Travel tips for a toddler?

Jennifer

We are going on a road trip and it will take us about 12 hours to get there. We plan to start driving at night, a couple of hours before his bedtime. We will have a cooler full of snacks and a DVD player, along with a bunch of toys. My hope is that he will sleep through the majority of it, as he sleeps for about 10-12 hours at home. Am I kidding myself here or will he actually sleep about the same amount of time that he normally does? What are some tips/tricks that you found worked for you?? Oh he is 20 months old by the way.

Answer
Yes, he can. I get sleepy in the car! haha. My advice is to keep the routine as close as you can to what you do at home, eg with snacks, drinks (eg. bottles if he has them) and his body clock will register. Read here for everything relating to trips with toddlers from routines to planning. http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/holidays.html/context/353

Flying with toddlers?

hawk

I have packed tylenol,, dramamine, crayons, books,ther blankets, sugar-free gum (for those popping ears), and some snacks. Any more cheap ideas to keep them occupied?

Answer
I've been flying internationally and domestically with my children since they were 2 months (now 7&5). Here are some tips and advice that have always worked for me and I hope will help you (very generalized because I don't know the ages of your children):

1.) You will need to have all your children's documents in order. It is a good idea to keep a copy of their notarized birth certificates with you. If you are flying international, you will need passports and possibly visas for them as well. Verify what travel documents you will need in advance to make sure you have everything.

2.) FAA regulations currently allow children under the age of two to fly free of charge as "lap children" (not required to have their own seat). You will need to inform the airline ahead of time that you will have a small infant traveling with you. Only one lap child is allowed per adult.

The Flight Attendants should place you in a front seat where you will have more room. Because of the length of flight, the Flight Attendants should also give you a bassinet that attaches to the front wall to put your child in (however you can not uses this during taxi, take-offs, landings, or turbulence).

This is not the safest way for a child to fly and the airlines recommend children to have their own seat with a child safety device.

I do advise using a CRS (Child Restraint System) though because it is safe for the child - especially during turbulence, makes them feel secure, is more comfortable for both parent and child, and gives both of you the opportunity to relax a bit.

A CRS is a hard-backed child safety seat (car seat) that is approved by the government for use in both motor vehicles and aircraft.

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.

Booster seats are not allowed or approved for air travel.

Many airlines offer half-price tickets so parents can be guaranteed that their child can travel in a CRS device. You should call your airline to ask for a discount and/or ask what the airline's policy is for using empty seats.

3.) For take-offs and landings, the best thing you can do to help with the ear popping, is if your children are nursing, nurse one of them. You can also give your children something to drink (formula, milk, water, juice- it doesn't matter) or a pacifier.

Baby formula is fine to take, and you are not limited to the amount you can bring aboard (as long as your child is with you), do not worry. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm

New regulations allow you to take beverages (including water) from home as long as they are less than 3oz, -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 and non-perishable items such as cheerios, dried fruit, goldfish, just add water packets, etc, onto the plane with you. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#10

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.

Another trick is that if your children are not wanting to nurse, taking to the pacifier or wanting to drink, gently rub their necks from the chin down to the chest several times - this will cause a swallowing motion which will help with the ears popping.

4.) Make sure to pack plenty of things to entertain your children, such as a few books or toys, a portable DVD player with at least one movie, and one or two comfort things such as a favorite blankie or stuffed animal.

You might also consider going to the store and letting your children pick out their own carry on bag and a few inexpensive toys that will be used only once on the plane. Be sure to pick out a few toys without your children seeing so that they have an extra surprise when they open their carry ons.

Most airlines will also offer your children something to entertain themselves, such as a coloring book and a few crayons, a puzzle, playing cards, or a small toy.

5.) Be sure to pack 2-3 changes of clothes for your children. You will need this in case they get sick, spill something on themselves, or in case your luggage gets lost.

6.) Keep your diaper bag well stocked with plenty of diapers, wipes, ointments and other essential things. Baby nail clippers and scissors are not allowed though. Just remember the new regulating liquids, gels, and such and pack accordingly. You can usually find travel size baby products in stores and they are wonderful for plane use.

If your children are still in diapers, you should be respectful of other passengers and always change their diapers in the restroom. They do have diaper bed changers in there, although they can be a little small.

7.) Keep your doctors name and number with you. Also get the name and number of a doctor where you are visiting in case an emergency should come up.

It is a good idea to have a check-up with your doctor before leaving to make sure your children are healthy enough to fly. If they have even a slight cold, the pressure in their ears during take-off and landing (even if you do the precaution methods) could leave their ears aching for days after the flight.

Most doctors recommend that if anyone is sick (such as being stuffed up or already having an earache), not to take the flight because of the potential damage to the ears. I know my husband and other pilots do not work if they are sick because of this danger.

8.) Bring any medications that you might need for your children should they get sick or that they take regularly. Remember that if they are not prescription medications, the 3oz rule applies to them and they must be kept in a clear plastic bag.

Do NOT give your children medicine with the hopes of it making them sleep. This is not only cruel, but dangerous as well.

9.) Last but not least, if help is offered to you, take it.

If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me.

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Do you think it will be comfortable traveling in economy class of Emirates with a 5 months old baby?

toddler travel tips image

star_unkno

I'm planning to travel from Dhaka, bangladesh to London, UK with my 5 months old daughter in economy class of Emirates. Has anyone travelled with infant in economy class? Do you think its better to go in business class? I'm travelling alone and I breast feed my baby. Thanks

Answer
I'm an ex-Flight Attendant and although I've never flown Emirates, I've flown a lot with my own babies at that age. That airline has a good reputation and 5 months is actually a good age to fly. It gets tricky with toddlers who don't like to stay in one place. You wont have that to worry about for a while...

At five months, your baby wont need food, wont crawl and will probably sleep most of the time. Here is Emirates' page on infants;
http://www.emirates.com/us/english/flying/young_flyers/special_care/travelling_with_infants.aspx

As a Flight Attendant, I have to be honest and tell you that having your little one in a car seat in his own seat is the only way to travel safely. As a parent, especially if you're alone, I can say that having that car seat makes travel much, much easier. Under two, you're allowed to hold them on your lap but if anything goes wrong, your baby is not protected. It's so nice to put the baby down somewhere too.

Emirates allows European, American and Australian approved seats so check yours'. They have the silly rule about only forward facing seats. Babies shouldn't ride in cars facing forward till 12 months old so I don't see why they have this rule. I hope you can work around it.

They also say that you have to have a ticket but often you can secure an extra seat at check-in if there's room. See if you can manage this at check-in.

Emirates does have bassinets, which are convenient with an 11 kilos limit. They'll give you one after take-off if you're in a "bulkhead" seat so be sure to try to book that one on both legs of your journey.

Since you breastfeed, not only will your baby be protected from a lot of the various viruses and bacteria on the plane but it makes flying a lot easier (experience with both here so I can compare!) Just make sure you get enough to drink since airplane air is very dry and traveling can tire you out. I can assure you that in 13 years in the air and countless breastfeeding transatlantics with my own three breastfed children, it's not a problem on board.

Please do not heed any "helpful" tips to sit by a window for privacy. That would be really inconvenient and not necessary. Try for the bulkhead, if not, an aisle. If you want to cover up, practice at home first. This was my mistake. They hated having something over their heads and would yank it off. Bring your own cover as airline blankets can be heavy.

My secret to easy travel was to have a good baby carrier. I know they use these a lot in Bangladesh and you probably already have one. Convenient for breastfeeding and getting on and off the aircraft, which you will be doing at least 4 times.

I have to say that I think you're probably flying one of the easiest routes to London. I used to live in London and knew a lot of Bangladeshis there who had horror stories of their jouneys. One friend's parents were stuck on the tarmack in Karachi for hours. Another friend flew some Eastern European carrier while still under communism...

I don't want to load this answer down with other hints but I have a totally non-commercial article on the subject you're welcome to read. I fly alot alone with three closely spaced children, especially between Europe and California (yesterday, as a matter of fact...) since each was 4 months old. Many parents over the years have contributed their own tips so feel free to visit;
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com

There's more on strollers, packing, etc. I know there is a lot on the net on the subject but most are parents who never worked in the industry. I had the pleasure of 13 years of going through emergency and security training, as well as observing and helping other parents flying with their own...

Have a good flight!

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! :)

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