Air Travel - Peoria,IL

We just took our first trip with our 2 year old (where he was not on our lap). Yes on the DVD player, bring colors, goldfish (snack) and you know what we bought that we loved and so much easier than a car seat? That new FAA approved seat belt for kids. He felt like he was sitting in a chair vs his car seat. It costs $75 but totally worth it. Hope this helps!

her car seat will help a lot.

Kids get bored easily so you have to have enough to keep her attention. Snacks are a must.

I traveled a few times when my twins were 2, and all the adivce is great. Car seat are a must. So are snacks and the new toys. My kids didn't chew gum, but jelly beans worked well for the air pressure. Some parents might not agree, but I did try Benedryl so they could relax and hopefully get some sleep. One twin got sleepy and the other was more hyper. So try it out before you fly to see how they react to it. Don't expect them to sleep on the flight. Too much stimulation. Just make sure you have an incredible amout of patience before you go. Make sure the child knows he has to stay in the car seat. There is a period when the plane is taxiing and during take off that they will not be able to be in your lap. During one flight I had one crying for me to hold her that whole time, and you can't until the seatbelt sign is off. Thats when the car seat really comes in handy. Usually kids know once they are in and strapped, they are not allowed to come out. I think if you let the flight attendant know its their first flight, they might give hime a certificate, or at least a set of wings. The only other problem I had in flying with them is they constantly kick the seat in front of them. VERY annoying for that person. Try to have an understanding person sit in front of the child. We always had to split our family up so I tried to make sure my husband sat there. Good luck!

*Bring something chewy for the air pressure change so her ears can pop--try to teach her how to yawn on command now if she can't already.

*This will sound funny but bring ear plugs. Since two y/o's are prone to a tantrum now and then, esp being cooped up for so long prepare for the worst just in case. The gentleman in front of us who was trying to nap was grateful when we offered him a pair! It's a goodwill gesture that people around you will appreciate.

*You might want to get her 2 or 3 new, small toys and don't give them to her until you are on the plane. Something new should keep her busy for a while. Give them one at a time.

*Airlines are getting more and more stingy with food--make sure you get to the airport early enough to stop in at a cafe/restaurant/shop before your flight to get her something healthy and non-sugary to eat/drink onboard.

*Bring a blanket and extra wipes on the flight.

*Call your airline BEFORE leaving to ask questions about boarding, stroller check, carryons allowed and so on. Most airlines are getting rid of the family preboard-much to my dismay this summer!

Have a safe, fun trip! :D

When I first took my kids on a plane, I gave them benadryl. This is why. I have horrible sinus and allergy problems and every plane trip would turn into a horrible nightmare of pain and throbbing. A flight attendant told me to take my allergy pill 30 minutes before I had to board the plane. The medicine will have kicked in and I can have a calm and relaxing flight. Well, it worked like a charm. Since my kids inherited my bad upper respiratory problems, I did the same for them and our flights are a breeze. Even if you don't believe your daughter has a problem with her sinuses, children have an excess of saliva and mucus and it might help her ears stay clear.

If you are not travelling alone, I would suggest having you, or whomever is with you, board as early as possible to install the carseat. It can be a little difficult because it is a small space, but is even more difficult with a squirmy toddler. Then board with your daughter as late as you can, so there is as minimal time spent in the confines of the airplane and carseat as possible for her. I have also gone so far as to gift wrap a couple of small inexpensive new things to make them seem oh so exciting while on the plane. The DVD player is a great idea- be sure to charge your battery :) I agree with lots of snacks, too. You can definitely bring a sippy cup on the plane, but you will need to buy the drinks after security (or use the drinking fountain). One last suggestion is not only a change of clothes for your daughter, but also for yourself, just in case of motion sickness. Good luck and happy travels!

Sounds like you are off to a good start with the dvd player and her own seat. Be sure to have snacks handy and something to drink incase the air pressure becomes to uncomfortable on her ears. Also consider suckers and a small thing of crayons and a coloring book. Good luck.

Hi, the best thing you did is get a seat. Kids are conditioned to sit and stay in their car seats and so it almost serves as a comfort source...I bring lollipops to encourage swallowing for air pressure. My pediactrician also suggested an antihistamine 1/2 before take off to help with air pressure and anxiety too. (Hydroxizine) Also, drawing things...Because the trays will probably not fall at the right level, what about one of those travel size magna doodles. What about an old standby "walkman" to play favorite childrens songs...even in the car my guy likes that his "moo moo" (music), sippy cup (Empty at security) and perhaps withhold liquids from him for awhile before so he/she is extra thirsty during take off...not too much that he tantrums instead. I have 2 older kids and my guy will be 3 in August. Don't forget to save extra liquid and swallow encouragement for descend too. We are traveling on the 26th...so I plan on using all of these...And remember you are not guaranteed anything...so bring lots of patience. Something I have to find between now and then:D pop beads,books, some with things to do in them like zippers, buttons, velcro,clips, magnet sets..if she is ready...and does not put in mouth.Lots of little pieces of anything are tough but it might distract her from flying annoyances. Have fun!!
Oh by the way...hydoxizine did not help my kids sleep, so if that is what you are hoping for, do not count on it....try to choose times when they might sleep naturally though...we fly very early so that they need a nap. Or very late too...avoid times when they are naturally crabbier...

We have flown a few times with my son. I would buy a couple of new toys to break out during the trip when she gets fussy. Also, let her move around as much as possible in the airport before you get on the plane. Make sure you have something for her to drink during take off and landing.

I just returned from a weekend trip from St. Louis with my two year old. I had all of my new toys, books, and snacks packed and ready to go for both trips (to and from). I didn't buy a ticket for her and sat her in my lap to save money. (I had her passport ready because she turned 2 the day after we returned home and they would have charged me for a seat if I didn't have proof of age!) As soon as the plane took off, she fell asleep, and stayed asleep for the entire flight. Be prepared for anything! Good luck on your trip.

If she 's still in diapers don't forget Huggies overnites.Also, a change of clothes for her just in case. I changed my twins right before boarding and on the plane on the seat , the bathroom is too small.I put all the snacks in separate ziploc bags to keep my bag organized.You may want to buy her a little wheeled bag. My mom got one at walgreens that was a frog or a dog. They pulled them around the airport and it kept them busy.And fill it with crayons , coloring books,doodle pro,stickers,a couple of new books,snacks,etc. i wouldn't let her out of her seat unless you are changing her or you won't be able to get her back in:)Good luck and have fun!

She is too young to chew gum but you need to find somting that will help her ears pop. When mine were little we brought a long a sippy cup but with the regs the way that they are this wil not help for takeoff unless you are allowed to bring some liquid on board. You can ask your Ped. about Tympalgesic (Spelling is not right) These are drops sometimes used for ear infections that work great for little ears on the plane. My girls had a little trouble with landing since there was alot of ear pressure (they were 2 and 4 at the time. Hope this helps

I suggest getting several new little toys that she doesn't get to see until the plane ride. They will be so exciting that she will be quite occupied. We have flown with our son for almost 6 years now - twice a year. We still use this trick. Also, we love bringing easy card games like memory or Go Fish, too. She's young, but she'll be able to get the gist of it overall. Pack lots of snacks. We have also loved the "Wow Paper" activity books that have a marker that only shows up when it touches the booklet. The marker doesn't make a single mark on anything else. Genius! You know what she likes, so just make a trip to the dollar store or Target and have fun thinking like her.

Good luck!
A.

P.S. Her ears might hurt on takeoff and landings, so pack some gum and definitely ask for a bottle of water on the plane. You can take an empty sippy cup in your carry on and fill it with the airline's water. Sucking from the cup with help her ears pop.

For maximum safety and comfort bring her carseat onboard too, it generally pretty easy to install...almost all carseats are FAA approved...there is a sticker on it...I've installed my big Britax Marathon very easily both rearfacing and forward facing with no problems...I can't stress this enough/I've seen so many toddlers without their carseats who get very restless and have flown many times with my two kids on my own in their carseats and they are always content...she will be happy to be in her familiar seat, she won't be as tempted to be up and down, etc and will be safe when unexpected turbulence strikes...I've heard a pack of "post it's" also provides lots of entertainment...don't worry if she doesn't like to wear the headphones with the DVD...my DD didn't use them and because of all the engine noise other passengers couldn't hear her movie...other things that keep them occupied..pipe cleaners...just make sure there are no sharp edges (like wikisticks but without the waxy residue)...bring more food than you think you will ever need...you never know how delayed you will be, how long it will take to get your bags and nothing is worse than a hungry toddler...you can also bring your stroller right up to the airplane door, at the gate ask the agent for a gate check tag to put on the stroller, they'll take it down and have it at the door upon arrival...so convenient! ALso change diapers right before take off/and or practice "lap changes" it's impossible to change in the airplane bathroom and pray for no poopy diaper during the flight!

Have fun!

B.

Take some inexpensive"new toys" that you can pull out when she gets bored.