First plane ride for 3 year old

[laughterkt]

We adopted our daughter when she was two weeks old and flew home when she was three weeks old. Obviously, she does NOT remember that trip and slept the entire time. However, she is now about to be 3 and 1/2 years old and we are taking her on her "first" plane ride to DisneyWorld. To say I am nervous about it is a HUGE understatement. She does not like loud noises and is not "big" on new experiences .....sounds like a "smart" trip I have planned for us, huh? Anyway, anyone have any good advice on the first plane trip with a toddler? I have the portable DVD player, the new "toys", snacks etc.....We have watched videos of kids on planes taking off .....we have talked about what we get to do as a "big girl" and sit in her own seat with seat belt.....she seems excited right now, but the actual day will probably be another story.
I just want to get her ON the plane and buckled in her own seat with out the mother of all MELTDOWNS because she is scared. We could not even get her to go into a movie theatre this weekend. We tried and the noises from the other theatres were too loud. We left. I am not one to "force" my child to do things that she is afraid of (and won't when we get to Disney)....however, we just have to GET there first....Anyone else gone through this?
Thanks
Katie

 

[dis_guy]

We've been there. You know you child best but all I can say is if she doesn't travel well, then a little Gravol goes a long way. For the record, I am opposed to medicating kids as a rule but sometimes it's worth considering. Our older daughter was very carsick/airsick when young and Gravol allowed us to travel with her.

 

[mom2brooke76]

My dd has also had noise sensitivity, especially at that age. She's been flying since she was about 3 months old, and although she flew two or three times a year, the noise would still bother her at times. I just tried to make it fun for her and we'd look out the window together, etc. I knew that if I let on that I was worried that she would pick up on it. Once we were in the air she'd watch a movie for a little while, play with some toys, etc, but it's amazing how quickly she would get bored with everything She thought it was more fun to try and get out of her seat

Seriously though, she never did have a meltdown. The only bad time I had flying with her was during her first flight. She was 3 months and me, my dd and my mom were flying to NC with a layover in Nashville. She cried the ENTIRE flight from Birmingham to Nashville. It's only about 40 minutes, but it might as well have been 40 hours!! I was completely embarrassed and felt horrible for the other passengers, but surprisingly they were understanding. I think that most realize that parents do what they can and understand that.

 

[ToyStory]

Make sure you don't give her the DVD player until after take off when you can use electronic equipment.

For my sons coloring books were always a hit and special snacks. Maybe chewing gum or sucking on a lollipop at take off maybe useful.

My youngest son first plan ride was at the age of 3 1/2 too, but we just adopted him from Russia so that was an interesting flight.

Oh make sure she goes to the bathroom prior to boarding. My son was terrified of the bathroom on the plane due to the load noise it made when it flushed.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Have your tried earphones to deaden the loud noises? She will need to wear headphones to listen to the DVD anyway. I would recommend getting noise cancelling headphones so the sounds of the engine doesn't bother her.

Also, make sure she is sucking or chewing on something (a lollipop, fruit chews or sippy cup) when you take off and land so her ears won't hurt. I would also recommend benedryl before you take off as well. It might have a soothing effect on her.

 

[WicketsMom]

I would take her car seat (you'll need it when you get there anyway if you're renting a car). She would probably be more comfortable riding in something familiar, and it's very easy for one that age to escape from the seatbelt! We still use ours on the plane for my four year old son. It also raises them up high enough to see out the window.

 

[rwdavis2]

Have your tried earphones to deaden the loud noises? She will need to wear headphones to listen to the DVD anyway. I would recommend getting noise cancelling headphones so the sounds of the engine doesn't bother her.

Also, make sure she is sucking or chewing on something (a lollipop, fruit chews or sippy cup) when you take off and land so her ears won't hurt. I would also recommend benedryl before you take off as well. It might have a soothing effect on her.

Good idea. I bought a set from Sony about 5 years ago fro around $30 that work quite well. They really cancel a lot of the engine noise.

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

It seems like you are doing a great job of letting your DD know what to expect for the trip. Your DD sounds a lot like mine. The one thing we forgot was that she was holding her lovey item when we were taking off our shoes at the airport and he didn't get put in a bin and we thought she could just walk with him through the scanner. No way. So her "Georgie had to go in a bin for a ride" and he would surprise her at the end. Well she pitched a fit that was not like anything we had seen before. Once "Georgie" was back she was ok. But that was a long 5 min until he came out. Also, those soft disposable ear plugs are great for any loud rides or shows ex. Ellen, Lights,motor, action etc. and glow sticks. They are bright enough for her to see just around her without disturbing the ride for others. Our DD is 11 now and thinks these stories are just a hoot now.

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

My son is much younger (20 months) but my piece of advice would be: board last (or as close to last as possible). That was 20 min less I had to keep him entertained on my lap - I just let him walk/run around the gate area until it was time to go. He got some energy out and I got some sanity before the flight. I also like getting a seat in the back - all the way back - that way I don't feel TOO guilty when he starts whinning (this works best in the big planes!).

 

[brymolmom]

My SIL just went through this for my nephew's first flight - she was a wreck! I will tell you what I told her - settle down, deep breaths....likely you are making way more of it than she ever will. But, if she does freak out, then just be as prepared as you can - which it sounds like you are. IMO, almost everyone on the plane will be 'ok'/sympathetic with a child having a meltdown as long as the parent is doing everything in his/her power to soothe her (and not ignoring the situation rather attempting to make everything better for dd and thereby the other passengers). If chocolate is the way to your dd's heart (like it is for my own dd) - then be prepared to dole out M&M's a few at a time - until she is settled down or until your flight is over (granted this is not my usual way to handle things but on a flight - consideration for everyone else comes before proper nutrition). Since she is 3 and can understand rules - I would start mentioning rules 1) you must stay in seat with seatbelt buckled and 2) you must be quiet and respectful of the others on the plane. Might also be a good idea if she is prone to a lot of meltdowns to follow it up with either a reward or a consequence if the rules aren't followed. Granted, it's vacation so no one wants to start with a consequence, but she's old enough to understand if she isn't quiet and listen to you, then she won't get.....when you get to WDW.

Worst case - if she does melt down it likely won't be for the whole flight...And pretty soon you'll be in WDW where you can all put it behind you.

One more thing - Make sure when speaking to her about it that it doesn't sound like a choice. Sounds like she had a choice to leave the movie theater...so don't make them sound the same. Make sure it is 'when' we are on the plane not any 'if's' in there. And make sure to say we 'HAVE' to get on a plane to go see Mickey and Minnie. I think she will take a lot of what you are projecting in your discussions about it.

PS - in my SIL's case my dnephew loved the plane - had a blast! So her worry was for nothing. I hope yours is too.

 

[n2mm]

Good luck -- as you just don't know how they will react.

My granddaughter flew the first time at 3 months and did well in her carseat. The second time she was 12 months and was a lapbaby and was perfectly happy. The third time she was 18 months old and a lapbaby and again content as a bug.........Fourth time, she was 2 1/2 and all hell broke loose. She now had to sit in her own seat and not on mommy's lap. OMG -- the longest 2 hours flight in history. When she was buckeled in she screemed..."no, mommy, no" and continued until the seatbelt light went off and she could sit on mommy's lap. You can imagine that everytime the seatbelt light went on the screaming began. People were miserable and my daughter near tears. She had the games, snacks, activities, drinks (and we needed those) ....all of the tricks, but nothing worked. Now my granddaughter will be 4 this weekend, and while she's flown at least 2 times after that incident, she has gotten better. Since we now fly Jetblue, that helps. We even bought her her own kid-size headphones, though she doesn't use them much. We also try to fly still during nap time. We flew home last weekend on a 1:15 flight and she slept all of the way.....whew....another good flight under our belt. I'm sure there are still folks out there telling the "Adyson" story of the flight from hell. So OP, best wishes and good luck. Sounds like you plan to do the best you can. Maybe she'll surprise you!!

And just to note, on our flight last Saturday when the lovely Adyson was sleeping, another 2 year old screamed the entire flight....my DD looked at me and said, "hey, mom, remember....." and I said "yes, yes I do!"

 

[Tony NY]

Jetble for sure lol I took my 3 yr old nice 4 yr's ago bring chewing gum for her ears colloring books is alwasy the way to go and the DVD on a side note try to get photo in the plot seat my nice still remembers her first trip to disney world..

 

[Alexander]

You need to relax. Any tenseness you have will be felt and doubled by your little one. Everything will be fine if you believe it will be fine. You cannot be nervous or worried or the stress will pass right on. Don't sweat the small stuff, if she cries, she cries. Nothing can ever be as bad as when my 9 month old who was a lap child screamed the entire descent and then threw up all over the business man next to me.

 

[dis_guy]

Speaking of noise sensitivity, I was recently watching one of the hockey playoff games and was surprised to notice how many little kids were wearing headphones. Some were obviously the "construction/loud engine noise" type but some seemed to just be regular over the ear music headphones. I'd think a set like the Bose (yes I know what they cost) would be perfect for a kid with noise sensitivity.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I'd think a set like the Bose (yes I know what they cost) would be perfect for a kid with noise sensitivity.

I don't agree. Noise canceling doesn't block out outside sounds such as yelling, fireworks, crying, etc. They instead cancel out sounds such as engine noise. If you're really interested, you can get a lot of info as to how they work using a Google search.

What you want for a sound sensitive child are noise isolating headphones.

 

[Jaymie]

I always give my kids Tylenol Decongestant to help with ear pain about 1 hr before the flight and they both sleep for a while. If you decide to use any meds, be sure that the flight isn't the first time you use it. Some kids have opposite effects and become very hyper.

I stressed out huge when my DS was 3 and we didn't have his carseat. I though for sure that there was no way he'd sit in his seat. He sat down, didn't touch the buckle and went to sleep during take off until we landed.

My kids have a Richard Scarry book that shows what a kid can expect to see at the airport and both my kids love to look at it before & during the flight.

 

[Queen of Oakville]

We've been there. You know you child best but all I can say is if she doesn't travel well, then a little Gravol goes a long way. For the record, I am opposed to medicating kids as a rule but sometimes it's worth considering. Our older daughter was very carsick/airsick when young and Gravol allowed us to travel with her.

My friend, GRAVOL (particularly Children's gravel), is one of those things that "pity, are only available in Canada". Yes, I learned this the hard way.


To the OP:

It sounds like you are doing everything right. I'm pretty lucky because my kids embraced flying from the start. My daughter has flown since Age 3 and my son since 1 year. i still bring sippy cups and fill these with water after we clear security. Even though both kids can drink from a cup, the "sucking" that is forced with a sippy cup, helps pop blocked ears.

I've never tried this (and I'm not advocating this) .... but I've heard of people using night time cough medicine. There also may be something homeopathic you could use that use. Doesn't Hylands make a product called Calms?

Does your child still nap? Perhaps try and book a flight around her typical nap-times?

 

[alaska8]

Board last...no need to sit there for 20 extra minutes. If you are travelling with another adult have them board first with bags car seat etc and get everything ready then you and your child can board last.
Car seat....your child is already used to travelling in it and having to stay in it for periods of time buckled in. Its a confort zone for them.
Milk....lots of airlines do not carry milk anymore. Starbucks will sell you a container of milk
DVD player....remember headphones, many airlines require headphone use with all dvd players, ipods, games etc
clothes...extra set (i had the projectile vomiting kid, several times!!!!)
snacks....even if you dont normally allow candy make an exception....you can buy some fun candy like ring suckers, lollipops etc
ears...chew on takeoff and start 20 mins prior to landing (at the "top of descent" you will hear the engines change noise thats when the plane starts descending and thats when ear problems start.
diapers....carry a ziplock with diaper and wipes in it..easy to access (please do not change at seat or on tray table...gross!)
sippy cups/bottles.....they leak with pressurisation. Also if you need water ask the flight attendant..dont use bathroom faucet water.
toys....party supply stores sell some great "disposible" toys that are great time occupiers.
As a flight attendant I feel that I should say that we dont mind if you walk around with your child just bear in mind that we have a beverage service to complete usually in a limited time and those carts are very heavy and we dont have eyes in the back of our heads so make sure your childs limbs are not sticking out in the aisle as we are moving backwards. Also the galley isnt a safe place for your child to play...often we dont latch cabinets or put the breaks on the carts, in sudden turbulence things can move and fly around. In normal air there are lots of "finger pinch" areas back there. Finally put shoes on when you and your child use the bathroom.....thats not water on the floor!!!!
Have a great flight, keep calm and your child will as well and dont let other people upset your day.

 

[papertraveller]

We have flown with DD since she was an infant. As soon as she was at the age where she could be entertained, I established a routine that got us through some very long flights. My first rule of thumb was that her attention span lasted around 20 minutes, so I planned activities that would switch at that point.

I packed an entire bag just with goodies for the trip -- in those days they were five-hour flights, so I had 15 activities per leg. I'd go to the dollar store and find craft projects, small colouring books, Crayola Color Magic, small toys to play with, Felt Friends (these kept her going for a very long time), books, puzzles, etc. Security wasn't what it is now, and I would wrap everything in newsprint so she'd have the excitement of unwrapping it on the plane. As she got older and her attention span grew, I'd add videos. I rationalized that $15 was a small price to pay for some peace for everyone onboard -- especially me!

We also did what many PPs have outlined, in preparing a good carry-on bag of must-haves, and in preparing our daughter for all of the rules of air travel.
You're doing all the right things. Have a great vacation.

 

[CanuckTraveller]

DS2 has flown since he was 2 and the best thing we could do is bring his car seat. Yes it's a bit of a pain to lug around the airport, but so worth it to have him in a familiar spot where he knows the behavioural expectations.
We too also use Children's Gravol, I know from other parents over at cruise critic that there are US versions of this medication. Essentially it's a children's anti-nausea pill with the side effect of (usually) causing sedation.
DS1 is very noise sensitive, we have brought ear plugs for him but never had to use them on any of our flights, and he's been on 6 so far. He's the kid that's ok with an airplane taking off, but won't go to hockey practice if the buzzer is being used
Good luck!