Toddlers and airplanes...

[kim]

Hi! I will be on a 5hr flight next week with my 2yo ds and 11mth dd. By myself. Over the dinner hour. :shock: Sounds like fun, doesn't it? Any advice on survival? Oh, and my dd is walking already.

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

[ChelleFish]

I already know from previous discussions on here that my opinion may not be very popular, but I will voice it anyway.

We found that a dose of Benedryl to induce sleepiness goes a long way :oops:

I know...I know...some people do not like to medicate at all unless absolutely necessary and to think of "drugging" a child is just perposterous :shock: but it worked for us the one time we used it with our son this year.

On another note...an actiivty pack to keep the older one busy is good, too. Crayons (2 or 3, not a whole box) and paper, small not too noisy toys, books and snacks snacks snacks are also good.

For the younger, if you are nursing or even if you are using a bottle, feeding or having a paci is good for takeoff to help their little ears.

Good luck!!

[MomFromCanada]

We just got back from a 2 hour flight last week. One of the things we were glad we took was an umbrella stroller, it was handy to have right before and after you get on the plane.

Of course lots of snacks, juice, etc. and like mentioned something for them to drink during take off and landing.

Extra change of clothes - our dd peed through her clothes twice! on the plane. I only had 1 change of clothes and had to do a diaper change in the airplane bathroom (way too small!). Change diapers before and right after you are on the plane if possible.

We took activities such as books, colouring books, magna doodle, magnetic activity books, etc. that seemed to keep our dd occupied. They also have satellite TV now too on the back of seats, which is also great.

It may be a bit stressful at times but enjoy yourself and the airline stewards should be helpful to you too. Have a good time!

[SpiritFilledMomof2]

I agree with the benedryl. It worked for us.

Another thing that you may want to consider are lollipops for your oldest. It will help alleviate any pressure to the ears. If you are nursing your youngest that will help also.

Snacks and activities help. You may want to invest in some cheap dollar store toys before hand and break them out once the plane has taken off. The newness of the toys may help keep them distracted. I also found a portable dvd player to be handy, although your kids may be too young to be interested in that.

As for the diaper changes, you may want to use pullups on the plane since it is difficult to change diapers laying down unless you are really good at changing them standing up. At least the pullups will easily go on with the kids standing up. They aren't as absorbent as a diaper, but you can change into one as soon as you are off the plane.

Good Luck!

[jen1981]

Great suggestions so far. Also sippy cup of water or juice for the older one. Get a harness and leash at walmart in the baby section for your 2 yr. old. We did that and it worked great. He can walk but not run away and you don't have to worry about someone taking him in the airport. I bought one and had my son wear it around the house for about a week before we left so he was used to it. It will leave both of your hands free for diaper bag and stroller.

[kim]

Thanks for all the ideas. I'll have to hit the dollar store for some "new" toys just for the trip. Good idea! I was already bringing snacks, drinks etc because of travelling over the dinner hour. And we have a double umbrella type stroller for getting to/from the plane.

My biggest concern is keeping 11mth dd happy. She has never been a sit still kind of kid. (especially now that she is walking!) Really I am hoping that the 3rd person in our row is offered a seat elsewhere on the plane. I know some moms who have travelled and that happened for them. Then we can have all 3 seats and some room to move.

Any thoughts about car seats on the plane? Can you do that?

[SpiritFilledMomof2]

Any thoughts about car seats on the plane? Can you do that?

I know you can have car seats on the plane. I would check with the airline first and get as much info as possible. They might also have some more suggestions about traveling with kids.

[jwright]

Carseats on planes - make sure the car seat has a label or something ON the car seat that says it is approved for use in an airplane!!! I've flown twice with car seats and the first time the flight attendant just asked and I said yes, the 2nd time they had to inspect the car seat and the paper that was on there had come off so they wouldn't allow me to use it! They were a bit snippy/rude about that!

Janell

[savedbygrace]

Also if you want to use a car seat you have to buy a plane ticket since it takes up a seat. Since your kids are under 3 they fly free right? If you have tickets for them then it shouldn't be a problem to have a car seat as long as it meets all of the flight regulations.

[MomFromCanada]

Another idea too is to ask if the flight is full or not, if it isn't, ask if you can get an extra seat beside you. Although the child(ren) can't actually use it as if you had paid for it but it gives you extra space to have your diaper bag up on the seat, whatever, and even a bit of extra leg space for you and your child(ren).

[ChelleFish]

Actually, the fly free age is 2...we had to pay full fare for our son this year and he turned 2 in May of '06...we thought he could fly through the age of 2 up until his third birthday, but NO, had to pay for him this time.

[kim]

I am going to look into the car seat...

We did have to buy a seat for ds...you have to buy tickets for them as soon as they turn 2. But I really wouldn't want to fly with both of them on my lap anyway! lol!

[jwright]

One thing to think about with taking a car seat on the plane - is how are you going to get yourself, kids and carryon (including the car seat) to the gate and onto the plane?? When I flew with ds at 2 1/2 yrs. old I used those bungee chords to hook the car seat onto the stroller. You'll have to figure that out before you leave to see what the best way to hook it on would be. DS and I had a VERY short layover and we had to RUN to catch our next flight (which is why he was in the stroller).

Hope this helps!

Janell

[savedbygrace]

http://www.babycenter.com/expert/baby/babytravel/1348015.html

This site should give you the right information about the car seat.

[jwright]

Read the article in the link above - that was good. I'd forgotten that the car seat had to be next to the window. Our flight was so full that they had ds and I in different rows which obviously was NOT going to happen so they had to straighten it out at the gate. There was one guy that asked if I was in the right seat and I just told him that they told me ds had to be by the window which was fine with him because he wanted the aisle seat anyways! If possible, make sure you get your seat assignments so your ds has a window seat and your seat is right next to him. If not, they will fix it at the gate but would be easier if it was set up before then. They always allow children and those that need extra time to board first which is nice.

Janell

[kim]

Thanks everyone! I called the airline and they told me what I needed to know about car seats and the other questions I had. I did read the link above...did not know about the window seat issue. (I called the airline before I read it, so I may be calling again to find out about seat assignments.) 8 days and counting...

[irishmum2boys]

I think pretty much everything has been covered, but I was thinking if you have a portable DVD player those are also a great help. I would dress both kids in layers, the cabin pressure fluctuates a lot! Having something new to entertain ds while you are sitting on the airplane before take off really helps. My oldest ds's grandma bought him a new Thomas the train toy, it was a blessing. I haven't flown by myself with my 2 but we flew back to Ireland at Christmas with both of them!
Take off and landing, have something for them to drink, chew on really helps.
If you can walk around the aircraft with your dd it would really help, but I know with a 2 yr old it might not be easy.
I would try to have as little luggage for you to hold onto as possible!

I wish you all the best :)

[1blessed4life]

Hi.. how did the April flight go??
When we flew with our 1 & a half yr old - I also used small bungee cords to hook the car seat to our stroller. Huge help through the airport, ect. & having him 'buckled in' helped with having hands free during ticketing, ect. They took the stroller right at the plane doorway after the ramp. We checked in at the gate as early as someone was there & asked about any extra seats - they set one aside (had to check on any standby people first). We were blessed to get an extra seat & able to put the car seat in right beside me. If I did it again - I would pay for the extra seat - to keep the stress level down. Having him buckled in helped him know he wasn't going to run around. I also didn't give him his afternoon nap - wich can work for OR against you - with a really cranky child, but thankfully he finally slept.
The extra 'new' toys work great - and for toddlers - find a small backpack that they get to carry - ours loved that - it was filled with 'new-dollar' and toys I pulled from his toybox for awhile - so they were new again to him.
God bless your travels ~

[kim]

Hi - I never did post how it went...thanks for asking. It was a great flight. My ds travelled really well in the car seat, and the kids took turns sleeping. :) We were on westjet so ds had his own tv (what a thrill for him!) and played with his sticker book. Of course they both ate lots too. The flight attendants were awesome, one of them even stayed with my ds while I took dd to change her diaper.

I had lots of help getting on/off the plane. Fortunately the car seat balanced okay on top of the stroller with the canopy open. I looked like a pack mule with all the carry on bags on my back, but it worked.

I definitely recommend flying with the car seat with a toddler. That was the best advice. And the gentleman sitting next to us offered to move to a vacant seat elsewhere (so nice!) to give us extra space. So overall, it was a wonderful flight.

[1blessed4life]

Yeay.. thanks for the update. So glad it went well for you.
prayers always help too :)
have a blessed week.

[Godzgirl]

YAT! :D Glad all went well. :D