Any tips for flying with a toddler? packing with the restrictions?

[Lisa Dozier]

Hi gals,
I am excited and getting nervous about flying in a few weeks to VA Beach to see my family! It has been a LLLLLLLLooong time since I have flown and just have unpleasant memories of flying with my eldest son as a toddler. Don't laugh- (go ahead) but he is 17 now!:p We had flight delays, had to re -route through major airports and a 2 hour trip turned into 10 grueling hours!
Anyway, I am traveling with my kids- Ben is 1 1/2 , Em is 12 yo, and JD is 17yo. DH can't go. Ben will be riding on our laps. Ugg. He is a fireball of energy and into everything and gets scared of loud noises. Any suggestions?
The airline said that you can't take formula on the plane- which I have never used- but how on earth would a mom feed her baby? I nursed mine and he still does at night (will never get him weaned!) But I can't turn him down- he is my last and spoiled wrotten! Thinking of getting an umbrella stroller to wheel him in to the gate. Would be easier if I could strap him into a car seat on the plane - but that would have cost an additional $ 400!!!!!!!!! :eek: So I will make due for a couple hours.lol hugs, Lisa

[MommySpice]

Okay, that's just not true. You can take formula on the plane. Babies have to eat. You might want to check with another person...because it sounds like that one didn't know. Here's what you can and can't do: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm You can bring formula, milk, juice for him...you just have to tell them at the security check point and allow them to do a bit of additional screening.

Don't even bother trying to bring bottled water...just bring $5 for some after the security check point. You won't get it in no matter how much you beg, even if its full and sealed. Make sure anything not for baby is put in 1 quart sized clear plastic bag that is easily accessible...they make you put it out on top of everything, and you don't want to be digging around. Each individual container in the bag must hold less than 3 ozs of liquid, but most travel sized shampoos/lotions/toothpastes/etc are that size now.

I've never flown with a toddler, so I can't give you tips on that one...sorry!!!

[Lisa Dozier]

Kara thanks so much!!!!!!!! That is exactly what I needed to find out!!!!!!!!! big hugs!!!!!!!!

[MommySpice]

Anytime! :) I love to travel! :D

[sunshine]

I would definitely recommend bringing a sippy cup--empty--and then fill it after you get through security, but before you get to the plane. You will want him to be sucking on something during take-off to help with the ear thing. Snacks are also necessary (as I'm sure you know)...maybe even something that you never give him like Hershey's kisses or something.

A cheap umbrella stroller is a very good idea, you can gate check it so that you will have it all the way to and from the plane and it will allow you to go faster if you need to. Also makes an on-the-go high chair and it is bound to come in useful while doing things with family once you get there.

If he likes to color, we had really good luck with those water pens (just make sure it is empty while going through security) that you draw on the special paper--like the Aquadoodle.

If he'll watch a movie--a personal DVD player might buy you a little relaxation in flight (and the older kiddos might like it when they are trying to escape too much family time).

Maybe a new and previously unseen toy airplane?

Or a couple of puppets or soft stuffed animals--he'd probably love a puppet show put on by his older siblings.

OH! and are you taking your car seat? If so, they have bags at Baby's R Us that go over the car seat that have wheels that you can drag with you. If it looks like there are going to be extra seats on the plane, they will usually let you put him in a seat in his car seat (at no charge)....if there aren't you could gate check that as well. They should know at check-in if the flight is full or not and hopefully if you get someone helpful, they could place you near the empty seat. On this note, they also make car seats with wheels that transform from car seat to stroller--since you have a little time, you might check some resale shops for something like this if you are interested.

That's all I can think of other than having a big warm brownie with ice cream (or a margarita) waiting on the other end and probably something extra-special for the older kids to bribe them with for all that extra help with a smile that you'll be needing in the airport.

[Christine Haskell]

have fun sweetie! you SO deserve a break!!!

bring his birth certificate, they will want proof that he is young enough to really ride on your lap, they get a lot of people with 5 YOs saying they are under 2 and dont need a seat.

bring an empty sippy cup, fill it on the plane with juice or whatever.

yes! bring something (special) to chew/suck on for the landing/take off....we brought chewy candy (yes, i know, not good for the teeth, but he never gets it any other time) and marshmallows. it worked and was a special treat!

luck!

[Nzingha]

I fly twice a year and now with four children. All my children flew as toddlers and I still have one. I would first off see when you check in for your seat if the one doing the seating can't block out a seat for you. usually they can do it unless they are full. If not talk to the stewardess when you get on, explain you got a wild one and see if they can't mix a few people around so you get an empty seat, or you can send an older one to an empty seat on their own (but still close by) Very rarely will this not work out.

What to pack, get a small back pack or bag that is his own and have him pack a few things familiar to him. Favorite books to read during take off and landing. A toy or two that keeps him occupied that you have around the house and you can pack.

Pick up one or two things (depending on flight time) that are new to him. Take those out AFTER other things have failed. It will keep him busy longer. Pack a few snacks if you can (I'm not sure of US regulations anymore when we fly to Malaysia we can pack anything we want) something that is a bit chewy, those little snack pack chews are good. Give him those during take off and landing to help with his ears. Last thing you want is a screaming toddler beause of his ears.

See if you can sit window, usually kids love to look out the window during take off and landing. You can keep him occupied better during that time.

And always remember, if giving him a boob will keep him quiet do it. Matter of fact if they seat you with other people you can always pull out the boob and breastfeed. 9 x's out of 10 whoever is next to you will request to move and you'll get the seat :)

And for the sake of fliers like me, although very understanding when it comes to travelling with active children (Jihad drove me insane he has now calmed down) do NOT let him kick the seat. I just blogged about a family I had problems with. lol

Last but not least it doesn't last forever that plane will land eventually. Keep that in mind :)

[Timmysmum]

Few more ideas :

The airline should let you take sealed packs of childrens panadol and dimetab ( which is an anti histamine/ decongestant that also makes them sleepy or USA Equivalent I think they have one called Medised in the UK ) as long as you put them clearly into the zip lock bag and tell them its childrens medication.
If your child is new to that sort of stuff check them out before hand I have heard that some can make kids hyper no-one I know has ever had that problem but not the time to find out your kid is 'the one'

But make sure you have panadol even if its a dissolvable one you have to mix on the plane. a few hours is a long time and are not fun with a screaming child on a flight . ( I did 24 hours with A screaming crazy can't be my kid when he was 15 month old and took another 15 months recovering lol:D )

I have travelled several airlines internationally in the past month with no problem taking through kids medication in the zip lockbag.

hopefully you wont need it but definately have it or the equivalent to hand.

As well as the comfort toys/pillow blanket etc whatever it is (Timothy's is a teddy )

I wrapped up little 'pressies' and let him open one every 30 minute - hour... things like
Finger puppets yu can then make stories with
Little packs of crayons and pad
things you can poke/pull apart and squish (cheap ball things etc from science shops)
Old rubik cube ( the older kids might have fun with this too)
New picture books
Snap cards


Also with the zip lock bags it also means lipstick/creams foundation perfume sprays etc/ so all of that put your main make up in main luggage and just a lippy in the ziplock with a moisteriser in a small container (you are allowed them in less than 100ml

I put sealed wet travel wipes also into the ziplock and said they were for my child. again no problem

Great idea above with the cheap stroller.... godsend ..... being able take them all the way to the gate makes a huge difference. and yes snacks, snacks and more snacks.....

talking of snack's I'd let him be on the boob as much as you can... for all the above reasons and also whilst he is sucking wont affect his ears so much

Also check your airlines website on travel restrictions they are all slightly different and travel agents don't always have all the latest info.

Have fun if you are prepared sure you will have a ball

[Lisa Dozier]

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!! THanks SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much for all the great info!!!!!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!!!


And always remember, if giving him a boob will keep him quiet do it. Matter of fact if they seat you with other people you can always pull out the boob and breastfeed. 9 x's out of 10 whoever is next to you will request to move and you'll get the seat
I have laughed so hard !!!!!! Absolutely!!!!!! I guess it is probably a blessing in disguise this little one does not want to wean!!!!!! My other 2 were done by 9 months and Ben's favorite thing in the world is to nurse! :p Since he is my last I do not have the heart to say no . We are down to nap time and bedtime.
I will keep in mind about the meds. I used to love the old Dimetapp that had real alcohol in it. But they do not make it that way anymore. I gave my DS some benadryl on a plane trip years ago- but he got sick on it.
When he was younger I gave Ben some antihistamine and he was wired !!!!!!!
Oh my - it was like someone gave him an IV of adrenalin.
I so appreciate all your great ideas and will use them! I definitely will see if they have an extra seat and will have my 17 year old sit in it if possible. That way Em, Ben and I can have a bit more room. My eldest is no help with Ben anyway- except for maybe 2 minutes when he has nothing better to do.LOL
Hugs!!!!!!!

[Donna]

And always remember, if giving him a boob will keep him quiet do it. Matter of fact if they seat you with other people you can always pull out the boob and breastfeed. 9 x's out of 10 whoever is next to you will request to move and you'll get the seat >>>>>>>>>>>>

I'm over here laughing my head off- just read it to my dh and we are both cackling...........Well Lisa-- desperate people do desperate things!!!!!!

We won't ask you if you had to do it- ok ?

Ann, I bet it does work!

I think everyone else has covered it very well-

I definitely ditto- keeping the DVD, and/or new toys as last resort-

OH -- Dont' forget the Tylenol......... make you all happier.........

:eek: