First Airline Trip with My Soon to Be 3Yr Old DD,

I found that my umbrella stroller worked best. YOu can roll it right onto the plane and the stewardesses will hold it up front for you. As far as drinks and snacks, I wouldn't take liquids, but snacks are okay. They have milk and juice on the plane for kids.

We've flown all over the country with our kids. I take the umbrella strollers for pushing through the airport. You can check these at the gate, and they will bring it up to you when you exit the plane. I bring empty sippy cups and buy water once we've gotten through security since you can't bring anything from home through. And bring whatever snacks she likes and maybe some special treats that she doesn't normally get to keep her happy! Portable DVD players are also great on flights. Oh, and she'll be fine with the regular airplane seat belt, although I think you can take a carseat on board (we only did this when they were babies). Good luck!

Will your daughter turn 3 before your trip? 2 and under are free so they can sit on your lap - over 3 - they require a ticket so you will have a seat for her - you don't have to have a car seat or anything like that - they can just buckle in.
As far as things to take with you, I would take her fave snacks and drinks to keep her content and some things like coloring books, portable dvd player, books.
And take your portable stroller - the less bulky things the better!! You just leave that at the front as you enter the plane and they stow it for you - then when you go to get off the stroller will be right there as you get off!
Hope you have a wonderful trip and blessed christmas!

I have flown with my daughter twice now by myself, once when she was 16 months old and again when she was 2 years old. I did take my big stroller. You can keep the toddler in it and they are comfortable. I kept thinking that if the plane got delayed at least she could lie down and sleep which she wouldn't be able to do in an umbrella stroller. Plus, you can put your coats and bags on the stroller! I also liked having the tray on the stroller to put snacks on. You can take snacks on the plane. I put them in plastic baggies. I took on on empty sippy cup and just had to buy water or juice once we were through the security check. When boarding, you just leave the stroller at the gate and when you get off, it is sitting waiting for you. I did not take a car seat on the plane, I checked it with the baggage (and they should not charge you for it, at least US Air doesn't). The first trip, my daughter was on my lap since I didn't have to pay for her ticket but the second trip, she was 2 so I had to buy her a ticket. I put her seat belt on but mostly she still ended up on my lap. I think the hardest part about traveling was getting through security and maybe that was b/c I was traveling alone. Having to keep track of your ticket and ID, taking shoes off a toddler as well as your own, putting all the bags through the xray thing, then the stroller was to go through the xray as well all while trying to keep a 2 year old in sight was crazy. I was a sweaty mess by the time I was through security. After that, its a breeze!!! Good luck and have a great trip!

Hi L., You have been given great advice already. Don't worry about security - just have all liquid medications and cups or bottles bagged up separately in zip lock baggies. You just have to put them through security separately. It sounds a lot worse than it really is. Check the airline website for child restraint guidelines. Also, we found purchasing a couple new small toys for the plane helps as well. Also, don't be the first on the plane - use that time to tire out little legs and feet!! Good Luck - bring lots of snacks and drinks - airlines don't carry milk.

You may think this is strange advise but when our son was small we flew to Florida. He cried nearly the whole way to Atlanta where we had a lay over. He was too big for a bottle, the sippy didn't seem to help, tried suckers and candy, and he hadn't done gum before so that was out. As the seat belt sign came on a lady made her way back to us with Necco Wafers, she said to let him eat those that they had always worked for her daughter. Well they did actually work. Now everytime we fly I will get a few packs of these, and if pressure builds up in the ears we pop in a Necco.
I have no explaination for it, I just know it worked for us.
Have a great trip!

Bring the small stroller, and check the car seat (you will need it in Seattle, unless your brother has one you can borrow). Don't check the stroller, they can do a planeside check and that's free. Remember you will be waling a lot through airports, etc. so carry as little as possible and keep it simple! After a long flight, all those little things you thought seemed necessary just seem heavy!

A charged up portable DVD player and some favorite movies or music can be a lifesaver on plane trips. I would suggest bringing the smaller stroller and check your car seat. If you don't really need the stroller I would check that too or they can check it at the plane. You will have to take her out and put the stroller on the xray belt every time you go through security. Have a great trip!

Oh, L.!
I'm jealous! I wish someone would fly my family to Seattle for Christmas! :)

Great advice that you got, to take a few toys that he hasn't seen before. Books are good, if he likes those, and my kids love the magnadoodles (they come in travel size) and Crayola color wonder paper and markers. Take a few snacks, in little baggies, so they can be easily seen by security. You'll have to get drinks after you go through security, as you cannot take more than 3 oz. of liquids on the plane. Keep that in mind when packing your carry on. I suggest you review the regulations on the website www.tsa.gov for the latest updates.

I don't know if you've been to Seattle, but you will love it at Christmas time! (I lived there for five years) Have a great time!!

Blessings, J.

I just flew a few days ago with my two year old. We bought him a child's seatbelt off the internet called Cares Kids Fly Safe (Amazon.com was the cheapest). It works with the airplane seatbelt and has straps that go over the shoulders and across the chest. It was easy to use and much, much easier than lugging around the carseat. You don't have to get a device like that but it helped my son stay in his seat because it made him feel like he was in his carseat. Bring plenty of snacks and an empty sippy cup (and just buy milk or juice on the other side of security). I bought him some new, never before seen, small toys (cheap things... less than $2) and gave them to him when he seemed bored squirmy on the flight. And a portable dvd player can be a lifesafer if you have one. I brought his umbrella stroller and used that in the airport. You can gate check it or give it to the flight attendant. Try not to bring a ton of stuff with you and have everyone wear shoes that go on and off easily!
Also, remember to check the luggage policy on the airline's website! Some airlines allow one checked piece of luggage per passenger and you have to pay for any additional luggage. Some airlines have a fee for EVERY piece of luggage! Just check the policy so you know how to pack and what to expect.

L.,
I have a 2 yr old and we've traveled with her quite a bit. Contrary to what others have said, we have always brought her drinks through security with us, as long as they are in her sippy cups, its fine. You just have to take them out of your bag and set them in the bin. We just flew to Pittsburgh this weekend, and I had one sippy cup with 5 oz of milk, and one with 6 oz of juice, and I had no problem taking them through. Yes, bring a snack for her, if it's her favorite (like goldish are for mine) it will not only satisfy her tummy, it will soothe her if she's anxious. I usually bring coloring books and crayons, along with her favorite books. The magnadoodles are good also. If you have a laptop or portable dvd player the runs on batteries, bring a movie for her. I don't usually travel with the car seat. Cabs, and car services have them, you just have to request them. And definitely take the umbrella stroller. If your daughter won't sit in it, you can always use it to carry small bags (or a car seat if you decide to bring one). Also, encourage her to look out the window, and see "what animals the clouds make" - it's a fun game we play with my dd. Hope this helps and have a great trip!