flying with a 1 1/2 y.o.
 

I know this can become a heated battleground but I'm looking for helpful suggestions. We are flying San Diego to Hawaii and our 1 1/2 y.o. will be with us. I know to bring lots of snacks/drink and find some new toys but are there any other specific suggestions people have to make this trip easier on him (and therefore us/everyone around us)?

My wife has had pretty good success with brestfeeding, if you are doing that.

Obviously, get the him his own seat. Bring the carseat (he'll figure out how to get out of the airplane seatbelt). Don't get on the plane during pre-boarding, you'll just end up lengthening the whole ordeal. Send your husband on with your stuff then wait until the last possible minute to board letting your child run around until then. And don't forget to give him Benadryl (just make sure ahead of time that it makes him sleepy and not wired!) Good luck!

If you can work it out for him to be ready for a nap during the flight could be helpful. but little ones don't always schedule so easily. I would be prepared to be very attentive. No reading magazines. AT 1 and 1/2 you should be ok, if he/she does ok in other public places....I agree with getting late. Being in the plane will just create more anxiety for both of you. Where are you sitting? I suggest either near the front or rear, near the flight attendant stations so you can get quick access to them. Aisle seat so you can get up and cruise if needed. <BR><BR>YOu and your husband may have trouble eating so eat before the flight.<BR><BR>Hopefully you'll have other moms or grandmas around and will feel like you have support.

I flew from LAX to Hawaii when my son was 18 months old and he did better than I thought he would. The snacks and toys helped. I brought lots of snacks that could be doled out a little at a time to stretch them out, like raisins, and cheerios. Also make sure he drinks from a bottle or his sippy cup during take-off and landing. <BR>If you can, order a child's meal for the flight. The big toy hit for us was the travel magnadoodle. The "pen" is attatched so I didn't have to worry about it falling under the seats. <BR>I'm sure it will be fine. There were tons of kids on our flight, so I'm sure you'll have lots of other families around you as well. Have a great time.

Just make sure you aren't the problem. I flew LAX-HNL with a 2 y.o. behind me & the mother/aunt??? spent the entire flight making sure the kid was entertainment, the kid never made a noise! &lt;g&gt;<BR>Enjoy your trip. Linda

Someon suggested Benadryl. An antihistimine is a good idea to make sure that eustacian tubes are open and ready to clear. I would also suggest having tylenol readily available in case your child becomes uncomfortable.

Stacie,<BR><BR>Please bring tranquilizers for all of the people sitting around you.<BR><BR>Ohboy

What flight number are you on so I can be sure I'm not LOL. Just kidding, sounds like pretty good suggestions, especially on boarding last so they can run around the waiting area.

Check with your pediatrician about any meds, but some kids fall asleep on things like Dimetapp - you have to know your own kid. My MD even recommended Children's Nyquil (read the label - there is enough stuff in there to sedate a moose!). But beware, some kids have a paradoxical reaction and get wired on the stuff.<BR><BR>Having flown with my kids many times when they were younger, my honest advice is to try age-appropriate bribes and treats. My son spent an hour on a flight unpacking and repacking my purse - something he was forbidden to touch at home. No, it did not destroy all my previous attempts at parenting. If your kids craves Froot Loops instead of Cheerios, this is the time to go for it!<BR><BR>As long as you are willing to entertain him for the trip, he will probably do fine. You may be exhausted after the flight, and forget about eating any meal they give you, but the kids I have seen in my travels who are annoying to those around them are the ones with parents ignoring them.<BR><BR>Sippy cups or lollipops work almost as well as anything else for ear pressure.

I have found packing a special backpack w/ lots of crafts/new coloring books, etc. is most helpful. Make sure this is a surprise for the child. Pipe cleaners are always fun too. We just got back from Florida w/ 4 children...be prepared for delays at the airport.

I have flown many times with my now 2 1/2 yr old. First, use your stroller in the airport & check it at the gate. (if you didn't already know) I agree board last, but you needn't wait until the plane is empty to deboard. I leave when it is our rows turn. My last trip I brought a tapeplayer & headphones, my son listened to a tape for a full hour! Other things to bring: books, those small chunky square ones with animal pictures are great; magna doodle; hot wheels (a few in case they are dopped) they are also good in the airport while waiting; stickers & more stickers (with paper), one flight we went through 15 sheets of stickers! crayons, if he is into them yet or those markers that only write on special paper; also small toys with buttons & lights or music, people around you would rather listen to this than crying, so don't worry about it, also those books with buttons are good. (I do try to save these for last :)<BR>I agree you may have trouble eating, we just take turns, the stewardesses have always been accomodating in bringing the other meal later. Also, I have found it better to schedule the flight in the morning, after a good night sleep. He may be awake the entire flight, but will probably be in a good mood. At that age, it is difficult to sleep on the plane, there are so many distractions, including you right next to him. I have 'ignored' my son's crying for 30 min until he fell asleep before, not a pleasant experience! <BR>One other thing, I change his diaper when they start boarding, put on lots of Desitin, and change him again as soon as we get off the plane, 4 1/2 hrs later. (unless I have to change him)<BR>I'm sure everything will be fine, have a wonderful vacation! I live in San Diego too! Rancho Penasquitos!

We just came back from Hawaii on monday, travelled with 1 y.o., it went far better than I thought it would. Nursing alot helped, if your not nursing make sure you have lots of bottles or whatever soothes your baby. I cant believe people would medicate their baby for no reason, pack tylenol just incase. Your baby will need alot of attention from you talk, sing, play, do what ever makes him happy. Good-luck and enjoy you trip, Aloha.

Isn't tylenol a medication?

The general principle of having an endless stash of toys that he has never seen before is a good one. But an 18-month-old can't really hold and manipulate things really well yet, so some of these suggestions really won't work (crayons, etc.). The biggest problem is that 18-month-olds are in a period of developing motor skills and get fidgety if they don't have physical activity when they're awake.<BR><BR>If it's a smooth flight, you can substitute small "isometrics" for the physical exercise of crawling/toddling to reduce the fidgets -- by this I mean, having very small and gentle in-your-seat tug of wars with small toys, pushing on the bottoms of his feet to make him push back, or some hand- or head-shaking games, etc. OF COURSE (before everyone jumps down my throat) make very sure this doesn't bump the seat of the person in front of you.<BR><BR>Also: can you schedule the flight so that it is pretty much during a regular nap or sleep time?

Stacie<BR>I have to use Afrin before landing and if I do not, my ears give me extreme pain. Often I hear children crying upon landing and feel that their ears are also giving them pain. I agree with the posts that have recommended an antihistimine. You might want to check with your childs doctor. Have a great time!

Everyone, Thanks for all the suggestions--please keep them coming. We have traveled San Diego to FL but he was only 9 mos. old last time. For anyone who's been to Maui/Kauai, do you think an umbrella stroller is enough at 18 mos? Right now it doesn't seem too comfy (to me) but I know much can change in 2-3mos. We have a regular stroller (one the infant seat had fit into) but it's a bit bulkier than we would like. We'll also have the backpack with us. Thank you again for everyone's help!

Depends on how big your kid is - mine fit in umbrella strollers at that age, but both were scrawny little things. <BR><BR>I think he is too old for infant seat. Another option in checking a regular size stroller - it can be used as high chair for feeding, etc. while at destination. But then you have to carry him thru the airport - again, depends on how big he is.<BR><BR>My son still was comfortable in backpack at that age - I sometimes even put him in it while I cooked dinner! <BR><BR>Yur main problem may be keeping track of him or keeping up with him as he races around everywhere at that age. This can be a fun trip, but I doubt it will be relaxing for you. Hope he still naps!

I let my kids run around the airport up until the last boarding call just so they can burn up energy. Have one parent board when they call for anyone traveling with small children so they can stash your bags ahead of time. I would also wrap little toys (McDonalds Happy Meal toys are always good) in wrapping paper to keep them busy. Try suckers if your child isn't into thumbs or pacifiers for the take off and landing ear pain. I am also in favor of using Benedryl especially if their usual naptime falls during the flight!

Figure out what your child's absolute, favorite thing to eat that's chewy before the flight, and have it one hand, but don't let them have it until you start to descend. For my son it was Skittles, for my daughter, she loved to chew on ice. Eighteen months is too young to master gum, so if you can find another chewy food that they will love to eat, it will help their ears.<BR><BR>Having some little toys wrapped up like presents will help you keep the little one distracted too. Good luck!