healthy toddler travel snacks image
pari
Answer
Yahoo limits the amount of space given to answer questions, so I'll try to give you the most important things.
1.) Pack plenty of things to entertain your child: a few books, toys, a portable DVD player (be sure to bring extra batteries) or let him/her use your laptop (make sure it's fully charged) with a few movies, & 1 or 2 comfort things such as a favorite blankie or stuffed animal. I always bring a small pillow & blanket from home for my children (even now) because I know 100% that they are clean, and my children are accustomed to them. My children bring along their own coloring books, a Doodle Pad, their Leap Pads (with a few booklets), scrap paper that they can make their own drawings with & play games such as tic-tac-toe. My daughter used to like to bring along a doodle bear when she was younger so that she could draw on that as well, & my son likes to bring along some action figures to play with. I found that buying a Rose Art kit is great! It has crayons, markers, coloring books, coloring sheets, & stickers that they can color. It definitely keeps them entertained! http://www.megabrands.com/en/products/description.php?product_id=1031&brand_id=36&cat=4&age=
I take the contents of the kit out of the box & place them in something a little travel pack. Here is what my sons looks like:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamie_hassen/2577667314/ - outside
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamie_hassen/2577681352/ - inside
You can also play games like pat-a-cake, or I-spy, & tell stories to your child as well. If you tell a story, try to make it an interactive one where s/he has a part in it so s/he stays interested.
You might also consider going to the store & letting your child (I let my children start this at the age of one) pick out his/her own carry on bag & a few inexpensive toys that will be used only once you are on the plane. Be sure to pick out a few toys without him/herseeing so that s/he has an extra surprise when s/he opens his/her carry-on.
2.) Bring Snacks! just add water packets of food, cheerios, goldfish, animal crackers, dried fruit, etc. are great. New regulations also allow you to take beverages (including water) from home as long as they are less than 3oz (100ml), -OR- beverages (including water) of any size that you have purchased from inside the security area onto planes. You can also bring a limited amount of baby food, yogurt, cheese, puddings, etc. with you also as long as they are in containers less than 3oz (100ml) http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#10
Here's a link to a question I answered that talks about the regulations for bringing drinks on a plane for children (I would write the whole thing out for you here, but when I did that, a lot of my answer got cut off): http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ApaVhxxUaNiiEsDfths2ADjty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20081002064751AAqUtKH&show=7#profile-info-Y3IuVmeiaa
3.) A lot of people are concerned about the pressure changes in their childs ears while traveling, but in all honesty, I have never had a problem dealing with it for any of my children. In fact, not all children have a problem with the pressure changes in their ears. The "popping" is what helps to equalize the pressure changes in peoples ears, so it is actually the result you want. What you do *not* want, is for them to not be able to have their ears "pop"
Make sure you have a check-up with your doctor before leaving to make sure your child is healthy enough to fly. Most doctors recommend that if anyone is sick (such as being stuffed up or already having an earache), not to take the flight. I know my husband and other pilots do not work if they are sick because of this danger. If your child seems to have problems with equalizing the pressure in his/her ears, here are some ways to help:
For take-offs and landings (the WHOLE way up, and starting from the BEGINNING, or TOP of descent - about an hour before landing), the best ways to alleviate ear pressure are to:
1. If your child is nursing, nurse him/her
2. Give him/her something to drink (formula, milk, juice, water - it doesn't matter)
3. Give him/her a pacifier to suck on
4. Place hot damp towels (usually like the ones distributed to first and business class before take-off and landing to freshen up with - just ask a flight attendant for them) or paper towels that have been soaked in hot water and wrung out, at the bottom of two paper or styrofoam cups, then hold the cups over the ears
5. Gently but with some pressure, rub his/her neck repeatedly from the chin to the base of the neck. This will cause a swallowing motion that will relieve pressure build-up in the ears.
4.) Other tips:
-Keep your diaper bag well stocked with what you will need
-Be sure to pack 2-3 changes of clothes for your child
-Bring any medications that you might need for your child should s/he get sick or that s/he takes regularly.
-Don't be afraid to get up and walk the aisles with your child
-Keep your calm. If you get stressed out, your child can pick up on it and it will make the travel that much harder
-Do NOT plan on giving your child medicine with the hopes of it making him/her sleep on the plane. This is not only cruel, but dangerous as well.
-Last but not least, if help is offered to you, take it
I've been flying internationally & domestically with my children since they were each 2 months (now 8&6, & 9 months), and I am currently pregnant with #4. At least three trips a year are the children & I traveling internationally (14+ hours each way) alone. We do another 8-10 international and domestic flights a year as a family. I have never had any problems with my children.
I wrote a small article about flying with children that goes more in-depth, gives up to date security rules and regulations for the US, EU, UK, and Australia, offers tips and tricks for the travel, etc.
http://www.angelfire.com/jamiehassen79/flying_children.html
If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me.
Yahoo limits the amount of space given to answer questions, so I'll try to give you the most important things.
1.) Pack plenty of things to entertain your child: a few books, toys, a portable DVD player (be sure to bring extra batteries) or let him/her use your laptop (make sure it's fully charged) with a few movies, & 1 or 2 comfort things such as a favorite blankie or stuffed animal. I always bring a small pillow & blanket from home for my children (even now) because I know 100% that they are clean, and my children are accustomed to them. My children bring along their own coloring books, a Doodle Pad, their Leap Pads (with a few booklets), scrap paper that they can make their own drawings with & play games such as tic-tac-toe. My daughter used to like to bring along a doodle bear when she was younger so that she could draw on that as well, & my son likes to bring along some action figures to play with. I found that buying a Rose Art kit is great! It has crayons, markers, coloring books, coloring sheets, & stickers that they can color. It definitely keeps them entertained! http://www.megabrands.com/en/products/description.php?product_id=1031&brand_id=36&cat=4&age=
I take the contents of the kit out of the box & place them in something a little travel pack. Here is what my sons looks like:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamie_hassen/2577667314/ - outside
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamie_hassen/2577681352/ - inside
You can also play games like pat-a-cake, or I-spy, & tell stories to your child as well. If you tell a story, try to make it an interactive one where s/he has a part in it so s/he stays interested.
You might also consider going to the store & letting your child (I let my children start this at the age of one) pick out his/her own carry on bag & a few inexpensive toys that will be used only once you are on the plane. Be sure to pick out a few toys without him/herseeing so that s/he has an extra surprise when s/he opens his/her carry-on.
2.) Bring Snacks! just add water packets of food, cheerios, goldfish, animal crackers, dried fruit, etc. are great. New regulations also allow you to take beverages (including water) from home as long as they are less than 3oz (100ml), -OR- beverages (including water) of any size that you have purchased from inside the security area onto planes. You can also bring a limited amount of baby food, yogurt, cheese, puddings, etc. with you also as long as they are in containers less than 3oz (100ml) http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#10
Here's a link to a question I answered that talks about the regulations for bringing drinks on a plane for children (I would write the whole thing out for you here, but when I did that, a lot of my answer got cut off): http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ApaVhxxUaNiiEsDfths2ADjty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20081002064751AAqUtKH&show=7#profile-info-Y3IuVmeiaa
3.) A lot of people are concerned about the pressure changes in their childs ears while traveling, but in all honesty, I have never had a problem dealing with it for any of my children. In fact, not all children have a problem with the pressure changes in their ears. The "popping" is what helps to equalize the pressure changes in peoples ears, so it is actually the result you want. What you do *not* want, is for them to not be able to have their ears "pop"
Make sure you have a check-up with your doctor before leaving to make sure your child is healthy enough to fly. Most doctors recommend that if anyone is sick (such as being stuffed up or already having an earache), not to take the flight. I know my husband and other pilots do not work if they are sick because of this danger. If your child seems to have problems with equalizing the pressure in his/her ears, here are some ways to help:
For take-offs and landings (the WHOLE way up, and starting from the BEGINNING, or TOP of descent - about an hour before landing), the best ways to alleviate ear pressure are to:
1. If your child is nursing, nurse him/her
2. Give him/her something to drink (formula, milk, juice, water - it doesn't matter)
3. Give him/her a pacifier to suck on
4. Place hot damp towels (usually like the ones distributed to first and business class before take-off and landing to freshen up with - just ask a flight attendant for them) or paper towels that have been soaked in hot water and wrung out, at the bottom of two paper or styrofoam cups, then hold the cups over the ears
5. Gently but with some pressure, rub his/her neck repeatedly from the chin to the base of the neck. This will cause a swallowing motion that will relieve pressure build-up in the ears.
4.) Other tips:
-Keep your diaper bag well stocked with what you will need
-Be sure to pack 2-3 changes of clothes for your child
-Bring any medications that you might need for your child should s/he get sick or that s/he takes regularly.
-Don't be afraid to get up and walk the aisles with your child
-Keep your calm. If you get stressed out, your child can pick up on it and it will make the travel that much harder
-Do NOT plan on giving your child medicine with the hopes of it making him/her sleep on the plane. This is not only cruel, but dangerous as well.
-Last but not least, if help is offered to you, take it
I've been flying internationally & domestically with my children since they were each 2 months (now 8&6, & 9 months), and I am currently pregnant with #4. At least three trips a year are the children & I traveling internationally (14+ hours each way) alone. We do another 8-10 international and domestic flights a year as a family. I have never had any problems with my children.
I wrote a small article about flying with children that goes more in-depth, gives up to date security rules and regulations for the US, EU, UK, and Australia, offers tips and tricks for the travel, etc.
http://www.angelfire.com/jamiehassen79/flying_children.html
If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me.
any tips for traveling 14hours by plane with a 2year old?
brian g
Answer
It is hard, but it can be done. First, try to book direct. Connections create the possibility of delay and that makes things worse.
Second, bring lots of different, relatively healthy snacks in small ziplocks (& something for slow chewing to help their ears pop-- raisins, etc).
Third, wrap some small toys (hot wheels, plastic junk) and give them out every hour-- the wrapping makes it last longer...
Fourth, bring playdoh. Sounds crazy? It is small and usable on the tray table and nothing settles a toddler like something they can smash between their fingers.
Fifth, bring a box of cheap bandaids. At 2 they take forever to unwrap them and stick them on. They are cheaper than stickers and they'll put them on the plane's booboos, your boo boos, the attendants boo boos.
Sixth, find the friendly old lady on the plane who loves children and hang out in the aisle near her seat...
Seventh, you child may cry... know that you have done your best and just hang in there. Sometimes 3 minutes of loud crying ends with 3 hours of sleeping toddler.
It is hard, but it can be done. First, try to book direct. Connections create the possibility of delay and that makes things worse.
Second, bring lots of different, relatively healthy snacks in small ziplocks (& something for slow chewing to help their ears pop-- raisins, etc).
Third, wrap some small toys (hot wheels, plastic junk) and give them out every hour-- the wrapping makes it last longer...
Fourth, bring playdoh. Sounds crazy? It is small and usable on the tray table and nothing settles a toddler like something they can smash between their fingers.
Fifth, bring a box of cheap bandaids. At 2 they take forever to unwrap them and stick them on. They are cheaper than stickers and they'll put them on the plane's booboos, your boo boos, the attendants boo boos.
Sixth, find the friendly old lady on the plane who loves children and hang out in the aisle near her seat...
Seventh, you child may cry... know that you have done your best and just hang in there. Sometimes 3 minutes of loud crying ends with 3 hours of sleeping toddler.
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