Need to Know How to Keep My Son Calm While Traveling on a Plane.

If you can, schedule the flight right before his nap time, and then give him a bottle/nurse him as the plane takes off. He might even fall asleep. But don't let him lay down horizontally during take off and landing, as this is what can cause the pressure in his ears. Get him to suck on something (anything!) during take off and landing, but don't let him lay down too far (this is a trick, esp if you're nursing!) Buy some new toys (or hide some existing ones for a few weeks) and bring some cheerios, etc. But don't bring too much stuff as you won't need as much as you think. He will be very interested in the plane, the people, etc. Ask your doctor about giving him something to help him sleep--I never did that but have heard some doctors are okay with it. Good luck!

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My son is now 20 months old, but we flew with him when he was 9 months and 12 months old. My pediatrician advised me to give him a dose of Benedryl. It helped calm him and keep him asleep. He actually slept on a 4 hour plane ride the entire time. If you decide to give him Benedryl, I would try it at home first because it can make some kids hyper instead of sleepy. That's the last thing you need on a plane ride. I also always try to book my flights at night when he would normally be sleeping. It just made things kind of easier.

Good Luck!

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I just traveled with my daughter 4 months - make sure you feed your baby on the way up to equalize cabin pressure and on the way down. It worked perfectly. I also brang her favorite toys and candy for the people sitting around me. I didn't need to give out candy becasue she didn't cry. Hope that helped.

A. Treadwell
www.babydreamseattle.com

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Hi I work for a major airline and travel quit a lot with my child, she had her first flight to Hawaii at 6mths and that is a very long trip. The little ones seem to stay clam during the airplane rides, but to help out with the ears I gave my daughter a small dose of children's Tylenol (with Dr. Permission)and then I also made sure she had a bottle or pacifier during take off and landing. It is the take off and landing that will hurt ears and the sucking motion will help the air pressure stay down. During the actual flt the air pressure doesn't change and many babies will just sleep because of the vibrations of the plan and and constant sound of the engines. It's when they hit 18mth that they are hard to keep in their seats....Oh and one other thing as clam as my little one was, she would get scared and cry every time the pilot made an announcement because we were right under a speaker and it was loud a startled her, it only lasted a moment and the people around giggled because it was so obvious why she was upset, and the flight attendant started to refer to him as that mean ol man.

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When the plane is taking off and when it is landing make sure that your son has something to suck on...ex:breastfeed him,pacifier,bottle. My daughter had no problem sleeping on the plane I think it just natural helps them fall asleep. Also a tip make sure that your son has something like crackers to eat. Maybe it was just my daughter but she ended up getting sick on the plane and the crackers helped her sleep and not get sick. Good luck.

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The first time I flew was with a 13 month and a 8 month, a very long 14 hour flight! The Dr. told me to give them a bottle or pacifier while we were taking off and landing to help their ears pop naturally. I started a few day's before our flight changing their nap schedule so that they would be ready for nap time on the plane. Also take some tylanol just in case the baby acts like the pressure is giving him a headache.
The biggest thing is not to stress, the baby will sense it and react to it. Talk about it with the baby while your packing, ask the baby as your putting things in the suit case "how many outfits are you gonna need, mommy is packing this one and that one, do you need this or that" just like you would a toddler, the baby will think everything is normal and be fine.

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I took my daughter (who is now nine) on her first plane trip when she was 10 months old. Her doctor suggested that I give her Dimetap Infant Drops 30 minutes before boarding the plane to help with her ears and make her drowsy.
She also said to make sure to feed her a bottle during take off and landing because the sucking will also help the ears from popping (like gum).
Hope this helps!

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Hi J.,
I travelled last month with my 11 month old daughter and was so worried about it. It went great! I can tell you these few things that I found helpful:
1.Have a bottle or pacifier for take off and landing
2.Do not overpack a bag full of toys and things to keep him occupied - just 1 or 2 small things....when all else failed my daughter played with a plastic cup that the stewardess gave her
3.We sat in the very last row, it seemed to have a little extra room, so we got up and walked up and down the end of the isle
4.If your son likes the car, he will most likely fall asleep
Good luck, and it's not that bad! Enjoy your trip!
T. :)

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J.,

I am from the east coast and my husband is from the Netherlands, so we travel often. My older son was great on the plane, but my 22 month old has trouble with his ears, about 10 minuets before we get on the plane I give him Tylanol, by the time we take off it kicks in and he is great. My doctor also said to try both Tylanol and Benadryl if Tylanol did not work by itself. But I would deffinately give it before you go on the plane so it works. As my doctor said, it is better to give it before there is a problem, then to wait to see if there is a problem. We forgot it on the last flight and for the first flight which was 3 1/2 hours all he did was scream, on the lay over we bought 2 bottles! We gave it to him right away and he was good to go the rest of the trip.GOOD LUCK!

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make sure he is taking a bottle, or nursing on take off and landings.... or even a pacifier... as long as he is actively sucking, he'll be fine.

My ped recommends nasal spray before to open the passages, although I never used it.

At that age, your baby will likely sleep most of the time anyway. I discovered I didn't need to "entertain" my dd on planes until closer to 18 months.

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Hi J., my family lives in Austin, TX and we live in Portland, OR, so we've been flying back and forth about two or three times a year.

My suggestion is 1) have your child drink something during take off and landing, this will help their ears. 2) lots of "snacks", special snacks that they don't usually get, my daughter eats very healthy, so a few hour flight with "perks" I feel is totally worth it 3) we also bought a portable DVD player, my daughter loves baby einstein videos...that was HUGE, you can turn the sound down really low, and the people around you will appreciate it too. 4) and last, but not least, a special new toy or something, something your child hasn't seen yet...this will be a little easier when the get older, but you know what makes your child tick!

Good luck to you, and remember, just have a lot of patience. You can do all that you can do. If your child does "freak out", just shrug your sholders, give a gentle smile and "sorry" to those around you. You'd be surprised at how sympathetic people can be towards someone traveling with a small child.

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I have not been on a plane with my kids however I read alot of stuff while pregnant with them and I herd that with children as young as yours are pretty contempt on planes. You have to keep them sucking on something a pacifir or a bottle because it hurts there little ears to "pop" Make sure he always has his bottle or binky.

PS happy late anniversary. :)

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Hello J.,

My name is S. and I have two children, ages 2 and 4. We traveled on airplanes with both of our children at the age of 8 and 9 months. The plane rides were long, but surprisingly the children did rather well. My advice to you is to be sure to have your child sucking while you are taking off. This will help with any discomfort with pressure. If he has a pacifier or a bottle or if he is still nursing. Those will be of comfort when he is most vulnerable to the pressure changes. As for keeping him calm and quiet....bring snacks...lots of them. Children enjoy snacking when there is a long trip. This was our saving grace when we took our last trip with both of our children. I also pack books and favorite toys. I wish you the best on your trip. I think you will be surprised as to how well 8 and 9 month olds do on planes. He just might sleep the entire time. I have heard a dose of benedril can be given to help them sleep??? I am not sure as we never had to use that since our children traveled rather well. Enjoy yourself and have a good flight!!

S.

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I have flown tons with my kids. If you nurse, then just nurse as much as you can. Also, a small dose of benadryl will make him more tired. Some people think it is wrong to drug your kid, but I think of it as just helping them through a time that can be hard/boring/and even painful on their ears. And just relax. Sometimes kids just cry on planes. I used to stress out so much, worrying that my crying baby would bother other people. But now I just say whatever about it, I'm the one who has to deal with it! :) Good luck though. It can be stressful.

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We traveled with my son when he was 7 mo and he did great. A pacifier or bottle helped with the pressure in his ears and I made sure I brought plenty of toys. Giving them a new toy each time they get bored with one keeps their attention. But we probably didnt need the toys since he slept the whole way. Try doing it without the Benedryl and Tylenol. Why give it to him if he doesnt need it. Besides that there will probably be another child more cranky than yours on the plane to take attention away from you and yours anyway.

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I have traveled several times w/ my young ones. When they were that little i tried to get a flight that was very close to nap time. That usually did the trick.
When they are a little older you have to be more creative w/ bringing on new books and coloing books that they have never seen.
Good luck to you!

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I've flown with my kids several times, and at eight months, it's really no big deal.

If you still nurse, nurse him during take off and landing. If not, you can give him a pacifier or bottle.

Bring a few new and interesting toys for him to play with. Bring some snacks for him to munch on as well.

Honestly, though, the change in scenery will probably keep him pretty entertained.

Make sure to bring plenty of diapers and wipes. Plus, bring a change of clothes and a plastic bag to put dirty clothes in. My dd had a really nasty blowout diaper on a plane, and I didn't think to bring a plastic bag and reallllllly regretted it.

Also, if you have a stroller, bring it. You can check it at the gate, and it will be there waiting for you when you get off the plane. It makes airport travel much, much easier.

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