daddyjohnd
Im leaving in 1 week for vacation with a 17 mo old toddler and need advice on keeping him occupied, and what to do about his ears during landing and takeoffso hes not too uncomfortable with the pressure changes.
It a 2.5 hr flight.
Answer
Thank goodness it's a short flight! This is a tricky age to travel...
It's actually a myth that children need to suck on something for take-off and landing. I rarely saw it in my 13 years as a Flight Attendant and my third child, 3 1/2, just finished her 7th round-trip transatlantic flight. That's not counting all the flights I've made with her older brother and sister before. All have flew for the first time at 4 months of age and I have never, ever done anything special with them for take-offs and landings.
ENT specialists simply recommend that the child is awake for landing;
http://www.entcda.com/AAOHNSF/earsandaltitude.htm
The delicate time is not during take-off or landing/touchdown but at the *top of descent*. This is usually 40 minutes to an hour before landing and everyone's ears have to reverse the pressurization. I can confirm that when I worked, if any passengers had ear problems, this was the time. Not just children either! They actualy felt *better* as we got closer to landing.
The BEST way to avoid ear issues is to take your little guy to the doctor a few days before flying. My son was good at getting symptomless ear infections. Make sure yours' doesn't have one of those! The doctor will look in his ears and make sure they're clear and infection-free. Healthy ears can handle pressurization changes.
Meanwhile, I do recommend that he have his own seat and that you bring his carseat along. This is the only way to fly safely with any baby. Lap children are allowed because statistically, flying is so safe, there's very little chance of anything going wrong. If it does though, a lap child has no protection.
First check that your seat is FAA approved IF you are flying a U.S. airline (check with your non-American airline if not).
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/
If you haven't booked a seat for him, call the airline and see if the flight is full. Then, at check in, ask nicely if you can have an empty seat next to you to place your carseat in. They often do this for families.
I will say that my toddlers were much more settled and much easier when they were in their familar seat. Not to scare you but some parents haven't been able to keep a hold of their little ones and have been "off loaded" as a result.
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2007-01-23-airtran_x.htm
I will admit that I've strapped down an unhappy little one more than once. Toddlers hate to be confined and simply don't understand that they have to be seated sometimes. Firmly anchored in, I could then consol them while we landed.
To get through the airport, they sell all sorts of gizmos like this;
http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_kids.html
I simply use a small metal luggage cart with an extra bungee cord and it works great. I skip on the stroller and she can even ride in it (and she's 3 1/2). She usually prefers to walk and then I load the carry-ons abord.
Besides, taking your car seat onboard virtually guarentees that it'll be there at your destination. Checking them risks damage and loss. Wont you need it when you get there?
For entertainment, get him a new toy, anything and it doesn't have to be expensive. Keep it and give it to him once you're on the plane. My son at that age liked anything with wheels. Once, I simply had a package of plastic animals. Kept him busy for ages!
I actually don't recommend a portable DVD player *unless* he can watch it without sound. I doubt he'll wear the headphones but try it at home. It's such a short flight, I'm sure he'll be fine without.
I found that stickers, coloring stuff and books were better at occupying them at this age. No one will mind if you read to him.
Just some other small tips;
-Bring a change of clothes
-Bring way more diapers than you think you'll need
-Learn to change him standing up (don't try to fit him on those tiny babychangers and toddlers hate to lie down in strange places)
-Bring an empty sippy cup to fill during the services. This will prevent spills in the air.
-Get up and move around with him but keep an eye out. Those carts the F/A's use are the perfect height for hiding little ones
-Bring snacks. Don't fret security. I've never had anything taken away (yes, water but not snacks) and that's the only risk. If you have something not allowed, they simply remove the item. No scenes, no speeches, no arrests!
-Try to sit in a bulkhead seat so that there's no one in front of you
-Bring slippers, especially if you're not in the bulkhead!
Just be grateful that it's short. My son was 20 months old and slept just 20 minutes of an 11 1/2 hour flight. It was just so fun for him! Not so fun for mom but I survived... Even the calmest, most placid children are not good on planes at this age. Take heart. You're not alone.
For more information, I wrote an article on this subject. It's based on both my personal and professional experience of flying with kids, mine and other people's! It's totally non-commercial and other parents have contributed;
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com
It'll be fun. Both of you get plenty of sleep the night before and good luck!
Thank goodness it's a short flight! This is a tricky age to travel...
It's actually a myth that children need to suck on something for take-off and landing. I rarely saw it in my 13 years as a Flight Attendant and my third child, 3 1/2, just finished her 7th round-trip transatlantic flight. That's not counting all the flights I've made with her older brother and sister before. All have flew for the first time at 4 months of age and I have never, ever done anything special with them for take-offs and landings.
ENT specialists simply recommend that the child is awake for landing;
http://www.entcda.com/AAOHNSF/earsandaltitude.htm
The delicate time is not during take-off or landing/touchdown but at the *top of descent*. This is usually 40 minutes to an hour before landing and everyone's ears have to reverse the pressurization. I can confirm that when I worked, if any passengers had ear problems, this was the time. Not just children either! They actualy felt *better* as we got closer to landing.
The BEST way to avoid ear issues is to take your little guy to the doctor a few days before flying. My son was good at getting symptomless ear infections. Make sure yours' doesn't have one of those! The doctor will look in his ears and make sure they're clear and infection-free. Healthy ears can handle pressurization changes.
Meanwhile, I do recommend that he have his own seat and that you bring his carseat along. This is the only way to fly safely with any baby. Lap children are allowed because statistically, flying is so safe, there's very little chance of anything going wrong. If it does though, a lap child has no protection.
First check that your seat is FAA approved IF you are flying a U.S. airline (check with your non-American airline if not).
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/
If you haven't booked a seat for him, call the airline and see if the flight is full. Then, at check in, ask nicely if you can have an empty seat next to you to place your carseat in. They often do this for families.
I will say that my toddlers were much more settled and much easier when they were in their familar seat. Not to scare you but some parents haven't been able to keep a hold of their little ones and have been "off loaded" as a result.
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2007-01-23-airtran_x.htm
I will admit that I've strapped down an unhappy little one more than once. Toddlers hate to be confined and simply don't understand that they have to be seated sometimes. Firmly anchored in, I could then consol them while we landed.
To get through the airport, they sell all sorts of gizmos like this;
http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_kids.html
I simply use a small metal luggage cart with an extra bungee cord and it works great. I skip on the stroller and she can even ride in it (and she's 3 1/2). She usually prefers to walk and then I load the carry-ons abord.
Besides, taking your car seat onboard virtually guarentees that it'll be there at your destination. Checking them risks damage and loss. Wont you need it when you get there?
For entertainment, get him a new toy, anything and it doesn't have to be expensive. Keep it and give it to him once you're on the plane. My son at that age liked anything with wheels. Once, I simply had a package of plastic animals. Kept him busy for ages!
I actually don't recommend a portable DVD player *unless* he can watch it without sound. I doubt he'll wear the headphones but try it at home. It's such a short flight, I'm sure he'll be fine without.
I found that stickers, coloring stuff and books were better at occupying them at this age. No one will mind if you read to him.
Just some other small tips;
-Bring a change of clothes
-Bring way more diapers than you think you'll need
-Learn to change him standing up (don't try to fit him on those tiny babychangers and toddlers hate to lie down in strange places)
-Bring an empty sippy cup to fill during the services. This will prevent spills in the air.
-Get up and move around with him but keep an eye out. Those carts the F/A's use are the perfect height for hiding little ones
-Bring snacks. Don't fret security. I've never had anything taken away (yes, water but not snacks) and that's the only risk. If you have something not allowed, they simply remove the item. No scenes, no speeches, no arrests!
-Try to sit in a bulkhead seat so that there's no one in front of you
-Bring slippers, especially if you're not in the bulkhead!
Just be grateful that it's short. My son was 20 months old and slept just 20 minutes of an 11 1/2 hour flight. It was just so fun for him! Not so fun for mom but I survived... Even the calmest, most placid children are not good on planes at this age. Take heart. You're not alone.
For more information, I wrote an article on this subject. It's based on both my personal and professional experience of flying with kids, mine and other people's! It's totally non-commercial and other parents have contributed;
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com
It'll be fun. Both of you get plenty of sleep the night before and good luck!
Has anyone ever traveled on an airplane with a toddler?
AMBER M
I am going to visit my friend in VA, I live in Ohio, which is 10 hour drive or 1.5 hour flight. I really want to opt for the flight but what do you do with an ancy 19 month old for that long? And what if he cries and people get mad at me?
Answer
19 month old. I would suggest getting him his old chair. You can do alot of things.
1) talk to your Dr. about ears popping on left and landing.
2) snacks and drinks
3) dvd portable player
4) plan around nap time and or bed time
if you can pull that off. have an easy carry on and when its time to fly get there early get the little one to sleep. extra blanket and let him sleep/nap during the take off and most of the flight.
5) special new bag of toys
color books, crayolas, books that have flip opens, and waht ever your child loves!
6) a new baby doll or for boy a new what ever he likes
7) its not a long flight at all. Could be 12 hours or move if you were going to a diff. country. It will be over before you knwo it. Have the child look out the window. When seat belts are off let him stand up and strech his legs.
have fun..its ok if he cries a little. things will be ok. people will understand. just sooth him the best you can. Its a part of traveling.
19 month old. I would suggest getting him his old chair. You can do alot of things.
1) talk to your Dr. about ears popping on left and landing.
2) snacks and drinks
3) dvd portable player
4) plan around nap time and or bed time
if you can pull that off. have an easy carry on and when its time to fly get there early get the little one to sleep. extra blanket and let him sleep/nap during the take off and most of the flight.
5) special new bag of toys
color books, crayolas, books that have flip opens, and waht ever your child loves!
6) a new baby doll or for boy a new what ever he likes
7) its not a long flight at all. Could be 12 hours or move if you were going to a diff. country. It will be over before you knwo it. Have the child look out the window. When seat belts are off let him stand up and strech his legs.
have fun..its ok if he cries a little. things will be ok. people will understand. just sooth him the best you can. Its a part of traveling.
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