KIWI
we are leaving in a couple weeks with my 13 month old daughter. i am anxious about her resting well (and not frustrating everyone on the planes!). she sleeps perfectly - but only in her bed. she does not nap in the pack-n-play nor in the car! i can manage the sleeplessness when we are in hotels or with friends. however, i am worried about the plane... i have read on the internet all kinds of tips. i am looking for something novel i guess... we tried a tinsy bit of children's benedril tonight - that had the opposite effect on her.... can you say: w-i-r-e-d?
i am a taking fav toys/books away a week before... bringing new ones... have the dvd player... and am wrapping things...
any successful experiences out there?
Answer
I've been flying internationally & domestically with my children since they were each 2 months (now 8,&6,&5 months). 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. Here are a few tips and suggestions:
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 her use your laptop (make sure it's fully charged) with a few movies, & one or two 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://photo.ringo.com/259/259570458O312385888.jpg - outside
http://photo.ringo.com/259/259570434O294017000.jpg - 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 she has a part in it so she 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 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 her seeing so that she has an extra surprise when she opens 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
As long as your child is with you, you are able to take as much formula (any type), breast milk, regular milk, juice, and/or baby food that you will need for you child for the duration of the time you will spend in the airport and on the flight (as long as it is within reason).And no, you will NOT have to taste any of it.
All that you must do is:
1. Separate the milk from the liquids, gels, and aerosols in your quart-size (1 liter) zip-top bag.
2. Declare you have the items to one of the Security Officers at the security checkpoint.
3. Present these items for additional inspection once reaching the X-ray. These items are subject to additional screening
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm
Save your money when it comes to buying water though because the Flight Attendants will provide you with hot or cold water (or any other drink) free at any time that you request, no matter how many times you request it.
3.) Keep your diaper bag well stocked with plenty of diapers, wipes, ointments & other essential things. Just remember the new law regulating liquids, gels, &pack accordingly. http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm You can usually find travel size baby products in stores & they are wonderful for plane use. One thing I always like to carry with me is hand sanitizer! I always wipe the trays down with that (followed by a baby wipe) & use it for my kids after taking them to the bathroom (even though they wash their hands). I know that airplane bathrooms are not the cleanest, so that is why I try to be vigilant.
Be sure to pack 2-3 changes of clothes for your child. You will need this in case She gets sick, spills something on herself, or in case your luggage gets lost.
Bring any medications that you might need for your child should she get sick or that she takes regularly. Remember that if they are not prescription medications, the 3oz (100ml) rule applies to them and they must be kept in a clear plastic bag.
http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm
Do NOT give your child medicine with the hopes of it making her sleep. 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 & the parents get absolutely no rest on the flight (neither does anyone else).
Try to change your childs diaper as close to boarding as possible. This will help to make your child feel fresh & more comfortable for take-off (which could also mean less problems).
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:
*If she is nursing, nurse her
*Give her something to drink (milk, water, juice - it doesn't matter)
*Give her a pacifier to suck on
*Pinch her nostrils shut, have her take a deep breath in through the mouth, then tell her to (gently) blow 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.
5.) If you hold your child a a "lap child", try to book a bulkhead (front) seat where you will have more room, and a bassinet. Bassinets are limited, & not available on every flight. If the bassinet is available (they can only be used in bulkhead seats) it will attach to the front wall for you to put your child in (however you can not use this during taxi, take-offs, landings, or turbulence). This is not the safest way for a child to fly & airlines recommend children under 40lbs to have their own seat with a child safety device.
If you haven't booked a separate seat for your child, be nice on check-in & see if they can "block" the seat next to you. They will then only use it if they absolutely need it, & you get a seat for free!
In order to be certified for use on an airplane, the car seat has to met the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Check the labels on the side of your car restraint for a sticker (words will be printed in red) for verification that your seat is safe for airplane use. Almost all car seats pass this requirement.
There is also a new device that is approved by the FAA for airline use ONLY. It is called CARES (Child Aviation Restraint System) and costs $75. It weighs 1 pound, is certified for all phases of flight (taxiing, take off, turbulence & landing), adjusts to fit ALL size airplane seats, & is approved for kids 22â44 lbs.
http://www.kidsflysafe.com/
If you choose not to use your childs car seat for the plane ride, you will be allowed to gate check it (along with a stroller). It will not count towards your checked luggage. This means that you will need to take it with you to your boarding gate, & one of the handlers will take it from you before you depart, tag it, & put it in a special compartment for you. When you exit the plane, it will be waiting for you at the door as well.
There are many products out there designed to help the traveling family. Here's a product that can attach to most car seats so that you can use it as a stroller & get it through the airport more easily. http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_kids.html
6.) Before you travel, I suggest preparing your child for what to expect so that she is not caught off guard & 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 she will be able to reference when actually traveling. If you are able to, I suggest doing a dry run of the airport. This provides you with an opportunity to explain to her what is going to happen while she can see first hand what it looks like. Here are links that talk 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=AlxCY2D7gKazfods9sO.hnbty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080524223044AA3cjUR&show=7#profile-info-ssBL3Kakaa
http://jamiehassen79.angelfire.com/plane_travel_basics.html
I wrote a small article about flying with children that goes more in-depth, gives security rules & regulations for the US, EU, UK, & Australia, offers tips & 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.
I've been flying internationally & domestically with my children since they were each 2 months (now 8,&6,&5 months). 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. Here are a few tips and suggestions:
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 her use your laptop (make sure it's fully charged) with a few movies, & one or two 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://photo.ringo.com/259/259570458O312385888.jpg - outside
http://photo.ringo.com/259/259570434O294017000.jpg - 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 she has a part in it so she 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 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 her seeing so that she has an extra surprise when she opens 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
As long as your child is with you, you are able to take as much formula (any type), breast milk, regular milk, juice, and/or baby food that you will need for you child for the duration of the time you will spend in the airport and on the flight (as long as it is within reason).And no, you will NOT have to taste any of it.
All that you must do is:
1. Separate the milk from the liquids, gels, and aerosols in your quart-size (1 liter) zip-top bag.
2. Declare you have the items to one of the Security Officers at the security checkpoint.
3. Present these items for additional inspection once reaching the X-ray. These items are subject to additional screening
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm
Save your money when it comes to buying water though because the Flight Attendants will provide you with hot or cold water (or any other drink) free at any time that you request, no matter how many times you request it.
3.) Keep your diaper bag well stocked with plenty of diapers, wipes, ointments & other essential things. Just remember the new law regulating liquids, gels, &pack accordingly. http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm You can usually find travel size baby products in stores & they are wonderful for plane use. One thing I always like to carry with me is hand sanitizer! I always wipe the trays down with that (followed by a baby wipe) & use it for my kids after taking them to the bathroom (even though they wash their hands). I know that airplane bathrooms are not the cleanest, so that is why I try to be vigilant.
Be sure to pack 2-3 changes of clothes for your child. You will need this in case She gets sick, spills something on herself, or in case your luggage gets lost.
Bring any medications that you might need for your child should she get sick or that she takes regularly. Remember that if they are not prescription medications, the 3oz (100ml) rule applies to them and they must be kept in a clear plastic bag.
http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm
Do NOT give your child medicine with the hopes of it making her sleep. 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 & the parents get absolutely no rest on the flight (neither does anyone else).
Try to change your childs diaper as close to boarding as possible. This will help to make your child feel fresh & more comfortable for take-off (which could also mean less problems).
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:
*If she is nursing, nurse her
*Give her something to drink (milk, water, juice - it doesn't matter)
*Give her a pacifier to suck on
*Pinch her nostrils shut, have her take a deep breath in through the mouth, then tell her to (gently) blow 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.
5.) If you hold your child a a "lap child", try to book a bulkhead (front) seat where you will have more room, and a bassinet. Bassinets are limited, & not available on every flight. If the bassinet is available (they can only be used in bulkhead seats) it will attach to the front wall for you to put your child in (however you can not use this during taxi, take-offs, landings, or turbulence). This is not the safest way for a child to fly & airlines recommend children under 40lbs to have their own seat with a child safety device.
If you haven't booked a separate seat for your child, be nice on check-in & see if they can "block" the seat next to you. They will then only use it if they absolutely need it, & you get a seat for free!
In order to be certified for use on an airplane, the car seat has to met the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Check the labels on the side of your car restraint for a sticker (words will be printed in red) for verification that your seat is safe for airplane use. Almost all car seats pass this requirement.
There is also a new device that is approved by the FAA for airline use ONLY. It is called CARES (Child Aviation Restraint System) and costs $75. It weighs 1 pound, is certified for all phases of flight (taxiing, take off, turbulence & landing), adjusts to fit ALL size airplane seats, & is approved for kids 22â44 lbs.
http://www.kidsflysafe.com/
If you choose not to use your childs car seat for the plane ride, you will be allowed to gate check it (along with a stroller). It will not count towards your checked luggage. This means that you will need to take it with you to your boarding gate, & one of the handlers will take it from you before you depart, tag it, & put it in a special compartment for you. When you exit the plane, it will be waiting for you at the door as well.
There are many products out there designed to help the traveling family. Here's a product that can attach to most car seats so that you can use it as a stroller & get it through the airport more easily. http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_kids.html
6.) Before you travel, I suggest preparing your child for what to expect so that she is not caught off guard & 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 she will be able to reference when actually traveling. If you are able to, I suggest doing a dry run of the airport. This provides you with an opportunity to explain to her what is going to happen while she can see first hand what it looks like. Here are links that talk 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=AlxCY2D7gKazfods9sO.hnbty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080524223044AA3cjUR&show=7#profile-info-ssBL3Kakaa
http://jamiehassen79.angelfire.com/plane_travel_basics.html
I wrote a small article about flying with children that goes more in-depth, gives security rules & regulations for the US, EU, UK, & Australia, offers tips & 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 on travelling with a toddler on long flights?
Socrates
I have a long journey planned on my next vacation with my 1.5 year old. A fourteen hour flight followed by layover and then a 6-7 hour. We did not opt for an exclusive seat for him either. Any tips?
Answer
Here are a couple of tips from our own experience:
1. most importantly: call the airline and try to get a bassinette, and at least one seat next to it(that's the crib that attaches to the wall in front of the bulk head seats). the bassinette itself will probably be too small for your child to actually sleep in, but will hold all the extra stuff that comes along with a toddler. moreover, the extra leg room will give your toddler more space to play that is NOT your lap or the aisle...
note: bulk head seats are usually booked first because there's more leg room there, but parents with infants on-lap (younger than 2 years) have priority to these seats on most airlines. if you can't book the seat in advance, don't dispair - you can still get it upon check in: come in early and insist on it!
2. try to keep the child's routine as close to normal as possible. keep meal times and nap times as close as you can to your "home time". bring small packs of favorite foods and snacks with you, as plane food is not likely to top your kids list... you can heat up baby food by putting the container in a small cup filled with a half-inch to an inch of boiling water and stirring the contents. "Gerber" containers fit perfectly, or you could use the small, round, 4-oz disposable plastic containers (like "Glad" or such) which also fit in the coffee cups provided on airplanes.
3. of course, if your child has a favorite toy, stuffed animal, blankie etc., have it with you on board.
4. get a bunch of new, real-cheap little toys that you wouldn't mind losing / throwing away by the end of the trip. introduce a new one every hour or so -- it'll buy you precious time! i'd put under this category also some little arts & crafts items, like stickers and crayons.
5. have at least two full changes of baby clothes and lots of extra diapers with you, as well as a small "baby-bath travel kit", just in case your layover gets extended, your suitecases go astray, and so on... i'd also take an extra shirt for mom and dad, for any unfortunate accidents.
6. on the plane, don't be shy - let baby run up and down the isles. fighting it won't help anyway, and the excersize is good for you both ;-) plus, the more energy they spend, the more likely they are to fall asleep at some point...
7. talk to your pediatritian about baby-safe antihistamines - a small dosage may be all the help baby needs to get drowsy and sleep better when they're already over-tired, but the strange environment won't let them fall asleep...
8. take a deep breath, and remind yourself that, as hard as this one day may be, it's only one day of travel, and it, too, shall pass!
good luck! :)
Here are a couple of tips from our own experience:
1. most importantly: call the airline and try to get a bassinette, and at least one seat next to it(that's the crib that attaches to the wall in front of the bulk head seats). the bassinette itself will probably be too small for your child to actually sleep in, but will hold all the extra stuff that comes along with a toddler. moreover, the extra leg room will give your toddler more space to play that is NOT your lap or the aisle...
note: bulk head seats are usually booked first because there's more leg room there, but parents with infants on-lap (younger than 2 years) have priority to these seats on most airlines. if you can't book the seat in advance, don't dispair - you can still get it upon check in: come in early and insist on it!
2. try to keep the child's routine as close to normal as possible. keep meal times and nap times as close as you can to your "home time". bring small packs of favorite foods and snacks with you, as plane food is not likely to top your kids list... you can heat up baby food by putting the container in a small cup filled with a half-inch to an inch of boiling water and stirring the contents. "Gerber" containers fit perfectly, or you could use the small, round, 4-oz disposable plastic containers (like "Glad" or such) which also fit in the coffee cups provided on airplanes.
3. of course, if your child has a favorite toy, stuffed animal, blankie etc., have it with you on board.
4. get a bunch of new, real-cheap little toys that you wouldn't mind losing / throwing away by the end of the trip. introduce a new one every hour or so -- it'll buy you precious time! i'd put under this category also some little arts & crafts items, like stickers and crayons.
5. have at least two full changes of baby clothes and lots of extra diapers with you, as well as a small "baby-bath travel kit", just in case your layover gets extended, your suitecases go astray, and so on... i'd also take an extra shirt for mom and dad, for any unfortunate accidents.
6. on the plane, don't be shy - let baby run up and down the isles. fighting it won't help anyway, and the excersize is good for you both ;-) plus, the more energy they spend, the more likely they are to fall asleep at some point...
7. talk to your pediatritian about baby-safe antihistamines - a small dosage may be all the help baby needs to get drowsy and sleep better when they're already over-tired, but the strange environment won't let them fall asleep...
8. take a deep breath, and remind yourself that, as hard as this one day may be, it's only one day of travel, and it, too, shall pass!
good luck! :)
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
No comments:
Post a Comment