Transaltantic Flying with 1+ year old

Ivy - posted on 03/05/2010 ( 4 moms have responded )

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I am interested in finding out as much as I can from your experience with a baby/toddler going to the US. My daughter and I will be traveling to the US when she is around 18 months old. I'm a little worried how she will be on the plane. She will have her own seat and the fan in our bedroom is an industrial size fan scaled down to house use. So it make quite noisy and sounds very similar to an airplane. The fan has been used throughout pregnancy and we continue to use it every night now. In one way I guess that is good.



Anyways, I was wondering what you did for your child. Were you allowed to brings toys for your child? Are there some toys I shouldn't bring? How did you keep them entertained the whole flight? I am hoping an evening flight will be helpful and that she will sleep on the plane during that time. The other thing I am worried about is getting through security to get my bags then make it to check-in and then head over to the other terminal to catch our connecting flight to our final destination.



I'm trying not to worry about this too much and i keep telling myself and my husband that we will be fine. lol So I am keeping my worrying to myself as we will be spending 2 weeks there without my husband then he is coming over and we will be flying back with him.



Any advise will be greatly appreciated. My daughter will be having a window seat so I am hoping that will be exciting for her to look out.

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Kristin - posted on 03/06/2010

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If you are really worried about how much you are carrying, try to consolidate the two bags to one. Second, gate check the stroller, then you have it for use in the airport and between flights. It's a great way to transport the carseat. I have also seen in One Step Ahead (just google to get ther website) a wheeled device that you can attach to your carseat that turns it into a stroller. It's something to look into. Good luck and enjoy the trip.

Ivy - posted on 03/06/2010

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Thank you for the responses. I will definitely keep that in mind. I know she loves her "Where's Spot" book. She asks me to read several times in a row. lol Hopefully I can find another book or two she will feel the same way about. Mostly it is the matter of being able to juggle everything myself. My carry-on, her nappy bag, her stroller, a car-seat and then my daughter. One thing I am grateful for is I will be able to board the plane early to help get the two of us settled.

Thank you again.

Kristin - posted on 03/05/2010

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Marcy has pretty much covered it all. I would recommend dry snacks and get any liquids in the airport and past security. Let her walk as much as you can before and between flights as time allows. It will help burn off some of her energy. If possible create a bit of a layover between your flights, that way you should have sufficient time to get from one place to the next.

What does she like to do? Take some of that stuff. You will want a favorite blanket, a couple of toys, books she can look at over and over. I've not done trans-oceanic, but I have done across the US. This worked for me with an 18 month child.

Be patient, with both yourself and your daughter. Really try to keep a sense of humor about it all. It will be just fine.

Marcy - posted on 03/05/2010

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Iny-First off relax. We travel with our 3 1/2 year old all the time and have been since he was born. If she has her won seat you can bring the car seat on the plane (if you are bringing one) and just put it right in her seat. You will need to check the stroller (if you are bringing one) at that gate. Honestly, if there is someone at the other end with a stroller you can borrow then I found it to be much easier to use a back pack (the ones you just put your kiddo right in to).



You can bring snacks, toys etc on the plane. I am not a big fan of tv watching but we have a portable dvd player and we bring it with us when we travel. Just bring lots fo dvd's. Since your flight is at night keep her up during the day and as long as you possibly can until you board the plane. If she isn't nursing you need to have something for her to use during landing/take off (if she is awake) such as a bingy, bottle etc...so she can swallow and clear her ears.



We pack a bag for the plane with dvds, crayons and paper, small toys, lots of snacks, and maybe a few new toys. He usually plays for an hour or so then nods off and sleeps for the balance of the trip.



Don't forget your sense of humor, you will need that the most. Happy Traveling.