joolsnbump
I am taking my 20 month old daughter on holiday to USA next month and it will be a 7 hour flight from London Heathrow to Boston Logan Airport. Obviously since she is under 2 she will be sitting on my knee the whole time. Does anybody have any ideas on things to keep her occupied for the flight as it is a long time for her to be sat still. Also, we have to be at the airport at 4.30 am so what is the best thing to do? Put her in bed in light clothing and try keep her alseep for the journey to airport or still put her pjs on and get her up as normal?
Answer
Traveling will exhausting enough even w/o baby, so by all means let her sleep through as much of it as possible.
I'm not psychic, but I'll bet I can speak collectively for all passengers on board that they'd prefer sleeping child in comfy P.J.'s to a well dressed crying & fussy child.
When ever she wakes up, you can keep her BZ by pointing out new things around her at airport & while on jet. Show her the light, the air flow nozzle, the window. Describe how you are up in the sky where the birds fly. Lots of new & learning conversation.
Meal service will be another distraction and time to keep her BZ.
Bring favorite books & a new brightly colored book. Read with expression & animation. This may be a bit intrusive to other's ears, but again, much better than crying. After mel & stories, take her for a walk to bathroom. Hold her hand & let this be a slow process. She should be interested in every person she passes. Let her be. It's more exciting for her & walk gives her some activity. If aisle is crowded, pick her up & step back into seat area to let others pass. Do not shorten walk. the purpose is for her activity. Go to bathroom. Show her all the features. Be amazed that water comes from faucet. Let her see toilet flush. Give her a tissue to hold. Proceed back to seat just as slowly. (If you're close to bathroom, make trip to other end of jet & then back to bathroom and seat.)
When returned to seat. Can play, "Where's Mommy's nose? Where's your nose? Touch my ear, touch your ear. Touch something pink. Show me a bunny (if on her PJ's)..." Then feign tired with some yawns. Ask her to help put you to sleep. (Rub Mommy's face. Pat my neck...) Maybe you can get her into one more nap B4 landing. If she fidgets, talk about each person she saw on her "walk." Inform how everyone was quiet. (He was reading his book very quiet. She was playing on her computer very quiet. No one was mad at the lady who was knitting very quietly. You are being very quiet & everybody likes your good behavior...)
Have a doll that she can dress & undress, tie shoe, put barrette in hair. Help her get dolly ready for deplaning.
Other toys without noise as back up.
Keep talking to her while awake. If she fusses to do something not appropriate, explain why it's not a good idea now and quickly distract with what she CAN do. ("No we can not take another walk b/c it's somebody else's turn, but you can help dolly get her new dress on for when we get off of the plane. Where did mommy put her dress?" -- Let her look through travel bag.)
If awake for landing, get her excited to watch & feel things as plane comes down from sky like a bird does, "Let's see how it's different on a plane!" Talk her through it. Talk about things you will get to do when off of the plane. ("We will have to find our luggage. There is a big circle that moves. Will you help mommy find our bags on the moving circle?") Again, step by step. All details. Keeps her expectations up. She'll know what to expect. She may have her own questions that will add to keeping her entertained.
Ask her questions to keep her mind working on solution instead of her restricted movement. ("What was the color of our bags? How many did we bring? Do you think it will be cold when we get off of the plane? What else does dolly need to be ready to go?") Note: She does not need to know answer to the questions. It's all about keeping her mind BZ. Wears you out, but worth it to keep child happy & other passengers comfortable for such a long trip.
I did this ONCE with 10 month old. Even though she could not speak, she could understand words & they seemed to keep her mind BZ. But that was one, mentally exhausting trip for me.
Traveling will exhausting enough even w/o baby, so by all means let her sleep through as much of it as possible.
I'm not psychic, but I'll bet I can speak collectively for all passengers on board that they'd prefer sleeping child in comfy P.J.'s to a well dressed crying & fussy child.
When ever she wakes up, you can keep her BZ by pointing out new things around her at airport & while on jet. Show her the light, the air flow nozzle, the window. Describe how you are up in the sky where the birds fly. Lots of new & learning conversation.
Meal service will be another distraction and time to keep her BZ.
Bring favorite books & a new brightly colored book. Read with expression & animation. This may be a bit intrusive to other's ears, but again, much better than crying. After mel & stories, take her for a walk to bathroom. Hold her hand & let this be a slow process. She should be interested in every person she passes. Let her be. It's more exciting for her & walk gives her some activity. If aisle is crowded, pick her up & step back into seat area to let others pass. Do not shorten walk. the purpose is for her activity. Go to bathroom. Show her all the features. Be amazed that water comes from faucet. Let her see toilet flush. Give her a tissue to hold. Proceed back to seat just as slowly. (If you're close to bathroom, make trip to other end of jet & then back to bathroom and seat.)
When returned to seat. Can play, "Where's Mommy's nose? Where's your nose? Touch my ear, touch your ear. Touch something pink. Show me a bunny (if on her PJ's)..." Then feign tired with some yawns. Ask her to help put you to sleep. (Rub Mommy's face. Pat my neck...) Maybe you can get her into one more nap B4 landing. If she fidgets, talk about each person she saw on her "walk." Inform how everyone was quiet. (He was reading his book very quiet. She was playing on her computer very quiet. No one was mad at the lady who was knitting very quietly. You are being very quiet & everybody likes your good behavior...)
Have a doll that she can dress & undress, tie shoe, put barrette in hair. Help her get dolly ready for deplaning.
Other toys without noise as back up.
Keep talking to her while awake. If she fusses to do something not appropriate, explain why it's not a good idea now and quickly distract with what she CAN do. ("No we can not take another walk b/c it's somebody else's turn, but you can help dolly get her new dress on for when we get off of the plane. Where did mommy put her dress?" -- Let her look through travel bag.)
If awake for landing, get her excited to watch & feel things as plane comes down from sky like a bird does, "Let's see how it's different on a plane!" Talk her through it. Talk about things you will get to do when off of the plane. ("We will have to find our luggage. There is a big circle that moves. Will you help mommy find our bags on the moving circle?") Again, step by step. All details. Keeps her expectations up. She'll know what to expect. She may have her own questions that will add to keeping her entertained.
Ask her questions to keep her mind working on solution instead of her restricted movement. ("What was the color of our bags? How many did we bring? Do you think it will be cold when we get off of the plane? What else does dolly need to be ready to go?") Note: She does not need to know answer to the questions. It's all about keeping her mind BZ. Wears you out, but worth it to keep child happy & other passengers comfortable for such a long trip.
I did this ONCE with 10 month old. Even though she could not speak, she could understand words & they seemed to keep her mind BZ. But that was one, mentally exhausting trip for me.
First time traveling??
eagle_ange
Help! This is my first time flying and Im with a 2 yr old toddler! I have no clue what to pack or what I might need to bring with me! I know the basics like clothes towels and what not but what small things might I forget that you have found to be a lifesaver while on vacation. Also about the flight its going to be a 6 hour flight with a half an hour layover in atlanta I have purchased my toddler he own seat and I am bring my carseat along with but how do you lug all that across an airport easily also any tips or ideas for the actual flight??
Oh yeah I forgot we are traveling the first week in october and we are going to Tampa, FL
Answer
A car seat can make all the difference. You can carry it just like a backpack, leaving your arms free for activity bag with toys, a change of clothes and diapers, umbrella stroller etc. If you have a portable DVD player, super! Other passengers will not mind, they will be happier that the little is quite. I am not a big fan of sweets to prevent ears from popping, sugar in a toddler on a long flight not a good combination. Sippy cups with hydrating beverages work great. Choosing a very early flight helps as well. Toddler will be exhausted and wanting to sleep. If you decide to travel with an umbrella stroller and/or car seat most airlines will allow you to board early to get settled into your seats. Many airlines have preferred seating, 24 hours prior to flying if these seats are still available they release them, you can call and switch seats. Being close to the door will help with boarding/departing. You and your little one will want to stretch your legs on the layover, make sure you bring only what you need so you can handle a running toddler and your carry-ons.
A car seat can make all the difference. You can carry it just like a backpack, leaving your arms free for activity bag with toys, a change of clothes and diapers, umbrella stroller etc. If you have a portable DVD player, super! Other passengers will not mind, they will be happier that the little is quite. I am not a big fan of sweets to prevent ears from popping, sugar in a toddler on a long flight not a good combination. Sippy cups with hydrating beverages work great. Choosing a very early flight helps as well. Toddler will be exhausted and wanting to sleep. If you decide to travel with an umbrella stroller and/or car seat most airlines will allow you to board early to get settled into your seats. Many airlines have preferred seating, 24 hours prior to flying if these seats are still available they release them, you can call and switch seats. Being close to the door will help with boarding/departing. You and your little one will want to stretch your legs on the layover, make sure you bring only what you need so you can handle a running toddler and your carry-ons.
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