Flying with 18 mo. old!

[horner5]

Not thinking , I booked airline tickets for our family a few months ago for our January trip and did not book a seat for my toddler daughter, assuming she would be able to handle sitting for the 2 hour flight. Well, now that she is well into her toddler days, I'm reassessing this situation. IS it possible to keep a toddler contained and under control for a flight that long? She is not a wild toddler by any means, but even I get restless on flights.

Any suggestions on keeping her entertained? Fortunately, my parents are coming with us and are in the row behind us on the plane. The other five of us take up most of one row. We have a 6:50 a.m. flight, which, if we wake her early enough, may be an advantadge. The doctor recommended Benadryl to make her sleepy. I don't know, but I want to be prepared!

Help!

 

[DemoBri1]

Horner,

We're attempting to do the same thing, and I, like you, was re-thinking about not securing a seat for him. I am somewhat hopeful that the earliness of the flight will take a bit out of him.

I'm also going to bring along a bunch of his favorite books that he likes to thumb through. I am also debating on picking up a portable DVD player so he and DD can watch a flick or two on the way down, but I'm not sure about this one as of yet.

Brian

 

[always dreamin']

I can't help you...I'm sort of in the same boat as you are only with a 13 month old. She's more active now and I'm worried about my two hour flight. I'm not going to do the Benadryl thing but I have read that you may want to try this on your DD before your trip. I've heard it can have a reverse affect and make her more active. But I'm not in the medical field so please don't quote me on this. I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet to keep her entertained. Hope you get some good responses! Have a nice trip!

 

[horner5]

Thanks for the responses so far! The portable DVD player is a good option. She is addicted to the Baby Einstein series. I may have to hunt one of those down myself. I bought the older two children (12,8) each that new VideoNow for Christmas, so they will be occupied. Any more ideas?

 

[NotUrsula]

My DS is one of those kids who has a reverse reaction to Benadryl. It makes him practically climb the walls.

If you try Benedryl and the reaction is hyperactivity, ask your ped about children's Dramamine as an alternative. That does tend to make DS sleepy, and since it is motion-sickness medication, it helps with his tendency to get airsick. (BTW, many pharmacies do not regularly stock liquid Dramamine; is is OTC, but you may have to call a day ahead and have them get it from the warehouse.)

The best thing I used at that age were picture flash cards, and also the small Dorling-Kindersley board books that have lots of little photos in them. DS wore out 2 copies of "My first book of animals." Oh, and also a couple of rolls of scotch tape and some little post-it notes!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

You have received some very good advice here, BUT....I do have to add that your child is much safer in a car seat on a flight. Turbulance is bad enough sometimes and holding on to a child is not easy. They seem happier in their seat, there are no issues about having to "hold them down" and no issues of them walking the aisles, possibly disturbing other pax (not everyone enjoys little kids )

Most airliines offer discounted fares for the little ones.

IMHO, if you won't drive without your child in a proper restraint system, you should not fly that way either.

 

[din]

[QUOTE/] [B/]
Most airliines offer discounted fares for the little ones.
[/B][/QUOTE]

I am not sure that applies to domestic flights?

horner5: we have always booked a seat for our kids since they were 1 years old. Much easier on the parents lap Something to take into consideration also is that you mentioned the flight time is 2 hours, does that include the time for taxi? Depending on the airport and time of the year you can wait up to one hour on the tamac so that flight has now become three hours...

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

I am a strong supporter of children having their own seats. They are so much safer in a car seat in case of turbulence. It is also so much easier on the parent. We have been flying with our kids since the first was 4 months old and not once did I ever consider not purchasing a seat. It has been my experience that only domestic flights are discounted. I just purchased my last "infant" seat for our upcoming trip and it was only $98.50 ( money well spent) Of course, this is just my opinion, but I won't even let my 6yo go around the corner without a car seat.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by din
[QUOTE/] [B/]
Most airliines offer discounted fares for the little ones.

I am not sure that applies to domestic flights?

horner5: we have always booked a seat for our kids since they were 1 years old. Much easier on the parents lap Something to take into consideration also is that you mentioned the flight time is 2 hours, does that include the time for taxi? Depending on the airport and time of the year you can wait up to one hour on the tamac so that flight has now become three hours... [/B][/QUOTE]

Yes, it applies to domestic flights, call your airline. Each one is different.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Horner5,

I have a very active 17 month old. I will pray for you!

Lori

 

[dvc guy]

Put the baby in her carseat. Your daughter is used to it and it will help her sleep when she gets tired. Make sure the seat has an approved FAA sticker on it , or the airline will not let you bring it on board.
I believe that FAA requires airlines to sell you infant seats, children under 2 for half price. I have flown with both kids now 7 & 11 from when they were 7 months old. It is stressfull but you will get thru it. Sounds like you are doing all the right things to keep her happy .
Now that mine are older, screaming babies don't bother me at all, I figure they are somebody else's problem LOL

 

[Disneyolic]

We flew with our then 17-month-old son last year and here what I suggest.

Make sure you utilize the early boarding and get a blanket. This was a lifesaver for us on the 1st leg of our flight because our son did happen to vomit and we had the blanket to protect his clothes, our clothes, and the seats.

We brought lots of little snacks and play things and I swore before we left that I would only take 1 item out on as needed basis. Well, more than half the items were out of the bag right after takeoff. Good luck here...

Make sure your daughter is swallowing something (we used a sippy cup & M&Ms) on takeoff and landing to help with her ears. Our pediatrician suggested giving Children's Tylenol 1 hour prior to flight. I don't know if that helped or not but I know there were no problems with our son's ears.

On our return flight we were lucky enough to have a portable DVD player and that was the absolute best. He sat very still in his seat almost the whole way. We are taking it, again, on our trip next week.

Good luck in your flights...

~DawnMaree

 

[cheriesam]

I must really be 'old school' here. In 1979 we took our four kids to Hawaii--a 6 hour flight--and our youngest, our daughter was only 15 months old. My mother-in-law went with us too and Sarah just went from lap to lap to floor. We 'mat' trained ours to expect when that mat was rolled out, they went on it and stayed for a period of time every day, wherever we went, but especially at home for the training. And when it was nap time and the expected mat was put down, they would take a nap on it. It worked for us and is still recommended--a certain behavior is expected when on it. Do realized that the seat belt law was not in effect for cars at that time. Think it is very important when in cars. Just my 2cents.