Airplane Travel with 18Mo Old by Myself

Hi!

One of the things that has come up in my Gymboree classes and has always worked well for people is to bring a kleenex box and let him pull out the kleenex and then put them back in the box. It's quiet, takes some amount of time, isn't too hard to carry and tends to keep them entertained for awhile. Several people have come back from trips and told me that it was a very helpful tip.

J. F.

Hi Anne,
I traveled with an 8 month old when I was 4 months pregnant and I was able to have someone accompany me to the gate and then also have someone meet me when the plane landed also. It was very helpful to have someone to help. The flight attendants were also very helpful before during and after the flight. Don't be afraid to ask for help!
Good luck with the flight and congratulations on your second!

I've traveled with our son on my own several times (he's nearly 18 mo now) but not while 7 mo pg, I admit! My main advice is to give yourself lots of time so you don't have to rush anywhere or feel under pressure. In my experience lots of people (other parents, dads traveling alone, grandparents and people who are hoping to be grandparents soon) are very helpful. Board early, ask if they don't offer to let you. I've heard that you can let out the straps on the carseat and strap it to your back, but not sure if that'd work so well being pregnant.

On our last flight to Europe I made a little backpack for my son with coloring book, stickers, new books, small toys (and inflatable ball turned out to be a good idea). Lots of extra snacks because you can't guarantee the meals, although I suppose with international I did better.

Hope that helps.

E.

You'll do just fine and remember to ask for help. I'm sure you have already thought of this but just in case, ask the airlines about having one of the electric shuttle carts meet you at the gate and transport you to you a connecting flight if its far and the baggage claim.

Also...when we traveled with my small children across the country, we used the luggage wheels. You can probably purchase them at WalMart, Target, or anywhere they sell luggage. They are the metal frames that unfold to stack bags on then you strectch the bungee around the bags and away you go. We put the car seat in the luggage carrier then child's backpack in the carseat and bungeed together. It was great, nobody had to carry stuff and we had a free hand. Don't forget a backpack style purse or just a plain old backpack for yourself as purse/diaper bag.

Enjoy your trip! Any stress you encounter traveling will be worth the memories you'll make on your visit!

Wow, you definitely have you hands full. I would contact the airlines and airport to see if you can get a porter or airline employee to help you manuver around the airport with all of your stuff. You know how you see people being tranported in the giant golf cart? I would see if you could get that service and you wouldn't have to be carying all of your stuff around.
Great idea about taking things to kep your son occupied. I don't understand parents who take small children on plane trips- especially long ones- and have nothing to keep the child occupied. The kids are constantly getting to trouble because they have nothing to do and are bored. Whenever I went on a trip with my kids, car or plane, I would buy a special new toy- legos were great when my son was old enough-and books to keep them occupied. They don't have to be expensive just something that the child hasn't played with before and will keep their attention. My kids were great travelers and didn't cause a rucus because they were occupied with something new.
Good luck with your trip.
N.

Hi Anne:
First off, if you can, try seeing a chiropractor (Dr Virgilija Tali makes home visits, reasonably priced and offers specials - ____@____.com ) for your back pain. Getting rid of the pain can change everything. As for your son and entertaining I use to wrap up lots of little new presents (different foods & toys) and hand them out during the trip. I would even put multiple layers of wrap on the gifts. You will have a lot to carry, so see if the skycap can deliver the car seat to the airplane. Use a carry on bag that will hang from the stroller handles (just watch the weight so it does not tip the stroller!)and maybe you could wear a light back pack. Give yourself extra time and try to enjoy the trip because traveling will be different with 2 kids! I traveled with 3 kids, each time it was easier.

Anne,

We bought a Go-Go Baby roller cart that attches to the carseat so the carseat and be the stroller and be rolled onto the plane. We love, love,love ours! Our son loves riding in his carseat in the airport!

The roller wheels attach easily to any carseat and then is easy to take off to place the carseat in the seat on the plane. It has and extender handle to pull like you see on suitcases. The only drawback is that you have to remove the wheels from the carseat when you get to the security walk through gate. The carseat will not fit through the scanner with it on. You can roll him all the way to the gate though plus keep him strapped in which is easier in the carseat then the stroller. The Go-Go would also enable you to not need to take the stroller too.

You might feel like you need a stroller on the other end but maybe your family could borrow one from a friend for you to use while you are there or rent one from www.babiesaway.com. Then you could just take your carry on and the carseat on wheels.

I know they sell the Go-Go-Baby at Rockridge kids and I think they have them at Babies-R-Us too. They are about 100.00 but it is one of the few items we have bought that we can keep using for a few years. Plus with another one on the way you know it will get a lot of use to come.

I would highly reccomend this as an easier option for travelling, especially alone...but be sure to ask for help from the flight attendants regardless!

Go luck and happy travels,

N.

Hi,
I took my 16 month old to Hawaii last summer and I was nervous about it, but she actually did great. What saved us was a portable DVD player-it entertained her for hours. Also, you don't need to take a big car seat on the plane. We bought the CARES airplane harness and it is a small bag that makes the airline seat into a car seat. This is approved by the FAA for all stages of flight. My sister is a flight attendant for United and confirmed that these are approved. I also originally found the idea on the United Airlines website. It is a tiny bag that fits into a backpack and you don't have to worry about your kid kicking the seat in front of you. I will list the website below. I had to buy it online, but it is much better than lugging a car seat around.
www.kidsflysafe.com/

Not sure you want to buy one more thing, but there ARE these wheeled attachments you can put on a forward facing car seat so that it becomes like a rolling piece of luggage. Your son can stay buckled in the seat and you pull that rather than having the extra piece of equipment.

http://www.theportablebaby.com/gogokidz.html

Hope this helps,
T.

i'ld say.... omg i feel sorry for you but be strong it'll be over soon :) don't carry him in the carseat, use the luggage dollys, hold his hand but just incase get a child leash, try to get a window seat so the baby can peek out and be mesmerized; ask the attendants for help, and .... pillows for a nap, i can't think of anything else, hope that helps

If your stroller doesn't convert t carseat, most definitely get one of the metal carriers mentioned. My husband is an attorney and uses them to transport boxes and briefcase to and from. It would work for carseat, diaper bag and carry on if you have one. It sounds like you've packed enough essentials for the plane. Be sure to pack a change of clothes for little one (in case of accident, and perhaps a clean t-shirt for yourself (I was glad I did on one flight)). Relax, the idea of it all is overwhelming, but it will be fine.

Go to Babies R Us and buy a gogo travel kidz or some other roller device that you put the car seat on (it is a bit pricey $80 but a total saver for traveling alone with the kid in the airport). I put my 16 mos old son in that and roll him through the airport - he totally loves it! Also, get a bag for the stroller if you don't already have one and check it in when you check in your baggage. I have also just pulled the stroller or the car seat along behind me and put all the carry on bags in the one that does not have the baby in it so I can check the stroller in at the gate. Depending on what airline you are using, the staff at the gate can be very nice and carry the car seat onto the airplane for you - don't be afraid to ask. Usually people are very friendly and helpful when they see a mom (especially pregnant) travelling alone with a busy toddler. Good Luck! It will be tiring but you'll make it.

I just did a cross country trip w/ a 3 yr old boy and 18 mth girl by myself w/ 2 carseats and a stroller. Airplane entertaining can be exhausting!
If you have a stroller w/ handles , like a mcclaren, I usually loosen the staps on one my carseats and hang the seat over the bars of the stroller. Since you only have one child for this one last trip this will free up both of your hands.
My kids both really liked the mini doodle pro by fisher price. They are about 5" by 6", so it is light wt and easy to carry and work great later for entertainment when dining out. I found that I took too many things , but I did not want to be under prepared in the air w/ 2 kids. My son played w/ his cars a lot and my daughter people watched, doodled and ate snacks.

I hope this helps,
H.
Mother of 2

I tape ipod headphones under the padding of thier car seats to plug into my laptop for movies and music. The sound is not very loud, but i'm not sure how to fix that. Maybe thier are better earphones to use.

Hi Anne,

We have traveled a ton with our son who is now almost 5. We always purchased a seat for him, both for our comfort and his. His carseat is a Britax Marathon which is huge! We purchased a set of wheels that were made specifically for his seat from a company called gogobabyz.com. They were about $89 I think, but worth their weight in gold!! They now make them to fit a number of different strollers. They are great because once you attach them to your seat, you can sit your child in the carseat and wheel them right through the airport, eliminating the need to bring both your stroller and carseat through the terminal!! They are FAA approved, so you can leave them attached to your seat when you put it on the plane. I don't know if this is in your budget or not, but I just thought I'd pass the info along. This has been a lifesaver for us, especially since we travel so much. It's easier to justify the cost.

I know you mentined back pain, but a small backpack works best. Also, as for toys keep it simple. A dvd player is great. Take plenty of snacks also. When my son was that age, he always slept through most of the flights. Something about the noise on the plane always put him to sleep.

One last thing...you might want to contact your airline/airport and see if they will allow someone to accompany you and your son to the gate. Sometimes they will make exceptions if someone needs assistance. It's worth asking.

Good Luck!
A.

I remember those days. My girls are 2 1/2 years apart, and I took a similar trip with my oldest on a flight to the East coast. I found it helpful to get to the airport early, and let my daughter run around. Most airports have a play section for kids. She got all of her extra energy out on the play structures, and was tired for her plane ride. I also checked in as much baggage as I could. With your back hurting you it would seem easier not to carry around so much. If you have to tote around so much, then get yourself something on wheels, that will save your back. On the airplane, I brought along miniature books ( My oldest is 12 now, so we were pre-DVD), and finger puppets. My daughter spent most of the time trying to figure out how I got them to move. Even today, my girls look in their bags to see what miniature things I've packed for them. Take a deep breath, you'll do great!

I traveled with my 22 mth old daughter not too long ago and I am also 7 mths pregnant. It is definitely exhausting but doable. The airport carts (usually $1-$2) often have a seat like a grocery cart. This way you can put your son in that and stack your stroller, bag, car seat, etc. and wheel through the airport. This also makes it easier to get through security since you don't have to unstrap him. Good luck!

P.S. I agree with Heather M's suggestion of hanging the car seat on the stroller handles. I was able to do that 2 trips ago with the infant seat. I did not bring a car seat the last time since she was on my lap.

Speak to the airline ahead of time and explain you have special needs. They will allow someone through security to help you get to your gate. The other thing you can do is order a wheel chair. Check the bag, have a seat holding your son and the diaper bag. They can even drive one of those airport cars to security and give you a lift. Just let them know.

Check to make sure his carseat is FAA approved. It should be on the sticker. Some airlines are sticklers about it. We had ours put in luggage once because of this. I protested and wanted it note that I disagreed and wanted the car seat on the plane.

As for what to pack for the plane. Once you are inside security, get your son a drink for take off and landing. Put it in his bottle and have him drink during these times, so his ears won't hurt. Favorite thing to sooth him (his blanket or stuffy), finger food, small QUIET toys.

Get him to go to sleep and you will be very happy.
Stephanie

I agree with all the suggestions listed below. On my recent flight, I saw someone with one of the carseat with attached wheels and it seemed to work great for the family.

I did want to let you know about the pillow though. On the flight mentioned above (Southwest), they were no longer handing out pillows and blankets due to the current "bugs" and "flus" going around. If you think you will want one, I suggest trying to find a small one to pack for your son, or even a blow up pillow in a pillow case might work for packing room etc. I wanted to let you know about that in advance so you weren't surprised if they didn't have any pillows, etc. for you. Most airlines have little kits to give to kids to keep them happy as well.