Baby On Airplane?

[ineedpixiedust]

Hi all! We're flying to WDW Sept 25 from Phoenix, AZ. Flight leaves PHX @ 7am, layover & change planes in Charlottesville from 12:30 to 2pm, arrive in Orlando @ 4:30pm. We're 3 adults (DH, mom & me) and a 14mo baby boy! My question is, what on earth can I do to entertain a VERY energetic toddler on a 5+ hr flight & then again on a 2+ hr flight?? We picked the fight with the longer layover around lucnhtime so DS could stretch his legs and maybe run off some steam in the airport and we could all eat a decent lunch (DS will eat ANYTHING but I'm a bit more picky). Also, does anyone know how the whole gate-checking your stroller thing works? Will it be given back to us during our layover? Thanks so much for any ideas!!

 

[robinb]

Do you have a seat for your DS? I traveled with my DD in her car seat on the plane and she knew from being in the car that she could not get out and wander around. I packed board books, little finger snacks, sippy cups and small toys like cars and Little People to entertain her.

To gate-check your stroller just bring it up to the gate agent and tell them that you want to gate-check your stroller and they'll put a special ticket on it. Ask them to make sure it's available for your layover. You'll leave it at the end of the jetway right before you board the plane and pick it up in the same place when you leave.

If you have a seat for your DS and another adult along, I would suggest that you send the other adult on the plane first with the car seat. Getting a car seat installed on a plane can be a bit tricky, especially now that people are so used to the latch system. Make sure you check your car seat ahead of time for the FAA OK sticker. Your DS should board the airplane as late as possible so he doesn't have to sit any longer than he needs to.

If you did not buy your DS a seat, bring the car seat to the gate anyway. The gate agents always bent backwards to find a spot for my DD even though we didn't buy a seat for her until she was 2. If no seat is available, you can always gate check the seat too. I carried my car seat though the airport on a regular rolling luggage cart.

Good luck! If you're lucky, he'll fall asleep .

 

[swilphil]

Hopefully, you can work a nap sometime during the 5 hour flight. I would think since you leave so early, that your son will be tired at some point. I packed some presents for my son like little toys, books and games that he likes. A few snacks also helps, but you might want to wait until after nap for anything sugary. Looking out the window can be fun, too. Since you are on a flight to Orlando, you will probably have other families on your flight and most people will be understanding. Good luck!!

 

[ahutton]

Don't forget - there is a time difference, so it may not actually be a 5+ hour flight. I've had the best luck playing hard so they are tired for the flight. Let them run back and forth in the terminal while you supervise. Then a diaper change and snack, then board and hope for a nap. If you are leaving that early in the morning odds are good your baby will have to get up much earlier than usual and will be sleepy at different times. Also - if you still allow a bottle every now and again that can be a good way to lull them off to sleep.

 

[onecoolmama]

A lot of laptops have their own DVD player. We are flying with DS2 and DD13months and we are bringing two laptops and playing their movies on them, so hopefully that will keep them entertained. Also, my kids like to color and if you are still using a bottle..that is a great tool. We also, might use a little benedryl to help them sleep. make sure you test this on him first to make sure that he doesn't get more hyper on benedryl. There is a small percent of kids that do.

HTH

 

[tricia]

I'm with ahutton, you may want to check if those are local times. That seems like an awful long flight.
My kids loved the DVD player last time we travelled.

 

[CarnotaurDad]

Have traveled frequently with my DD (now 3 1/2) cross country.

Big sticker books are great...also, the Disney Guide Book for Kids. Then they can look forward and 'review' what they want to do.

Many airports have DVD player rentals. You rent for about $15 at one airport and drop it off at the other end of your flight. Movies are included in the rental. I am not sure how many. You may want to check if your flight has a film on it already.

Check if there is being food served - that can also be a distraction and when food IS served many airlines have special kids meals...some even have McDonalds.

Definitely have one parent board early and get the seats set up for maximum fun and have your child board as late as possible.

Also, have your child pick the things they would like to bring...help him understand what will be happening.

We also do very well with bribery. If that works for your child - use some sort of reward system...ie he can pick something out when he gets there.

And believe me, your own child always sounds much louder to you than to everyone else.

Good luck,
Karen

 

[dizney dreamin']

Hi! I have traveled with my daughter when she was that age and I found that bringing a toy bag with a lot of new little presents kept her very occupied. I am stocking up right now for our trip in October except this time I have a 2 year old AND a 12 month old to keep busy and quiet. I have found that the novelty of new toys keeps them pretty quiet & busy so you may want to try this.
Good Luck!

 

[HappyMommy2]

Snacks, snacks, and more snacks!

Our kids (DS3 and DS 1.5) don't get to snack a lot at home so having some special, time-consuming snacks on the plane is always a novelty for them! It seems to help a great deal. I always bring a few small new toys (Hot Wheels, etc.) and as each little toy "wears out" its interest for the kids I offer a snack.
On our last flight I brought a few single-serving boxes of cereal (Golden Grahams, Fruit Loops, etc.), string cheese (ate that first so it wouldn't spoil), and Goldfish crackers. At the very end of the flight, DS (17 months at the time) was getting really antsy so I pulled out my ultimate weapon---a small lollipop. That kept him busy till we landed. Messy and non-nutritious, but just the thing for a bored toddler!

The kids' appetites are always spoiled after our flights, of course, but we try to get onto a more regular meal schedule as soon as we reach our destination.

Also, I agree with others who've said that your son will probably take a nice nap at some point in the flight(s). Ours have always slept well on the plane as babies, especially if they are in their carseats.

Have lots of fun!

 

[dizney dreamin']

Thanks for the lollipop idea- that just got added to my list of things to buy for the trip!!!!!

 

[new mom11]

We're leaving Saturday. First time on a plane w/17mo DS. Some suggesstions I've been given are the travel size Magna Doodle, PlayDough (if you don't think it will go directly to his mouth) and cookie cutters. Can use the tray in front. They have small jars, lots of different colors should help. Plastic "clings" for the window that they can take on & off. An idea I got from a 'toddler busy book' was playing with various magnets on the back of a cookie sheet. My son loved it at home. This might be a little bulky for a plane, but maybe a small pan and lightweight magnets. I'm not quite sure how/if I'm going to use this one. Of course as everyone says, snacks, snacks, and more snacks. My pediatrician said to be sure to have drinks/sippy cup. For the obvious reason, but it may help with the change in pressure. I won't give my DS chewing gum yet. Have a wonderful trip and remember no matter how stressfull it may get, you'll be in Disney World before you know it! Then the fun really starts!!

 

[NotUrsula]

Playdough is full of oil, it stains. Even the residue stains.
If a child drops tiny bits of playdough onto his seat upholstery, even if it is picked up, the unlucky passenger who gets that seat on the next flight will end up with ruined clothing. Not that big a deal with a pair of jeans, perhaps, but if you are wearing a business suit, that might be a couple of hundred dollars in clothing investment lost.

If your child really must have a clay-like substance to play with on a plane, please stick to Crayola Model Magic.

 

[new mom11]

thanks for the info, we won't be taking it. At least we won't be taking it out of the jar! Tried it out yesterday and it goes right to his mouth. However, he seems to love playing & stacking the jars. This is my last post before we leave. I'M SO PSYCHED!!!!!! I'M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!!!!

 

[KathyPem]

We flew to AZ from IN (direct flight) with our three kdis who were 6 month, 17 months and 4 at the time. The younger ones ended up sleeping for a good part of the flight. Make sure you have a sippy cup (you can get stuff to put in it from the flight attendant. Bring some favorite snacks. I brought each child a blanket to cuddle with. Some other things to maybe pack...

travel sized magnadoodle, coloring book with crayons, small car/truck,


We gate checked two strollers and they were waiting as soon as you get off the plane. I would strongly encourage anyone with infants to get them their own seat for both of your comfort and for their safety too. OUr kids did great in their carseats and I didn't have any problems but had anticipated many!! LOL

This time I will have a 24 month old and a 35 month old and doing it without DH (but I will have 3 other adults ot help)

 

[ineedpixiedust]

What a bunch of GREAT ideas!! Thanks so so so so so much!!! In case of any other parents reading this post, I got a GREAT idea from my pediatrician (also a mom of 4). She said to take a cookie tin (the kind that shortbread cookies come in) and fill it with cheap magnets (taht you don't mind losing to much). The inside of the lid can be used to stick the magnets in, and when you're done, just drop them back in the tin! And Playdough is NOT a good idea for my DS. We tried it a few days ago and all he wanted to do was eat it! We also got a few new board books and a mini Bumble Ball. If anyone hasn't seen these they are so neat and DS LOVES it! It's a ball with foam pegs on it and batteries inside. When you turn it on it vibrates and bounces around on the pegs. DS loves to hold it and touch it to his lips or nose (makes him giggle like crazy!). Also, they're really quiet so should be good for the plane. With the crayon suggestion: is 14mo old enough for crayons? Anyone have a baby who's been able to color at this age? Haven't tried it yet... Thanks again for all the GREAT ideas!!

 

[BevS97]

a 14 month old can't color as such, but they seem to like making marks on paper, you need to get very thick crayons that won't break easily.

Bev