Trying to keep a 15 month old occupied during the flight.

[Cosmo.Kramer]

Hi folks, I feel awful after basically being told that i'm a selfish parent for taking my 15 month old on a long haul flight.

I was looking for suggestions to keep our Mollie occupied during the flight. I know they're babies but it still stresses me out when people huff and puff as soon as the babies are on the plane.

 

[bellebud]

bring something that's unusual for her to play with... scotchtape (obviously w/ you surpervising) is a big hit w/ little ones. stickers. pipe cleaners (make sure the sharp ends aren't sticking out). something w/ buttons (but not loud noises). snacks/drinks. the markers that only write on the special paper. my dd loved 'playing' w/ my credit cards at that age (so maybe a few old gift cards or something like that - in case they get lost).

good luck and have fun!

 

[ShellyShellfish]

We took our son when he was 15 months old...how long is your flight?

There's a good chance she'll sleep for a lot of it...ours did on the way down. I think the noise and vibration helped with that. Now on the way home - that was another story. He revolted and was mad we were leaving Disney (Seriously!! Who would have thought?!?!) so he was moody and crying....

Anyways - chunky crayons and paper, window clings if you have a window seat are fun and you can do letters or animals or look for Disney ones to get her used to the characters. The inflight magazines/plane info she could "read". And snacks...lots of snacks. Most flights either charge or don't even have them on board anymore.

Have fun though!! Don't feel guilty about taking her flying - it's for a good cause.

 

[Cosmo.Kramer]

Our flight is about 9 hours.

 

[7Le's]

For us-we always bring lots of candy!! Even at 15 months-jr. mints are good and suckers,like the safety pops~ especially if they never had candy before-they will be stunned! And wipes, cause it might get sticky!Good Luck!!



DH Me DD9 DS6 DD4 DS3DS2

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[dhardawa]

Food! I flew across the country with Max when he was 10 months and again when he was 18 months. I packed a ton of new toys, but in the end, it was the snacks that kept him quiet.

 

[Cosmo.Kramer]

Thanks for the help, folks.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Three Words: Ben-A-Dryl

 

[dsnymomof4]

Wow- 9 hours! We've taken our DS when he was 4 months and 13 months and both times I timed it so that it would be time for his nap - it worked out perfectly. But unless you're flying overnight, I doubt she will sleep the whole time. But at least if you can get her to sleep for some of the flight, that would be helpful. Definitely food that she likes, maybe some new books - my DS loves the kind where you push the pictures and it makes sounds. I would take note of the things that really interest her at home and start to put them aside for your trip. And by the way, I don't think your a selfish parent for wanting you child to experience the magic of Disney! Have a wonderful trip!

 

[MonkersMama]

While we did not fly...we just drove home from WDW - 12 hours each day for 2 days!! My kids were AWESOME - I say that because I did not anticipate they would be, but they were SOOOO good in the car.

Portable DVD player with Baby Einsteins/Sesame Street (the regular Disney movie dvd's did not keep my small one's attention), stickers, things with buttons to push, things to manipulate open/close. "new" toys to her, like McDonald's toys. Board books.
Get up and walk on the plane, stretch her legs every couple hours.

Snacks like goldfishy crackers, pretzels.

 

[lyv4him]

I understand how you feel. My son is very friendly, but can get whiny sometimes when he doesn't get his way or if we or other people don't give him attention. My husband and I are self employed and sometimes we have to travel with him in the car...poor baby. There have been a couple of days in a row where he was in the car for several hours at a time. My suggestion would be to take plenty of new things for your baby to play with and discover. If you are concerned what people think don't take anything that makes noise....but if it lights up only without noise maybe that would be kind of cool. Food is usually something that keeps my little one quiet as well. I also read that warm milk before the flight might calm them down.

 

[drgsjh]

I employ the new toy method. Small new toys (but not too small for that age), books, etc. Pull them out one at a time so you can drag the time out. Color Wonder markers and paper are great. A DVD player is tough at that age on a plane b/c of the headphone issue. And it won't last 9 hours so that might cause a problem. Don't forget whatever favorite toy they have - the blankie or stuffed animal or whatever!

Snacks and milk are required for our kids! You never get enough on the plane. Remember you have to declare the milk in security and they have to open and check it. Lots of snacks - they never give you enough food and snacks are a diversion.

You'll be fine. My kids have endured many hours in cars and planes and are still alive to tell about it. And so am I.

 

[squirrel]

How about an Eye Spy Bottle.

You need rice, an empty dry water bottle, and many little items like (penny, paper clip, eraser, confetti, pom poms, googly eye, dice, buttons, beads, small toys, etc).

Put some rice in the bottle, add a few items, add more rice and keep alternating till the bottle is near the top (don't fill too full or the items won't shift for finding). Then take a hot glue gun and seal the lid on. You can also use crazy glue.

You can ask them to find something blue, or an object that is in the bottle. At 15 months, she will probably just have fun discovering the items.

 

[Cosmo.Kramer]

Wow- 9 hours!

Yup, maybe didn't notice but I stay in Scotland -

 

[Wendybird55]

Portable DVD player with a long-life battery - or get an extender battery for longer life. You never know what type of entertainment is on board or if there is anything your child will like. A DVD player with some of her favorite DVDs can help.

All the other suggestions are good as well. Little toys, food, anything that can occupy her.

I was concerned last year woth DS on a 3-hr flight (he wa salmost 2) as he is a VERY active child and can't sit still for very long. I pictured a plane full of angry passengers all staring at me! Anyway, once the plan took off, DS fell asleep. I guess the engines or whatever put him to sleep. Funny also - he work up more than half way thru the flight and was fine, but as soon as we started to land he fell asleep again.

Make sure to have food, sippy cups, whatever so your duaghter will have something to swallow and such during take off and landing so her ears won't clogg. That can be painful for children and the cuase of crying. If she uses a pacifier take that as the sucking will help duing take off and landing.

Also a favorite blanket and stuffed toy may help her get comfy for a nice nap.

Another suggestion - don't worry about her napping and such before the plane ride. Hopefully your flight is near naptime or bedtime so that she will naturally be tired and want to sleep.

Good luck and don't worry - all will be fine. I have friends who took twin boys less then 1 yr on an 18hr flight to Phillipines to visit her grandfather and they survived. And another friend with 2 young girls who went to China to visit her family. Children surviveolong plane rides and may surprise you as it's a new experience and that in and of itself keeps them occupied. It's us parents that have to do all the work!

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Blurrysmom]

Squirrill, we are taking my then-20 month old to Disney in January and he is a very rambunctious little guy, and I think your idea is genius!!!! I'll throw in a few rocks and acorns for good measure and he'll be beside himself. For ten minutes, anyway.