Give me your tricks/tips for flying with a toddler...

[Carmell226]

We will be flying for the first time with DD (1) in April to WDW (can't wait!!)..I get really nervous about flying and now with having to take a toddler I am even more nervous. What are some tips/tricks you have to keep her busy and hopefully keep me calm?
It will be 4 adults and DD so we will all beable to pass her around and the flight is only 2 hours.

 

[Neesy228]

Benadryl? Just kidding, sorry...

I remember when I first started flying with my first child and I was a nervous wreck. My best advice is to take snacks and sippy cups to give them juice or water (remember you can't take any liquids through security, so either buy it before you get on the plane or get some from the flight attendant)...Then I would take some new toys to catch his attention, and some of his favorite books.

My youngest is now 2 1/2, so it's hard for me to remember what they are doing/able to do at 1...otherwise, i could give you more specific ideas.

One HUGE hit with all of my kids, has been post-it note sticky "flags." They're the narrow little strips of paper, maybe 1 1/2 x 1/2 inches. I would take a package of them and my kids would stick them to everything - noses, shirts, windows, trays...and they're easy to take off and move around - then throw away.

Don't worry too much. You'll be fine! Have a great trip!

 

[mom2meiko]

i hate flying and typically suffer some pretty major anxiety getting ready for each flight. the only time that hasn't been a problem for me was the one time we flew w/ our dd. i was so busy worrying about her ears, keeping her calm/content/etc that i never had a chance to worry about myself or the flight. i hope you are so fortunate!!!

as for what to bring/do - i think it depends on the child but i would recommend any kind of comfort item she typically depends on, a bottle (if she is still using one) or a sippy cup (you can bring formula/breast milk/etc. through security but not other beverages), favorite healthy snacks, a pacifier, a dvd player and a favorite movie/show. also - it will be helpful to you all - not to mention safer for her - if she has her own seat and her carseat.

i have not yet tried them - but i heard there are earplugs called ear planes or something along those lines - that are supposed to help prevent ear pain for children. i don't know what age they are approved for though - 1 may be young.

good luck! i'm sure plenty of others will have recommendations.

 

[tink76]

I haven't flown with my DD yet but. . . I was expressing concern to family about it for our upcoming trip. My cousin said, "What? You are flying with her to Orlando, there are going to be a lot of families. There is no better flight for her first flight." She is right! Of course I will do everything in my power to keep her happy and occupied, but it is true. There will most likely be quite a few other kids on the flight and even those without kids probablly expect it since the are on their way to Orlando.

I know that's not what you were asking, but it made me feel a little better.

 

[brockash]

I just wanted to add that I have a DD (almost 2) and I've flown with her a total of 6 times (going through security) in the last year and a half, and I've always brought formula/milk and juice, and nothing has ever been said about not being able to bring juice. I tell them what I have, and I've never had a problem, so I think you'd be okay taking juice as well.

 

[Tigge50447]

When my son was 4 and it was his 1st flight I made this little box that had goodies in it. I put one of those small magnetic erase boards (walmart) some stickers and a notepad and crayons. I also made a little town with streets and pasted it on the top of the box and put little tiny cars in there (dollar store). I put a few pieces of candy in there and some other small stuff. Now that he is 8 I just bring my laptop or a portable DVD player and we watch one movie on the way there and back.

 

[PatsMom]

You mentioned that your DD is one and you plan to "pass her around" so I am assuming that she is flying as a lap baby. My suggestion is to buy her a ticket and bring her car seat on the plane. We used to try to time our flights so that they were at a time DD was used to napping. She would sometimes sleep in her car seat. She also knew that it was unacceptable to get out of that seat so she was pretty good on airplanes from the time she was an infant. She breastfed for the first six months but when we flew I would give her a bottle on take off and landing to help her clear her ears.

One was tough though - not yet old enough for a lot of games or now you could use a portable DVD player. I seem to recall having a toy bag that I brought with me - might not be possible now with the limits. But if you buy her a ticket, she is also entitled to one carry on bag and one personal item.

I think people on Orlando flights are generally expecting a lot of children and are pretty tolerant. I know that I am!

 

[Trinity524]

Books with stickers to peal off and place. My son is very into that. It takes at least 30 minutes time. Then I bring a portable dvd with baby einsteins. That's another 30 minutes. Then I give a snack and juice. Usually he will want to look out the window, then take a nap. Also, coloring books.

 

[puffkin]

We usually get a good half hour of him playing with the window shade. Fascinates him!

 

[LuvBaloo]

At 1, I think you'll be fine for the 2 hour flight. I've learned that a combination of old and new things works best. A favourite stuffed toy or little blanket for cuddling, their own sippy cup (no-spill style). I've not had problems taking drinks through security for little ones; one security person did make my DD take a drink so he could see it was fine. Then a new book, and little snacks was it. Mostly at 1 my kids have been amused playing silly games with mom and dad. The old classic "got your nose", "patty-cake", and singing little songs "if you're happy and you know it" were all great.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

Acutually Benadryl does work like a charm...haha, but I did not use it intentionally for the purpose of her falling asleep. My daughter has a peanut allergy and I was told to give her that right before boarding the plane in case a bag of peanuts was opened around us. She fell asleep for take off....woke up in the air. My daughter was 3 1/2 then.

But I did put crayons and coloring books, puzzles from the target $ shop and other items from there that would occupy her. I won her a minnie paper doll set on ebay. Colorforms are fun too. We also had some books to read, she did fine....I think she did better then me. I asked her this year does she want to fly in the airplane to see Mickey or drive in the car and she said the plane, she really liked it....I would rather drive, I have anxiety with planes.

They let me bring a bottle of juice for her and some goldfish to munch on.

This year I will bring her leapster., she loves that thing,...would that be a problem while in the air?

 

[Emmaline Lola]

I 2nd the dvd player.......being only 1 she won't be able to use headphones, and the noise on the plane can make it hard to hear the dvd player, but a baby einstein dvd would be fine to just let her watch and hopefully put her to sleep......now my dd is 4, and has had her own ipod since she was 2 1/2 for plane rides, long car trips, wind down tv show or music when on a trip......we also have a speaker for it, so it's like a mini tv w/ her favorite shows/songs and no commercials........I understand why some parents think it's excessive for a child so young, but I think it's worth every penny, small in size, and she knows how to take care of it, and puts it away, shuts it off, and it is always in the same spot.......good responsibility lesson.......

GL on your trip! you'll both be fine!

 

[3huskymom]

Leapsters are fine on airplanes. They are just under the same restrictions as other portable electronic devices. My DD3 has used her leapster on many flights.

 

[scootch]

Board as LATE as possible. The first time I went, I took a 5 and 2 1/2 year old from Pittsburgh to Orlando by myself I boarded with early boarding, "families with small children"... well you are on the plane an extra 20-30 min!! I had gone to the dollar store and bought a bunch of toys, we went thru them before takeoff!! By the time I got to Orlando I was exhausted and said, "what was I thinking I could take them alone?" So on the flight home.... I told them at the gate to let me know the latest I could board.... and it worked out MUCH, MUCH, better! If you have an ipod, you can alway download a movie on there too and don't let them see it before you go, will be something new and exciting.

 

[RoadTripFanatic]

You will be just fine. I started flying w/ DD at 5 1/2 months. At age 2 1/2 we flew 10 hrs to Hawaii. Here are my best tips.
1. Pack herfavorite snacks. Nothing saves the day like food.
2. If you use a pacifier take it and 10 spares. Make sure they are sucking on it during take off and decent. If they don't take one make sure they have a sippy cup/bottle to drink out of during take off and decent. Fill it up after you pass through security.
3. You don't need a DVD player for that short of a flight. DD never had one until she was 6 and we were going to be in the car for 12 hrs in one day. (This coming from a mom who has a TV addict for a child)
4. Bring a few books to read to your child.
5. SURPRISES!! There is nothing like having some surprises in the bag. DD still expects me to pack surprises. (Sticker books, color wonder markers, etc)
6. Pack their security blanket (Whatever is their comfort item)
7. Pack their meds in your carry-on. Take children's tylenol, children's benadryl (I have a fear of having an allergic reaction on a plane) and any cold meds your child might need just in case.
8. Pack two changes of clothes for her and one for you. (or make sure you carry a changing pad thing to sit on your lap just in case of an accident) Make sure those are packed in a big zip lock container. That way if there is an accident you have a bag to put wet clothes in.
9. Pack enough formula, diapers and wipes for 48 hrs. Trust me. If something happens and your flight is delayed or you get in late you will be thankful that you over packed.
10. Pack a blanket for your daughter for the flight. Planes are either hot or cold.
11. Relax you are going to be just fine!! I know it's stressful the first time you fly with your child. Allow extra time to get through security. That is going to be the toughest part. Be sure to buy a bag to put your child's carseat in to check for the flight. If you are lucky like me most of the flights we took put my daughter right to sleep!!

Also if your child does use a sippy cup make sure you put it in a ziplock bag!! They leak d/t the changes of pressure in the cabin. Also make sure your lids are on your bottles good because they will really leak.

 

[MarriedToAPrince]

Great tips! My DH and I plan to take DD who till be 2 in Sept down to Disney for her 2nd birthday. We plan to leave 2 days before her birthday. We are taking her car seat (Britax MA) and she will have her own seat. We plan to have myself board when our seats are up for boarding and I will take the carry on bags and car seat and get the seat installed and everything ready and then DH will board with DD at the very last moment with the stroller which we plan to gate check (Maclarent Quest).

Some things I plan to do is install the car seat rear facing like she is in the car so she is comfortable. (I have heard about some flight attentends fighting this but the seat is certified by the FAA to be used in a plane as it would be in a car and if she meets the rear facing requirements in a car then she does in a plane.) We also plan to get her a portable DVD player with her fav movie and a new movie, coloring books, her sippy cup (will buy apple juice after sercurity), snacks, her flash cards and books that she loves, as well as a few other things that she will get into by that age that she isn't now. Oh and her favorite stuffed animal and blanket so that she has her lovey with her.

 

[dsnymomx2]

i did'nt get to read through all the posts yet so I'm not sure if these were mentioned, but I just wanted to give my advice for keeping a toddler happy: Color wonder marker and books, travel magnadoodles and travel aquadoodle sheets For mess free fun and don't forget SNACKS especially something new and yummy.

 

[crashbb]

Just a warning to those planning on using DVD players, etc. without headphones. If someone sitting near you is bothered by the sound, the FA will ask you to turn the sound off (or use headphones). Actually, some FA will ask you to do this even if no one complains, though this is rare, in my experience.

 

[cheerful chickadee]

we're flying with my 19 month old DD in May and I'm nervous about it myself. I plan on boarding last to reduce the amount of time we have to sit and wait. I'm bringing my laptop so she can watch Enchanted or Disneyland Fun sing a long....when I put these on at home she zones out and watches the whole thing, they're her favorites. Also she uses headphone at home when using a music player, we'll use those so we don't bother anyone around us. and of course snakcs (new and her faves) and lots of other little things to occupy her, I'm sure at some point she'll be playing with my cell phone or keys (or both).

 

[two-foxes]

My best advice, although certainly not the least expensive option, is to buy a seat for your DD. Assuming she travels well in her carseat normally, that is where she will be the most comfortable (and SAFEST) and she knows what is expected for her there! We have flown with DS (20 months) on 6 trips and wouldn't do it any other way. With the exception of our last flight earlier this month, he sleeps in his car seat about 80% of the flight...this last flight it was about 25%...and ofcourse I was flying with him by myself! Other than that, what the other posters say....new, never seen before toys and books, snacks, sippies with their favorite beverages! Good luck and maybe see if your budget can accomodate a seat for her...ask about infant fares.