Airplane tips for a one-year-old???

[bonoriffic]

If you are traveling with someone else, have them board as early as possible and take everything with them. Carry on, diaper bag, stroller, everything. Even though you may be bringing on more than what one person should be allowed, a simple explanation of what you are doing is all that is needed if at all.

The person boarding will get everything packed away, and pull out some snacks, a book or two, DVD player, whatever so you are all set and ready to go. The person with the toddler should enter the plane as they are literally about to close the door. Don't enter as the last person is walking on, you will probably be stuck on the jet way. Wait until it is very clear the plane is ready to leave. You walk on, get seated, and with any luck the plane is moving within a minute or two.

A 2 hour flight is easy enough to keep them entertained, but boarding early could add up to 30 minutes of sitting in a small space. It just adds to the stress level for everyone and you may start to use up snacks and other tricks to keep them occupied before the flight has even started.

 

[MommytoaSweetie]

My plan is to take a Crystal Lite container and cut a slit in the top of it, and give her something to put into it, sort of like a piggy bank. I'm still working on what to put in it. I'm going to try and take play-doh if we can get it through security, a lift the flap book (with tons of flaps), and a bag of plastic animals. She loves lining them up!

Did you ever come up with anything for the Crystal Light container? I've wanted to make a homemade slot box since DD1 was a baby, but couldn't think of what to put inside!

 

[monkey30]

Well I have to say definitly do a trial with the benadryl!! I have one son it works for and one it send even more hyper then he already is! There are some more natural alternatives around. I know we have used one called Calms, and it is in kid form. But again check with your doctor, mine said simply use childrens gravol it will help with any discomfort they feel and make them sleepy (in most cases!), which we are going to test out here this week for our trip.

When DS2 was 18mths we did the trip to DL and since there really wasn't mush for him to do while we were taking off, he fell asleep with the movement of the plane, and slept most of the way there. On the way home was another story he was crazy!! Plus there was no tv's or anything to keep his attention, and then we hit bad weather and spent a extra hour in the air, he was crabby by the time we got home.

Good luck, u know your child best and know what will work for them. keep trying different things if one doesn't work, and there is a chance they will go for a little sleep.

Also those flights going into the US are limited on what u can take on (including toys) so be sure to check with your airline before u leave so u do not have to go back and check them in.

 

[tartemis]

I only skimmed the prior posts, but here are my thoughts based on experience with that age:

A DVD player won't work -- the child is too young.

I have never used a car seat for a child under 2 and it has been just fine.

HIGHLY recommend trying to get a bulk-head seat. That way the child can stand or even sit on the floor in front of your feet which helps the restlessness at that age. That is the only thing that has really worked for us. Everything else can district a young child for a few minutes, but they simply don't have the attention span to sit for that long and since they have just learned to walk, they want to constantly practice it.

Good luck. 1 to 2 is the most difficult age to fly with.

 

[brightspark]

Masking tape and post it notes !!! What great ideas! Read this thread with interest as we travel in 10 days time with our ds 18 months, and it's a 9 hour flight!!!!

Definately going to use the board at the last minute tip - thanks SO much for that one bonorific!

Also a good thought is the non rollabout crayons - useful tip.

I'm going to put a magnetic book in, as well as stickers, a small tube of bubbles (less than 100 ml so I hope they'll let me take them on which can be blown over me and dh without upsetting anyone else)

DS favourite toy at the moment is his cooker - so I'm going to take a few small plastic saucepans and some new food items that velcro together (which he loves but doesn't own - yet) for him to play with too. I've already started taking away and hiding the things that I'm going to get out on the plane (eg fave books and toys) so that he will be more excited about them when we are on the plane.

Wonder if we should have chosen bulkhead seats?? We chose not to as there would be less distraction for him if I attempt to get him to sleep.

Ds also loves the tv, and a friend of mine says that her ds was happy watching the childrens channels even without music!

We were told by Virgin that Ds is now too old for sky cot or carseat type thing, but we have bought him a seat - although I suspect that most of the flight will be taken up walking up and down with him.

Good luck, and any more tips gratefully received

 

[CLR4321]

It looks like you have got some great ideas already, so I figured that I would offer a tip. During take off, landing, and any elevation change which causes your ears to pop or feel like they will....bring plenty to drink for your baby. Even if you have to bring something that he or she will definitely drink no matter what (sweet stuff). During flights so many people forget that their small children's ears will get clogged just like theirs. Swallowing of course helps ears to pop, unfortunately many people do not think about this when their kids suddenly start screaming in flight. Many children will just sleep on flights because the sound of the engine helps to lull them to sleep. Sit in the back of the plane to maximize the engine sound if you can. I feel so bad for people who don't realize this. They are sitting there wondering how to calm their baby, and their baby is screaming because their head feels like it's going to pop, the poor things!
Have a good trip!

 

[renchick]

I've brought a large bag of Haribo gummi bears for DS who was too young to chew (without swallowing) gum. They are a treat he doesn't get at home, and he must chew them and then avoids ear problems. DSs' ENT recommends Afrin, which also helps.

From a distraction standpoint, I swear by WaterWow books. They come with a "paintbrush" attached to a water bulb (you can fill this from a water fountain after passing security). When the pages are "painted" with water, a picture appears. As the water dries, the picture disappears. The process can be repeated many times.

 

[Melissa&Shawn]

I disagree about the DVD player. DD really only watches TV on her DVD that is attached to the back of our passenger car seat. We brought it on our flight when she was 18 months old to Disney and it kept her busy the whole flight.

We used the CARES harness for her and she was way too small for it. Yet she was 27 lbs and 150% for height and weight for her age. It was JetBlue and they are leather seats so DD kept sliding. If I can find a picture of it on my phone I will post it. But she was so uncomfortable we had to take it off after the seatbelt sign went off. It was a nightmare so we are going back to the car seat for our trip in March. She probably would be big enough but we are renting a car so it just made sense.

Love the ideas here! Many of them I am going to add if the DVD wears off!

 

[maxiesmom]

I disagree about the DVD player. DD really only watches TV on her DVD that is attached to the back of our passenger car seat. We brought it on our flight when she was 18 months old to Disney and it kept her busy the whole flight.

Most airlines have a rule that you need to wear headphones in order to use a DVD player in flight. You may get away without using them, but it is not something to depend on. Look at your airline's in flight magazine the next time you fly, it will tell you in there that headphones are a must. It is kind of rude to expect your fellow passangers to listen to Barney or whatever else you are playing to entertain your children. And if you are playing a movie loud enough that your kids can hear it others can too.

 

[Melissa&Shawn]

Oh good point. We did bring our Bose headphones but thankfully everyone around us was ok with just putting on speaker. And how did you know it was Barney? . We asked those around us if it would be Ok and the concensus was that if the baby wasn't screaming go for it. . JetBlue also has the DirectTV so most people had their headphones in anyway. But Fisher Price has headphones for young ones so that would probably be a good investment if it is a packed flight.

 

[minnieandfamily]

Yikes - I would not recommend gummi bears or lollipops for a 1 year old! Those are major choking hazards for a child that young!

I agree with the previous poster - offer your child a drink on take-off and landing to help their ears adjust. It definitely seemed to help with my daughter. We are traveling with twin 1 year olds in March and I plan to do the same.

This is a tough age to keep entertained on a flight! The previous posters have had some good suggestions. I would also suggest a couple of lift-the-flap board books. My boys are turning 1 this week and love them! I don't think there's any one thing that will keep them entertained for very long at this age - so I'd say it's more about quantity and "new" things to keep them interested! Good luck & have a great trip!

 

[DisneyMomma09]

This is a great thread! We will be flying to WDW in June and my DS will be 13 months old. These are lots of good ideas I need to keep in mind for then! Thanks everyone!

Another thing I have read about to help with the pressure change and ears are Earplanes. I do not have any experience with them, but thought they might be worth it so I don't have a screaming child! Has anyone ever used these before?

 

[Minniemouse07]

My kids used car seats on airplanes until they were 4yo and I would never fly w/o one.

I distinctly remember one flight to Orlando where dd was the ONLY child on the flight in a seat and she was the only one SLEEPING as well!! The family in front of us (mom/dad/4ishyo and 1yo) had their younger dd climbing all over the three of them the entire flight. The 4yo was cranky and the mom kept looking back at our sleeping dd longingly.

Definitely bring the car seat!

 

[bavaria]

A few do's

• masking tape
• post it notes
• simple toys without a lot of pieces which can get lost
• buy drinks after security; don't rely on the airline as it will take quite bit of time til the time when drinks are served after takeoff (and if there is severe turbulence, they may not be served at all!)

Another easy suggestion is pipe cleaners but at that young I don't know if the wire might be a hazard ie better for toddlers? But the bendy toy on page 1 looks like similar fun for a cheap price

And some definite don'ts

• Playdough - not only does TSA often confiscate it as a gel, it has a strong smell and it can stain. At least one regular flyer here reported having her suit ruined thanks to Playdough on a plane left by another passenger
• DVD players with no headset - it is the rule on most carriers that you MUST have headphones. Asking those around you really isn't fair as it puts them in a very awkward position of being forced to say 'yes', even though the noise can be very bothersome

 

[bavaria]

Also those flights going into the US are limited on what u can take on (including toys) so be sure to check with your airline before u leave so u do not have to go back and check them in.

As NHDisneylover pointed out, there were temporary directives for international flights TO the US, but those are no longer in place. I am not certain what you mean by this, but the only country with an official limit to carry on at the moment for flights to the US is Canada. They still allow baby/child items, a purse, and a laptop and case, along with medical devices etc for flights TO the US.

Some airlines from some airports such as LHR have a temporary one carry on limit, but one carry on should be enough for people to bring what they need.

 

[bavaria]

Wonder if we should have chosen bulkhead seats?? We chose not to as there would be less distraction for him if I attempt to get him to sleep.

Actually, you were smart NOT to choose them! On most mainline carriers the bulkhead is reserved for elite flyers, flyers with disabilities, or restricted until time of online check in (or for bassinets on international flights)

For those with children, the bulkhead is a BAD choice on most airlines because all carry on must be in the overhead bin for take off and landing and until the seatbelt sign is off. So no access to toys, snacks, drinks, etc. A few aircraft on a few airlines do allow things but it is behind the bulkhead wall and below the cutout into the cabin ahead, so difficult to reach/access.

Again, you made a smart choice not to sit there!

 

[brightspark]

My kids used car seats on airplanes until they were 4yo and I would never fly w/o one.

I distinctly remember one flight to Orlando where dd was the ONLY child on the flight in a seat and she was the only one SLEEPING as well!! The family in front of us (mom/dad/4ishyo and 1yo) had their younger dd climbing all over the three of them the entire flight. The 4yo was cranky and the mom kept looking back at our sleeping dd longingly.

Definitely bring the car seat!

Problem for us is that UK carseats aren't set up for airline travel... so we'd have to buy one specifically otherwise can really see the benefit of it - it's a safe space where he's used to sitting quietly and sleeping

Hey ho - never mind

 

[brightspark]

Actually, you were smart NOT to choose them! On most mainline carriers the bulkhead is reserved for elite flyers, flyers with disabilities, or restricted until time of online check in (or for bassinets on international flights)

For those with children, the bulkhead is a BAD choice on most airlines because all carry on must be in the overhead bin for take off and landing and until the seatbelt sign is off. So no access to toys, snacks, drinks, etc. A few aircraft on a few airlines do allow things but it is behind the bulkhead wall and below the cutout into the cabin ahead, so difficult to reach/access.

Again, you made a smart choice not to sit there!

Thanks for the encouragement! Nice to know we did the right thing

 

[brightspark]

We have also purchased some children's headphones to plug into ipod or the airplane tv channels. They are chunky so shouldn't break... He likes wearing his ear defenders at the moment, so I'm hoping that these with music coming out of them will be a great novelty... even if it's just taking them on and off over and over again whilst signing 'music' LOL!

 

[princessbride6205]

Our DD has been a frequent flyer since 6 weeks, now she's 2 1/2. While we've had some challenging flights, we've never had a nightmare flight where she screams most of the time.
We did not do a car seat, as DD would much rather be held at age 1. She was not interested in TV/DVD at that age. She did enjoy scribbling and coloring. We also brought along some favorite and some new books. At that age, though, the number one entertainer was food. Those fruity poofs or Cheerios are great. When DD was about 9 months, I flew alone with her and she gnawed on a bagel for a good 45 minutes! (I watched her closely of course and she was very competent at chewing for her age.) Now I'm racking my brain for what else we did on flights...how quickly I forget!