Airplane with a One Year Old?

[L&Es Mom]

We leave in 7 days! I'm starting to sweat the airplane trip with my ds (1yo). We have a direct 2 hour flight, but it is early and not during his nap time and we will be off schedule big time heading to the airport. He can be very tempermental and is teething. My husband looked at me this 'morning and said "they'll ask us to get off the plane before it even takes off if he's acting like this!" My poor dh and mil are always the folks who get the screaming kid kicking their seat during the flight...so I figure this is their retribution for all the ill thoughts they've had for the poor parents in the same situation. I just want a peaceful flight that won't disturb other people. (DH is especially concerned when our kids disturb other people and get cranked up himself.--I may have to Benadryl him for my sanity!)Any suggestions?

No we did not opt for his own seat...I thought he would do better in our laps. (Mistake...probably.)

Don't slam me...but he does not get groggy with Benedryl.

 

[rellabee]

My tips for flying:

1. I know that many people will say that you should have purchased a ticket. I never do for my little ones. They have always been lap babies with no problem.
2. Make sure that you bring some snacks, and bring an empty sippy cup that you fill up after you go through security. Snacking and sipping during takeoff and landing will help them to stabilize the pressure in their ears.
3. Last year, my then 3 year old (who obviously was purchased a seat) was extremely terrified of flying. I thought we would also be forced to get off the plane. Once we were up in the air he was fine.
4. At one year old, your little one will not likely have any fears of flying, so give him some Tylenol for the teething and he should be fine! I've given mine Benadryl in the past (I know I will be flamed but this was the pediatrician's suggestion) --- if it doesn't make him groggy then I'm not sure why you would bother.
5. Bring along some new toys especially for the plane ride. Novelty buys quite a bit of time.



Have a great trip!!

 

[aripantaloon]

I feel your pain. We're flying with our 4 year-old and 15 month-old in a little over a week. Our flight is slightly longer than yours on the way down. We have connecting flights on the way back.

I'm bringing some new small toys and snacks for them on the plane. I don't know if something like a baby einstein video would help since they would need ear phones for the sound (that is if you let your kids watch things like that).

In the past, when flying with DD4 when she was younger, we did the video thing, gave her some new toys, let her play with and look at the emergency airline portfolio and other magazines in the seat pocket, and gave her our things like cell phones (turned off) and keys just to keep her quiet; especially when we couldn't get up and move around.

Once, I tried Benedryl when it was both past nap time and our flight was delayed a couple of hours. She did fall asleep for the whole flight (it was short), but who knows if it was due to being exhausted or the medicine. I haven't used it again. I won't use it on the baby now because I know she'll just spit it out. We haven't been able to really get liquid meds in her AT ALL. No matter what we do, she'll get it out.

 

[sherabby]

Benedryl actually would make my son more hyperactive. Now that he is almost 8 years old it does make him tired.

 

[Abharmagic]

We flew with DS when he was 18 mos old. I lapped him. The flight ended up having unsold seats and we asked the flight attendants and with their OK spread out- giving my DS his own seat without paying. On the flight home we didn't get to do this- the flight was full. He was exhausted from our trip and slept on my lap the whole time- it was nice. We did give him and DD a triaminc softchew (with our Dr.'s OK) b/c of runny noses and it did help to make them a little drowsy. As others have said- sometimes meds have the opposite effect on kids- and you DON'T want that. Maybe try it out before you go and see what it does if you are thinking about this.

Some advice (my opinions):
*DON'T get on first- there's a lot of waiting in a tiny enclosed compartment- we actually boarded last.
*DO spread out if your flight is not full- ask first.
*DO bring lots of things to do- new "stuff" is the best- hit the dollar store before you go and keep them a surprise until the flight- then take them out one by one as his/her attention wanes.
*DO bring lots of snacks
*DO bring your own stroller- all the way up to the plane- they will "check" it for you under the cabin and it will be waiting for you first thing right where you get off the plane- it's the BEST!!!
*DON'T change your child's diaper on the seats- ewwww- WHY do people do this???
*DO try to relax- you are in a tight space, your child isn't going to be perfect, believe me you'll get through it and no one will hate you
HAVE FUN!!!