huntington

We are about to book our first real vacation with our toddler (she'll be almost 2) and I have a few questions for parents that have traveled by plane with their toddlers...

1) Did you purchase a separate seat if your child was under 2, and if so, did you bring a carseat on the plane?

2) How did your child behave? Did he/she sleep?

3) Did you have a connecting flight? How did that work out with your child?

Unfortunately, leaving from Detroit, it's pretty impossible to find a direct flight anywhere in the Caribbean. There are direct flights to Cancun, but it's not really somewhere we've been wanting to go (we're leaning towards T&C because of the toddler friendly beaches & condo-like accommodations). I've received some great advise regarding entertaining my child while on the plane, but I'd love to hear more detailed expriences from parents.

thanks!
- huntington

huntington

I should correct myself on something...there are very few direct flights to the Caribbean from Detroit -- and none to the destination that we're leaning towards (T&C).

thanks!

melodyt13

Hi there

We've been traveling with our kids since they were 2 months each. Not gonna lie, it's tough but not tough enough to stop us from traveling.

I never purchased tickets for them until I had to, at age 2. Held them in my lap.

As far as Caribbean, as infants/toddlers, we took them to Puerto Rico, ST. Barths and Grand Cayman. All easy kid places. The beach in San Juan was especially soft and easy for them.

I actually think the connection is a bit easier, as it lets them stretch their legs, run around the airport and get tired again in order to tak a nap on the next leg of the journey.

My kids usually were OK the first hour, freaked out the next hour, then conked out after that.
I usually brought play-doh, some coloring books, etc..

Tough it out, it's worth it once you're there. And it only get easier. Mine are now 3 and 5 and are very good travelers. Corraling them in the airport is another story...

kellybeaches

Hi Huntington,
We went to Virgin Gorda when our daughter was 10 months, and went to St. John this past September-she had just turned 2. Here are my “travel tips with baby/toddler” if it helps at all

Pack lightly –HA! Yeah, right-there is no packing lightly with baby. I usually bring the following:
-tons of new, preferably quiet toys for the plane ride-be sure to have new toys for the way back too. I found drawing things work best-like the colorwonder markers. Also portable DVD’s if your toddler is into that. We brought ours but ended up not having to use it. Note-play doh is NOT allowed on planes. Ours was confiscated.
-feed your toddler on the way up and down on the flights-it’ll help their ears pop. We found that a lollipop worked wonders. Kept her happy AND helped her ears pop!
-diapers/swimmies/wipes-bring enough for your whole trip. On the way home, you can use this room in your bags for souvenirs, etc.
-bug spray –this is always the hardest thing when taking baby along-they must just be sweeter, because our daughter always gets eaten alive. We’ve tried literally every type of bug spray imaginable, from non-deet, family spray to deep woods off. I would recommend bringing long sleeves and pants for he/she to sleep in (and tuck in their shirt) so the bugs don’t get them too badly while sleeping. Just up the AC in your room. Also, keep the closets closed in your room-the noseeums like dark places-they usually hang out in the closets or under the beds. Don’t forget to pat their head with bug spray too.
-Video monitor-this was a godsend for us, but we always rent villas so it’s nice to keep an eye on our daughter sleeping while we’re in the family room.
-medicine, first aid kit, thermometer –better safe than sorry
-SPF 50 body suit, wide brimmed hat, sunglasses, and 50+ sunblock

General travel notes:
-Get a seat for baby on the plane-it’s worth every penny. It’ll allow them to crawl around if needed, sleep laying down, and you can change baby in that seat too if needed.
-rent a pack’n’play from your hotel. I always rent them from wherever we stay, and just bring our own pack’n’play sheets.
-rent a car with car seat. You’ll need it if you want to travel anywhere, and they’ll provide you with a car seat if you set it up ahead of time.
-see if the taxi that takes you to your hotel can bring a car seat too.
-bring a stroller for the airport. You can bring it right up to the door of the airplane, and then they’ll give it to you as soon as you get off the plane.

Good luck!

huntington

Thanks for the encouraging posts! I think I'm just nervous about a new adventure! I know it will be worth it the minute I see my little girl's face when she starts playing on the beach

So some parents buy a seat, others wait... I saw on the Delta website that if you purchase a seat that the child needs to be in an airline approved restraint. And that if you're traveling internationally, you need to purchase a ticket (lap or not). Is that the norm? I'm leaning towards buying that extra ticket so we have the space. Plus, my girl is a wiggle worm, so I don't see her sitting in my lap for that long...

Maggi

I had friends who traveled internationally a lot and they had this, which I think is a brilliant idea:
http://www.dmart2000.com/sasitnst5co...hannelid=NEXTA

caribtraveler

The first time we flew with our son, he was 13 months or so. We went to St. John. We did not buy a seat and did the lap thing. It was not comfortable (big boy). Thank goodness, he ended up sleeping on the flight (going and coming back).

After that trip, we always bought a seat and brought the carseat. We were all so much more comfortable. He also never slept again on a flight.

I also think that if a child is in a carseat, there's a very good chance that he/she will sit nicely for the entire flight.. while if on someone's lap, he/she will try to get off to walk around. I don't think that's safe on a plane (turbulence, flight attendants with carts, etc..). Plus, most flights seem to be so full these days. And I'm not sure that all fellow travelers appreciate kids roaming around.

We have done connecting flights. Some were good. Some were painful (he's active). We've sometimes stopped overnight in Miami to avoid the long layover (that has worked for us).

What also has worked for us is the portable DVD player, his leapster with various games, sticker books, etc...

T&C has great beaches for kids.

Good luck. She may surprise you (in a good way).

huntington

Maggi -
Thanks for the link -- that looks really cool. I've actually seen something similar to that, it hooks to your convertible carseat and has wheels and a handle (same idea, just an attachment). Glad to know that it's a worthwhile purchase.

Caribtraveler -
I definitely see my daughter not sleeping in her carseat -- she never sleeps in the car, why on a plane?! Thanks for your input on previous experience. Regarding connecting flights, the layovers don't look too painfully long (a little over an hour on the way there and just under 4 on the way home). I think we'll need that extra time on the way back to go through customs, eat dinner, play a little, etc. We were looking into St. John, it looks gorgeous, but I really want to be right on the beach Maybe next trip!

huntington

TravelFamily4 -
Great tips, thank you! Especially bringing extra clothes and essentials in my diaper bag. Thankfully, we don't have to worry about formula or baby food anymore (sigh!), but good to know if we ever travel with a future baby ;-)

Everyone's giving such great advice and encouragement...my worries are starting to turn into excitement about this adventure Thanks!!!

JenniferW

We have flown to Jamaica and Bahamas with our 2 1/2 year old. We did get her own seat and she did sit in her carseat (if you have ever flown through a wind shear you will never fly w/o the carseat).

It went well primarily because we brought the portable dvd player. Also brought stickers, new toys, and loads of snacks.

We brought a $19 umbrella stroller to put her in at the airport and just checked it at the gate. This cheap stroller has been rolled onto the beach and is still going strong.

caribtraveler

Have you considered Grand Cayman? Very family friendly.. and it might be easier to get to from Detroit?

huntington

Thanks JenniferW! We have our porable DVD player ready to go

So I'm about to buy our tickets and I'm definitely booking a seat for my daughter. I was going to book a flight that has a shorter layover (hour & ten minutes), but I'm a little hesitant. How much time is recommended when you have your little one(s) with you?

huntington

Nevermind...thinking about it more, I'm not comfortable with that short of a layover!

CaribbeanSoul

Our trip to Jamaica last May found us with a 38 minute "layover" on our return to Seattle via Houston. Of course, one needs to claim your bags and go through Customs at your first arrival in the States. We actually made it! We (including our 4 children ages 11,3,1,1) needed the help from one of those airport golf carts, however, to make our connection! We are trying again in June and won't be buying seats for the twins who will turn 2 in late July.

huntington

CaribbeanSoul -
How on earth did you do that??!! Wow! I ended up booking the flight with the longer layover, just to feel a little more comfortable. And it's not too bad -- a little over 2 1/2 hours. I'm always so nervous about connecting flights after what happened on our honeymoon (going to Fiji, missed our connecting flight at LAX because we were sitting on the runway for 3 hours in Detroit, next flight to Fiji was 2 days later...got diverted to Japan so we wouldn't miss 2 full nights in Fiji, so we only lost 1 night...good times!).

january89

Not sure if anyone has mentioned it, but I would make sure your little one has something to "suck" on during take off and landings. If she uses a pacifier, or have her drink from a straw or eat something where she will be swallowing alot to ease the pressure on her ears. Our kids started traveling young and are still great travelers.

Everyone has mentioned bring lots to do and extra clothes and entertainment.

We always bought them a seat and brought their own car seats. Yes, it's a pain to lug from gate to gate, but don't count on a car rental company in another country to have what you are used to. She'll be happier with her own stuff if possible.

I know some will disagree, but we did not try to withold regular nap and sleep times to try and get them to sleep on the plane. It will just make them cranky and more difficult to deal with. As hard as it is, keep her schedule as much as you can.

Have a super trip.

seasweetie

I have travelled with my daughter since she was 9 months old - at 11, she's a seasoned pro. Sometimes my DH was along, but mostly it was just K and I.

You've gotten lots of good advice. We always bought a seat for her, and when checking in, see if you can get seats in a row with one empty - that really lets you spread out.

I never took a carseat - too many instances of watching people bring carseats on that didn't fit, and then having to gate check them. At least they had it for their destination, but I never had a problem renting one.

My daughter learned 'THE RULES' of flying very early on. There were four of them:
1. No fussing, screaming, or whining.
2. Stay in your seat with your seat belt fastened.
3. No kicking the seat in front of you.
4. No asking 'Are we there yet?'

By the time she was two, I was having her say them back to me. Even now, when we board, I ask her the rules and (after the initial tween whine of 'Oh, Mommmm!', she recites them.) I think I've been more trouble on flights than she has. She has (almost) never broken any of the rules. And her memorizing them was a good game when she was tiny.

We've always had connecting flights. When she was little, I always gate-checked one of those $12 umbrella strollers. It's great for moving fast if you need to. And if, and the end of your trip, you don't need it, you can leave it behind. The only time I didn't bring it, K was about 3, and of course, that was the time our ILM leg was delayed, our ATL leg was cancelled and we were routed through 3 different airports getting home after 16 hours of travel at 1:00 am. K was perfect the whole time - I was a wreck.

Do do do give your child something to suck on during take off and landing - a bottle, or gum if s/he's old enough. As you know, air pressure is different on different planes and for little people.

Do bring lots of distractions and dole them out gradually - you can find yourself with everything out of the bag before the plane leaves the gate if you're not careful (or you don't hide things well.)

The best piece of advice anyone gave me about flying with small children was that if you've done everything and they're crying uncontrollably and you're doing your very best but to no avail, to just remember that you will never see any of the people on the plane again.

CaribbeanSoul

huntington,
it was an incredible feat....and it took a lot of luck. Disembark, claim luggage, go through Customs then Security! They were just beginning to board when we arrived at our gate so i am not sure if they held up the plane or not. If they did...kudos to Continental. It sounds as if your honeymoon started off very circuitously! I understand your apprehension!

huntington

Thanks for the great advice January89 and seasweetie! I almost fell out of my seat when I read seasweeties' last words of wisdom

TomCayman

I've got three kids and fly long haul (roughly 24 hours door to door on multiple flights) at least once a year.... and am still in one piece....in fact just got back from one such trip which included my highly active 4 year old.

From Detroit to the Caribbean is no more than about 5 hours, so really it ain't that bad, so first thing is not to worry

If you haven't flown with young ones before, I'd summarise key points (all of them likely already made!) :
- Have something for them to suck on or drink (so they swallow and equalise) particularly on the descent to landing.
- Even kids who don't sleep in the car will likely sleep for part of the flight, no idea of the science, but that has certainly been my experience.
- Bring plenty of things for them to do (read, watch portable DVDs etc) and plenty of food and snacks.
- All well and good to give advice to have your toddler behave immaculately, but I'm afraid not all toddlers are that obedient.

Basically with under 5s as long as you make every effort, if they still go ballistic for a bit, no reasonable person can criticise the parents.

As a parent, if your child starts acting up, you always feel the negativity of other people around you, but again, as long as you are doing your best to calm them and keep them happy, then don't worry about those people.

The good news is that once kids get used to the routine of flying and get to about 6 or 7 years old, they can normally be relied upon to be very well behaved and low maintenance indeed.