Ideas, Please!

I once flew by myself when my daughter was 2 1/2 and ds was a few days away from turning 1. It went really well. For my daughter I bought her a new backpack and some new toys to put in it. I put it on our counter a few days ahead of time and told her it was full of new stuff for her. The rule was she could not open it until she got on the plane. She was so excited. She talked about that backpack for those few days, on the way to the airport, and at the airport. I bought her a Color Wonder set, new crayons, and a coloring book. She had just gotten into Polly Pocket so I bought her a small set. I also got her a Barbie doll (cheap one). Along with that, I brought along her DVD player and bought her a new movie. I really didn't spend that much with all this. She kept entertained easily.

DS nursed and slept on both flights. I also had a layover in Atlanta. He woke up when the plane landed in Atlanta and stayed awake until the next flight (less than an hour). As soon as the plane took off, he went back to sleep. He did wake up right before we landed again and I had some things for him to play with.

I also recommend taking a double stroller if you have one. When we landed I was able to strap them both in and just take off at both airports. Above everything else that's what I recommend. I was more worried about keeping up with my kids during the layover than anything. Actually, I had a fear of losing dd in the rush. So it was a peace of mind to have them both strapped in the stroller. I remember flying one time with just dd and running to the next flight carrying her. That was hard with a backpack.

I also brought along a few little snacks for them. Our whole flight was short enough that I knew that would be enough. I also brought along a change of clothes just in case, but didn't need them. Be sure to bring plenty of baby wipes!

L.

Hi S.,

I just came back from a trip to New York with my 4 year old son. I bought a portable DVD player which was great on the plane and while we were in NY. He is an early riser, and the DVD player kept him entertained in the mornings. He loves to color, so I also brought some pads of paper and a sandwich bag filled with crayons. I brought some stickers for him to use too. You may want to also bring a coloring book (my son prefers blank paper). He has an L-Max, too, but barely even used that. Once you are in the air, get up and take a walk with her up & down the aisle. It will be good for both of you to stretch and will occupy some time. Sometimes if there is a friendly flight attendant who likes kids, she may talk with your daughter for a few minutes. Whatever else she enjoys doing that you can take on the plane will help pass the time for both of you.

Also be sure to bring some snacks. You never know what you'll get on the flight if anything, and if there are any delays, you'll be prepared with her favorite foods. Bring something for yoursef, too. I notice that when I get too hungry, I lose my patience with my kids.

Have a safe and fun trip!!

L.

I totally agree 100% with a portable DVD player. It works wonders! If need be, you can plug it in anywhere in the airport and sit w/your kids and watch any movie. My advice is to bring several of those Baby Einsteins....awesome! Definitely bring your stroller, as you can fold it up and place it in the front closet. Good luck, and DO NOT PAY ANY ATTENTION to those jerks that make comments when your kids cry. I made the mistake our first flight and felt awfully embarrassed. They really honestly do think the more they give you looks if your child has any outbursts, that you have the power to stop it. Please post and let us know how it went!

I have taken a couple of plane rides with my 2 daughters. A couple of things - get the three year old a backpack with wheels she can pull through the airport and use as a carryon. Load it with little toys, crayons, paper, a book or two, a stuffed animal, snacks, sippy cup, etc. I did this with my girls (2 and 3) when we went to Arkansas in May and they both loved it. THey felt important having to take care of their stuff. Plus it was fun on the layover to pull everything out and have stuff to play with. THe extra benefit is that with them pulling, you do not have to load down the diaper bag with all of this stuff and have all of the weight on you. I found these backpacks at Target on sale for under $15 each, and they worked great. THey have characters on them too and I let the girls pick the one they wanted.

THe other thing that I feel works for the 3 year old is Chewy fruit snacks on takeoff and landing. Helps with the ears.

Of course - if you have it, a portable DVD player is great. My girls also love listening to the iPod.

Your nine month old shouldn't be any trouble at all. If he is anything like mine when they were younger, he will sleep all of the way through the flight.

Good luck!!!

Since your daughter is 3 she will have her own seat, so you CAN bring a car seat for her. Some older carseats are not approved for airplane use, but most are. The carseat is easier to keep them contained because it is easy for them to open the airplane seatbelt.
I have flown with my 2 year old and 5 month old before (May). I brought our double stroller and my 2 year olds carseat. We gate checked the stroller. Also, the baby bjorn works well if you don't have a double stroller.
I will be making this trip again next week. (This time by myself. Last time I had my husband with me.)
A DVD player is great if you have one. Good Luck!

First I would like to suggest a nonstop flight. Next you should get a flight that departs around 7 in the morning. If you can not change your flight you neeed to try and keep it simple as far as what you bring on the carry bag. Little toys will just fall down on the floor and aisle. also if you are bringing a carseat, bring the stroller. the will stow it for you. In two years I have been on four trips. my husband has had to work every time so I traveled with my two year old and three year old alone. I learned to bring the stroller and pack light. Also a new toy will help too, dont let them have it untill they get on the plan. I really like the early flight because the will sleep the whole flight and the airport is less crowded. also it is best to travel during the week. Good luck, one more thing if you are taking one stroller get a harness for the other child so they will not wander .

I have been flying with my son for about a year. He'll be 2 in August. I went and bought a special coloring book and crayons (Target has a great selection), stickers and a new movie (I highly suggest purchasing a DVD player, cheap at Target). He picked it all out but couldn't have it until we got on the plane. The coloring book and the stickers were the biggest hit! He colored most of the time and then he watched some of his movie, by that time the flight was almost over (2 1/2 hours). I also packed lots of snacks. I tried to plan the flight around a nap or later in the evening so he would sleep and it works.
I hope this helps!
S. Coots

I just flew with my children last week. My son is 14 months and for the most part, was well behaved on the flight. I brought toys with me and he was amused with those for the most part. We were lucky because we had three children traveling alone sitting in front of us who also kept him entertained. I had some friend's suggest bringing along brand new toys so there is more interest than old ones. (I did not purchase new toys) Also, snacks are a must, especially if its a long flight.

Just to let you know, as far as I know, car seats are not allowed to be used on the airplane. I saw a couple carry both of their children's seats all the way through security to be told they had to put them in the overhead or gate check them.

I would defintily bring snacks and juice boxes for your 3 yr old as what they offer on planes is slim to none, and definitely not so kid friendly.

Most airports now-a-days have a play area for kids, if you have a long layover, I would definitely look into the airport and check that out ... it also is great to get all that energy out before getting on another plane.

If you have one, I would also recommend (depending on length of flight) bringning a portable DVD player, it is great especially if you encounter any problems during the flight.

Good luck!

I just flew last month with my 10 month old and almost 3 year old sons. One suggestion I have is to buy a few new toys for them - this will work better for the 3 year old than the 9 month old - something new and exciting that will keep her attention. I brought a 3-D viewfinder with a few "shows", coloring book and washable markers (more exciting than crayons), play dough, new books and lots of fun snacks! I brought an empty sippy cup as they won't let you bring fluid on the plane but will give you a drink in flight. I'm not sure I would encourage the play dough - it was the small size container, but they pulled me aside to check my bag b/c of the play dough. I guess it's the same consistency as some bombs:-(. They let me bring it but suggested I not do so in the future. I pulled the tray down for my son to play with the play dough and didn't realize that while he was smashing it down, he was also causing the lady's chair in front of him to bounce back and forth:-( and she wasn't very nice about it! I couldn't get my son to nurse exactly when I wanted especially on a plane full of talking people - he was very distracted. However, if your son takes a binki, this will help for take off and landing as they just need to be sucking. I brought an umbrella stroller for my older son and put the other in a front pack. You'll have to take them both out for the security check but it was a nice way to travel quickly - especially since we were in line to check in for over an hour! Layover should be pretty easy as your daughter will want to stretch her legs and they'll both enjoy just watching all the people around them at the airport.

A trick that my husband taught me that you'll want to try...get seats in the back of the plane - a window seat and an isle seat - if the plane is not full, the last place anyone wants to be is in the back in a middle seat - chances are you'll get the entire row to yourself! If the plane is full, just ask the person in the middle to change seats with you - I'm sure they'll be happy to:)!

Good luck!

Take a coloring book and a few crayons, books you can read to them, also a favorite small toy.

I traveled by air several times when my kids were about the same age. Try to reserve the bulk head seats so you have room in front of you to allow Daisy to get out of her seat and play on the floor in front of you. Before the trip take her to the store and let her buy a few new small toys that she can play with by herself like new coloring books and crayons,etc. Then buy something that is interactive and you can play with her in her seat while Shawn is sleeping in your lap. Tell Daisy if she is a good flyer you will start rewarding her by buying a special something/souvenoir from that city with that city's name on it, so she can remember all of the places she has been and keep them off her for a new collection. My kids treasure their collections and they are in the teens and twenties now.

Also take a portable DVD player with you with a couple of new ones for Daisy to watch for each way. Gosh, I wish I had them back then!!!

You probably are already planning a variety of snacks for yourself and Daisy since plane food is slim to nothing now on planes. I've heard that some airlines now allow you to pick special food if you call ahead to time. You can say that you have special diet needs and need to know what will be served.

My pediatrician told me to give both kids a decongestant/antihistamine 30-45 minutes before the take-off and again 15 minutes before descent begins to help with the ear pain since their ears are even more sensitive than adults. If Daisy can chew gum without swallowing it give her a piece before take-off too. I also was told to feed the baby during take offs and landings to help with their ear pressure just like you are planning; it really works. LOL