10 month old on plane

[frankiemom]

I need some advice on how to keep my 10 month old occupied and happy on a 2 1/2 hour flight. Thanks

 

[lovesdumbo]

Buy the baby a seat and bring their car seat. Thats what I did when my DD was 11 months and she slept most of the way in the comfort of her own carseat. Some of the airlines have special rates for children under 2 but you have to call to get it. I always thought it was only a special on full price fares but I was able to save nearly 1/2 on the low fares. I only paid $89 RT for my DD last Oct.

When she was awake she enjoyed stickers and fun snacks are always a hit too.

 

[all4fun]

I just wanted to say You're so lucky to only have a 2-1/2 hour flight!

We have to fly cross country and it usually takes the entire day - get up at 4am Pacific time and it's usually 5 or 6pm ET by the time we arrive in Orlando. Makes for a pretty long day. We always buy ds a seat too. When he was that little he still slept a lot so a short flight like that really would have been no big deal. Just be sure to bring something for your dc to suck on during take off and landing (pacifier, bottle, sippy cup) which will help relieve the pressure in the ears. If you get lucky your baby sleep right through it.

I also brought a couple of small, non-noisy toys that he had never played with before as well as some small board books to read to him. And eating always helps pass the time so if you can fit in a meal during the flight that should help.

hth!

 

[Texan Mouseketeer]

I know some people have a problem with giving a baby Benadryl on a flight, but since mine was having allergy problems and the dr. told me to give it to her anyway, I just made sure that I timed it right and gave her the medicine right after we boarded the plane. Then, when we were taking off, I started her bottle. She fell asleep right afterwards and didn't wake up for two hours. I also did the idea of the new toys in the backpack for when she did wake up along with one of those Zweiback bars because they take a long time to eat! Finally, we did another bottle for when it was time to land. We did this both ways from DFW (2 1/2 hours) and it worked great! Oh, I also made sure to keep her awake in the airport while we were waiting to board.
Good luck and have fun! Ours was 10 months, too, and we had a great time!

 

[ptslp]

I gave it to my ds for our flight and my ds (2 1/2) didn't sleep at all!! My dd (6 mos) slept a good part of the trip without the benedryl. Just wanted to mention that it doesn't work for everyone!!

As for what to bring to do on the plane- I vote for food- a bottle (for takeoff and landing), snacks or a meal. It will keep the baby busy. Also a few new or favorite toys. I just talked to the baby, sang quiet songs, etc. She had her own seat and did very well.

 

[#1 Pocahontas]

Our dd had her own seat and also did very well. She was 8 months when she first flew to WDW, which is also a 2 1/2 hour flight for us. I took a bottle for take off and landing. She slept almost the entire flight. When she was awake we gave her books to look at and we read to her. As we were leaving one of the flights the man in front of us stood up and looked at us shocked and said, "I had no idea there was a baby behind me". Anyway, it was a peacful flight for all

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

I second everything, especially the buying a seat for the baby and bring the carseat.

Also, what has worked for us is that either dh or I preboards alone with the carseat, diaper bag, etc., and the other one waits with dd until the last passenger has boarded. This way dd can run in the airport, get more tired and spends about 30 min. less having to sit still in the plane. It works a lot better that preboarding her.

Julie

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Stickers entertain my little ones for hours. It doesn't matter what kind they are, because they are simply going to get stuck to everything. Crayons DON'T work for mine. I spend too much time trying to retrieve the crayons from the floor. Your little one may still be too young, but my kids like to watch movies on the laptop.

 

[Cass]

I. I also did the idea of the new toys in the backpack for when she did wake up along with one of those Zweiback bars because they take a long time to eat!

What are zweiback bars???

 

[Jackie0824]

We just returned from vacation. Our youngest is 10 months old. We flew from Norfolk, Va to Ft Lauderdale. It was the babies first plane trip. My other kids are 11 and 6 and they are pros at flying. I think our trip was around 2 1/2 hrs as well. The baby did well.The plane left at 6pm. I brought a bottle of breastmilk with for the plane. I also still breastfeed. So I was prepared on all levels. We did not buy a seat for her. She wouldnt of stayed in it. Me and my husband played with her a bit, passed her back and forth. We fed her little snacks. About the last 45 minutes of the flight she fell asleep. It really was no problem. She wasnt interested in her toys. She liked looking out the window, playing with that hard window shade. She also loved playing with the tray table, she enjoyed flipping through the sky miles magizine that Delta provided. Going home though, we had to stop in Atlanta, and we had no problems with the baby at all. Now my older 2, that was another story

 

[lovesdumbo]

What are zweiback bars???

Gerber makes them-hard toast bars. Here's a link Gerber finger foods.

 

[Cass]

Gerber makes them-hard toast bars. Here's a link Gerber finger foods.

ahhh... so thats why it takes the kids so long to eat them !

 

[DeirdreTours]

Take twice as much of everything on the plane-- diapers, wipes, food, bottles, toys as you think you could possibly use! Really, planes get delayed on the runway for much longer than one would think, snacks get spilled and toys tossed aside! Also, take small plastic bags (like from the grocery) for soiled diapers. Be aware that your baby may have some discomfort in the ears at takeoff/landing. Offering a bottle or breastfeeding right after takeoff will probably help her equalize the pressure and be more comfortable.

Have fun. And remember, even if your baby fusses a bit, everyone around you will survive.