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!
What are some good travel toys?
Luz
What are some good travel toys that I can take on an airplane for my 13 month old baby girl?
Answer
It's going to be hard to keep a 13-month old busy and quiet on the plane. Have reasonable expectations and you'll weather it better. Have plenty of snacks, readily available, as well as milk, water, and juice. Don't depend on the airlines for anything - bring along everything you need - water for formula mixing, etc. Some flight attendants are happy to help, but on a full plane you can't be guaranteed it. Also, there are the unplanned delays which result in you being stuck on the plane longer than you anticipated.
Bring along her favorite soothers - blanket, stuffed animal, etc. One bag solely devoted to her that can be kept under the seat in front of you. Also include soft, quiet toys, generally ones she already enjoys, as well as soft books (the fabric kind). Introduce a few new things, but having old favorites will make her feel more comfortable in this new environment.
Stuff as much of the necessary items in the seat pocket in front of you when you board the flight so you'll have them ready. A leak-proof bottle with water, snacks, and the toys. Only grab for the bag when you absolutely have to. If she has her own seat bring along her car seat which will make her more comfortable and allow you to stuff her blanket and other soft items underneath and behind.
If she enjoys music, bring along a small cd player and headphones. Get her used to the headphones prior to the trip by allowing her to wear them when sitting at a table. She'll get used to them and within a day or two, be able to put them on and take them off by herself. Get a child's cd player that has a volume restrictor.
Try not to use electronics to pacify if possible, but a sing-a-long or storybook on CD should provide a learning experience as well as some quite time for you.
If you take crayons, choose triangular crayons that won't roll and the type that are more durable (Melissa and Doug carry them - we sell them on our site) and come in a carrying case. This will save you time trying to pick them up from the floor - not an easy fete!
Take along her favorite pacifier for take-off and landing. Having her swallow often during those times will help her ears pop. That's what causes most crying on flights. If once in the air she's pulling at her ears, offer her a snack with a drink to again get her to swallow.
Have fun and try to make sure you're comfortable too. Dress in comfortable clothes and carry an extra t-shirt for yourself as well as an extra change of clothes for her. Accidents happen!
Good luck!
Connie
Princess Time Toys
It's going to be hard to keep a 13-month old busy and quiet on the plane. Have reasonable expectations and you'll weather it better. Have plenty of snacks, readily available, as well as milk, water, and juice. Don't depend on the airlines for anything - bring along everything you need - water for formula mixing, etc. Some flight attendants are happy to help, but on a full plane you can't be guaranteed it. Also, there are the unplanned delays which result in you being stuck on the plane longer than you anticipated.
Bring along her favorite soothers - blanket, stuffed animal, etc. One bag solely devoted to her that can be kept under the seat in front of you. Also include soft, quiet toys, generally ones she already enjoys, as well as soft books (the fabric kind). Introduce a few new things, but having old favorites will make her feel more comfortable in this new environment.
Stuff as much of the necessary items in the seat pocket in front of you when you board the flight so you'll have them ready. A leak-proof bottle with water, snacks, and the toys. Only grab for the bag when you absolutely have to. If she has her own seat bring along her car seat which will make her more comfortable and allow you to stuff her blanket and other soft items underneath and behind.
If she enjoys music, bring along a small cd player and headphones. Get her used to the headphones prior to the trip by allowing her to wear them when sitting at a table. She'll get used to them and within a day or two, be able to put them on and take them off by herself. Get a child's cd player that has a volume restrictor.
Try not to use electronics to pacify if possible, but a sing-a-long or storybook on CD should provide a learning experience as well as some quite time for you.
If you take crayons, choose triangular crayons that won't roll and the type that are more durable (Melissa and Doug carry them - we sell them on our site) and come in a carrying case. This will save you time trying to pick them up from the floor - not an easy fete!
Take along her favorite pacifier for take-off and landing. Having her swallow often during those times will help her ears pop. That's what causes most crying on flights. If once in the air she's pulling at her ears, offer her a snack with a drink to again get her to swallow.
Have fun and try to make sure you're comfortable too. Dress in comfortable clothes and carry an extra t-shirt for yourself as well as an extra change of clothes for her. Accidents happen!
Good luck!
Connie
Princess Time Toys
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