C.D. asks from Louisville, KY on September 30, 2007
Flying with a One Year Old!
My whole entire family is going on a cruise in 5 days. Well I am getting really nerves about flying with my one year old. She is really wiggly and a very fussy baby! I just don't know what to do! I am excited about the cruise too but does anyone have any tips that could help me along my journey?
More Answers
L.L. answers from Louisville on October 25, 2007
One of the best thing that I have ever found when it comes to flying with the little ones is take a little bag of suckers. That helps them with the take off and the desend to keep there ears from hurting the sucking will stop that. I have also made sure that I get the first row of seat so that the kids can sit down there and play or color and it gives them more room. I take their favorite blanket or pillow.
Trust me it works I am a single mom with 2 kids and I fly back home to Ca at least 2 times a year.
R.W. answers from Mobile on October 01, 2007
Are you still nursing? That will help in the plane ride!
Do you have a mini DVD player-- you could use that to bring Dora, Backyardigan, etc. videos.
I would make sure you brought a lot of Cheerios with you (I went through 1/2 box between the first and return flights lol) & lots of books with pictures, so that you don't get tired of reading the same 2 books over and over lol
You are very brave brining the baby with you on the cruise!
I guess you have already been on one so you know what to expect! They are fun, so have fun!
M.B. answers from Louisville on October 01, 2007
I've flown with my son several times. You can really only cross your fingers that all will go well. I bought a small non-noisy toy and saved it for the flight(something new to play with). One new toy for each trip(1 for over there-1 for coming back) I also brought lots of snacks(that weren't to messy). I also brought some books and a couple of favorite toys. Good Luck.
A.H. answers from Birmingham on October 04, 2007
B sure to pack all of her favorite snacks!!
F.O. answers from Birmingham on October 04, 2007
I'm sorry I don't have any good tips or for that matter any tips because I have never flown my self but I can tell you that the people who work these airlines now are so picky about everything, from what u can wear to your weight to fussy kids. But good luck in you rsearch for tips for flying.
J.H. answers from Lexington on October 01, 2007
Yes! My son is almost two and is a frequent flyer because all of our family is in Nebraska, and we are here in Kentucky. Get a magna doodle! They have travel sized ones in the stores. That will give them 10-20 minutes of play time. Also have a bottle (yes a bottle!) full of juice, milk, whatever for when you start your desent. It will help with the popping of the ears. A pacifier will work too. Pack his/her favorite snacks. My son loves fruit snacks. He doesn't get them very often, so when he does he goes nuts for them. That also will take 5-10 minutes of flight time. Bring your childs favorite toy and blanket. Play games with them and be silly...even if you feel like a fool. Believe me! The other passengers would rather hear a silly mother or father than a crying child. Books also are a big help. Try the I-spy books. That way the reading has also turned into a game. Good Luck!
K.P. answers from Huntsville on September 30, 2007
Take little things that she likes to play with and keep them on hand in your carry-on. Make sure you have enough things to switch out with to keep her interested and not bored with one thing. Take big suckers (like tootsie roll) for her to suck on while the plane takes off and maybe during the flight. This will help her ears pop so she won't be so fussy with the altitude change. If she takes a bottle still or a pacifier, that would work too. Juice boxes w/ a straw might work, but I don't know if they're still allowed or not. Video Jr now players are WONDERFUL for this kind of thing, even with 1yr olds, especially if they don't watch much tv (BECAUSE they don't watch much and are totally intrigued) - with headphones made for toddlers/preschoolers.
Take antibacterial wipes with you, because most everything she has will end up on the floor several times, so you'll want to wipe it off if it's something she might put in her mouth at some point.
Good Luck! I hope you have a GREAT time, and I hope I helped at least a smidgen.
S.B. answers from Biloxi on October 01, 2007
Take plenty of snacks and any toy that she absolutely loves! You can also talk to your pediatrician about giving benedryl or something to calm her during flight. The airlines are not very nice about fussy infants anymore. My husband and I flew from Frankfurt, Germany to Charlotte, NC a couple of years ago with our two year old. He cried the entire way and my husband rode in the bathroom the entire flight to muffle his cries. This was on the second day after we were prohibited boarding the first day b/c he was crying. They told us we wouldn't be able to board the return flight to Germany if he was crying, so we left him with my parents for two months while we returned to Germany to move. Good luck. I hope the flight is short and your baby is better behaved than expected.
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