Tips for Flying with a 10 Month Old

My 10 month old has now flown 6 times and has done beautifully. I think the more traveling you do, the more they become accustomed to it. That being said, we have another flight scheduled for two weeks from tomorrow, and we'll see how she does now that she's older and mobile. One little hint about changing diapers--some airplanes are now equiped with changing table, however, those are hard to come by. What I've done every time we've flown (because my daughter insists upon having bowel movements every time we're in a plane)is asked the flight attendant if we could go to the back cabin, put down a blanket, and change them on the floor. So, they put down one of the airline's blankets, I put her changing pad on top of that, and the floor becomes a changing table. This was actually suggested to me by the flight attendant on the first flight we took with her.

I traveled with both of my kids (2 yrs and 7 months), I purchased seats for both. Being able to put my daughter in her car seat was a blessing, holding her for that long can be exhausting. I am going again soon and only purchased a seat for my older(now 3 and 16 months), hopefully it won't be a disaster. If you have the luxury I would definately recommend purchasing a seat for your daughter, if not, then you should be able to get by since both of you will be traveling with her. New toys are great, I also resorted to a portable DVD player. Good luck

We flew with our daughter once at a month old and once at about 10 months I think. First, yes- you should either give her a bottle or a pacifier for take off and landing. They do say that bringing a seat on is safest, but not necessary. As far as tips to keep her happy, just bring plenty of snacks and formula, some toys, and plenty of diapers and wipes. The bathrooms are small, we all know that- and it is really really hard to change a baby in them- do it with the door open- it's easier- and have your husband just hand you the diaper, wipes, etc. from the door. You aren't allowed to change them at your seat (which is understandable because of sanitary reasons- plus who really wants to smell a diaper in such close quarters, right?).

I hope this helps.

My daughter was only a month younger when she first had a plane trip, ironically our flight was also 3 hrs. I was traveling with just her and myself and it was not as hard as expected! I gave her a dose of tylenol before we took off, and gave her a bottle and a snack on take-off, I held her and patted her back until she feel asleep, she did wake up and was a little cranky part of the flight but distactions, such as toys ( if possible go to the dollar store and get a couple new ones she will be more likely to take interest in because they are new), maybe even a safe snack she usually is not allowed to have , when the seatbelt sign goes off if she is really anxious, get up and go check out the bathroom ( for some reason my daughter loved this!), in the end if all fails and she screams, know yes there will be some dirty looks and huffs about the screaming kid on the flight, but also know that those people probablly aren't lucky enogh to have kids and also don't get stressed, you'll probablly never see them again, if you get nervous or frustrated she will feel it off you and become more anxious, (trust me on this one.. I've had personal experience!!) Good luck!!! Hope I was of some help!! Enjoy your vacation!!!

I just flew with my 15 month old. I was sure to give her a drink on take off. However, I also consulted my pediatrician, and he said I could give her benadryl. She was very good both ways.

I suggest that you ask for bulkhead seats, they tend to have extra room. Also, have your huddy sit a row or 2 behind you so you can trade off if need be. I wouldn't spend the $ on an extra ticket...3 hours isn't that long of a flight, and you will end up holding her most of the time anyway. Plus, if the flight is not full....I promise you will get a extra seat for her! lol. Also.....don't board first. Why spend MORE time on the plane than need be. Also, when you land. Whoever has the baby, leaves first....most parents wait to the end....a major PAIN! the parent w/o the child can wait and get all the stuff. You can find out if your flight is full when you check your bags...if it IS full check the carseat. If NOT full, bring it onboard and you can use it as you need it! I am surprised noone suggested benedrhly....it does 2 things....makes the baby sleepy (in most cases) and helps breathing, if child is like mine and gets snuffy before anything like a trip! lol I would NOT suggest any drinks other than clear liquids for the child. UNLESS, you are nursing. If you are nursing....do so 15 min before flight takes off or so. Don't be concerned about privacy ....throw a lite throw away blanket over your shoulder. A great travel tip for most any young child....bring a inflatable beachball with you. It is entertainment in the airport, and where every you are going and it can be used as a pillow or protection buffer, if needed. Pack what you NEED. pack a change of clothes for the baby and a clean t-shirt that both you and hubby can wear...in case of messes! dress your child in comfy clothes w/ no major details....no overalls, frills kind of thing. Leggings and a top or a dress simple outfit. Flights get cold. pack a lite sweater for you both....they too double as blankets and pillows. as far as toys go...nothing with noise. playdoh. aquadoodle. wrap toys loosely with tissue paper to make it more fun to discover. Use different colors. Take snacks/meal that is labor involved....meaning small things that she has to pick up...takes alot of time :) Whew....I didn't think I had that much to suggest...sorry! Good luck and feel free to contact me if I can help....I took my son from Fl to Ca with ease....I am sure you will do great too! Oh....the intercoms tend to be too loud...maybe ask the flightcrew for a pair of headphones to put over your babies ears (DON"T plug in!) to mute it a bit....

Hi J.- My daughter Maya is three years old. My family lives in NY and I live in Florida, so we have been taking Maya plane trips at least three times a year since she was about two months old. I have done this with my husband (which is of course much easier!) and with just Maya and I. When she was as young as your daughter, I'd always take our Baby Bjorn carrier for her. I found it easier than dragging our stroller through the airport. You will need to take her out of the carrier once you get through security, but I never had a problem with it. My mom has an extra stroller and car seat for us, so we never had to worry about that. I would also ALWAYS, ALWAYS schedule the flight to coincide with her naptime. That is probably the most important thing. She's three now and I still do that! When she was younger, I would nurse her during takeoff, and sure enough, she would always fall asleep. I would nurse her again during landing and her ears never seemed to bother her. We never bought her her own seat until it was required, which I think is their second birthday. Many times when the flight was not full there was an extra seat for her anyway! I would also give her a fresh diaper right before we would get on the plane. It's not very easy to change a baby in those teeny bathrooms! I hope this helps you out. I know it can seem a little daunting at first, but it's really not so bad. We've done it so many times our little one is frequent flyer! Best of luck to you, have a great trip.

Do yourself and your daughter a favor and BUY HER A TICKET!! If you don't you'll both be exhausted because she will be all over you and she won't rest, not to mention the safety issue. This leaves your hands free to get her things she wants. Also, take lots of snacks and a drink for her to have on take off/landing to help with the ears. Another suggestion, if you have a portable dvd player, take along a Baby Einstien video, the classical music can be very soothing. Make sure to bring a few toys and maybe even try getting a special new toy for the plane ride so it's not something she's bored with. A new toy might hood her interest a little longer. Good Luck and Happy Flying!!

Hi: I am the mother of 3 kids (8 mo. 2 yr. and yrs. and all have travelled at least 3 to 6 times per year since their birth (My hubby is from up north and I am from South America) THe shortest tri has been 3 hours and the longest 1- hours. they did great and I never had to medicate them. First try to relax yourself so that you are not stressed and are ready to handle situations. Always have a new "toy" tat they have never played before so that they can be distracted a little longer, I always try to plan my flights around sleeping or nap times if at all possible. If not I try keeping them up a little longer so they fall asleep as soon as the plane takes off. Ussually the humming of the plane keeps them sleeping even longer. I try breastfeeding or giving a bottle at take off and landing. A portable DVD has become a very useful tool but your baby might bee a bit too small unless he is into the baby einstein videos as is my 8 month old... I call those my half hour of peace (particularly Baby Mozart and World Animals.) I always keep my pacifier handy, lots of snacks cause you never know what mood they will be in and if the situation becomes critical I sometimes dip the pacifier in a sweet drink such as gingerale or juice... it is something interesting and different and will not hurt them to have a little sugar just this once ;-)
but most importantly... YOU RELAX. there is nothing you can do if a baby throws a fit. and if anyone complains about it or gives oyu a hard time then they are being more immature than the baby in your arms! Plus not to be mean or disrespectful... you probably will never see them again so like I said Relax and try comforting him instead of worrying about the others. PS If this does happen walking up and down the aisle and going into the bathroom to play with mirror helps.
GOOD LUCK and let me know if you need more info, I can go on and on about traveling wiwth kids (we were stuck in a plane 3 hours before departing once... like I said be prepared for anything (xtra diapers, formula, snack,wipes...)

I took my son on a plane trip when he was 11mths old and me and my mom took turns with him on our laps. We brought munchies and toys and he did great. We let him look out the window and we didn't have a seat for him on take off and landing I buckled him in with me and he did fine. we flew from Florida to New York so it was like at least two and a half hour trip.
Hope this helps

We traveled to California when my son was 14 months old. I took the earliest and most direct flight out and a red eye back so my son would sleep most of the way. I did as little as possible to wake him up, I even left him in his pajamas. Plus I gave him a pacifier which always helps him sleep longer. He was awake for only the last 30 minutes going to CA and the last 50 minutes coming back.

We did buy him his own seat which turned out to be worth every penny we spent on it.

My husband and I took our 13 month old on her first plane ride yesterday and it wasn't as bad as I expected. Just be sure to have a bottle or sippy cup handy during take off and landing because the pressure bothered my little one quite a bit. She did much better with it when she was drinking her bottle. Also, bring lots toys and snacks to keep your daughter occupied.

We didn't get a seat for our daughter and she did just fine on our laps.

My best advice is to try not to stress out too much in advance like I did. I didn't get sleep the night before becasue I was so worried which was really silly on my part.

Best of luck!

We just flew last week with our 6 month old. 3 hour flight. We did not get her a seat because I know she would not sit in it, especially with us sitting beside her. I nursed her on take off and she slept the whole way there. I almost woke her up on landing, but decided not too and she was fine. On the way home I nursed her again on take off, she slept for an hour, I fed her lunch and on landing I nursed her again. We had some altitude troubles just before her lunch and she was tugging on her ears. She sucked on her bink and was fine. Almost like she knew it would help....! I put her in a light sleeper. It was perfect.

We brought an extra shirt for me, and 1 outfit for her, 3 toys, a teethiong toy, oragel in case, a book, a blanket, and a bottle of water in case. And if your nursing, I highly recommend the boppy. Also wipes and 6 diapers. Thank goodness I packed more, our flight was delayed 3 hours. Make sure you are prepared for that. We also brought her bumbo and carseat to the plane and they checked it right there. So when we got off, it was just outside the plane for us.
We also pulled up to departures and Kiosk's all our checked luggage. They say 5 bucks a bag to tip them. Then went and parked and caught the shuttle with only our carry ons. That was nice. And I "checked us in" on our computer, so you do not have to wait in line.
Also the plane had a changing table in the bathroom. That was a nice suprise.
We also brought our Ipod and put a few lullabies on it in case, but she was very happy in my arms.
With your Lo being older, you could bring snacks and possibly a mini photo album to look at. I do not reccommend tv, but there was a baby older than mine on the flight with a portable cd player. It kept her occupied the whole flight.
I do not like the "drugging" your baby outlook. Unless in extreme conditions.
We did not bring our big stroller, but a friend gave us their umbrella stroller on our vaca, so on the way home, it was perfect to carry our stuff and I carried the baby.
Also all the rules. Wear a comfy outfit, no belt, no metal, sandles with socks. It is not fun to walk thorugh that area with bare feet! Yuck! You must take off shoes and put on conveyer belt. And the silly liquid rule. All liquid must be less than 3 oz and in a quart size bag. Well, it does not apply to the baby stuff. We took a little cooler bag with a 5 oz. bottle of water and a ice pack. They questioned us and said it was ok becuz of the baby. I also had lotion and hand sanatizer...less then 3 oz, but not in a bag...they let me slide. WHEW!
I also bought mesh bags that clip on to your carry on. From onestepahead. They were great, i had klenex, a bink, a little wipe pack, and sprees for our ears. We only used the carry on for her diapers and wipes. If I had only known!
Good luck! Have a great flight!
OOoh, If this is your first flight with your Lo, bring a camera to capture the moment, and ask as you get on the plane if oyu can get a picture with the Pilot when you land. We did not ask on the way and the pilot was gone when we got off. But I asked on the way back, and the Pilot waited for us. We got a great shot of her and him in the cockpit!
Happy Vaca!
I love Katherine K's ideas...she a pro!
S.