Flying with 8 month old....

[woodlandsparty]

Anybody have any tips for keeping an 8 month old occupied on the plane??? I'm going to try to work it so that he is wanting to sleep during that time, but should that not work out, I want to bring along some entertainment. I've got the usual linking blocks, teething rings, books, etc....which will get me through about 15 minutes! Any other entertainment ideas???

 

[NotUrsula]

Make sure your teething toys are solid, not liquid-filled. Those that are liquid or gel-filled might be confiscated by TSA, unless you put them in your toiletries baggie.

I found flashcards with drawings of objects did well at that age; bring multiple decks because you will lose some. Pads of post-its are good too -- they like sticking them to everything.

 

[camdensmom]

We took our son when he was 8 m/o. Are you flying at the regular naptime? If so you are golden. If it is before nap that would work well too. I found the plane knocked him right out. My only concern would be if it was after the baby's nap and you kept him awake to make him tired. That can have the opposite effect and you might end up with an extra cranky baby.

We found that 'new objects' were the key. Also, to occupy him during meals things like sugar packets, straws, plastic cup lids, spoons, etc did wonders. He had no interest in the toys we brought, just the random stuff we found along the way.

8 Months is tough because he is aware and needs to be entertained, but can't really do so on his own too long. We had great flights and a great trip.

BTW, I love the picture in your signature!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

When I flew with my baby (although he's not a baby anymore), I made sure to feed him during take-off and descent to keep his ears open. Having a bottle on take-off helped put him to sleep and he was fine, although it was only a 90 minute flight.

 

[Honeymooner04]

I fly often with my daughter and I take our portable dvd and pop in a baby einstein video. I'm not one to let her watch a ton of tv so it's a special treat and it keeps her occupied for a good bit of the flight. I also recommend bringing out new toys to play with. It works for us!

Have a great trip!

 

[coastgirl]

Hmmm...just trying to remember. We took ds on 3 trips before his first b'day. I do remember a charming lady on a long flight home from Mexico saved us...he was sick and cranky, and she just played pee-a-boo over the seat backs. We nursed during take off and landing as much as possible. Umm, cheerios? Cheerios went a looooong way with both mine. A mirror? The keys from your purse? Yes, the "incidental" different stuff can be very useful, though of course you have to watch for choking hazards if he's mouthing stuff. Enthusiastic faces, though, are what stick out as helping. Look for a grandmother wannabe and sit next to her.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

When I flew with my baby (although he's not a baby anymore), I made sure to feed him during take-off and descent to keep his ears open. Having a bottle on take-off helped put him to sleep and he was fine, although it was only a 90 minute flight.

This is what we did with ours. It worked great.

Be prepared to have lots of other kids on your flight if you are going to Orlando. In fact, it's not uncommon for them not to allow preboarding for parents needing extra time because of small children.

The worst is when you flying out late on a delayed flight. We did that after sitting in the airport for several hours. It seemed like there was at least one kid melting down on every other row of the plane.

 

[woodlandsparty]

This is what we did with ours. It worked great.

Be prepared to have lots of other kids on your flight if you are going to Orlando. In fact, it's not uncommon for them not to allow preboarding for parents needing extra time because of small children.

The worst is when you flying out late on a delayed flight. We did that after sitting in the airport for several hours. It seemed like there was at least one kid melting down on every other row of the plane.

I'm hoping for some kid melt downs on the plane.....helps make my kiddos look like angels!

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

Ditto the post on the key being NEW objects. When we asked out pediatrician about flying with DS9mos (thinking we were going to get health-related repsonses), he said he and his wife go to the dollar store and buy a "bag full of junk" (his words) so that there could be something new at all times. He was absolutely right! Look for things that are brightly colored that baby can hold and that will be safe if baby puts in mouth.

One of the best things we got was at Target a small wand with a ball on the top with lights that spin when you push the button. He starts getting upset, and even now that we are home, I pull that out and turn it on and he is silently mezmerized!

Distraction is the key!

 

[Northeast Rose]

Ditto on the 'new' toys. What airline are you taking? We flew Jetblue last March and those tv screens in the seats worked wonders for us. Also wanted to add that we flew during nap time but DD is very inquisitive (and stubbon of course) and would have NO part of a nap what so ever - coming or going! So I would recommend being prepared to entertain even if you fly during nap time.