Q. Especially lately with the new rules? We are taking an 7-8 hour plane trip cross country with my son who will have just turned 2 for the trip and was wondering if anyone had any good suggestions or tips for the plane ride? Things to keep them occupied? Ways to get the car seat through the airport? Can we bring our own juice cup and snacks with the new regulations? Any advice and wisdom is greatly appreciated!
Answer
I'm a former Flight Attendant and I fly a lot of long haul alone with my three kids.
We always bring a car seat. They sell gizmos which attach to seats to take through airports but save your money and use a small, foldable, metal luggage cart and an extra bungee cord to secure it in place. One trick I used to do is NOT bring a stroller and my toddler could sit in this contraption if she got tired.
If there are two of you traveling, one can pull the car seat and the other push the stroller. JFYI, here are some of the gadgets sold to help with this situation.
http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_kids.html
http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Toddler-Attach-Rolling-Carry/dp/B000JHN3AS
http://www.onestepahead.com/product/osa/363756.html
You could also see if your stroller can transport the car seat. Try it at home and either wedge it into the seat or attach it to the back. Careful of tipping, especially with the latter.
Bravo for taking the car seat on board. You are smart to not check a car seat as luggage. The airlines lose and break them ALL THE TIME and it's too important a piece of safety equipment to leave it up to fate and baggage handlers. Bringing it on board means it gets to your destination with you, in good shape.
Instead of a diaper bag, use a backpack (or a backpack style diaper bag). This will free up your hands. You may want some sort of small bag for essentials. I don't take a purse when I fly.
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. I found that stickers, coloring stuff, simple plastic toys (like animals, cars, etc.) and books were better at occupying them at this age. No one will mind if you read to him.
Be sure to buy one or two new toys to give him at critical periods. One is when the plane is pushing back from the gate. Everyone has to be seated and this is tricky for toddlers. Hopefully the toy will keep him occupied, at least until you're in the air!
I actually don't recommend a portable DVD player *unless* he can watch it without sound. I doubt he'll wear the headphones at this age but you can try it at home. If you opt to bring it, make sure it either has a battery life of at least 5 hours or you have a second battery. Bring a recharger and an adapter in case of any delays.
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 one of those tiny baby changers 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 for him, especially if you're not in the bulkhead!
Please shelve any potty training projects until you're on the ground again. Children understand this special situation and putting them back in diapers does not really upset the process. You can't always get a toddler to facilities when traveling and they don't give you a lot of notice. Don't risk an accident.
The 3oz. limit on liquids is not enforced for those flying with children and babies in most countries so bring what she needs. There are no specific food restrictions.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm
It's actually a myth that they have to drink on take-off and landing. If he falls asleep on take-off, please don't unnecessarily wake him up!
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.
For more information, I wrote an article on this subject. It's based on both my personal and professional experience of flying with kids. It's totally non-commercial and other parents have contributed;
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com
Have a good flight!
I'm a former Flight Attendant and I fly a lot of long haul alone with my three kids.
We always bring a car seat. They sell gizmos which attach to seats to take through airports but save your money and use a small, foldable, metal luggage cart and an extra bungee cord to secure it in place. One trick I used to do is NOT bring a stroller and my toddler could sit in this contraption if she got tired.
If there are two of you traveling, one can pull the car seat and the other push the stroller. JFYI, here are some of the gadgets sold to help with this situation.
http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_kids.html
http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Toddler-Attach-Rolling-Carry/dp/B000JHN3AS
http://www.onestepahead.com/product/osa/363756.html
You could also see if your stroller can transport the car seat. Try it at home and either wedge it into the seat or attach it to the back. Careful of tipping, especially with the latter.
Bravo for taking the car seat on board. You are smart to not check a car seat as luggage. The airlines lose and break them ALL THE TIME and it's too important a piece of safety equipment to leave it up to fate and baggage handlers. Bringing it on board means it gets to your destination with you, in good shape.
Instead of a diaper bag, use a backpack (or a backpack style diaper bag). This will free up your hands. You may want some sort of small bag for essentials. I don't take a purse when I fly.
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. I found that stickers, coloring stuff, simple plastic toys (like animals, cars, etc.) and books were better at occupying them at this age. No one will mind if you read to him.
Be sure to buy one or two new toys to give him at critical periods. One is when the plane is pushing back from the gate. Everyone has to be seated and this is tricky for toddlers. Hopefully the toy will keep him occupied, at least until you're in the air!
I actually don't recommend a portable DVD player *unless* he can watch it without sound. I doubt he'll wear the headphones at this age but you can try it at home. If you opt to bring it, make sure it either has a battery life of at least 5 hours or you have a second battery. Bring a recharger and an adapter in case of any delays.
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 one of those tiny baby changers 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 for him, especially if you're not in the bulkhead!
Please shelve any potty training projects until you're on the ground again. Children understand this special situation and putting them back in diapers does not really upset the process. You can't always get a toddler to facilities when traveling and they don't give you a lot of notice. Don't risk an accident.
The 3oz. limit on liquids is not enforced for those flying with children and babies in most countries so bring what she needs. There are no specific food restrictions.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm
It's actually a myth that they have to drink on take-off and landing. If he falls asleep on take-off, please don't unnecessarily wake him up!
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.
For more information, I wrote an article on this subject. It's based on both my personal and professional experience of flying with kids. It's totally non-commercial and other parents have contributed;
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com
Have a good flight!
What is the longest distance you would travel by car with a 19 month old?
Q. We are not huge travelers. We drive to my dad's once or twice every few months and its a 3 hour drive one way, but we stay the night, so its broken up, time wise. My husband wants to go somewhere on vacation and he asked me how long our son could ride in the car without getting too fussy, and honestly I don't know, because 3 hours has been the max.
How far have you driven with your toddler, and how well did they do?
How far have you driven with your toddler, and how well did they do?
Answer
I am keeping an eye on this question. Our son will be 19 months this month, and we are planning a trip over Memorial day. 6-7 hours in the car. He has done it before, but he was only 9 months when we took the last trip.
i am planning on books, toys, children's cds, and snacks to keep him occupied. I am also hoping to travel when he usually takes his nap!
Edit: I looked on Amazon.com and saw this travel tray you can put on your child's lap that attaches around the carseat. I am thinking of buying one so I can put my son's snacks on it and then he can play with toys and books without them falling. it is only $20, and I think it might be worth it.
I am keeping an eye on this question. Our son will be 19 months this month, and we are planning a trip over Memorial day. 6-7 hours in the car. He has done it before, but he was only 9 months when we took the last trip.
i am planning on books, toys, children's cds, and snacks to keep him occupied. I am also hoping to travel when he usually takes his nap!
Edit: I looked on Amazon.com and saw this travel tray you can put on your child's lap that attaches around the carseat. I am thinking of buying one so I can put my son's snacks on it and then he can play with toys and books without them falling. it is only $20, and I think it might be worth it.
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