RBK
I am taking a eight hours flight with my almost 2 1/2 year old. It is a overnight flight and I am afraid she will have a hard time falling asleep in such a small space. Any advice? or any safe drugs I can give her to help her sleep? :-)
Answer
I've been flying internationally and domestically with my children since they were 2 months (now 8&5). At least three trips a year are the children and I traveling internationally (14+ hours each way) alone. In addition to that, we do another 8-10 international and domestic flights a year as a family. Here are some tips and advice that have always worked for me and I hope will help you:
1.) I always suggest preparing them for what to expect so that they are not caught off guard and scared on the day of travel. You want to make sure that you tell her what is going to happen from the time you get to the airport until the time you arrive at your destination. You don't need to go into any great detail here, but give her something that they will be able to reference when actually traveling. If you are able to, I always suggest doing a dry run of the airport. This provides you with an opportunity to explain to your child what is going to happen while she can see first hand what it looks like.
Here is a link to a question I answered about what to expect when flying (also includes information about what to do at the airport) that may help you out a bit: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AnuyJVZLZSuuQXP6rCWLSLvty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071108205522AAKqKgt&show=7#profile-info-a15ae544077933e44570caf0403c65abaa
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#9
3.) Make sure to pack plenty of things to entertain your child, such as a few books, toys, a portable DVD player (be sure to bring extra batteries) or let her use your laptop (make sure it's fully charged) with a few movies, and one or two comfort things such as a favorite blankie or stuffed animal. I always bring a small pillow and 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 like to bring along their own coloring books, a Doodle Pad, their Leap Pads (with a few booklets), and scrap paper that they can make their own drawings with and 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, and 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, and stickers that they can color. It definitely keeps them entertained!
You can also play games like pat-a-cake, or I-spy, and tell stories to your child as well. If you tell a story, try to make it an interactive one where your child has a part in it so she stays interested.
You might also consider going to the store and letting your child (I let my children start this at the age of one) pick out her own carry on bag and a few inexpensive toys that will be used only once you are on the plane. Be sure to pick out a few toys without her seeing so that she has an extra surprise when she opens her carry on.
4.) Not all children have a problem with the pressure changes in their ears. If yours does however you'll want to know how to help. For take-offs and landings (the WHOLE way up, and starting from the BEGINNING, or TOP of descent), the best ways to alleviate ear pressure are to:
* Give her something to drink (milk, water, juice - it doesn't matter)
* Give her hard candy, mints, or a pacifier to suck on
* Give her gum to chew
* Tell her to yawn
* Pinch her nostrils shut, have her take a deep breath in through the mouth, then force the air into the back of the nose (gently, but with pressure) as if trying to blow her nose.
* 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
* Gently but with some pressure, rub 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.
You can also try using a decongestant. It is always best to check with your doctor before using any type of medications though, to make sure you are using the one best suited to your childrens needs.
Do NOT plan on giving your child medicine with the hopes of it making her sleep on the plane. This is not only cruel, but dangerous as well. I have also seen where it backfires; a parent gives their child a dose of Benedryl to make them sleep, but instead it gets the child more hyper and the parents get absolutely no rest on the flight (and neither does anyone else).
I wrote a small article about this if you would like to reference it. It gives more in-depth information, and rules for airport security in the US EU and UK, plus some other tips and tricks to help make the travel easier on you and your children. http://www.angelfire.com/jamiehassen79/flying_children.html
If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me.
I've been flying internationally and domestically with my children since they were 2 months (now 8&5). At least three trips a year are the children and I traveling internationally (14+ hours each way) alone. In addition to that, we do another 8-10 international and domestic flights a year as a family. Here are some tips and advice that have always worked for me and I hope will help you:
1.) I always suggest preparing them for what to expect so that they are not caught off guard and scared on the day of travel. You want to make sure that you tell her what is going to happen from the time you get to the airport until the time you arrive at your destination. You don't need to go into any great detail here, but give her something that they will be able to reference when actually traveling. If you are able to, I always suggest doing a dry run of the airport. This provides you with an opportunity to explain to your child what is going to happen while she can see first hand what it looks like.
Here is a link to a question I answered about what to expect when flying (also includes information about what to do at the airport) that may help you out a bit: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AnuyJVZLZSuuQXP6rCWLSLvty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071108205522AAKqKgt&show=7#profile-info-a15ae544077933e44570caf0403c65abaa
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#9
3.) Make sure to pack plenty of things to entertain your child, such as a few books, toys, a portable DVD player (be sure to bring extra batteries) or let her use your laptop (make sure it's fully charged) with a few movies, and one or two comfort things such as a favorite blankie or stuffed animal. I always bring a small pillow and 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 like to bring along their own coloring books, a Doodle Pad, their Leap Pads (with a few booklets), and scrap paper that they can make their own drawings with and 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, and 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, and stickers that they can color. It definitely keeps them entertained!
You can also play games like pat-a-cake, or I-spy, and tell stories to your child as well. If you tell a story, try to make it an interactive one where your child has a part in it so she stays interested.
You might also consider going to the store and letting your child (I let my children start this at the age of one) pick out her own carry on bag and a few inexpensive toys that will be used only once you are on the plane. Be sure to pick out a few toys without her seeing so that she has an extra surprise when she opens her carry on.
4.) Not all children have a problem with the pressure changes in their ears. If yours does however you'll want to know how to help. For take-offs and landings (the WHOLE way up, and starting from the BEGINNING, or TOP of descent), the best ways to alleviate ear pressure are to:
* Give her something to drink (milk, water, juice - it doesn't matter)
* Give her hard candy, mints, or a pacifier to suck on
* Give her gum to chew
* Tell her to yawn
* Pinch her nostrils shut, have her take a deep breath in through the mouth, then force the air into the back of the nose (gently, but with pressure) as if trying to blow her nose.
* 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
* Gently but with some pressure, rub 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.
You can also try using a decongestant. It is always best to check with your doctor before using any type of medications though, to make sure you are using the one best suited to your childrens needs.
Do NOT plan on giving your child medicine with the hopes of it making her sleep on the plane. This is not only cruel, but dangerous as well. I have also seen where it backfires; a parent gives their child a dose of Benedryl to make them sleep, but instead it gets the child more hyper and the parents get absolutely no rest on the flight (and neither does anyone else).
I wrote a small article about this if you would like to reference it. It gives more in-depth information, and rules for airport security in the US EU and UK, plus some other tips and tricks to help make the travel easier on you and your children. http://www.angelfire.com/jamiehassen79/flying_children.html
If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me.
Traveling with a toddler?
Isabella's
We are going to Hawaii in 8 days and I just want some advice because our daughter has never traveled by plane. She's almost 3. The flight is only 6 hours non-stop and I'm really not TOO worried about that because she is a pretty well-behaved kid and we plan on bringing the portable DVD player and a few toys(any other tips are welcome). I know food and drinks are not allowed but 6 hours without a snack might be a problem...will they be ok with me bringing a bag of animal crackers and a juice box for her? Also, am I not allowed to pack extra snacks and such for when we get to the hotel? Or do I have to just buy those things when we arrive in Hawaii? ANY advice is welcome even if I haven't asked...I've never traveled with her before so ALL advice/tips are welcome! Thanks so much!
Answer
I fly by plane with my toddler every 3 months to visit the family that is the closest.
They WILL allow you to bring a snack and drink for them. The container has to be able to be closed. A juice box will work, though. Use a sippy cup or a thermos because they WILL open it at security to test what's inside. I always brought milk for my son when he was a little younger for the longer flights. He is 3 now and doesn't travel 6 hours regularly on the plane (every 3 months it's just 1.5 hour flights) so I don't bring it anymore. No more than 4 ounces in each container.
You can bring snacks and as many as you want. I brought an entire carry-on of wrapped food from Japan on the plane. It has to be wrapped. It can't be left overs in a container but a sandwich that'd you pick up at 711 that's in plastic and anything else wrapped in plastic.
Don't stop at McDonalds and get a cheeseburger, because that's not the wrapped I'm talking about and you will have to throw it away.
You no longer have to take her shoes off in security so don't worry about that but make sure you are aware of everything you do need to put on the belt. Make your life as easy as possible.
I fly by plane with my toddler every 3 months to visit the family that is the closest.
They WILL allow you to bring a snack and drink for them. The container has to be able to be closed. A juice box will work, though. Use a sippy cup or a thermos because they WILL open it at security to test what's inside. I always brought milk for my son when he was a little younger for the longer flights. He is 3 now and doesn't travel 6 hours regularly on the plane (every 3 months it's just 1.5 hour flights) so I don't bring it anymore. No more than 4 ounces in each container.
You can bring snacks and as many as you want. I brought an entire carry-on of wrapped food from Japan on the plane. It has to be wrapped. It can't be left overs in a container but a sandwich that'd you pick up at 711 that's in plastic and anything else wrapped in plastic.
Don't stop at McDonalds and get a cheeseburger, because that's not the wrapped I'm talking about and you will have to throw it away.
You no longer have to take her shoes off in security so don't worry about that but make sure you are aware of everything you do need to put on the belt. Make your life as easy as possible.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
No comments:
Post a Comment