virgowicca
im traveling to ca from ak with a 2 yr old and 8month old. any helplful advice would be great. dont say not to travel with children. thank you
btw im flying
Answer
I used to live in Alaska and would visit my family in California fairly regularly, so I know what you're going through! Let me see what I can remember of the ordeal... ;-)
First thing: make sure they have something to suck on (pacifier, bottle, juice box, whatever) to help them equalize the pressure in their ears during takeoff -- otherwise it can be extremely painful for the little ones!
For my son, we always had a special set of "travel toys" -- something small and easily portable (Matchbox cars, little Fisher-Price "peg people", etc.) that he only got to play with on trips, so they would be new and interesting and would take him longer to get bored with. Storybooks are always good, as are coloring books. if you own or can rent a portable DVD player with maybe a Disney movie or something on it, those things can be worth their weight in gold!
Make sure you bring snacks as well -- airline food rots, and it's not likely to be anything they'll like, anyhow. Bring finger foods that they like and that are easy to cleanup and transport -- raisin boxes, plastic baggies with goldfish crackers, grapes, Fig Newtons, etc.
Try to travel in the evening, so they can sleep for at least part of the flight.
While you're waiting for the flight to arrive, run 'em ragged -- play games, run around, explore the airport and watch the airplanes taking off and landing -- do everything you can to tire them out so they'll sit still during the flight.
Once they sit down in their seat on the plane, make sure they STAY seated -- if they get it into their heads that they can run up and down the aisle, it'll be a constant battle to keep them in their seats.
Make sure that they also have their favorite "snuggly" -- a security blanket, stuffed animal, etc. -- as well, to help induce sleepiness. It can also give them something to focus on, making sure that "Teddy" gets buckled in along with the child, and so on...
I sincerely hope you'll be travelling with your spouse/partner.....my wife and I thought we were being heroic dealing with just ONE toddler between the two of us!
Just remember: no matter how rough the trip gets, you WILL survive the experience! Best of luck to you!
I used to live in Alaska and would visit my family in California fairly regularly, so I know what you're going through! Let me see what I can remember of the ordeal... ;-)
First thing: make sure they have something to suck on (pacifier, bottle, juice box, whatever) to help them equalize the pressure in their ears during takeoff -- otherwise it can be extremely painful for the little ones!
For my son, we always had a special set of "travel toys" -- something small and easily portable (Matchbox cars, little Fisher-Price "peg people", etc.) that he only got to play with on trips, so they would be new and interesting and would take him longer to get bored with. Storybooks are always good, as are coloring books. if you own or can rent a portable DVD player with maybe a Disney movie or something on it, those things can be worth their weight in gold!
Make sure you bring snacks as well -- airline food rots, and it's not likely to be anything they'll like, anyhow. Bring finger foods that they like and that are easy to cleanup and transport -- raisin boxes, plastic baggies with goldfish crackers, grapes, Fig Newtons, etc.
Try to travel in the evening, so they can sleep for at least part of the flight.
While you're waiting for the flight to arrive, run 'em ragged -- play games, run around, explore the airport and watch the airplanes taking off and landing -- do everything you can to tire them out so they'll sit still during the flight.
Once they sit down in their seat on the plane, make sure they STAY seated -- if they get it into their heads that they can run up and down the aisle, it'll be a constant battle to keep them in their seats.
Make sure that they also have their favorite "snuggly" -- a security blanket, stuffed animal, etc. -- as well, to help induce sleepiness. It can also give them something to focus on, making sure that "Teddy" gets buckled in along with the child, and so on...
I sincerely hope you'll be travelling with your spouse/partner.....my wife and I thought we were being heroic dealing with just ONE toddler between the two of us!
Just remember: no matter how rough the trip gets, you WILL survive the experience! Best of luck to you!
International travel with babies?
crystal_he
Planning on flying from the US to South East Asia with a 3 year old and a year old. Sigh.... what can I do to make this trip easier? It'll be Washington DC - NY - Frankfurt - Singapore - Surabaya, Indonesia with SQ (Singapore Airlines). Has anyone made a similar trip? How do you handle the babies?
Thanks in advance.
Answer
I had to do a lot of plane hopping with my little ones when I flew to Ireland (four planes to get there, five planes to get home). They were a bit older - but we also take frequent trips, and have been flying with the kids since they were infants.
I disagree with the other commenter. I never check my luggage. When jumping that many planes, there is a greater chance the airline will "lose" your bags. It is also a pain to wait for the luggage to come around when you have little ones who may be cranky or overstimulated. But if you are traveling alone, then checking it may be your best option, as you won't have to struggle with kids and bags through the airport. Just makes sure you pack a backpack or small carryon bag with extra clothes (at least one set for every person traveling) and any and ALL important supplies - diapers, medication, money, passports... Keep that with you, so if your luggage is lost, you are not stuck with nothing.
For the baby, make sure you have a pacifier or bottle, or something they can suck on while the plane is ascending or descending. The air pressure can hurt their ears, and the sucking will cause that pressure to pop. Some suckers might also be good, if the older child complains about the pressure.
Bring snack foods - granola bars, fruit, crackers... And a water bottle. Fill the water bottle before you get on the plane. But be careful not to let the kids eat and eat and eat out of boredom. There is nothing worse than a kid barfing on a plane.
Bring activities and toys - but nothing noisy that will disturb other flyers or make a mess (it's not easy cleaning up a tiny space with babies in the way). Coloring books and crayons for the older child. If your youngest is going to be a lap baby, then be prepared for another passenger being seated with you. If possible, try to keep the aisle seat, so you can get your kids to the bathroom without having to inconvenience anyone else.
Oh, and try not to stress out if your kids do get cranky and make a fuss. I can't recall any flights I have ever been on that there wasn't a baby crying or a child whining. It happens, and most people will be understanding. Those who aren't, well, ignore them. Just concentrate on your children.
I had to do a lot of plane hopping with my little ones when I flew to Ireland (four planes to get there, five planes to get home). They were a bit older - but we also take frequent trips, and have been flying with the kids since they were infants.
I disagree with the other commenter. I never check my luggage. When jumping that many planes, there is a greater chance the airline will "lose" your bags. It is also a pain to wait for the luggage to come around when you have little ones who may be cranky or overstimulated. But if you are traveling alone, then checking it may be your best option, as you won't have to struggle with kids and bags through the airport. Just makes sure you pack a backpack or small carryon bag with extra clothes (at least one set for every person traveling) and any and ALL important supplies - diapers, medication, money, passports... Keep that with you, so if your luggage is lost, you are not stuck with nothing.
For the baby, make sure you have a pacifier or bottle, or something they can suck on while the plane is ascending or descending. The air pressure can hurt their ears, and the sucking will cause that pressure to pop. Some suckers might also be good, if the older child complains about the pressure.
Bring snack foods - granola bars, fruit, crackers... And a water bottle. Fill the water bottle before you get on the plane. But be careful not to let the kids eat and eat and eat out of boredom. There is nothing worse than a kid barfing on a plane.
Bring activities and toys - but nothing noisy that will disturb other flyers or make a mess (it's not easy cleaning up a tiny space with babies in the way). Coloring books and crayons for the older child. If your youngest is going to be a lap baby, then be prepared for another passenger being seated with you. If possible, try to keep the aisle seat, so you can get your kids to the bathroom without having to inconvenience anyone else.
Oh, and try not to stress out if your kids do get cranky and make a fuss. I can't recall any flights I have ever been on that there wasn't a baby crying or a child whining. It happens, and most people will be understanding. Those who aren't, well, ignore them. Just concentrate on your children.
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