How Do I Calm My 4 Yo Before Airline Trip?

I brought my son on his first airplane ride a few months ago. Crayons, markers, coloring books, a dvd in the laptop, books, they all worked for us. Maybe you should try bringing a laptop or portable dvd player with headphones so the noise wont scare her. I was worried about my son getting sick but it was his uncle sitting next to him that vomited on the plane and people thought it was my son! Hopefully your seats are closer to the front of the plane where the turbulence is not so bad.

Hi Christy,

Try the Benadryl with her a few days before the trip and see how she reacts to it. The first time we were flying with our twins (2 yo at the time) we did this and they had a good nap that day :)

M. B

Hi Christy,

I have flown twice with my daughter (once as 4 months and once at 12 months) and she was really good both times. We let her play with the saftey card from the seat pocket and she was entertained the WHOLE flight! As for your 4 year old, you can always choose to close the window in your row. Also, when you enter the plane (not sure you've flown before) you walk down a hall (gateway) and enter through the door without really knowing that you're getting on the plane. At least a 4 year old may not realize--she may thing it's a bus? You don't want to "lie" to her, but you can maybe distract her with counting the rows as you walk down the aisle. Also, have a new toy or a new book (something she'd love) to play with while on board. Crayons, markers...and snacks of course. If you sit towards the back of the plane you'll be in the loudest part, so ask for seats toward the front. However, the back is good because of the loudness--it drowns out any crying better than the front and the potty is right there. Have her chew gum (not sure if a 4 year old is ready for gum though) or have her drink something during takeoff/landing so her ears can equalize with the pressure. Good luck! Expect and prepare for the worst and hope for the best! Oh--and maybe show her a map of where the plane is going and all the exciting things that will happen when you land (such as what you'll be doing after the plane lands.)

We went on a trip a couple years ago with my 2 year old and 4 year old daughters. I packed goody bags for the plane that included juice boxes(airlines serve drinks sometimes without straws), travel games(crayola color wonder markers are good), snacks, and a book. I would also suggest calling the airline or checking their website. Tell them about your child's fears. The airline will have plenty of really helpful suggestions. You are not the first to travel with an uneasy child. Good luck with you flight!!

I know how nerve-wracking flying with infants and children can be! I definitely would advise against Benadryl, especially if she has never taken it before. The last thing you need to deal with is an adverse side effect. Other than reassuring and mentally preparing her beforehand, you may want to try distraction techniques when you are at the airport. To help her deal with the loud noises, you can try headphones with her favorite music playing. Make sure you have gum,a drink (which you may have to get after you've boarded the plane), or something to swallow for take off, since the changes in altitude may effect her ears. As far as her fear of height is concerned, explain to her that she will not even notice she is off the ground. Let her know how secure the airplane is, and there is no way for her to fall out/down. You can have her sit on an aisle seat, and close the window shutter. Make sure to bring items that comfort her, or anything she would normally bring with her on a car trip. I suggest you get to the airport extra early in order to acquaint her with the atmosphere. Let her see the planes from the window. I would even introduce her to other children at the airport, not only to distract , but also so she can share the experience with children her age. I hope you find my suggestions helpful!! I wish you a happy and safe trip!

Wow...this is a tough one. Traveling with one child on the plane alone is a challenge, but two...you will be an all time hero. I have been traveling alone with my now 16 month hold since she was 6 weeks. She has gone on nearly 10 airplane trips 2 of which were international and she is taking another next month.

Anyway, I think your situation is not completely hopeless. Although your 4 year old is the one that seems to be scared I think that I would start now to try and turn the experience into a game for her. I would make her your helper for the entire trip which includes packing for the plane activities for both her and her sibling (ie. snacks, games, favorite doll/stuffed animal, etc.). While in the airport she can be responsible for different aspects of the trip which may include carrying the bag of treats or helping to fold the stroller, just something. While on the plane you can have several distracting activities planned like reading books and singing songs. They recommend that children are sucking or chewing on something during take-off and landing (i.e. juice, milk, pacifier, gum). The flight attendants are usually very sympathetic and helpful to make sure that you and the kids have an easy time during the flight. When the plane is actually taking off I would make sure you're talking to her and maybe even singing some sort of fun song.

Once the plane is in the air you may even ask a flight attendant to show her the cockpit to visit the pilot to keep her engaged and to see how safe and not so scary the experience really is.

I'm sure everything will work out just fine...GOOD LUCK!!

you might like to try "rescue remedy", available at natural foods stores. it comes in liquid, cream, or soft-pastille forms. the soft pastilles are like cough drops; the child can just suck on them. the cream can be rubbed into wrists or whatever. i have found this to be very helpful for my daughter when she is anxious or upset about something. totally safe as well, as it doesn't contain any drugs.

I feel your pain :) My son is 3.5 and daughter 17 months. I have been traveling back & forth from Oregon with both of them (by myself) since May (they were 3 & 1 then). Just so you know I thought my 3.5 year old would be my problem child because he is EXTREEMLY busy and overly sensitive to everything including noise, but it was my daughter that was more difficult. Now that she is walking she did not want to sit in a seat, so you may find your 1 year old to be more challenging. Some suggestions. Benydryl does work, but DEFINATELY try it before the flight to see if it makes him tired or hyper. Just depends on the child. I used it with my daughter as she has allergies and it helped her nap. My son has big sleep problems at home, so we use melatonin, so I just used that on the plane when it was close to his nap time. Someone recommended Rescue Remede natural product-- I personally have not tried this, but have heard great things. MOVIES!!!! I always get one new movie for the flight and my son is so excited he just watches it over and over. Coloring books, books, picture flash cards, FOOD are all good. Just think small because with the kids you are carrying a lot of stuff around. I will feel your pain as I am taking both kids back to Oregon in two weeks too :) Good luck. Let us know how it went. Feel free to contact me if you have more questions.

i wouldn't do benadryl. kids have different reactions to it. bring a lot of things that will keep them occupied. even a portable DVD player with favorite movies. also snacks. take her mind off of the plane thing. offer one thing at the time so it doens't become overwhelming with lots of new stuff all at the same time. yes i say new toys. something that she hasn't seen them before. suggestions; playdough, doodle pad, little noteboks (different characters) with a box of crayons, like i said, movies. also if you're fearing ear popping. i used these earplanes. got them at CVS, you out them in the beggining and then landing. i used them on our last plane trip with my then 2 year olds. worked great. beofr that i did use lollipops so they are sucking on something to prevent ear popping. no problems.
it will be ok. good luck