Having anxiety about taking my toddler on the plane!

[finchydee]

I have flown with this age 4 times and will again in a couple weeks... I know it can be stressful but usually it goes much better than you worry!

Everyone gave out all my advice so I just wanted to add... you will probably never see any of these people again, so if worst case, your child is fussy, take a deep breath, do everything you can and count the minutes, lol!

This is how I'm trying to look at it! I will definitely exhaust all my options and try to be courteous to everyone around me but we all know if a toddler REALLY wants to have a fit, well there's not much anyone can do to stop it! Lol thanks again for all the advice!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Headphones are absolutely necessary. I can assure you that if the sound is loud enough for your child to hear, people sitting nearby will hear it as well. I once sat in front of a baby watching a Baby Einstein video without headphones; thought I would go insane. Super annoying, until I finally had to complain to an FA after the parents refused to turn down the sound (yes, I asked very politely). Don't be an inconsiderate flyer.

OP - as long as you do your best to keep your child entertained and under control, most people are pretty tolerant.

 

[brymolmom]

BTW - When my kids were that age...I showed them the movie with the headphones already IN - so there was no sound coming out. That way - it was up to him - if he puts on the headphones - he gets sound, if he refuses or doesn't want to - he gets to watch without hearing. Problem solved.

 

[finchydee]

BTW - When my kids were that age...I showed them the movie with the headphones already IN - so there was no sound coming out. That way - it was up to him - if he puts on the headphones - he gets sound, if he refuses or doesn't want to - he gets to watch without hearing. Problem solved.

That's a really good idea! Now I'm just hoping she won't figure out how to pull the headphones OUT of the ipad lol shes sometimes a little TOO clever

 

[kt_mom]

We flew with DS last year at 16 months and he did good. I was really worried but he did fine Snacks and a few new toys and he was good to go.

He'll be 2 1/2 this year and we are taking the ipad and will put a few videos on it and pack lots of snacks and hope for the best. DS is terrible in restaurants but I'm hoping he'll be excited about being on a plane. We took a train ride earlier this year and he did great simply because he was so excited about being on the train. He talked about it for weeks.

I honestly wouldn't worry about headphones. I know DS wouldn't wear them at that age. If you keep the volume low I doubt anyone around will hear much, planes are so loud.

I'm amazed sometimes at how our society has become so intolerant of anything that even slightly bothers them. All this talk about being considerate of others bothers me to no end because it seems to be heavily directed to parents, especially on the dis.

I realize a crying child is annoying and I also realize that listening to cartoons blasting away can be quite annoying (I have to endure it everyday and I know it can make you want to pull your hair out!). But I cant' imagine being upset or even bothered by the soft sounds of someone appeasing their child with a cartoon or video game as long as its not at full blast or anything. I'd rather hear a little of the cartoon then a lot of the crying. As loud as it is on a plane I'd be surprised if people around you can hear much at all.

We don't live in a perfect world and as long as someone is trying their best I'm not going to get upset with parents. Kids, especially babies and toddlers, are difficult to predict or control and I try to cut parents lots of slack because I have times when I need it too. And until they ban children on planes I expect to see and hear them. I do not expect parents to jump through hoops to keep their kids and the sounds that go with kids absolutely silent. I think consideration goes both ways. If you can't stand the presence of children or the noises that go with them, then don't go to places where they are allowed. I dont necessarily want to listen to your conversation the whole flight either, but you have that right and no one is asking you not to talk on the flight.

I'm just so tired of people that make parents feel like they have to tie their kids up and gag them so that others are not bothered by their mere presence in public. Kids cry, kids fuss, kids act up its part of life, people need to get over it. I'm sure I will be torn to bits by expressing this view on the dis, but tolerance and consideration go BOTH ways. Okay, rant over, sorry to hijack your thread OP.

 

[fitgirl36]

We flew with DS last year at 16 months and he did good. I was really worried but he did fine Snacks and a few new toys and he was good to go.

He'll be 2 1/2 this year and we are taking the ipad and will put a few videos on it and pack lots of snacks and hope for the best. DS is terrible in restaurants but I'm hoping he'll be excited about being on a plane. We took a train ride earlier this year and he did great simply because he was so excited about being on the train. He talked about it for weeks.

I honestly wouldn't worry about headphones. I know DS wouldn't wear them at that age. If you keep the volume low I doubt anyone around will hear much, planes are so loud.

I'm amazed sometimes at how our society has become so intolerant of anything that even slightly bothers them. All this talk about being considerate of others bothers me to no end because it seems to be heavily directed to parents, especially on the dis.

I realize a crying child is annoying and I also realize that listening to cartoons blasting away can be quite annoying (I have to endure it everyday and I know it can make you want to pull your hair out!). But I cant' imagine being upset or even bothered by the soft sounds of someone appeasing their child with a cartoon or video game as long as its not at full blast or anything. I'd rather hear a little of the cartoon then a lot of the crying. As loud as it is on a plane I'd be surprised if people around you can hear much at all.

We don't live in a perfect world and as long as someone is trying their best I'm not going to get upset with parents. Kids, especially babies and toddlers, are difficult to predict or control and I try to cut parents lots of slack because I have times when I need it too. And until they ban children on planes I expect to see and hear them. I do not expect parents to jump through hoops to keep their kids and the sounds that go with kids absolutely silent. I think consideration goes both ways. If you can't stand the presence of children or the noises that go with them, then don't go to places where they are allowed. I dont necessarily want to listen to your conversation the whole flight either, but you have that right and no one is asking you not to talk on the flight.

I'm just so tired of people that make parents feel like they have to tie their kids up and gag them so that others are not bothered by their mere presence in public. Kids cry, kids fuss, kids act up its part of life, people need to get over it. I'm sure I will be torn to bits by expressing this view on the dis, but tolerance and consideration go BOTH ways. Okay, rant over, sorry to hijack your thread OP.

 

[shoney]

ktmom...I agree with you!!!

On our first trip to disney we decided to take a drive down to Boca to see my husband's grandparents. We flew home from an airport down there...I think Palm Beach.

It was an 8pm flight and my ds2 was a nightmare!!!! He was overtired and miserable. Nothing consoled him! The plane had no children on it and the flight attendent didn't seem very happy. She kept coming by trying to give him goldfish!!! I felt like yelling "Lady if he didn't want the 15 snacks or games I have in this bag...HE doesn't want your stupid goldfish!!!"

We actually paid more for the flight in order to take Jet Blue with the TV's. He only watched PBS shows at the time, so he had no interest in anything that was on that tv.

Needless to say it was a long flight back to NY. My solution, I ordered red wine! That made me feel better!

He wasn't a fussy kid, but on that particular night, you wouldn't have known it!

The funny part was my poor husband...He was sitting in the aisle seat and the seat next to him was empty. At the last minute, a passenger entered and sat next to him. The guy smelled like dog poop and kept tying to talk to my husband!!!

I'll take a crying baby over that anyday!!!

 

[finchydee]

We flew with DS last year at 16 months and he did good. I was really worried but he did fine Snacks and a few new toys and he was good to go.

He'll be 2 1/2 this year and we are taking the ipad and will put a few videos on it and pack lots of snacks and hope for the best. DS is terrible in restaurants but I'm hoping he'll be excited about being on a plane. We took a train ride earlier this year and he did great simply because he was so excited about being on the train. He talked about it for weeks.

I honestly wouldn't worry about headphones. I know DS wouldn't wear them at that age. If you keep the volume low I doubt anyone around will hear much, planes are so loud.

I'm amazed sometimes at how our society has become so intolerant of anything that even slightly bothers them. All this talk about being considerate of others bothers me to no end because it seems to be heavily directed to parents, especially on the dis.

I realize a crying child is annoying and I also realize that listening to cartoons blasting away can be quite annoying (I have to endure it everyday and I know it can make you want to pull your hair out!). But I cant' imagine being upset or even bothered by the soft sounds of someone appeasing their child with a cartoon or video game as long as its not at full blast or anything. I'd rather hear a little of the cartoon then a lot of the crying. As loud as it is on a plane I'd be surprised if people around you can hear much at all.

We don't live in a perfect world and as long as someone is trying their best I'm not going to get upset with parents. Kids, especially babies and toddlers, are difficult to predict or control and I try to cut parents lots of slack because I have times when I need it too. And until they ban children on planes I expect to see and hear them. I do not expect parents to jump through hoops to keep their kids and the sounds that go with kids absolutely silent. I think consideration goes both ways. If you can't stand the presence of children or the noises that go with them, then don't go to places where they are allowed. I dont necessarily want to listen to your conversation the whole flight either, but you have that right and no one is asking you not to talk on the flight.

I'm just so tired of people that make parents feel like they have to tie their kids up and gag them so that others are not bothered by their mere presence in public. Kids cry, kids fuss, kids act up its part of life, people need to get over it. I'm sure I will be torn to bits by expressing this view on the dis, but tolerance and consideration go BOTH ways. Okay, rant over, sorry to hijack your thread OP.

I 100% agree with you!!! Kids will be kids! I'm not saying to let them run a muck all over but sometimes it feels people are not understanding at all. We were all kids once LOL

 

[scholastica]

If you are going to get crayons you could get the triangle shaped ones so they will not roll off the tray.

This age most kids are so so busy, maybe try tv shows instead of a movie to better hold her attention.

Regarding the headphones, I would use them. Preflight they say to use headphones and I would expect kids and adults alike to use them. I'm planning to fly later this year with my 3.5 year old and planning to get her some headphones so I'm glad for the recommendations here too!

 

[kwdw]

HEADPHONES!!! YES!!! Go buy a pair of headphones and try them out before you go. It's worth the money to spend a few more dollars to get ones that are more comfortable.

Trust me - I have much, much higher tolerance for toddler babble/conversations with parents/quietly reading a book than I do listening to their games or movies. You can really irritate your fellow passengers that way. Train now - airplane rides mean headphones. Everyone does it and its the rules. No headphones means no video or game with volume on.

I also understand kids move around alot and I'm gonna get more bumps on my seat if there is a kid behind me. But really - don't let you child sit there and purposefully kick the seat in front of them. If it just keeps happening due to all the movement - at least consider taking their shoes off.

I'd skip the Benadryl, but do try to make sure they are moving while in the airport before loading.

But in general, you have the right idea - lots of choices for distractions, new things, snacks. I didn't notice the age - but you could also try "playing an airport ride" for a bit at home before going.

But most passengers get it - if you are on a flight to Orlando - there will be kids. Not every one of them is going to be a perfect angel. I, personally, only get irritated when the parents clearly haven't thought through how they are going to try to cope. You already sound like you have thought through it!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

HEADPHONES!!! YES!!! Go buy a pair of headphones and try them out before you go. It's worth the money to spend a few more dollars to get ones that are more comfortable.

Trust me - I have much, much higher tolerance for toddler babble/conversations with parents/quietly reading a book than I do listening to their games or movies. You can really irritate your fellow passengers that way. Train now - airplane rides mean headphones. Everyone does it and its the rules. No headphones means no video or game with volume on.

+1!

Some posters here are so sensitive! No one has criticized taking kids on planes, many of us have just pointed out how extremely inconsiderate it is to use a device which makes noise without headphones. If you think other PAX cannot hear it, you are wrong. If your child refuses, then the sound is turned off. How easy is that? Would you rather have a confrontation with another PAX or waste an FA's time having to tell you to turn the sound off?

If you're looking for kid's headphones, I recommend Kidz Gear, which you can find on Amazon, among other places.

 

[jensuelee]

In my experience, flight attendants are pretty quick to remind you that the sound on video games needs to be turned off, and I would imagine it would be the same with a DVD player.

If it's loud enough for the person using it to hear, you can bet the surrounding passengers can also hear it. Some people won't be bothered or complain but some may.

 

[SaraJayne]

Yes, headphones are a must.

Along with the other things PP have said, don't forget to bring "lovies" with to help comfort ~ a special blanket or stuffed animal can go a long way.

 

[kt_mom]

+1!

Some posters here are so sensitive! No one has criticized taking kids on planes, many of us have just pointed out how extremely inconsiderate it is to use a device which makes noise without headphones. If you think other PAX cannot hear it, you are wrong. If your child refuses, then the sound is turned off. How easy is that? Would you rather have a confrontation with another PAX or waste an FA's time having to tell you to turn the sound off?

If you're looking for kid's headphones, I recommend Kidz Gear, which you can find on Amazon, among other places.

I assume you are refering to my post. Which was not only about this thread. Its an overwhelming attitude on the dis regarding parents and children. Which surprises me given the content and purpose of these boards. But that's not the point.

In a perfect world, these inconsiderate parents would be able to perfectly control the behavior of their toddler and this toddler would either use the headphones or not get to watch and would then sit quietly for the rest of the flight. In my world things rarely ever work that way with toddlers.

We're not talking about a 5 year old blaring Mario bros on a nintendo ds on its highest level here. We're talking about a small child listening to a movie or show on a quiet setting. You're on a loud plane, its not like you're in a meditation garden. I do not see this as inconsiderate.

Like I said, its not just this thread. Its an overall vibe on this dis. about who should be considerate of others and who shouldn't.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

In a perfect world, these inconsiderate parents would be able to perfectly control the behavior of their toddler and this toddler would either use the headphones or not get to watch and would then sit quietly for the rest of the flight. In my world things rarely ever work that way with toddlers.

We're not talking about a 5 year old blaring Mario bros on a nintendo ds on its highest level here. We're talking about a small child listening to a movie or show on a quiet setting. You're on a loud plane, its not like you're in a meditation garden. I do not see this as inconsiderate.

No one expects children to behave all the time. Sometimes a child is going to lose it and there is nothing anyone can do to stop the meltdown. What I do expect is that the adult in charge of a child does his or her best to supervise and correct undesirable behavior. That's all anyone can ask.

Lots of people traveling are trying to get work done, sleep, or even listen to their own entertainment systems. They don't want to listen to someone else's movie, music or video game. If you don't understand how letting your child use devices which make noise without using headphones is inconsiderate and bothers other people, then I don't know what to say.

 

[Disneyteers]

As a mother of four I have learned that early flights are best. We usually fly 6am. We get them up around 2 am they are usually still tired. By the time we board the plane they are fast asleep. We also bring hand held leapsters to keep them entertain Good luck!

We leave in 16 days for WDW! I am so excited but it's also hit me that soon I'm going to have to take my 16 month old DD on a plane! She is very energetic and not one to sit for long. Im following all the tips I've read and packing a bag with snacks and plenty of small new toys for her. I guess I just want some reassurance that I'm going to survive this LOL my doctor said to give her some Benadryl but I really don't want her to start off our vacation drowsy and out of it. Any other tips anyone could give would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[tjmw2727]

FWIW most airlines require the use of headphones for electronic equpment - so IMHO if you are prepared and prepare your child you can avoid a potential problem. My kids knew that on the airplane the movie had no sound unless they wore headphones - their choice.

Walmart and Target have some childrens headphones with characters or without in smaller sizes for comfort.

From american airlines website - most other airlines have the same/similar rules -

"Equipment/Personal Devices:

You may use audio and video devices only with a headset. Use of still and video cameras, film or digital, is permitted only for recording personal events. Photography or video recording of airline personnel, equipment, or procedures is strictly prohibited.*

Note: Hearing aids, cochlear implants, heart pacemakers, or approved medical devices such as ventilators and respirators are accepted during all phases of flight.

*The electronic device policy may vary on American Eagle and AmericanConnection. Please see a flight attendant for specifics."

Many of us have kids and have been there done that so the advice is not sugar coated. I don't mind kids on flights at all - I love to hear the babble, the mom telling stories and playing peek a boo! Dora the explora, not so much anymore Everyone knows when parents are trying and when they are tuned out - when they are anxious about little Bobby kicking the seat and when they don't care or think its funny....

It isn't easy travling these days but to be prepared definatley helps as the OP is trying to be. Bring a big bag of tricks, snacks and small quiet toys - remember that you are the best toy of all - finger games, peek a boo etc.
Once my dd at 15 mos played with a roll of scotch tape for an entire 4 hour flight so you just never know. Stickers and a removable book were a big hit at that age as were pipe cleaners.

I assume you are refering to my post. Which was not only about this thread. Its an overwhelming attitude on the dis regarding parents and children. Which surprises me given the content and purpose of these boards. But that's not the point.

In a perfect world, these inconsiderate parents would be able to perfectly control the behavior of their toddler and this toddler would either use the headphones or not get to watch and would then sit quietly for the rest of the flight. In my world things rarely ever work that way with toddlers.

We're not talking about a 5 year old blaring Mario bros on a nintendo ds on its highest level here. We're talking about a small child listening to a movie or show on a quiet setting. You're on a loud plane, its not like you're in a meditation garden. I do not see this as inconsiderate.

Like I said, its not just this thread. Its an overall vibe on this dis. about who should be considerate of others and who shouldn't.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Our flight to Orlando for our WDW trip last year was our kids first time on an airplane. We were so worried about how our youngest DS (who was 2 years old at the time) would behave on the plane. We packed all kinds of little snacks, sticker books, and new dollar store type toys to keep him and our 4 year old occupied. The funny thing is that we did all that worrying for nothing as he fell asleep ten minutes into the flight and slept until the flight ended a little over two hours later; and this happened on both flights Like other posters mentioned, I wouldn't worry too much about this as flights to Orlando are going to have a good number of families with toddlers and small children on them, so you will definitely be in good company. Have a magical trip

 

[MScott1851]

There are plenty of games for iPads that require no sound...I downloaded some coloring apps, packed snacks @ new cheap toys. DD never even cared about any of them other than the new blanket I brought along, we played a lot of peekaboo!

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

Headphones, snacks IPAD.

We always book our flight early in the am so DD will take a nap.