Travel tips for flying with a 1 year old? :)

Kendall - posted on 04/02/2009

Hi there, i went on a plane with my 2 kids on my own for an hour and a half flight, my daughter was 6 and my son just over a year, it was fun, lol, but i took books, snacks, that sort of thing and he ended up playing with a plastic cup and a bottle lid in and out and out of it for most of the flight, i did not take a car seat as i had one waiting on the other end. My daughter and i played with him, i held him the whole time, learned and brought a bottle for the flight home as he was weaned off the breast. It went better after that. Toys r good, but other than that good luck.

Marcmartin - posted on 05/28/2013

So, you are going to board an airplane with your baby. Before you go on a flight in the U.S., you have to find out the safety rules and regulations of the particular airline and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These rules govern what you can and cannot do with your child in flight. Most domestic airlines follow the following guidelines:-
Under 40 pounds or two years old, a child must either be carried in a paying passenger's lap or they must be in an infant carrier like a car seat or some other convertible restraint. Also, they have to be situated in the window seat of a non-exit row. The child restraint system must have an FAA-approval label and it must be securely fastened in an airplane seat using the provided seat belt.
All children over 40 pounds must have their own seats and wear the provided seat belt low and snug across the hips. Booster seats are not allowed.
While traveling with an infant you have one of two choices. The first is to carry your infant and travel with them in your lap. The airline will allow you to wear your baby in a sling or carrier while the airplane is in flight. However, during takeoff, turbulence with the seat belt sign on, and landing, they will require you to remove your carrier (or sling) and hold your baby in your arms. For a great travel plan you can try Eddie’s Koshertravelers.com

Mmkircher - posted on 04/06/2009

Everyone -

Thank you so much for the tips, advice and well-wishes!!!  :)  If you think of more, please post them! :) I will also check with our doctor to see if he has any suggestions, do's or don'ts.

Thanks again!

Melissa

Sandra - posted on 04/02/2009

Quoting Sandra:

Hi Melissa
1. juice or milk he needs for suck and crying is a good thing it opens ear tubes.
2. Benedryl one hour before flight if you think your child need it. Mainly if he has a cold. Or has many ear infections. This is what my doctor told me
3. New toys are always good.& food.
4. Your child will be on your lap unless you purchased a seat. If their is a empty seat near you ask if you can us it most of the time they will. Makes things easy for changing diaper or feeding.
5.Stroller is check in so it ready for you when you get off.
6.THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS: is ask the flight attendent for TWO WARM CLOTH and place them on this neck under his ears and make sure he drinks at the same time this opens his ear drum.

I had the best flight attendant my last flight just a month ago she told he about the warm cloth and said drops don't really work fast enough and giving benedryl when they start to cry is too late it take at least a half hour or hour to go through their little body. Crying is a good thing.

I had to connect to another plane and it was older and not well pressurized. My son started scream when we were landing (flight attendant said let him scream it good and gave me the clothes I asked for and he started drinking at the same time within seconds he stopped crying. But it seamed to feel like for ever for me.
It's really nice that you will have your husband with you. I had my 11/2 year old with the ear problem and my seven year old.
My suggestion for anyone flying single with child Keep your hand free. Have a back pack and stroller so your hands are free at all time.

Happy Flying Everyone.

I forgot to tell you never let your child sleep during take off or landing.

Everything I have said is not to hurt anyone if you read something and don't like what I have said  sorry this is what I have been told and it worked for me. I hope all the information I have giving can help someone else. Again happy flying everyone.

Mmkircher - posted on 04/02/2009

Uh-oh...we didn't get him his own seat.  Since it is only a 2 hour flight, and he will be nursing at take-off, I assumed that he would probably fall asleep and I could just hold him.  The airline said that babies under age 2 are usually "lap babies" and don't need their own seat. She said they would check his stroller and carseat at the gate when we board, for no extra fee.  I will ask if the flight is full - maybe it won't be and we can have a seat for him and his carseat! :)  Thank you both for your tips! :)

Sandra - posted on 04/02/2009

 Hi Amy I totally agree with you. I only told everyone one about medication that can be an option. I have never gave my child anything unless my doctor has told me to. I only gave juice and warm cloths worked and it calmed his down within seconds. Again Happy flying.

Quoting Amy: I agree with most of the previous posts. I caution you against giving meds unless he needs them (ear infecion/cold) b/c they don't always calm a child down they often make him hyper which you don't need. I have travelled with my 4 since the oldest (now 8) was 4 weeks old. 

When you check in you can ask if there is an extra seat for his car seat right then, you don't have to wait and see until you are on the plane. You are right, he will spend most of the time on your lap if you are nursing him anyways.  You can also ask for a bulk head seat and you will have more foot room. 

Without repeating all the other good advise I would also just add to take an extra outfit/shirt for both of you as accidents do happen, especially on planes!! 

Happy Travels!

 

 

[deleted account]

I agree with most of the previous posts. I caution you against giving meds unless he needs them (ear infecion/cold) b/c they don't always calm a child down they often make him hyper which you don't need. I have travelled with my 4 since the oldest (now 8) was 4 weeks old. 

When you check in you can ask if there is an extra seat for his car seat right then, you don't have to wait and see until you are on the plane. You are right, he will spend most of the time on your lap if you are nursing him anyways.  You can also ask for a bulk head seat and you will have more foot room. 

Without repeating all the other good advise I would also just add to take an extra outfit/shirt for both of you as accidents do happen, especially on planes!! 

Happy Travels!

Jennifer - posted on 04/02/2009

I agree with all the other moms posts. I travel with my 2 year old since he was 6 months old.

Take some books too to read to him when he gets fussy---seems to calm down my son. I always have an 'emergency' candy/sucker in my baby bag just in case you can't get him to stop crying...sure it can be sticky but better than the alternative. I think the older my son gets I think I may have to get one of those portable small DVD players so he could watch his favorite program... I see a lof of parents on the plane using those. Good luck, you will do fine :)

Kaile - posted on 04/02/2009

I took my son to New York when he was 8 months old, it was a horrible flight...all he did was scream and cry. I luckily had my mom with me, who thank god brought Benadryl, she gave him the right dosage for his weight and age, and his ears popped, he was one happy baby. And everyone on the flight was "happier". Now a days you can't just take meds with you on the plane, so 30 mins before you board give him some benedryl. Bring his fav toys, binkie, stuffie, blankie, what ever his "lovey" is...I brought pizza crust for my lil guy to chew on....he was teething...not fun. Ask your pediatrician what he/she recommends too, they might have better idea cuz they know your little one. Good Luck!

Michelle - posted on 04/02/2009

Quoting Melissa:

Travel tips for flying with a 1 year old? :)

My husband and I are planning a vacation with our 1 year old son. We just purchased the non-stop plane tickets and are looking for tips for flying with our little guy. I have heard that letting him nurse during take-off and landing will help...any other tips for the flight or vacation? We're headed to Florida! :) Thanks!

I have flown several times with my son who is now 3. I brought with me, some snacks for him, a couple of his favorite books, a few crayons and paper to color on. But what he really liked the best was a portable DVD player I borrowed from a friend. I brought a couple of his favorite DVD's and he was content with all that he had. Most airlines will allow extra carryon for your son( just check with them) so I packed an extra diaperbag full of things to keep him occupied. I also tried to book the flights around his naptime. And a few times he was asleep shortly after take off and slept till we were almost on the ground. Good luck and have a great time.

Dawna - posted on 04/02/2009

I have a two year old, and taken her on numerous trips since she was a newborn... Make sure to pack a bag with lots of stuff for him, I always found that if I got a bunch of little stuff that she hadn't seen until the trip, she was occupied pretty well. (fav. toys are a must too~) Just try not to stress, he will probibly do much better than you think!

[deleted account]

My husband and I have flown with our 15 month old son multiple times, the best advice I can give, is 1, yes, either nurse or give a bottle during take off and landing. It will help their ears pop. 2, make sure you have plenty of snack food and toys. I dont know where you are flying from, but before flying out of San Diego airport, I had went to the store and purchased some of those 4 oz Gerber juice. I know airports dont allow anything over...what is it...3oz?? But usually if its for a child, then it is allowed. The only thing they took from us was his baby lotion. what i didnt do, but really wish I would have, is buy an extra seat for the car seat. luckely there were 3 seats and no one sat in 1 of them, so we were able to try and let him sit in his own seat, but having the car seat would have been soooo much easier. Make sure he is changed right before the flight, it is super hard to change them either on the seat OR in the bathroom. Good luck!

Mmkircher - posted on 04/02/2009

p.s. it's a 2 hour flight. And, we are renting a car when we get there, so we are taking his carseat along with us. :)