First airplane ride
 

I'm bringing my 3 year old daughter to Italy in May and it will be her first airplane ride. The flight is 7-8 hours. Do you have any recommendations on how to entertain her for this length of time? Should I take any precautions at the take off and landing? <BR><BR>Do have any information on Skyservice and is it worthwhile ordering a special meal for her?<BR><BR>Thanks so much...Ayla

It depends on at what time of day you're traveling, and whether she's good at falling asleep. Also whether she still takes a nap, which I gather she does at that age. If she falls asleep in a car, it's likely she also will on the plane. <BR>Entertainment: Do bring drawing paper and crayons. Bring a new toy that you know she will like. That will cover about an hour or so. Do order a "kids meal" in advance. The airlines usually gives out kid packs too, which are things to keep them occupied.<BR>Little kids tend to get cranky over take off and landing because their ears are smaller, and they tend to pop and hurt easier. So drinking from a sippy cup helps, as does bringing a plastic bag filled with cheerios or some other cereal that she likes. The flight attendants will also give you some great ideas how to alleviate the possible ear pain, but ask them BEFORE you take off!<BR>Finally, if you have one of those little portable DVD players with earplugs, she can sit in her seat and watch a movie that she enjoys -- you can even get on DVD kids t.v. programs.<BR>Shannon

Shannon has great advice! The only thing I have to add is what a friend does on long trips. She has a new, inexpensive toy wrapped like a present for every hour or so of the trip so that there is always something new to enjoy. She also, (dare I say it?), has children's Benadryl available giving her child 1 if she's (her daughter) particularly cranky to take the edge off so to speak.

Also let the flight staff know this is her first flight, and they should take great care of her.<BR><BR>Michael

Betsy, I just wanted to reassure you that I agree that a bit of Benadryl can be a blessing. Just make sure first that the kid isn't the one-in-twenty who gets jazzed up by it!<BR><BR>Kids at 3 have very little concept of elapsed time, but still it might help if you act things out (everybody has a Fisher-Price plane don't they) and tell her something like, the length of the flight is the amount of time from lunchtime to dinnertime, or whatever, so she doesn't go into "Are we there yet" mode.<BR><BR>Take lots of extra food and beverages, in cases of delays.

Ayla,when my daughter was two we hit a 12 hour delay after going through passport control.Thankfully I had kept her buggy and intended to hand it in on boarding.It was a godsend because the airport was very full and busy but at least she was able to go off to sleep without being disturbed.Not all airlines do this though.As a result of this experience I always afterwards tried not to check the buggy in but Iwas forced to sometimes.<BR>The same trip taught me to carry at least 12 hours extra nappies!<BR>I have also used the one new present an hour trick.It has the disadvatage that you are always last off the plane because you have to get down on your hands and knees to retieve 9 or 10 items off the floor.<BR>Some years ago when Virgin were the first to introduce individual seat back screens, we were on a flight to Orlando.3 hours into the flight just as food was over and the huge junior contingent on the plane began to get restless the screened a Disney film.An excellent piece of planning!