Please help, first time flying with an active 18 month old

[lucyanna girl]

I am trying to get together a list for for son and DIL for traveling by plane for the first time with my (will be) 18 month old grandson. He is an extremely active baby. They will be flying from New Orleans to Orlando on Southwest.

I know they need his birth certificate. Anything else?

He is traveling as a lap baby. He does not do a car-seat well, cries the entire time unless he is sleeping. They will check his seat to use in the rental car. Should they use a stroller in the airport? Can you take it on the plane in an overhead bin? My son has had several back surgeries and carrying much for long distances is almost impossible for him. DIL will have to do the bulk of it.

What about security? Can you take a stroller through?

Snacks? I know nothing liquid. Can you buy milk, juice after you go through security and take it on board the plane?

Any help will be appreciated.

Penny

 

[wlwilliams9]

SW only requires a BC to verify toddler age.

They can take a stroller in the airport and through security. They'll just have to gate check it. The airline people at the gate will put a tag on it and put it in storage for the flight. When DS, DIL and DGS get off the flight the stroller will be in the hall waiting for them.

As for drinks, you can buy milk/juice after security and take it on the plane.

Hope this helps and that your family has a great trip!

 

[PADISFAM]

DGS will have a boarding pass (even though he's ticket is 'free')- all passengers require a boarding pass. the TSA web site was helpful in know the rules for traveling w/ little one---there is a specific section. as PP states- gate check the stroller (it should be tagged prior to security--but ours wasn't---it was 'ok' though), after getting off the plane wait in the 'hallway' for the stroller. we picked up a couple of new (small) toys for our 2 y/o, had a book & an ipod (with music he likes) on it to listen to. we showed our 2y/o the cockpit & the crew was great- he loved looking at all the lights & buttons. does DGS use a 'binky'? they may need to find something to help 'pop' his ears. We fly with our 11 y/o when he was just 12 months & nursing, so I just arranged his feeding around take off & landing.
hope this helps.

 

[lucyanna girl]

Thanks. My youngest DD and I fly a couple of times a year so we know the ropes for adults. DS and his wife have only flown a couple of times each and never since the baby came along.

We live in the northern part of the state while they are in the southern part. We will already be in Florida and they will rent a car and come to the house we are renting.

Penny

 

[dani blaski]

Hi:

I have traveled several times with our son, who is now 20.5 months. We have traveled Southwest and Delta. We also traveled with Jake as a lap child.
We used an umbrella stroller to get around the airport, and checked it at the gate--so taking him out right before we boarded. When you gate check, you pick up teh troller as you exit the plane. I have never had any problems on teh four trips we have went on.

You will need the birth certificate. They may have to reprint your boarding pass if "IN" or "INF" is not indictated on it.

We bring two full cups of juice/milk. When beverage service was started on the plane, we got an apple juice for him. We also packed lots of dry snacks--cheerios, pop tarts, goldfish crackers, sandwich, gummibears. Jake found gummy snacks most helpful when taking off and descending with his ears; or get them to drink. Probably easier to get a 18 mo old to eat gummies!

Depending on weight, you may be able to use pullup diapers. Much easier to change a pull up than a traditional diaper in an airplane lavatory, IMHO.

We check the car seat with our luggage. We purchased a car seat carrier at Babies R US--looks like a golfbag carrier. We have never had any problems.

I packed everything we needed in a backpack. Also helpful: portable DVD player--kept Jake very quiet & occupied. Don't forget a favorite blanket to use if you can get them to sleep on the flight.

Hope this helps!

I am trying to get together a list for for son and DIL for traveling by plane for the first time with my (will be) 18 month old grandson. He is an extremely active baby. They will be flying from New Orleans to Orlando on Southwest.

I know they need his birth certificate. Anything else?

He is traveling as a lap baby. He does not do a car-seat well, cries the entire time unless he is sleeping. They will check his seat to use in the rental car. Should they use a stroller in the airport? Can you take it on the plane in an overhead bin? My son has had several back surgeries and carrying much for long distances is almost impossible for him. DIL will have to do the bulk of it.

What about security? Can you take a stroller through?

Snacks? I know nothing liquid. Can you buy milk, juice after you go through security and take it on board the plane?

Any help will be appreciated.

Penny

 

[lucyanna girl]

Thanks. I am glad to hear they can use the stroller as my sweet DIL ends up carrying the load due to my son's back trouble. He has had several surgeries and is facing more.

Thanks again,

Penny

 

[Camno's Mama]

How to keep an active 18 month old quiet? Drugs...lots of them...for his parents!

Seriously, lots of snacks. I seriously had 10 different bags of snacks and just worked through what he wanted. We read books, maybe a portable DVD player with an Elmo DVD? Fly during his nap time...that always helps. My kids really like those coloring books that are dry erase boards, too. They like to wipe it off and start over.

Good luck...it's not a long flight. By the time he takes off, it'll almost be time to land again.

Oh, and definitely gate check the stroller...best thing the airlines every invented!