Need tips on flying with a 14 month old toddler.?

I have flown with my son three times since he was 2 months and twice I got stranded, by myself in a place far from home and had to stay in a hotel.

-Make sure you have enough diapers and wipes in case you get stuck.

-There are rules with breast milk and formula, if your child is still consuming these things you need to be prepared. Bring extra powdered formula, and buy bottled water after you get into the airport. I always asked for the room Temperature water in the back, they were usually very accommodating.

-Have some kind of "new" toy for them stashed in the bag. I love the dollar store for this.

- Pacifier or juice for take off and landing is a must for the ears.

-Don't forget the "lovey" if your child has one, ie favorite blanket or bear.

-Someone said to skip nap time so your child will sleep. I do not recommend that. You don't always know when your child will crash and in a new and definitely stressful environment with a lot going on, your child may skip nap all together. A well rested kid is a happy kid.

-Let your kid burn off some energy on the lay over. My good friend actually bought one of those leashes for kids so her 2 1/2 year old could run off some energy and not worry. I plan on borrowing it for our next flight.

-Stay calm. Kids can sense your panic, stress and worry. The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed your kid.

I can't think of anything else now but I put a great website for my source. It helped me when I was getting ready the first time I flew. Good Luck! Have a great trip.

It sucks traveling with toddlers. Here are my suggestions.

1. Buy an umbrella stroller. I like the Maclarens. Take it with you on the plane that way you don't have to hold the child while walking to and from airplane.

2. Bring snacks and food in the diaper bag as well as a sippy cup.

3. Try in plan nap time during the flight.

4. My daughter can sit for hours and be cool while listening to my Ipod. I load it with songs for her. Sometimes we ride the bus and it can be a couple hours until where done.

5. Also bring some books or something he/she can play with. Make sure it is not annoying for the other passengers as you may be asked to turn it off. Maybe even toddler crayons and paper.

6. While on lay over I would let the child get all there bottle up energy out. Let them go loose and run around while your watching him or her.

I don't have to say what you already know, which is that this could be a difficult flight. You are very wise to try to plan this in advance. This could be the difference between a difficult time and a pleasant time!

My first piece of advice is to get him his own seat and a car seat (make sure it is approved for use on an airplane, not all are). Even though he is under two, a rambunctious tot with an attitude will only want to get down and explore the new environment. Of course, this is an environment you can not let him just "explore", so it will do well to have a place for him to call his own, for all involved. You may wish to request a bulkhead row, if possible. This will give you the opportunity to let him play on the floor area without being able to get away. Just put a blanket down and some toys, and he will have his own space.

You didn't mention what time of day the flight is, but trying to time it so he will sleep is a good one. It would be useful to allow him some to run around a bit before boarding, so try to arrive a little early. Don't worry if he is too hyper at this point; let him blow off his steam. See if the airport you are departing from has a children's play area, and let him run loose. Don't skip any naps, but maybe only allow a short one before the flight. Skipped nap = cranky toddler; short nap = sleepy toddler... :)

Here are a few other things to consider... First is hydration! The air in the cabin comes in from a source on the engine (called "bleed air"). Being from the ambient air outside, it is remarkably dry. It is around ten to twenty percent relative humidity, if that much at all. The problem here is breathing. We lose water normally from sweat, urination, etc; but in an airplane we also loose a lot from just breathing. The moisture comes when we exhale.

Any adult can easily become dehydrated if not taking in adequate water, but for a small child, this is an even greater concern. You will have to be vigilant to make sure he stays well hydrated. Avoid sugary drinks, of course; but water, sugar-free, etc. would be useful here.

You will likely have to purchase the water or juice inside the terminal as they do not allow sufficient quantity of liquid through security screening. Also, I do not trust the "tap" water on airplanes; drink only the bottled water...

A bottle or sippy cup, pacifier, teething ring, etc to suck on is also a must. During ascent and descent, the cabin pressure will change and as a result, he may get an ear block. These can be very painful, but are relieved by negative pressure in the mouth and throat. If it is really bad, you can try to yawn with him looking at you, the yawn reflex is strong and it often results in equalizing the pressure (ever yawn after watching someone else yawn? or did you just yawn because you've read this?). You can also try gently massaging his forehead, neck, and around his ears if it doesn't clear.

I've flown so many sick kids, I'm pretty good at recognizing the "ear block" before it really becomes an issue; and it during the early onset that it is easiest to treat. Look for him becoming fidgety, reaching for his ear, changes in breathing patterns, etc. Even slight, subtle clues would be enough to try the "yawn reflex", or give him a sippy cup, bottle, etc. The combination of yawning and sucking give enough negative pressure to the ear canals to prevent a true ear block from developing.

If it does develop, it can last for days, so be vigilant here.

Also, some people fret about pacifiers or bottles at this age. If he uses one, don't hesitate. In this case, it is a blessing!

Toys and distractions are also requirements. Nothing big or fancy, just something that might occupy him for twenty or thirty minutes at a time. You can recycle them throughout the flight.

Coloring books, toys that beep or vibrate, Be creative, but you don't have to go too crazy either. You can even go so far as setting a small budget for him and letting him pick something out at the airport shop; but remember not to give it to him until you're in the airplane.

I hope this helps! I'm a flight paramedic and have transported many children. I am also a frequent traveler, including many international destinations. I speak from both a professional medical provider and a frequent flyer. I've seen dozens upon dozens of parents travel with small children. Although he is a bit spoiled, and this makes it more difficult, with some preparation you can make this a good experience too.

Cheers!

PS: Please do not drug your child as some others might suggest. This is really poor, poor decision making. It sets a very bad precident and is dangerous to boot.

Bring plenty or snacks and drinks

Don’t skimp when packing water, juice and, especially breast milk or formula. Bring plenty of baby food if your child is eating solid food. You can never tell when you might have a lengthy delay and won’t be able to get drinks and food on the plane.

Pack a surprise toy bag

Kids love surprises and you can stop any tantrum by pulling out some new distractions. Look for light weight and easy to carry items, including some that might be thrown away along the way.

Have a great trip with your kid.

Make the process as fun as you can. We flew with my 13 month old in April, and would do it again.

Some tips:

1. Gate check your stroller. Call the airline and see if they count it as luggage (Southwest doesn't count it). If you gate check it, you can have it all the way up until you board the plane. You can also have it in the airport at your layover (this was a blessing to us!) and gate check again to final destination.

2. Buy some new fun toys (or put some away and get them out on the plane). This will keep them entertained for a while.

3. Buy their favorite snacks. My daughter loves goldfish, so we bought the individual packs of those, raisins, teddy grahams, etc. Eating seems to keep her happier. We also took her sippy cup, and airport security was fine with that and a bottle. If you are worried about carrying liquid through security, bring an empty sippy and buy the milk at one of the vendors inside security.

4. Let them get wiggles out in the airport. Take a thin blanket and lots of wipes for cleaning hands (airports are not the most sanitary of places). Get one of those backpack-harness things, and let them run/walk around the airport with you, so that you can wear them out.

5. If necessary, Benadryl. A one-year-old dose is 1/4 teaspoon or 1.25 mL. (Ask your doctor). It will make him drowsy. I didn't need to drug my kid, but I had it just in case she freaked out on the plane.

6. Put an extra shirt for you in the diaper bag. Check all your other luggage. This way you don't have to worry about finding places for everything while holding a squirming toddler. And, if your kid gets you messy, at least you have something else to wear.

7. I had all my stuff in the diaper bag organized into ziploc bags: one for diaper-changing, one with a change of clothes and pajamas, one with books, one with toys, one with feeding supplies and food. This way, whatever the need was, I could quickly and easily reach it and put it away without having my normal "dig for it" routine. You may want to go buy a bigger diaper bag for traveling. (But you will want one that fits under the seat so you can reach it when the seat belt sign is on.)

8. Just remember it's worth it. :)

1. keep the diaper bag under the seat infront of you.

2. take lots of snacks

3. pack as much as you can in you luggage so that you have less to worry about while getting off the plane

4. have a sippy or bottle for you child to drink during take off and landing

5.don't sweat the small stuff don't worry about what other people are thinking enjoy your trip

6. play little games and sing to your toddler

Good luck!

I like to practice before game time. I took my son to the movies a couple times before the day of the flight. We had to practice being quiet in a place with other people and how to stay in our seats.

I usually try to tire my little one out prior to the flight by skipping the afternoon nap and playing( running). Or I try to get the red eye flight. When they do wake on the flight run them through the aisle about ten times to let him or her exert a little energy. I also let him be free to move around while we are waiting in the airport.

Bring extra clothes, a jacket and dress in pants.

Bring healthy snacks ( crasins and cereal peices.) Skip the water from home cause you cant bring it through the check point.

Bring entertainment I have my IPOD converted in to a kid friendly version (try this link http://ifrogz.com/tadpole/index.php ) and other toys you know your kid likes.

My big thing is to practice everything prior to Game day ( the flight) Try to simulate this as much as possible to make sure your kid isnt caught off guard. Dont be discouraged by the on lookers, dont be afraid to say THANK YOU I DONT NEED HELP, aso dont be afraid to ask for help. Good luck.

If your baby takes a paci, make sure you take that, or a sippy cup, it'll help with the ear pressure, make sure they're sucking on it around take off and landing. Also, and I know this sounds horrible, but I've known a couple of moms to do this, give the child HALF the recommended dose of benadryl, that'll make her/him sleepy, which will make the trip easier on her (or him!). Make sure to bring paper and crayons/markers to color with, books to read, snacks and during the layover, walk around, stretch their legs, get them something good to eat if they weren't able to eat well on the plane. From what I've heard from my friends, it's really all up to chance on how well a baby will do on a flight. The flight attendants are usually pretty helpful. I hope this helps, good luck and best wishes!

For most Airlines, the diaper bag does not count as carry on, so pack your carry on and the diaper bag full. Make sure that you pack plenty of diapers, food, drinks and toys. Make it full. get a few "new" toys (don't have to be truly new, but new to the child) that they receive when you get on the plane. Dress them in layers (you never know whether the plane will be super cold or hot). Make sure to let them stretch their legs on the lay over, (and if the rest of plane seems ok with it on the plane too).

Earplugs for you as well as all other passengers aboard. Take a pacifier so the child can suck to elevate air pressure changes in the cabin. Make sure you have enough to entertain the child, don't expect the child to sleep, I have a friend who is a flight attendant and she says that very few children actually sleep while aboard.