Reza was a handful at the airports, because he just wanted to run around, but he had a good time once on the airplane. On one of the flights, the 3 flight attendants took him and they all blew bubbles at the back of the plane. He fell in love with them! He kept asking for the "ladies"! On our way back home, we missed a connecting flight, and what should have taken 4 hours to get home, took us 15! We had to go through 3 airports and flights, and once again, the airports were a nightmare, but Reza knew what to expect on the plane and so settled down faster each time. He put his own belt on, took out his ear buds and watched the wiggles over and over again. On the final flight, he fell asleep (it was 2am, after all!). I'm glad I did it, but I was totally exhausted. I'll definitely travel with him again, but I think I'm going to wait until he's about 4.

Melissa - posted on 04/25/2011

I've never flown with my son anywhere, but his cousin is 18 days younger than him (both will be 2 in May), and he flew to Cancun with his parents this last Thanksgiving. They took a "red-eye" flight and said it worked so much better than taking a day time flight. I'm assuming it's because their son has a very set sleeping schedule.

Najma - posted on 04/25/2011

Wow, that's pretty cool, thanks!

April - posted on 04/24/2011

I flew by myself with my daughter when she was 1 and again when she was 22 months. I flew both times with her on my lap. I would recommend getting them their own seat. I did everything that has been recommended. What worked best was blank paper with stickers. I didn't want to have to clean up stickers on the tray and seat in front of me or expect the flight attendants to have to clean up after us. I also try to get a few new toys she hasn't ever seen. I've never had anyone fly with me, so if you ever need to fly by yourself, most airlines will allow someone to come back with you to help. I would recmmend something like this for a car seat: http://www.gogobabyz.com/products-c26-go...

Hope this helps good luck!

Najma - posted on 04/13/2011

Thanks for the advice everyone! We were travelling stand-by and didn't end up getting seats! It was a bit of a nightmare going through everything at the airport and then not actually flying, but it was a good learning experience and rehearsal. Reza did not want to stay strapped to his stroller nor be held. He just wanted to push his stroller around in the hallways which I had to constantly direct so he wouldn't mow people down. In any case, I did go armed with books, new toys, snacks and a DVD player (which was a life saver). The trip has only been postponed, so I'm feeling somewhat more confident for next time, which I know will be even better because my husband will be with me. I look forward to any additional advice anyone has to give. Thanks again!

Shawna - posted on 04/12/2011

I-pad with plenty of educational games and of course his favorite movies or TV series downloaded. She also enjoys the paper back books that have a couple of pages of stickers in the center. Color crayons are a nightmare. 4-5 selections of snacks in handy sandwich bags. 3-4 selections of juice, water...Try to get a window seat even if it is more inconvenient for bathroom trips (just don't be shy in getting in or out when you need to). 1) it is safer than the aisle where carts and people are banging into you and 2) there is more room and entertainment value with the window. Bring bleach wipes in a sandwich bag and thoroughly wipe down the seat you are going to sit in, the window area, the back of the seat in front of you. Get all your key items lined up in the pocket in front of you right away so you don't have to lean over and try to dig things out of your diaper bag.

Claudia - posted on 04/12/2011

A DVD player it works like charm, I also bought stickers and my 2 year old son placed them on the seat in front of him and gave them to who ever passed by. Have patience it's not easy. Don't worry what others say. Oh one more thing the flight attendant gave him s Dum dum to suck on at take off and landing

Kimberly - posted on 04/11/2011

Yes, we just traveled by air for the first time with our 22-month-old 2 weeks ago.

1. Pack any drinks/foods/medicines for your child in a ziplock baggie (you will need to remove this from your carry-on when going thru security for inspection.

2. Dress accordingly! You will have to remove your shoes, remove your child's shoes, and walk thru the detector. I found it easy to wear flip-flops and my child in shoes that easily slid on and off. Avoid wearing a belt or such items that will only set off the detector and make security more of a hassle.

3. If you are taking your child's carseat with you, be sure that it is approved for air travel (should have a little airplane symbol on the carseat or you can look it up on-line.) Ours didn't fit thru the x-ray and had to be taken aside to be physically searched, and they practically took it apart to search it!)

4. Our airline (Southwest) asked us to put the carseat in the window seat. My son was quite amused looking out the window! He did much better than I expected him to! Take a few toys that will fit into your carry-on to help keep him occupied, a favorite stuffed animal (we took his Scout dog that played music). And if you haven't taken away the pacifier yet, give it to him to suck on for the flight to help keep his ears from hurting. If you have taken away the pacifier, try a sippy cup.

Most importantly stay as calm and relaxed as you possibly can, remember to take a deep breath if you need to, because of course if you are upset/irritated he will sense that and be upset too! Good luck with your travel!

Victoria - posted on 04/09/2011

Hi, we have taken our two yo to thailand a 9 hour flight. It was a bit hellish. However, DVDs books colouring/ drawing, loads of food, stickers. And yes definately be the last on the plane. They request people with kids first, dont go till very last calls. Try and book times they sleep. On the way home from Thailand the plane left at 10pm we fed him when we got on then he slept the rest of the way, we had to wake him up to get off. FANTASTIC. Oh yes and beg for any spare seets, we had a spare seet so he slept bewteen us lying down. very happily. Good luck!

Karen - posted on 04/08/2011

We took our son on his first plane ride when he was 18 months old. The first flight was 2 hours, we had about an hour and a half layover, and then another hour and a half flight. I spent several weeks researching everything I could and talked to a few other moms I know who flew with young kids. We scheduled an early flight so luckily, my son slept the entire first flight. So he was awake for the entire layover where he could run and get energy out. The second flight was more of a challenge but thanks to all my research I was prepared. I made sure to have several of his favorite toys available, plus some brand new toys which he didn't know about. We also used the airline magazines and in-flight radio system to keep him entertained too. In addition, plenty of snacks and drinks to help with any ear pain due to air pressure changes. I also let him look out the airplane window a lot and he got to bang on the window and walls. We were also lucky enough that on the return flight home, we sat in front of people who were grandparents and loved young kids so my son was able to "make new friends." The best thing is to just pay constant attention to your child while on the plane, making sure to be respectful of the people around you. And I agree, wait to get on the plane as long as possible because once you board, it's still another 10-15 minutes (or longer!) until takeoff. Good luck!

Nicole - posted on 04/08/2011

New books, a portable dvd player, lots of snacks, and whatever their 'lovey' is. Our daughter did very well on our trip to hawaii with just snacks, books and some new toys. We are taking her to vancouver in may and it will be the first trip with the portable dvd player. Though that did come in handy during a 5 hour drive we took recently!

Danine - posted on 04/06/2011

I live across the US from all my family but my sister works for the airlines so I get free tickets and I fly a lot with my child..sometimes 12-14 hour days. It's different at every age but right now with a two year old I have to bring lots of toys and different snacks. If they don't want one..move on to the next. Also I bring a few new surprise items (could be from dollar store). I like the color books that use the magic type of markers or just scratch markers so they don't get ink on the plane or themselves. I also downloaded some kid cartoons onto my ipod, I try to plan a flight around naptime, during layovers I find an area to play and get energy out. And of course it always helps if the person sitting by you is friendly and talks to your kid which keeps them interested in someone new. Hope this helps..good luck!

Stephanie - posted on 04/05/2011

Hi. I've just returned from holiday with my 22 mth old. It was our 1st flight, 4.5 hrs and I was very nervous.....would he cry, sit still etc. We got him a little suitcase which we used as hand luggage and put his favourite toys and books in. We also saved some of his favourite cartoons onto our phones. I'd avoid too much chocolate, biscuits etc. One person recommended wrapping up toys and books in birthday paper to keep them amused. Also if you have reserved seats, avoid getting onto the plane too early...your son will just get bored. Hope you have a good journey, you'll be fine.