Traveling with Almost 2 Yr Old

Try and be really excited about the plane. Show him planes taking off and flying, sit near the front (if it's an option) so he can see the flight attendants and maybe show him the pilots if possible. Just try to make the experience as much fun as possible, if you are anxious about flying, or even anxious about his reaction he will probably pick that up and that will increase any anxiety that he does have. Good luck!

Hi! I'm a 25 yr old stay at home mom with a 21 month old baby girl. We just got home from a trip and my daughter did fine. I would recommend having sooo many more toys and snacks then you think you'll need though (and diapers too) since we had an unexpected delay and it was miserable. Also, remember to have him sucking on something for take off and landing so he doesn't get an ear infection. Good luck.

Hi A. -

we started flying with our son when he was very young (2 1/2 mths) however he just LOVES to fly (and always has). Be sure to bring some new, exciting toys/books/puzzles, whatever that he can play with. The best advice I read was having a new item for every 30 minutes of travel.

Not sure how long your layover is, but letting him run up and down the airport with you in tow is the best way to "try" to get him worn out to sleep on the plan. ... our son does not typically sleep on flights (stayed awak all the way to/fromthe UK!)... probably afraid to miss out on something! The other thing if you are potty training try to introduce him to the toilet early... so it won't scare him when he has to go... also the "blue water" is typically a hit with kids!

Best of luck!

The only thing that should really bother him is the take off and landing. I know he is a little young, but have you taught him how to chew gum? That will help with the change in pressure in his ears and will keep him from being scared when his ears feel funny to him. If he sleeps when you are in your car, he should sleep on the plane. Just take things he would play with in the car and that should be enough. Parent are usually more afraid of the child's first plane trip than the child is.

Marie

He may not be that scared, because it's more open than an elevator. I would prepare him by letting him see the planes take off then asking him if he wants to ride on one, which of course he will, then say okay, let's do it! The captain will also let him look at all of the controls when you're boarding (since you get to board first) and he'll think that's really cool. Bring him earplugs for his ears because it usually hurts when they pressurize, which will scare him, or something to listen to. Bring LOTS of games, books, snacks, things for him to do. Prepare his very own carry on bag with his stuff!!!! Let him help you!!!!

We've been travelling with our 3 year son since he was 3 months old...he loves airplanes. I would imagine your son loves airplane too. Why don't you get a book at the library about flying on airplanes and talk about your big trip coming up. Also he must have some toy planes...if not, get him a little plane and talk about what's going to happen. The more he knows, the less he'll be afraid. Good luck

I traveled extensively with toddlers and preschoolers and the main thing: Manage your own emotions about it before the trip, 'cause kids pick up our anxiety. He will be fine. Focus on, and speak out loud about, what's at the other end of the flight, whether it's Gramma, cousins, a neat place to visit, etc. Get a plane or travel book from the library before you go & read it together. Bring a small backpack for him with a "lovie", a chewable snack for his ears taking off and landing, another snack so he's not cranky from hunger, books, a small game, paper & markers for the flight.
As for the escalator, you can usually avoid them in the airports, if necessary.

Don't fly Continental. If your baby speaks, they will suggest you medicate him.

I hate them and will never fly them with my child unless it is the last resort.

Hi A.,
i hate elavaters too its a big box all cloded up moving but ,,,nothing like a plane so i bet he'll be fine the man thing is taking off andlanding when your ears pop he cant pop his ears so make sure he his drinkingon his sippy cup ,or chewing on something so they will pop by there selfs if not he will cry to they do pop
good luck have fun
L.

Hello A., I just got back from flying with my 14 month old. He was excited about the new environment and wanted to explore everything on the plane. I think that people have given good advice with the videos and toy planes. I wanted to tell you what saved us on the plane. I gave him a sippy cup when we took off and when we were landing. The desenct takes awhile so you may need a refill for that. Also, I took his DVD player and let it play softly. That kept him entertained for almost the whole flight both times. I took some extra toys, books, and colors that he had never seen before, but the DVD player was really what he spent most of his time with. I highly recommend taking one. Also, we flew on Continental and they had milk even though it wasn't listed on the beverage list.

Hi A.,

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Get him excited about it. Make up silly songs and play with him. "were going on a plane, its gonna be such fun. Prehaps even add rules in the song, we sit and play our games, were quite and nice. What ever you wanna say. Also buy him a toy plane or a coloring book about planes. Get him pumped about planes. If you have a local air port give him a little tour of the planes. Feild trip!

A.,
My daughter has been flying since she was 3 1/2 months old & she loves it. Our flights were always 10 to 12 hr flights, as we lived in Hawaii at the time so to go anywhere took forever. She is usually asleep before we are off the ground. If you can sit him by the window so that he can see the outside of the plane & everything that is going on outside before you take off. The elevator was probably a problem b/c it is closed in. He can't see anything, but yet he is moving. Make sure that you have some of his favorite things with him. A favorite toy or stuffed animal so that he can hold that. Have a drink ready for him to drink when you are taking off & landing to help with the ears. His swallowing will help pop his ears. If you have any other questions you can contact me.
L.

if you remain calm, your child will be more likely to remain calm. children can sense and react to your fears and concerns. i would suggest talking about the flight beforehand, and answer any questions beforehand.

We flew with our son the first time when he was just over 2 months old. At the time he was still on bottles, so that took care of the sucking (chewing gum) that helps with the ears. Bring along a container of Cheerios or some other snack that he can chomp on to help the ears.

We flew from Houston to LA, with change of planes in Dallas. As we boarded the plane in Houston I gave him a small dose of baby Tylenol just to help keep him calm. I didn't want to be the mom with the screaming baby. It worked like a charm, maybe a little too good. He fell asleep before the plane ever took off and slept the whole time. Same thing on the connecting flight. I don't remember giving him another dose, but he slept or sat and watched the movie playing (without headphones). He also had a small bag of his toys and books to play with too.

He's 6 now and is a wonderful flyer. No more doses of Tylenol, but he usually falls asleep before or just as plane takes off and sleeps most of the flight.

Good luck and just remember to stay calm yourself. They can sense when you get uptight.

start talking about it in an exciting way now. Buy him an inexpensive plane of his own (the little peoples one while not inexpensive will show him about people getting on and off of it). Show him with it how it will fly from one place to another and you will get to see the house from a different perspective... Let him know that after it lands the second time he will get to see (insert whomever or whatever you are going to visit).

Let him take his plane with him on the actual flight...Bring lots of things to do in a carry on, books to read to him, snacks for him, a deck of cards, a couple of easily handled toys, coloring book and crayons, a favorite stuffed animal or other lovie, etc. If he is scared anyways (our female twin was) explain to him if he goes to sleep the ride is likely to be over when he wakes up. Then when he wakes up distract him with some of the things you brought. Talk about the things you will do while you are wherever you are going...

Good Luck!!! ;-)

DO NOT BE FREAKED OUT. Your baby will respond totally to your cues. If you don't make a big deal about getting on the airplane, taking off, landing and flying, then he won't either. My kids have flown more than most adults and have never been scared. I think the elevator thing is natural. My two and a half year old did the same thing. I think it is partially claustrophobia...how often does your child go stand in a closet? The other thing is the movement without windows or frames of reference. So when you get "excited" about getting on the plane "Here we go, we get to get on the airplane now, it is going to be so much fun," you are actually convincing him too. You can even booster the excitement by starting now to talk about "we get to go on an airplane and see "grandma" (or do whatever it is you are going to do). I think a portable DVD player is invaluable and you can get them for fairly cheap nowadays. I LOVE baby einstein videos - any of them...my kids would get mesmerized and watch the whole thing. I think they liked Beethoven and Mozart best. Good luck on your trip.

Hi A.,'
My two year old thought Airplanes and flying was similar to the Rocket on the little Einstein show. I suggest you start telling your toddler that you both will get to ride the airplane/rocket really soon. Watch on tv or buy a little einstein video and see if this helps your toddler grasp the concept of flying. It really worked for me.