Plane Travel

You are a brave woman! I have had numerous long flights with my little one (he is just over 2 years and the poor child has been on 11 flights in his short life!) and some of this is probably common sense, but it doesn't hurt to keep it in mind... 1. You didn't mention it, but if you can afford it, buy him his own seat. Of course under two years old, he can sit on your lap, but if he had his own seat, that can only improve the situation. 2. If he has a pacifier or bottle or special toy or anything at all that you normally don't let him have full time, bring it out in an emergency and let him take full advantage of it. 3. Check as much luggage as you can so the only things you are bringing on board are items to keep you both entertained for that long of a trip. Pack coloring books, reading books, small board games, DVD player (if you let him watch any shows), NEW toys or books. 4. Bring lots of snacks. 5. It's a simple fact that more then likely, he will break down at some point on the trip and get incredibly restless. If you are like me, we tend to worry about keeping our little ones quiet for the sake of everyone else around us. For this long of a flight, just do your best and remember you will never see any of those people that shoot dirty glances at you ever again! 6. This may already be out of your control, but schedule the flight late at night so he'll sleep a majority of the time. Or next best case - around his nap so he'll sleep a bit. 7. Finally, if you are able to pick your own seat (which I doubt on an overseas flight) select a seat towards the front - sound waves of him laughing or screaming will affect the people in front of you the most so the further up you are in the plane, they less people will hear you. Also, and I don't know your airline, but before you board, ask if there are any open seats and beg for them to place you in a row without anyone. They CAN do this and may be willing to help. Good luck and have fun!

1 mom found this helpful

When my brother was this age, we travelled overseas a lot. The only thing that worked with him was bringing along his car seat and keeping him in it basically the whole time. It was a signal to him that this was a safety thing and not optional. Of course, copious toys, books and snacks also helped.

We do the portable dvd player and it works great for us. Most airlines allow it once you're in the air. If not, be sure to pack lots of sugar free snacks. My two girls are usually happy as long as they're eating and it also helps with the ear popping thing if they're chewing and moving those jaws. Other ideas would be crayons and coloring books and a favorite toy. Also, I've noticed ALOT of people suggesting Dramamine. Although it may be safe for his age (which I'm not sure about) alot of these kind of medications have the opposite effect on young children than they do on adults, so I strongly suggest trying it a few days before the flight to see how he reacts to it. My youngest daughter is 2 and Benadryl winds her up to no end. She is uncontrolably hyper every time she takes it. So definitely try it out before flight day!

If he's not allergic and you have used it before - Benadryl!

Oh, what fun! I travel every year with my 2 boys for an 8 hour trip. They are now 5 and 3, but I started when the youngest was 8 wks. The first thing I did was "wrap" individual little toys & books esp. ones with stickers/interactive stuff (they make hotwheels for little guys) in plastic ziplocs. I dole them out every half hour or hour. I used to wrap in actual paper, but some security doesn't let it through. Play-do is ok, too, but again, depends on the security. It takes them a while to open it, play with it & get sick of it. (I really don't care if play-do winds up all over the floor. I paid a fortune for the seat, anyway) I also bring WASHABLE markers or aquadoodle to color. You can also laminate papers and bring washable crayons to wipe clean. If your kid is the right personality, invest $100 in a portable DVD player. My oldest will sit for hours. I've gone so far as to tape a character on the window shade and roll it up, leaving it to him to guess who it is...(the guessing game)but we can't see until the plane lands. They also have fold up games for the car (hot wheels has some, there are a ton of "pocket" things for girls) I always bring snacks, of course--dry ones are ok through security. Things like foam sticker crafts can be a great way to say "hello" to whomever you're meeting at the other end. I know it's not kosher to say, but you can try a dose of Benadryl--just know how your child reacts to it, and time it 20 minutes before you want a nap. Be wary of any other sleepy meds for a kid this little. I don't think Dimeatapp or Dramamine are approved for this age. Above all, if you have a seat for your child, BRING a FAA approved car seat. I book the seat every time and belt him in--it's like the car, no debate, no discussion.
Good luck. Pack yourself a ton of caffeine, b/c it's a LOOONG way to go!

Hello T.,

Talk to your babies doctor about a mild sedative. With his help, it will not hurt your baby and you will be so releived to be able to control the situation on the plane. I did this with my youngest daughter many years ago. Take along things that he can safely chew on too, infants ears can often be affected by the altitude changes and this tends to make them very fussy and more irritable.
Good Luck,
K.

They do make children's Dramamine which would knock him out for the whole flight, probably. A portable DVD player with kid shows and movies could probably keep him occupied for an hour or more at a time. There aren't many Tatianas here in NWAR so I bet I know you! :) Good luck on the flight - J.

I dont know if he likes movies but you could take a portalable dvd player and he could watch them. ( Im not sure if they allow them or not) but it was just an idea. Good Luck!!!!!!

We are a Military Family and I get Air sick so on our FUNFILLED trip back from Germany our boys were 3years and the other was 3 months. And my poor Hubby!!! I was soooo sick the whole flight so he was trying to keep them happy and focused
away from me.
1. Benadryl sleepy
2. Bottle/gum suck on for takeoff ( ears )
3. Video Games with headphones for the older 2.
4. Favorite snack, food is yucky for them!
5. I think Color Wonder paper would be fun in the Airport would be great.

Good Luck and Best Wishes!

While you are in the airport have him up and mobile. DON'T sit around in the airport. Use that time to get his energy out and wear him down so when you do get on the plane and he has to be still he won't be ansy. This is sooo important! You or your husband should board first and get things settled while the other one waits until the very last to board so you have active time up until the very end!

Take a break at some point in the flight - maybe several times depending upon what time of day you fly - get up and have him walk around. This will break up the flight time for you and him. Also, don't pull all the new books, toys, etc. out at once. Just one thing every so often. And try to get things that are interactive. The DVD may work fine but he will need some "busy" type things to do also.

I just drove cross country with my two year old. I bought a portable dvd player (they do cost about $100.00, but it was the best investment I ever made). I bought a couple of Dora DVDs and some movies, and it kept him happy almost the whole trip; it was a 5 day drive.

Dramamine? It's for motion sickness but I remember when we were little and living in Europe and traveling back and forth my mom used to give it to us before we boarded the plane. I don't recall ever getting air sick so I am assuming she gave it to us so we would sleep?

take lots of bright colored toys and some of his favorite snacks or juice and if he gets sleepy, his favorite blankie, if he has one, good luck on your trip

Dramamine Woman! And a bag full of things for him to play with! crayons, a couple of stuffed animals, healthy treats, and books! Good luck and GOD Bless!

Hey, great question, please keep me advised if you decide to use Dremamene however the spelling. Is it safe to use for a little one? I have to travel in September, she will then be 2 yrs and 4 months, and it is a long flight also. Thanks much for asking this question, I hadn't even thought about it too much until now and my little one has never been on a airplane, but the rest of us have.

Well, I live in Louisiana and my husband used to live in California (military), so our daughter flew A LOT for the first year and a half of her life! What I did was brought a pillow, which I bounced her on when she got sleepy...she was comfy and slept well. To occupy her, I brought a few toys, snacks, and a portable DVD player. Something you could try that might make him sleepy is give him a little Benadryl right before the flight...if you don't want to give him a while dose, try putting some on your fingers and rubbing it on his gums...it will give him a little of it and won't make him groggy or over tired. GOOD LUCK!