need ideas for infant on plane

[ella822]

Help!!! I fly in less than a week, and I am freaking out about my DS. He is 10 months old and does not sit still. He doesn't like being held or restrained for long periods. He is not a guaranteed sleeper either. I need suggestions for small things that might hold his attention. I went to the dollar store but they don't have much for babies. I just don't have the space to bring a lot of toys.

 

[Minniemouse07]

Two Words...

Car Seat!

I'm serious... best option for a squirmy kid on a plane. Dd was a dream on plane rides when she was younger...slept every trip. Ds.. ugh... totally didn't sleep but was okay in his seat. Dh or I had to amuse him constantly...but he didn't cry, etc.

In addition to the convenience factor, using car seats is safer on the plane than not using them as well. We never flew w/o a car seat, even when dd was under 2yo.

HTH

 

[Villian's Wife]

I don't know how you feel about kids and TV, but when we travel with my son we always take a portable DVD player. The simple ones run about $70-80I think. Or if you have a lap top most of those play DVDs too. We used Elmo, Dora and Baby Einstein DVDs. It worked like a charm. We even got compliments from other passengers on well behaved he was.

 

[txnana]

I have a psp because I love games, and you can put movies on it and purchase movies as well - my grandson has used it for two years now on planes and long trips - it is small and easy to put in my purse .

 

[frtchr]

A car seat is great IF your kid doesn't freak in a car seat. Mine does. She was in a CARES harness last trip and was fabulous. She loved ripping pages out of old magazines and playing with pipe cleaners.

 

[DevilDuckie]

A car seat is great IF your kid doesn't freak in a car seat. Mine does. She was in a CARES harness last trip and was fabulous. She loved ripping pages out of old magazines and playing with pipe cleaners.

Does she freak out in the car in a car seat or just on the plane?

 

[frtchr]

Does she freak out in the car in a car seat or just on the plane?

She freaks out in the car seat period. She doesn't like being in it, car or plane.

 

[kiddisney]

in the disney store we found a mm clubhouse magnetic set and this was good because my son would play but not drop them - and juice - or some other drink - i know that you can't take thru the inspection - but make sure that you pick up something in the shop after that so that you don't have to wait for beverage service - we found that anticipating the next step stopped the kids from getting anxious and wanting to move

 

[kellyf2626]

Ditto about the carseat...if you have purchased a seat on the plane for your little one, I would absolutely bring a carseat. Even if you haven't purchased a seat, if the plane is not completely full, they wil let you put it in a seat. Simply call the day of your flight and find out.

Other options....finger foods, new toys, paper that can be ripped, and unusual things your little one isn't used to playing with normally (straws, spoons, etc...).

 

[disneyJMD]

Thanks for the suggestions. My son will be 14 months when my family travels in Sept, and I have been going back and forth about purchasing him a seat or holding him. Our budget is tight, and I had been thinking that the carseat is a pain, seeing as we dont even need it once we are there. (not renting a car). I think since the consensus so far is changing my mind towards bringing it along. Kelly--we're from NH too!