How do you entertain a 14mo on a plane ride???

[mickeyoverload]

We have an hour and 30 min flight to and from Orlando.... I have never ridden in a plane with a baby before. how do you keep your's from going nuts.... my DS is very noisy and loves people. He is also not walking yet either...but he is also pretty relaxed in public situations. I am just really worried about keeping him entertained.

How do all of you experts out there deal with traveling with a toddler?

 

[Smokeyspawn]

Liquid benedryl

 

[Ti88er]

Not sure about the keeping him entertained, but if he uses a pacifier let him suck on it during take off and landing; it should help with the ear popping (same logic as gum chewing)

Have fun on your trip!

 

[chitown_disneylovers]

Pack lots of snacks and a sippy cup that you can pour water into for him to suck on during take off and landing. I would also bring some books to read and a lot of patience!

 

[txtwins2000]

Wow! How lucky to have such a short flight! I've flown by myself with my DD's since they were 2 months old. To keep them entertained when they were small I would always pack their favorite stuffed toy, a coloring book, a couple of books to read to them, cheerios, sippy cups and a small blanket (in case they would fall to sleep or if they became cold). I don't care for airline ones! But make sure your child has something to suck on (bottle, lollipop, gum) when you're ascending and descending so their ears won't get plugged!!

But my best advice is to be relaxed! Kids see how you feel and they will react to it!! So just go and enjoy your trip!!

 

[meowmarie]

I am just really worried about keeping him entertained.

My first thought is, get all the stewardesses to wear clown wigs and noses when they come by, but that might not be very practical.

Seriously though, I always schedule flights or car travel during DD's nap time, it usually helps, even now when she's 4 lol. That child can sleep anywhere I swear! We have a big meal right before well which helps too. Make sure to bring some empty bottles in your carry-on (with dry formula if ya'll use that) and fill them with water on the other side of security. That can be a quick fix once in flight, but don't overfeed or it will make them gassy (ie: more fussy lol). Giving them the bottle to suck on during take offs and landings will help with the ear pressure too. If your child is easily soothed by music, you could bring an ipod with some kids music on it and put headphones on him. Last but not least, toys and books couldn't hurt anything lol. You know your child better than anyone, you'll probably have to break out your book of tricks that work to soothe him at home. Before you get on the plane, make sure he's full and has a fresh diaper, and tire him out as much as possible lol. If you can afford it, get him his own seat. If you can do that and bring his own car seat, it will help him feel comfortable (and your legs too hehe). Good luck you guys!

 

[tink too]

My guess is, the hour and a half will pass real quick. Our DD first made the flight to the US from Scotland - 9 hours - at 13 m.o.

She "explored" her area as best she could - the fold out tray fascinated her for quite a while! She fell asleep, woke for something to eat, played for a while with her teddy bear, walked the plane with her dad, then had another nap!

I will say that having your kids used to going on a plane early on in life seems to eliminate any fear of flying.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I think the flight "time" is important, even as an adult We now find that a later arrival flight, a stay at Hyatt MCO and an easy leisure morning arrival at ME worked great for us, and we're two adults and a teen. It was just more relaxed overall.
So, I agree with others, pack the "comfortable" things for your little one. Don't stress about it as they pick up on that.
We used to being a portable dvd player, put in a favorite movie and WahLa, we arrived soon there after. Your flight is actually shorter, so that'd be Perfect!!
I think you know your little ones tolerance the best, if a movie/show would work and relax ALL of you, I say go for it. We then just placed it in our luggage, locked (TSA) that and it was safe and sound till our return trip. We have also used it in the room when some "down time" was needed in response to the over stimulation of Disney.....

Have a WONDERFUL trip making memories with your family.

 

[crazyfordisney2000]

Gravol worked wonders with our DD at age 21 mos.

 

[TLinden16]

I'm going to move this over to our family board. I'm sure you'llo get lots of great info from them there.

 

[cassandrap83]

portable dvd player (if you have one)

other than that, sit by the wing. It's the noisiest area, so if your little one is cranky/loud you won't have to worry too much about him bothering others.

 

[mbakun]

We have taken our now 2.5 year old a plane multiple times now, especially to Orlando. Here's how we have succeeded (most of the time):

- if you can buy him/her their own seat, do so and bring the car seat on the plane with you. Our son didn't fight it, because it was just like be in the car. Hasn't asked once yet to get out of it. If you can't buy the seat, ask when you check in if you can have a seat for him if the plane isn't full. Usually they will "give" you the seat when the child is under 2 if the plane isn't full.

- definitely a portable dvd player. We aren't big on tv for long periods of time, but sometimes it is the best solution.

- our pediatrician gives us prescription ear drops that you put in right before take off. It numbs the ears so that the baby doesn't feel the pain of the "popping". Our son has never cried from the air pressure...it really works.

- definitely bring snacks on the plane like crackers, cookies, etc. You can always buy time with that.

Good luck! It isn't so bad! Michelle

 

[crisi]

Liquid helps with ear popping. So bring your sippy cup or bottle (and spilling) - even well past being a small child, bringing a cup with a cap for a kid while traveling can save you (and people around you) from getting covered in orange juice (my ten year old spilled a can of coke on me last trip - I should have brought a water bottle with a top and put everything in there instead of having a can and an easily tippable airline cup).

Snacks help as well, but keep in mind the amount of room you have and the shrapnel range of a small child with an entire bag of goldfish crackers....Cheerios and raisins have a smaller shrapnel range.

My kids weren't much into tv or coloring or anything small motor manipulative at 14 months - the DVD player was a lifesaver a year later - but that young it was more mommy interaction and large motor manipulation. Large motor stuff is hard on a plane - anything that drops is - unless you are a contortionist - likely to stay on the floor until the end of the trip. And small kids drop stuff a LOT. Also, anything thrown is likely to hit one of your fellow passengers - a sure way to make a lot of friends on a plane. And throwing seems to be toddler physics experiment #2 - right after "gravity - will this always fall when I drop it." So I read to them. For an hour and a half (our Orlando flights are about two hours), this is doable. Also remember that it will likely be half an hour before leaving that you'll board - and half an hour after landing before you are off the plane. And that you have an hour of airport time before boarding - half of that getting luggage checked, through security and to the gate (gate check your stroller - an umbrella stroller with a kid that age will be a relief) - but half of that sitting at the gate.

I'd also HIGHLY recommend their own seat. Not only is it safer (and this isn't the airplane crash thing - its the turbulence and the "ground accident"), but you'll be a lot more comfortable - I'm a pretty small woman and I don't have enough room for ME in an airplane seat - much less me and a small squirmy person (or even a sleeping toddler). It will also be more comfortable for anyone sitting near you - whether the seat next to you is occupied by your husband or a stranger. The chance of the person sitting next to you getting kicked by a toddler goes way down when the toddler is in their own seat, and then in a carseat.

 

[nexttripdisney]

I've flown many, many times with infants of all ages. I would recommend that your child be well rested to prevent crankiness.

1. Snacks
2. Small toys (think dollar store)

1-1/2 hour will fly by (pun intended!)

 

[ilovemonk]

My children are older now, but did a lot of the things already mentioned. Just be ready for the unexpected.

The only 2 things I would add is try to role play. I got back from a trip and several toddlers who had their own seats had a big crisis when the flight attendants/pilots were adamant about all passengers putting on their seat belts - yes, even the children.

Also, be ready to take your little one on a small walk up and down the aisle if necessary. Of course, time it just right and only when the no seat belt sign is illuminated. This might not work if your little one will resist getting back into their seat.

 

[dis-happy]

My children are older now, but did a lot of the things already mentioned. Just be ready for the unexpected.

The only 2 things I would add is try to role play. I got back from a trip and several toddlers who had their own seats had a big crisis when the flight attendants/pilots were adamant about all passengers putting on their seat belts - yes, even the children.

Also, be ready to take your little one on a small walk up and down the aisle if necessary. Of course, time it just right and only when the no seat belt sign is illuminated. This might not work if your little one will resist getting back into their seat.

YMMV, but I always thought it best not to let a toddler know his feet could even touch the floor of an airplane. Much easier to keep them in their seat then try to fight a tantrum later on when they want to run up and down the aisles and they can't.

OP, your hour and half should go by quickly. Definitely pack some snacks. Stickers are fun to pull on and off clothing. So are a couple of clothespins. I also have good luck with the portable Magna-Doodle. Add a couple of toddler friendly books. Good luck!!!

PS. I always pack some extra quart sized zip lock baggies in the diaper bag...good for messes and dirty diapers.

 

[la79al]

Granted DD is 15 months and defnitely a walker but for the past couple weeks, her magna doodle and one of the Crayola Color Wonder sets have kept her very occupied. She is also at a point where she will spend 1/2 hour putting a straw in and out of a cup and trying to get the last few drops of liquid out. We have some window clings packed for our December trip, not sure how successful they will be yet.