Looking for Ideas and Suggestions for Overseas Travel W/ 20 Month Old

Hi D.! I would suggest the Benadryl. It not only mellows them out but can also help w/ears. I would also try altering his sleep schedule a week before. I haven't personally done this but a friend of mine does this and she's had success. Every little bit will help with the jet lag. Good Luck and have fun!!!!!

I haven't traveled overseas but a few suggestions based on recent air travel with my 20 month old.

Benadryl makes my child hyper not sleepy. Be sure you've tested it's affect before using it on the plane. I used Motrin instead.

Have new things for them to play with...a new book, a new car/truck, silly putty, distractions

Have lots of snacks available - they're favorites or something they don't get often.

If we had the option to have a seat we would've definitely used that with the car seat. It can get crowded with them on your lap (and uncomfortable for both).

As for things to bring with you...check ahead of time for rental of kids stuff. Less things to haul around.

My main advice is to remain calm...it's amazing how much our moods influence their response to things. Be willing to be flexible with timing of things and changing plans.

Should be a beautiful time of year to spend over there. Enjoy!

How long is the flight? I know my daughter was a lap child around that age and it was all I could do to hold her on a 3hr.flight to Florida I was also traveling alone so I didn't have any extra hands or help. I would sure hope for own sake of mind he get's a seat.

Someone once told me they took a jar,(plastic) put a hole in the top and then let the child take clothes pins and drop them into the jar. I guess it kept her child busy for awhile.

I travel quite a bit to Europe to visit my family alone with my daughter. Sounds like you will have some help so it may not be needed, but carrying the car seat through the airport is the worst part, especially if you have an umbrella stroller because you loose your arms for carry on baggage when pushing the stroller. There is a great little car seat out there that converts into a stroller. I believe it is called Sit 'N Stroll. The newer ones fit down the airplane aisle which is otherwise another burden when having to seat the child and put your bags away. I have been using my friends Sit 'N Stroll and they are a bit pricey (about $190) but well worth the money. I plan to get my own and I found out that they are manufactured right in Hopkins, MN so I was actually going to see if they might sell one to me directly. I also found used ones on Ebay for cheaper. They are really helpful when getting through airport security especially if you have a runner like mine. I didn't think it would replace a good stroller, but some of the online reviews stated otherwise- if you plan to do a lot of walking in Europe with the cobblestone walks, you will want a good one. Also the streetcars travel only few feet in front of the stores which is very nerve-wracking so it is nice to be able to strap them in. I would also recommend buying a child harness for when they want to walk on their own. Regular leash type is very cheap and a less "degrading" kind is basically a strap connected to a little stuffed animal backpack that straps on like a 5 point harness. Also available on eBay. May want to ask pediatrician about benadryl idea and see if there is something else like Tylenol that would also work. Some children can develop reactions which would be a nightmare during travel. Although me daughter is almost 4, I also bring a baby bottle and put beverages in there and the sucking helps her to pop her ears which is very uncomfortable for her and really that is the only time she acted out during the flight was take-off and landings. If your child is comfortable in the car seat and sleeps well, I would bring the car seat on flight. It is much safer and easier to restrain. My daughter gets out of the lap belt. Also make sure to bring a few extra outfits and ask pediatrician about anti- diarrhea meds. Air travel has a tendency to bring about horrible diarrhea in kids. Temp on airplane can get cold and hot so extra sweater and socks also important. If your child drinks water, that would be best to keep hydrated and avoid sugar that keeps then up.(my daughter gets really bad eczema from flying as result of dry air and stress)

We did this a few years ago with a 5,4,3, and 1 1/2 year old. (not all mine) Bring starburst or other soft chewing candy for the take off and landing. It works better then gum at that age. Our kids each had a backpack with crayons/markers and colorbook, some simple small games and toys and reading books. They each had their own blanket and small stuffed animal. This was nice for sleeping on the plane. At the time we went the youngest was a Grandpa's girl so she sat next to and fell asleep with Papa on the plane.
We also brought a portable DVD player and my sister in law brought her laptop. This was great as it allowed the kids to see age appropiate movies on the plane and settled them down at the hotel or occupied them while we tried to get ready to go out. Make sure all batteries are fully charged and don't forget to bring extension cords along with your outlet converters.
Good luck

I have taken 3 hour flights, not the same as an overseas flight but...

Check with your son's Dr. regarding the Benadryl, maybe there is something better they will recommend?

My brother has rented DVD players at the airport, and returned them after the flight. He found it very helpful.

Bring lots of snacks. Airplane food is not very toddler friendly, and snacks are always a good diversion, at least in our home.

Favorite books help my son. He is VERY interested in trucks and diggers so I recently purchased a small pile of smaller sized board books for a 5 hour car ride we were taking, and they helped alot.

Our son loves anything with buttons, so small (quiet) electronic toys might be helpful. A pretend cell phone, a small flashlight (not too bright), or other eletronic things seem to facinate kids at this age.

GOOD LUCK! Let us know how it goes!

J.

We flew from Milwaukee to Orlando when our youngest was about the same age, and we used a safety restraint for her because she didn't have a seat. It was like a harness that went snapped around her, then had a loop around the back that went through my seat belt so that she was belted to my seat belt. I can look it up if you are interested incase there isn't room for his seat. We also brought a lot of snacks with, little things like teddy grahams, granola bars, fruit snacks, that sort of thing. Make sure he is sucking on something or chewing soemthing when taking off and landing to protect his little ears, and we took some books, coloring books, travel etchasketch's, that sort of thing on board. Maybe you could bring a portable DVD player and bring some of his favorite cartoons or movies? I personally wouldn't give him Benedryl, unless its okayed by a Dr. and he/she gives you the exact dosage. I hope this helped somewhat, have a wonderful time!!

On Aug. 7th someone else asked the same question. Be sure to check out my answer on there.
Thanks,
J.

I have travelled extensively with my daughter from the time she was 10 months old (she's now 5).

My daughter tends to be fairly high energy, and the car seat on the plane was very important during her toddler years. It was much easier for her to sit still in the seat, then if I had tried to be holding her on my lap.

We had a hand puppet that use to be one of the most effective devices for holding her attention. Also, this seemed to help when she was feeling fussy....would always get her laughing.

Keeping her hydrated, and being sure to have a sippy cup for departure and arrival was important.

At twenty months...does he watch videos? Now that my daughter is older having a small video player has helped tremendously. If you don't have one, you can rent them at the airport, and take them with you on your flight.

I have nothing against benodryl, and have used it, but not that successfully. It puts her right to sleep, but she would wake up crabby and stay crabby for the rest of the trip...so I quit using it.

If you are getting tired of occupying your child, make sure to take breaks and allow others to help.

keep a firm and positive attitude with your child. Keep an expectation that your child will find a way to cope.

Some stores have sections of travel items for children...like, I think Creative kidstuff does.

Anyway, good luck. Hope this helps.

We have traveled many times with our 3 year old starting when she was two months old. We travel less now that we have two kids but, I feel I like we've got a good system down.

Bring the car seat even if there is the slightest chance of there being an extra seat, they can always gate check it if they have to. This is especially helpful if he can sleep in his car seat. We bring a stroller to navigate the airport. This will also have to be gate checked. I prefer to bring my larger stroller as opposed to a little umbrella one so I can utilize the basket underneath and balance the car seat across the top. With the child in the stroller, I could tow a rolling suitcase and not have to check anything on short trips. If you are planning on checking luggage, then you may be able to get away with the smaller stroller. Just remember that a car seat can be a pain to carry around, not heavy just awkward, although not so bad if there are two of you.

I always prefer renting cars because I think it is fun to get around on our own. However, it depends on how comfortable you are driving in unfamiliar places. But, it is easier than hauling your car seat in and out of taxis. Depending on your comfort level, many places wouldn't require that you have a car seat in a taxi, many don't even have seat belts.

I've never had to use benadryl, even on a 17 hour car trip with both kids. But, I still bring it. Make sure to talk to your doctor about proper dosage and you'll want to give it a trial run. It can have the opposite effect on some children, making them wired.

I nursed my kids during take off and landing to help with their ears. Later my daughter used a bottle for this until she was almost three. In light of recent events, I'm not sure how the rules will be about bringing liquids on planes. But, if you plan to use a bottle try to bring plenty of milk or whatever you put in his bottle. Sometimes they cannot get anything from the beverage service carts until after take-off. It can be problematic if you are stuck on a runway and the milk runs out.

We bring a lap top that can play DVD's, make sure your battery will last through the whole movie or bring a back-up battery. My husband usually has to bring it for work anyway. Also, bring earphones so the other passengers don't have to listen.

If he likes drawing, magnadoodles are much easier that picking up pencils and crayons over and over.

We got our daughter a small Hello Kitty rolling suitcase and she fills it with small books and other toys. It was also extremely cute to watch her toddle around with it in the airport and at the gate while waiting to board. It also made her feel like a big girl and made travel more fun.

I try not to bring toys that make noise. But, if he has a favorite you can always put duct tape or packing tape over the speaker to help muffle the sound.

I find the best way to keep them occupied is to give them one book or toy at a time, rotate them so they seem fresh. Once in the air walk up and down the aisle when he gets squirmy.

Bring snacks for the plane.

Keep in mind that the tray table may not unfold properly if he is in his car seat (he'll be too high up). This can make mealtime interesting.

I also bring a box of their favorite crackers in my checked luggage for the rest of the trip and the return flight. Even though they are adventurous eaters, it is nice to have something familiar to eat. Even if it is only at snack time.

I never tried to train my kids for the time difference. But, we've never been as far a Europe with them. I just try to schedule things around their sleep needs. Most times they catch up on sleep during car rides, if you'll be getting around that way. They also can catch up on sleep in the stroller if you're out sight seeing.

I hope that some of this info was helpful. I'd happily try to answer any other questions about travel as well.

Good luck and have fun!

T.

Hi--

We travelled to England last summer with our 2 kids, ages 4 and 26 months (at the time). Our younger son was fine on the flight, but the harder part was the lines at the airports. In the UK at least, they let families with small children go to the front of the lines, so take advantage of that. Make sure to let them see that you are travelling with a small child and you'll probably be bumped up.

A few tips that worked for us: let your child have his own backpack, which he picks out ahead of time. Then fill it with new small toys--new crayons, new coloring books, sticker books, etc. They don't have to be expensive, just new. And dole them out one at a time--try not to let him open the whole thing at once, or the surprise is gone. We had a few magnetic books that our son liked.

Another tip from a friend who travels regularly on international flights with her daughter: absolutely no sugar. Pack your own snacks because you can't depend on the airline to get to your seat in a timely fashion with the food cart. We did find that the flight was not a problem, since those long flights are basically a parade of events, from the security demonstrations to the food service to the videos. You might check if your airline has individual video screens for each seat--ours did, and this kept our kids busy for the first few hours.

Also, plan to be his sole entertainment for the duration. I know it will be exhausting, but he will also be so thrilled at your constant attention. I had lots of new little games and activities to do with the kids, which I saved until the flight. Novelty is one of the key things here--new toys, new games, even new food if you can find some healthy snacks he hasn't had before. Our kids also like being part of the preparation process, so he may want to pick out some snacks and even package them up. We shifted to water in the sip cups for the trip, since it's impossible to wash those cups out on a long flight, and you have to worry about juice getting old, etc. With water, you can use the same cup for a longer period of time, at least until you get settled and can give it a good clean.

We had a great stroller which I can check the name if you want--it was from Toys R Us, and was a lightweight stroller, inbetween an umbrella stroller and a larger one, and it reclined (not too much, but just enough for naps while we were walking around). It also have him something to mess with in the long lines. We were able to keep it until just before the flight, and got it right after we landed. You can actually borrow mine if you want to--it was a life saver, believe me. We didn't take any car seats with us, but your son is younger, so you may want to.

We didn't really have any problems with the time adjustment, but we took an all-day flight over. You might try putting him to bed a bit earlier than usual a few days before, and also don't schedule too much the first few days you're over there so that he can get used to the time. Be very careful about not letting him sleep too much during the day, and let him get lots of exercise so that he'll fall right asleep when it's night time there.

And hope for good "passenger karma." On our flight back, I had the 2 kids by myself (my husband had to leave earlier), and when we got on the plane, I discovered that we were in the center of a row--the three middle seats, with one seat on either end. I thought for sure this was going to be a 7-hour disaster. But my fellow passengers were lovely, and it turned out just fine. A glass of wine can be crucial too. You might want to rotate him between family members on the flight to give yourself a break and change his atmosphere.

Good luck! I have some websites I can send you if you want more tips.

K. S.