Any tips on flying with a 1 year old??

Benadryl. it sounds bad, but give him some benadryl before the flight, and he will sleep. or at least be relaxed. kids get anxiety too. or just bring a carry on with alot of crap. Snacks, juice, toys, games, make sure he has his own seat, and pick up a highchiar at walmart (its like 19 bucks) that sits right in the plane seat. he will feel big and with all the stuff you bring him he will surely be good.

(i brought my 1 year old to the movies(3 hours), and we brought a bottle of juice, teddy grahams, his fav. blankie and stuffed toy and his highchair, and he sat there and was soo awesome for the first time in 6 months)

Hopefully since it is an afternoon flight he will take a nap, but if that doesn't happend I would have a few new toys handy. Before we left on are flight I went a picked out a few new toys and books for are daughter. New stuff keeps them distracted for longer. Also bring plenty of snacks and drinks. It sounds bad but food does wonders with cranky toddlers.

I would not give your child benedrel or other medication to help them sleep. Some children do not react well to it at that young of an age. It is rare, but on a plane is not a place you want him to have a bad reaction.

Also wait until the last minute to get on the plane there is no reason why you should get on first for the curtesy boarding. Use that time to let him run around have burn off energy. Also once you are on the plane let him run up and down the asiles until they are ready for take off. The flight attendents had no problems letting us do this.

We flew direct one way and with one stop on the way back. I found having the lay over was actually better. It broke up the time when she had to be sitting down. During the layover we grabed a bite to eat and played. It was much more managible than 2.5 hours straight on the way there.

If all else fails, just try to calm him as best you can, aplogize to the people around you and relax, you tried your best. Besides it is not like you are ever going to see these people again. That is part of the risk of flying. I know people are going hate to hear that but that is the truth.

Ask for the "bulkhead" seat. It is the first one and usually has more leg room for the up and down. I'd bring a couple of bottles for his ears. (pressure problems). A bag of toys and crayons. Cheerios and snacks. Maybe some Dimeatap for putting him to sleep, lol. Seriouslyl, I would ask the doctor about a possible medication to help either him or you. I would definitely change the return flight as that is going to be awful, no matter how you handle it. That is too long of a delay. Both of you will be tired and cranky.

I did it a couple of times. Once with a1 & 2 yr old. Definitely try not to carry much except what he needs on the plane. Found a new painting book - Target - water in a brush and the colors appear and then when dry they disappear so it can be used over and over. A CD of toddler songs might help and you can look silly while singing with him. Who cares? I do it in the car all the time.

I flew alone w/ my son when he was 11 months old, and got some great tips from my 2nd cousin- a flight attendant of 30 yrs. Don't check the stroller with your luggage- they can check it at the gate, and have it ready for you when the plane lands. Your arms will be very tired after holding that kid for a whole flight, and will give you an extra set of hands when you go to claim your luggage. Has he ever had Benadryl before? Did it make him sleepy? Try giving him a small dose (check with your pharmacist for dosing--I think I gave my son 2 ml liquid baby Benadryl). It will make him easier to manage, and will keep him from getting airsick. Bring a goody bag of things like Teddy Grahams, raisins, freeze-dried fruit, and other finger-food snacks, and a couple of paper plates. Just feeding himself will take a lot of concentration, and will keep him busy for as much as an hour. Get a couple of interesting plush toys--the type that have mirrors, beads, and textures-- and don't let him play with it for the first time till you're in the air. The novelty of a new toy is always excellent distraction! Good luck, and if you don't have to drive, you might also take advantage of the beverage service to order a glass of wine to help YOU stay calm, too!

I would take along a lot of snacks, board books and a portable dvd player. Also, if flying without a companion, when boarding ask the flight attendant for a seat that doesn't have anyone next to you. That will allow you to let your toddler stand (when its safe) or just stretch out. Finally, take along some disposable disinfectant wipes as those seats and trays are filthy. You can wipe things down around you and feel safe your toddler isn't going to be catching everything and anything under the sun. Most of all: relax. If people around you are uptight then just remember that's your problem. My son and and I have flown a lot and there are always a lot more people willing to help and be understanding than there are people who act inconvenienced as soon as they see you have a youngster with you.

One more thing: try to get the toddler to drink when descending as it will help their ears pop.

Good luck.

3 hours won't be so bad with him.

Here is what I did with mine on a 5 hour flight:

Plenty of snacks

Cheap new toys (emphasis: CHEAP) wrap them like gifts and take them out one by one slowly during the flight. If you lose them on the plane, so what.

If you have a laptop, bring that on and bring a few DVDs. (You can download kids programs from iTunes for $2.00 each and have plenty of entertainment for less than the cost of one single movie)

Get your child his own seat if you can. This way you can strap him into his carseat and give yourself a break.

If you are keeping him on your lap, plan on a few walks up and down the aisle. Fellow passengers most likely don't have a problem with a passenger walking their kid up and down, most would not appreciate a screaming kid. So it's not such a difficult trade off.

Finally- relax! If you try all of this and he still makes noise- you will never see those people again anyway. At least it was obvious you tried.

We just flew last month with our 22 month old, and she hates sitting in one place like most toddlers are. I would suggest bringing an unbrella stroller and leaving the big bulky one at home, if you dont have to check it dont, it will help with keeping him busy on your lay over, he can push it and or ride in it. I also purchased one of those what i call a baby leash it sounds bad but it helped soooooo much in the air port then she could walk and i could still keep track of her. On the plane I brought a couple of books and let her stand up on my legs and she went back and forth from me, dad and her grandma for a while (walking). Also bringing a small toy and a sippy cup helps too. I also found that the magazine with all crazy stuff in it that you can buy kept her busy for a good hour.

You are lucky to have your flights to only be 2 hrs long. That makes everything that much easier for you. As far as snacks, I would suggest taking your childs favorite snacks. Make sure you have enough, never think that you'll have too much. You'll never know how much your child will want, during the flight. Keep in mind to look for things that's individually packed. For drinks, you can find juice juice boxes, which makes it very convenient for you in the flight. You should be able to find that at any grocery store. It makes it easier when you need to clean up too. I made sure I had a bunch of these, for a ten hour flight that I had recently. As for entertaiment, I would suggest a portable dvd player. This came in handy, when my husband and i had to fly our 10 hour flight. It kept our son from crying the entire trip and everyone around us, not to irritated. If you do that, try to pack several of your childs favorite movies. To have less worry or stress, I would not suggest an umbrella stroller. Especially if you'll have other help with you. You all can take turns carrying your child. Know that it's one less thing you'll have to carry around the airport and through the planes. I hope that this helps in your decision on what things you'll need. Just keep in my what things will keep your child happy, anything that he/she loves...will make everything easy on all of you.

Pacifier or something chewy to help with the cabin pressure change, this can annoy them. It got my daughter our of control. Will he be lap or seat child? My 18 month old was very active and I so regret having her as a lap child. Not sure if your son is as active, but she ran around the airplane half the time.

Crayons, paper, coloring books, and even ones with popups and thingys to read to him. Take some meds to calm him. I bought this natural calmforte, I think it was. I don't like drugging the kids so I only used it if necessary.

DVD PLAYER! This saved me more than anything else! You are allowed food and drinks, I never got checked. That will also keep them busy, but force you to maybe change diapers more often, and let's say the changing table is not even big enough for a 3 month old!

Good luck and happy flying!

Well generally I give the tip "don't ever have children" but since you already passed that up, don't fly with them. I'm sure you've experienced a plane ride that was terrorized by an unruly child, and a 1 year old who can't sit still? Oh god. Keep the child up all night so he'll sleep in the day?