Air-Travel With a 13 Month Old- 1St Time

Funny, I just got home YESTERDAY from Chicago with my 13 month old son. I have flown with him several times already. And I did it with just me and the 6-yo daughter. I don't do Benadryl. It's probably ok, but I'd rather just deal with him awake, if need be. My guy still loves his bottle, so I gave him that on final descent to help his ears. Other than that, just anything you'd normally entertain him with--books, toys, bouncing him, etc.

Just use a smaller dose of Benadryl - I've used it on both my kids (one as early as 4 months old) for flying. But definitely do a test run first - I found out the hard way that it has the opposite affect on my daughter!

I was given the same advice and felt the same. My pediatricians response was not only would it keep him calm but it would help with his ears "popping". This is very uncomfortable for adults and much worse for little ears, especially if he has had an ear infection recently. Just watch the dosage and the he should be fine. It sounds like you've got everything else covered... so Good luck and have a great trip.

Benedryl will either make a child sleepy or wired. Half of the kids in my family get tired from taking it, the other half bounce off the walls. I would suggest that you try it a time or two before you give it to him on the plane.
When we traveled with our kids, we always made sure that were drinking at take-off so there ears wouldn't hurt and I would put a 1"+ Wide by several feet long size ribbon through their toys so they wouldn't go rolling down the isles if they dropped them.

I use to give my kids pediacare. If the doctor is recommending Benadryl, I would definitely do it. It helps dry up they're nasal passages so the air pressure doesn't bother them as much plus it makes them sleepy. As for keeping your son occupied, just big a bunch of books and toys to keep him entertained. If you have a portable DVD, and he likes shows like Baby Einstein or other age appropriate shows that helps too. Good Luck.

I have a hard time with drugging children to make flying with them easier. I'd be looking for another doctor. Bring plenty of milk or formula (you can get bottles of milk through security) bring plenty of diapers but don't forget to get most of the creams & lotions out of the diaper bag. they let me through with the tube of rash ointment (medicine?) bring books and 1 new toy. there is so much for the child to experience, give yourself plenty of time and buy some food to bring on the plane.

I've traveled with my kids since they were 2 months old. I have never used any type of medicine. Actually, I have just made sure that they had a bottle/sippy cup ready to go when we were taking off and landing. If they drink that while doing those two things, their ears won't hurt as bad. This last time I went, my youngest was 18 months, and she was fine the entire way without drinking anything, so your little one may be just fine as well. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Good luck, have a safe flight, and have a wonderful time. :)

Haveing traveled 5 round trips in the first yera of my sons life. I never had to use Benedral. I recommend that if he can be placed rear faceing you do as this way it is easier to interact with him. Also My son almost always slept most of the trip. If your son is enterained (toys, books, parents) there is no real need to have your child sleep. My son has done great. You will mostly have to place the carseat next to the window. Allow extra time of get throught the airport and remember to change diapers immmediatly before adn after the plane flight, I have been thought lots of cloths because I forgot or was in a hurry. A bottle or NUK is a must for take off and desent. Flight staff are generally very helpful with getting milk, hot water for your child, just ask. Clorox wipes help tons since my son touched the window and the seat and everythign he could. Have a great trip. Traveling with young children is not that hard.

If your doctor did suggest Benedryl, then call his office and find out about dosage, assmuming you'd like to try it. Of course, if your son has a hard time going to sleep at home, then it may save you some stress on the plane. It's bad enough to have to worry about your son's discomfort, without worrying about everyone else on the plane. (Believe me, all the parents will be sympathetic.)

I've traveled with my step-son and son on a plane and in the car. Sounds like you are good on the toys and snacks. The flight attendants are great about giving you more juice or water. Just plan to be in the aisles, if your son is active. My sister-in-law got seats near the bulkhead so that there was extra room for her son to play on the floor, when they went to Korea. (She didn't have to use Benedryl either.) Make sure on take off and landing that you have a bottle or pacifier handy for your son to suck on, so that his ears adjust easier to the pressure. If your son has a favorite blanket or cuddle toy, bring it! It'll help him adjust to a new environment (not only the plane ride but hotel or wherever you are staying.)

If your son has a favorite movie or TV show...portable DVD player, and because he's so young, if you only have 1 DVD, he's not going to mind watching it over and over again.

Don't forget your stroller. With all the stuff you're carrying around, it's nice to let the stroller do the work for you. You can check it in at the gate/ramp, just don't forget to pick it up at the ramp (like I did the first time I traveled on a plane with my youngest son).

Good luck.

I have been flying with my daughter since she was 2 months (usually from AZ to CA and back) When she was 5 months old we flew to the East Coast. I recently flew to CA when she was 12 1/2 months...whole different ball game. The biggest piece of advice I can is to give a bottle, sippy cup, pacifier to suck on for take-off and landing. It helps to equalize the pressure in their ears. If a baby is screaming on the plane...that usually is the reason. Whenever it is appropriate...let your kid run the aisles...they need to move. The passengers on the plane can be your biggest helper...lots of times, waery travelers have been my (and my daughter's) best friend by playing rousing games of peek-a-boo over the seats. GOD BLESS THOSE WEARY TRAVELERS!!! I have been so close to hugging them!!! Good luck and have fun!!!

WoW! You got alot of advice. It is up to you re: Benadryl. I was so nervous the first few times so I did not use it but the last time I flew alone with my 2 young boys I did use it. And it was great, they slept & were calm. You do have your husband to help & buying a new toy or two is a good idea. At his age, he will most likely be happy exploring the plane (if you let him out of his seat). good luck. just gather all the information you can then decide on your own if you want to give him the medication. have a great trip!

I have a 17 month old son, and we have already flown maybe 5 or 6 times! And every time I am just as much of a worry wort as the first. I am so nervous to fly with him. But it all depends on your child. My son will not go to sleep anywhere but his crib! He just is so stilumated and gets more and more cranky. It all depends on your child. Its already a plus you have a carseat for him. If he goes to sleep in his car seat, you have nothing to worry about. The noise of the plane will put him to sleep. Just bring plenty of NEW snacks and lots to drink. Make sure he eats and drinks going up and down. Keep him entertained and he should be just fine! I have used the benadryl twice and he got woken up, and then was even more over tired. He scrame for 45 more minutes until I could calm him down. The other time I used it, it worked fine.

My experience with both of my young daughters has been that they will sleep anyway. No real need to drug them up. They may not sleep the whole time but the noise of the plane's engines and such often puts them to sleep. I recommend if he uses a binky to both have it attached by one of those pacifier leash things so you don't have to chase after it if it falls and to have him sucking on it for take off and landing for the sake of his ears. I also recommend a new toy just for the flying... No need for it to be something major, something from the dollar store usually does the trick at that age, and being from there you could get a couple things and have something else for on the way back too. Oh and taking an umbrella stroller for running through the airport is often a good idea, since you usually have plenty to carry as it is. Good luck have a wonderful trip, and God bless!

When we traveled with my son I tried to make sure the flights were during his nap times. Also, use a pacifier or bottle during takeoff. This will help his ears to pop. Make sure you take extra diapers and food just in case the flight is delayed for any reason.

Hi S. -

I think Benedryl is recommended WAY too often as an "easy fix". My son's first pediatrician recommended it as a sleep aid for every night! We moved on to another pediatrician immediately. I'd say take it along just in case your son gets into a crying fit and you can't get him to stop (of course probably won't happen). My advice would be to shorten the nap he takes before the flight or wake him up extra early that morning so he'll be extra tired. I did this when my son was little, and he would fall asleep as soon as the plane started moving! Also, very important - don't forget something chewy (fruit gel snacks work well for little ones) for when the plane descends and possible pain may result from ears popping. I forgot one time, and my son was in a lot of pain. Good luck and have a great trip!

P.S. I found this to be a BIG help in getting my son around the airport. It was designed by a flight attendant - it looks like a lawn chair and attaches to your luggage so that you can just roll your child along without having to bring a stroller! Here is the website: http://www.rideoncarryon.com/

I have had to travel with my son multiple times and never used the Benedryl. Frankly it makes me a little nervous to drug my kid for a flight. Of course, the longest flight we have done was about 3 hours. Here are things we found that helped:
-We picked our flight times for his bedtime. We flew with him in his pj's and gave him a snack and laid him between my husband and myself on the seats. (he had his own seat) He is off a bottle but we had one in case his ears started hurting filled with a little milk. He would fall asleep during take off and slept the whole way.
-When we flew during the day we would bring him a new toy, but don't show it to him until after you are on the plane. You are more likely to get more play out of it that way.

Between the two of us we were able to keep him entertained with the airplane snacks and people around us who enjoyed him peeking over the seats. I think you will find it a lot easier to keep your son entertained then you anticipate.

I am actually flying home with my son by myself tomorrow and he will be sitting on my lap. I let him look out the window which is an awesome distraction and play with a book or toy. This last time the stewardess filled up his sippy cup with apple juice so I didn't have to buy it at the airport after I got through security. I hope that helps!

Hi! I flew to Florida with my daughter when she was barely 18 months old and I was very nervous as well,...it turned out ot be just fine! I asked my doctor about Bendryl as well and he said it is not always a good idea because some children have adverse reactions and get more hyper instead! That is probably why your doctor told you to give it a test run. But I would really only use that as a last resort. You seem to have it pretty well mapped out with making sure that your child has plenty of snacks and toys and things to keep him busy but if your son is drinking from an bottle or has a pacifier try to give it to him during take off so that his ears don't pop too much from the air pressure. Sucking helps with some kids if the air pressure causes them pain in their ears. I know it did in my daughter. Also, if you have a connecting flight (with a decent layover in between)I view that as a good thing with a small child because it can give them a chance to burn off some steam and stretch so to help them relax a little more on the next flight. When you check in ask if the seat in front of you is filled because if it is not and the flightis not too booked they can block the seat off in front of you so that way if your child gets a little rowdy and happens to be pulling or pushing on the chair in front of them it won't disturb anyone. I know my daughter would not sit in her seat the whole time we flew and I am so glad that the seat was blocked off in front because then I did not have too worry about someone else getting upset over what toddlers normally do. Also, let your toddler go up and down the aisle (when safe and possible) that helps. You will probably run in to people who are not as understanding when flying with a child but don't worry, you will never see those people again! As long as you are polite with others and make sure you do the best that you can to keep your son happy it usually makes for a better flight for everyone! Good luck I hope I was able to help!
B. (Mom of 3 year old daughter, 11 year old son and one more on the way! )

I would say NO WAY to drugging my child. How sad that a doctor would suggest that. I think you have all the bases covered with the toys, snacks, etc. Don't forget books. I have a 16 month old and a 3 year old and we have flown numerous times with one or both and all you can do is keep them occupied with interesting things. My kids always like the plastic cup that the drinks come in. Funny! All the toys and they like the cup. I would also suggest interesting and new snacks that he has only had once before and liked. Always test it out before so you don't have allergy issues on the plane. We eat really healthy normally, so this is when I pull out the "taboo" or "sugary" snacks. Sorting them and putting them in and out of a cup is fun for a one year old too. Also, your purse is always full of fun things for a toddler to play with. A compact mirror, cell phone, let him hold a pen and help him write on a magazine. I have found that just walking up the isle is fun and a good way to stretch your legs. He will have fun looking at all the other people and they will enjoy it and talk to him too. It can be a fun experience for your son. Let him enjoy it. And don't forget that there are two of you and one of him. You'll both do fine. :)
Hope this helps. We have made it through over a dozen fights in the past few years and survived. We are getting ready to take another flight next Wednesday with both kiddos.

Happy flying :)

K.

Hello from SAHM w/ 2/4 &6yr olds-

Don't worru it is not bad especially if you have someone traveling with you to help out.

Definitely try the Benedryl before the trip as it makes some kids SUPER hyper (not good on a plane) and puts others in a drowsy stage which is great for log car and air trips.

Bring his blankey or snuggley or whatever he needs for comfort. Bring lollipops or candy or a binky so he can suck on take-off or landing to "pop" his ears - nursing works even better if you're still nursing.

They have apple juice in cans but give it to you in a cocktail cup so bring a sippy or bottle or you'll end up w/ a mess. Cups w/ tops are a good idea for you and your husband too cause its amazing how they manage to hit, kick or knock your tray tables and dump over drinks and food trays.

Ask at the gate check-in to pre-board so you can get in and get settled before everyone else starts jostling around. Bring a portable DVD if you have one w/ 1 or 2 favorite movies or any favorite toys/crayons etc to keep him occupied.

Flights under 4 hours don't have movies. But now most planes have retrofitted the headphone jacks for a single input like an iPod headphone instead of the old 2 prong ones.

Bring snacks and wipes and have fun. I've never had any problems w/ the kids and we travel alot!

Try the Benedryl in advance. My best friend is an ER nurse w/ 3 kids and she assured me years ago it was safe for my 1st at only 8 months for air travel. I can only use it on 2 though cause it makes my youngest hyper.

Good luck!
K.

I am the type that is not so quick to drug my kids. I would instead make sure I have lots of toys as your little boy's attention span is short.

Start putting aside his favorite toys now so they will be brand new on the flight. Then, while you are at your destination, put them away again for the return flight.

In the meantime, give him large toys that would be too big for the plane or noisy toys. Have some of those for your destination as well.

I don't know where you go online to find out this information, but my sister-in-law has learned some wonderful techniques of massaging her little guy's head, arms, feet, etc. when he cries. It really helps as she shushes him quietly. There are also different positions she puts him in to bounce him slightly where she is just rocking his head. You can try these now to see what works and use them if he cries on the plane.

Feeding during take-off and landing should help with his ears.

Happy travels!

I have a toddler who has air traveled a few times. The first time we flew to Cancaun when he was about 7 months. I ended up giving him some of the childrens tylenol cough medicine because I knew from past experience that it would make him sleep. I too was very aprehensive about the trip, but it went very well. He slept most of the flight.
Now that he is a little older I bring a portable dvd to play his favorite videos if he gets borred. He really like Little Einstiens and we can pretend to "blast off".
I would trust your doctor in testing out the benedryl but make sure you are ready incase he has an allergic reaction or something. Most drug companies just want to protect themselves so they dont get sued. HAVE A GREAT TRIP!

Hi S.,

I have traveled with my son before and he had no problems. The only thing that I was really concerned about were his ears, but since he had a pacifer at the time, the flight didn't bother him. I didn't give him any Benedryl. You have everything that you need, snacks, toys and maybe a book or two if he likes to be read too. My son did an excellent job while flying and fell asleep on the way to our destination.

Warning: There will be people on the plane not happy with having a baby on the plane. Ignore them because for the most part baby's do fine on the flight. Just remember to keep him busy and some drinks that he likes as well and this will make him happy.

I hope that this helps! Have a safe & fun vacation!

I.

Hello! We just flew with our kids, it was the first time for our 15 month old. One thing I would recommend that SAVED us on the first two parts of the trip, M&M's!!! I know, candy and babies, not a good mix.. but when she got fussy, it totally worked! Just hand them out one at a time, deal with the messy face and go with it! It was enough to distract her after a couple and get her back on track. She cannot take benedryl, it makes her jittery, and we had a lay over so both of our flights were a little over a hour (two there, two back) so I didn't want to medicate her, have her conk out and then land and have her wake up.

On the trip there, we had M&M's and they totally saved us, cheezits, etc were great but just didn't cut it when seh was upset, she didn't even want to nurse at that point but would take the M&M's. On the way back, we didn't have any for the first part of the flight and a flight attendant gave us a sucker and that worked too, but the M&M's were not as sticky and messy as the sucker!

I traveled twice with my son when he was 5 1/2 months old, and then again when he was 18 months old. I did not use any meds with him, I flew from Raliegh, North Carolina to Phoenix. Arizona. The only problem that I encountered with him was the going up. His ears like ours needed to pop. So I had him suck on his bottle/sippy cup. So that he was moving his mouth, Similiar to us chewing on gum while traveling in the mountians. Good luck

I felt the same way the first time we took our daughter on a flight! she's been on 2 trips now, and both times I DID bring the Benedryl, but she didn't need it!! The whirr of the engines made her sleep most of the time on all the flights! I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

I too have used Benedryl on my boys, but it depended on the legth of the flight. I highly recommend that you have something to suck on during take off and landing. They aren't able to pop their ears like we can and you don't want to pop an ear drum. I have used pacifiers, bottles and suckers for my kids.

If you do decide to use the Benedryl do test it our first, also make sure you give him an appropriate does for his weight. My Niece get an energy rush on Benedryl.

For us the best thing that worked was a protable DVD player, even at a young age have baby Einsteins to watch or what ever he like is a great distraction. Good luck.

It's great that you got him his own seat. We always get our son his own seat and have found the GoGoKidz indispensable. It's a set of wheels which attaches to the back of the seat and you can roll him through the airport and down most plane aisles. You have to detach it for the flight but it makes getting through the airport so much easier that it's well worth it. It stows very well overhead.

Also, if he's awake when you start the descent make sure he's drinking something. Otherwise once his ears start to pop and he'll make sure everyone around him knows he's unhappy.

Have a great trip!

Have him suck on somethig (pacifier, bottle) or do something where he has to swallow (eat, drink), especially when landing. Coming down from the higher altitide can cause pressure in the ears that can be really painful. Play a game where he has to open his mouth really wide, then close; repeat several times throughout flight, especially during descent. The Benedryl is a rather benign OTC medication and a small dose right at take off will help him sleep so if it's sleep you're looking for, dose up some Benedryl as soon as you're seated on the plane. Best solution, though for pressure pain in ears is to keep him swallowing, sucking, opening an closing his mouth.

Our flight was cancelled on Weds. and we were literally stuck at sky harbor from 10am to 5:30pm and our 18-month old did way better than we did. That's when I realized that when else does she have both of our full attention for hours on end? There's also a small play area with a tunnel, mats, etc. in Terminal 3 around gate 14 (american airlines). There's also a nice viewing area to watch the planes drive by and take off.
THis is her 5th trip on our laps and we never have to bring out all the toys because she's so happy playing with us.

The only tip I have is to go to the Dollar store or Wal-Mart and purchase a toy for every 30 minutes that you will be in the air. Wrap each toy as a gift and bring a bag for all the wrappings so the flight attendants don't get mad. Then you can say, you need to be be quiet or there are no more toys, OR you need to sit or there are no more presents, OR whatever you need him to do can be tied to the giving of gifts.
If this works well for him, repeat on the trip home.
Good luck. AND I would try the Health Food store to see if there is a homeopathic remedy you could use instead of Benedryl. I have heard that some children can have a reverse effect from it and get wound up.

Our daughter was on an airplane 3 times before she was 14 months! The first one was just to San Diego...so real short. The next was when she was 8 months to Colorado. Gave her Benedryl and it worked! She slept the whole way! Have your doc tell you how much medicine to give. Motrin also works. If it is your doc who recommended it, then it's fine. And our daughter was fine.
We then took a flight when she was 13 months from Arizona to Pennsylvania. Benedryl did nothing to help. The best money was spent on a portable DVD player. So even if you give him medicine, have a back up plan!
And just some words of advice, you will find his crying and fussing WAY more annoying then anyone else on the plane. As we walked off the plane with our daughter, we apologized to people and every one we talked to just said that she didn't bug them and most didn't even hear her!

babies have died from that. that doctor is a crack pot.
plus ask yourself this: would you like to be drugged to sleep?

We flew to Chicago here from Tucson when my daughter was about the same age as your son. We were advised to give her baby tylenol half an hour before the flight began to descend into Chicago to relieve the ear pops. One doesn't need Benadryl to do this. Tylenol works like a charm.

Most medicines are going to be conservative on their dosages. They don't want parents to rely on them instead of their doctors and they don't want to be sued. Your doctor has seen your son and can give you a dosage that will work for him. It is a good idea to try it out first, I have a friend whose son would get extra hyper when given Benedryl. Have plenty of snacks and drinks and diapers for him. A good supply of spit-up towels would also be a good idea. I took my 13 month old twin daughters on a flight to O'Hare by myself 10 years ago, I'm so glad I had family there to pick me up. Have fun!

I'm not a big advocate of using medication to make your child sleep. When I took my babies on an airplane around that age, I made sure to time her bottle feedings during take off, then again when we were landing. The swallowing helps with the change in air pressure and altitude. A pacifier(if she takes one), colorful toys that don't squeek to keep her attention. (You don't want anything noisy that could be annoying to other passengers.)
I would also get a window seat away from the aisle for safety reasons and for the germ factor. Some people think nothing of touching your babies face or hands, and God only knows where there hands have been!
Also, keep your baby in your lap when the plane is actually in the air. Don't lift her above your head or anything, just in case the plane experiences turbulance unexpectedly.
Good luck and have a safe trip!

Hi! I did a lot of solo air travel with my son since he was born including a trip from the western US to England when he was 13 months. I used a homeopathic called Calms Forte. It is a little tablet that dissolves in the mouth. I think Highland is the manufacturer.
Rescue Remedy (one of the Bach flower blends is also great and comes in drops). Emotionally, it's always nice to have something to fall back on, even if you don't need to use it. Both of these can be found in most health food stores.

The biggest trick though is managing the air pressure in the ears. That is cause of most of the physical discomfort for babies while flying. So keep him sucking when the plane is gaining or losing altitude, it helps relieve the pressure - certainly always on take off and landing.

Not to be minimized however is taking good care of yourself so that you can stay calm and centered even if your little one has a hard time. The Rescue Remedy is great for parents too!
One last thing, also on the natural end, is an essential oil blend called Peace and Calming. I carry it in my purse with me. (You would need to put it and the liquid Rescue Remedy in the little clear plastic bags for security check). It is made by Young Living Essential Oils. It is very pleasant smelling- I just dab some on my wrists and smell it when I feel myself getting stressed, but again it is great for the babies, even good for hyper pets!

Oh and the old standby of toys to keep the baby distracted also goes a long way.

Check out www.wejustgotback.com for great tips from other parents all about traveling with your children of all ages.
I would also suggest tylenot about a half hour before take off. This will help to alieveate any head pressure that he may get. Also have him drinking from a bottle durning take off and landing.

I did an international flight (11 hours) with my then 5 week old daughter, and then again when she was 9 months. I do not agree with the drugging idea..although she was teething at the time, so I used acetomenophen. (But now I am hearing some links between that and asthma.)
Yes, I was nervous...but you will have many fewer hours than I did...it will go by faster than you think. You sound well-prepared. You might try the trick of having completely new objects or toys to look at. The old favorites might not measure up in interest, to the new environment of the inside of the airplane.

S.,

You can use Benadryl on little one's. However I have a 22 month old and we have flown with him on 4 different trips and never needed it. I got some new toys, some toys he forgot about and snacks. He did great. We never go him his own seat, but I have heard others have had good luck with it. We really talked to him alot, explaining what was going on, looking at the airplanes, etc. We also wear him out when possible at the airport. I found a spot where there wasn't many people and had him run around, then he slept great on the plane. The biggest thing you need to do is help make sure his ears pop. We gave our little guy his binkie or something to drink from his sippy durning take off and landing. If you don't do this it's reallly h*** o* there ears and they scream. Good Luck and have a great trip.
K.

If you are calm about the flight, your baby will usually be calm. If he is still using a pacifier and/or bottle, make sure he has them. When flying with my babies, it was usually the landing that caused the most problems because of the pressure in the ears and sucking on their favorite pacifier or drinking out of the bottle really helped. Also, your doctor not only goes by the age of a child to recommend medications, but considers his weight, too. If you are concerned, what else makes him sleepy? A warm bottle of milk, cereal, story, soft music or maybe a blankie? Experiment and find what works best and make that a part of your carry-on. Enjoy your trip! --C. M.

We have flown 4 times with my son and he just turned 18 months. He has done awesome. We take the DVD player but we usually on end up using it in the airport and not on the plane. I try and plan our flights around naptime so that he will hopefully sleep. We just flew this last weekend and he was a little wiggly so I asked for a deck of cards from the flight attendant and he played with those for the remainder of the flight.

I know that the Benadryl is safe but I would be cautios about it. When my son was 10 months we had him in the Urgent Care for an ear infection and he had a reaction to a medication that they gave him so they had to administer a dose of Benadryl (1 tsp) and it knocked him out to the point that it was scary. It was the right dose for his size but he was lethargic and would hardly open his eyes and would not move his own body. It was quite scary. They think it was just the Benadryl. So I would suggest you try it before you get on the plane if you are going to do it at all and maybe try a half of a dose to see how he reacts. I know that it can also have the opposite effect and can wire kids so if you plan on using it I would try it before hand.

Good Luck and enjoy the vacation.

My advice to you is to make sure that all your liquids, ointments, hand sanitizer etc. is packed ahead of time in a quart bag so that you can easily remove and avoid any unecessary hassles in the security line. If you do bring a portable DVD player, that should be easily accessible as well as it needs to go through the x-ray separately just like a laptop.

Dress your child in layers with easy to remove shoes. It can get rather cold in some parts of Sky Harbor, and it can get rather hot on the planes if they haven't had the air running long.

Assuming that your destination is O'Hare and not Midway, they have two Children's museums and wonderful family restrooms. However the family restrooms are not overly plentiful throughout the terminals so take advantage of them when you see them. Also, if you are not familiar with O'Hare, I suggest checking out http://www.ohare.com/ to get a better idea of where you will be going once you get there as that airport can be a little intimidating. Good luck!

My doctor and pharmacist OK'd benadryl for my son before he was two for allergies. I think the dose was 1 tsp.

I've never traveled by plane with my little guy, so I am clueless in that dept. Good luck and happy travels!

Hi S.,
One of the best tricks I have used is to have 3-4 new small toys or objects wraped up in wrapping paper. Even multiple layers of wrapping paper. You can keep the items inexpensive too ....it is more the unwrapping that they love . Also,get items at TJ Maxx or Ross as they are great prices or even the dollar store. The tubes of lil plastic animals at TJ's are great cause ok if you lose some :). A DVD player always great idea. I woud try to stay away from drugging a child unnecessarily.......that just scares me and I am a lil surprised a Dr. would suggest that. I have a 7 yr old girl and 4yr old twins girl/boy. Also have Gage walk around airport while waiting to board before getting on plane to tire out . Good Luck !!! Have a fun trip!