Traveling advice needed - flying with a 1 yr old

momtoMegan&Alyxandria wrote: I have never flown with an infant before. Can you give me some suggestions on how to keep Alyx entertained for an almost 3 hour flight. I am taking plenty of snacks and am praying we make it off the ground before she starts screaming bloody murder. I am sooo afraid we are going to get kicked off the plane if she gets ticked before take off. I am also hoping that she will go back to sleep; our flight leaves Dayton at 6:35 am. Thanks in advance for your suggestions and advice.

grapfruit replied: All I can say is GOOD LUCK!!! I've heard that girl scream. I'm NOT picking you up (or dropping you off) so you better get up in the air!

msoulz replied: My son was 13 months on a plane. I took his car seat to keep him strapped in, which worked well except it was hard to manage all of it myself and the flight attendants had to help. As we took off I gave him a bottle so the change in pressure wouldn't bug him - that seemed to work well. Otherwise I talked to and played with him and we made it. It was only a 2 hour flight and he slept about 1/2 hour each way.

Oh, the bad thing about the carseat was that it put him right up against the seat in front of him, and he kept kicking the seat. Fortunately the guy in the seat only seemed slightly irritated and I did my best to catch his feet. I wonder if you can still take car seats with all of the regulations now? I guess if you didn't buy an extra seat the question is irrelevant!

Good luck!!

momtoMegan&Alyxandria replied:
Thanks you are a great friend and a wonderful boss!!!

lovemy2 replied: Benadryl

Just kidding - I took Olivia when she was almost 2 and she did great, all the new things, etc. kept her busy....

momtoMegan&Alyxandria replied:
I didn't buy an extra seat for her. She will be in my lap or Megan's lap. Thankfully she takes a pacey so if I can't hold her over for a bottle/cup at take off, I can make sure she is sucking on that. Yeah, you can still take carseats on the plane if you want to buy an extra seat at full price. I think they should atleast discount it for you. Thankfully they do allow you to check them for free and they don't count against your alotted two bags per person. I think I am going to hit the library for some new fun books for the trip.

momtoMegan&Alyxandria replied:
LOL. Casey said I should drug her too, but she said Advil.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: Actually, doctors recommend benadryl for flying. I give it to both of my kids before we take off.

I think Ethan did better flying at one than Maddie did flying at 4. It should go by pretty fast. Hopefully she will sleep (with benadryl) and the snacks should keep her happy!

PrairieMom replied: I have traveled with a 6 month old, 18 months, 2 1/2 year old, and a 3 1/2 year old, and I have to say that By far 6 months was the worst, followed closely by 18 months. I would suggest traveling early early in the AM or at nap time when they are sleepy and pray for the best. My 6 month old SCREAMED bloody murder the entire distance of our 2 hour flight. It was horrible. It stressed me out so badly I got physically Ill from it. I just wanted to puke so badly. I was so aware of the other people around me, I felt just horrible. but after we landed, I had parents on the flight come over to me and tell me that they understood, and that they had been there, and that I did great. how embarrassing.

PrairieMom replied:
not mine. I asked and she was like " absolutely not! "

CantWait replied: We took a midnight flight when Anthony was 1, and it was he**. All I got to say is GOOD LUCK.

Mommyof3 replied:
When we had to fly with Mackenzie when she was about that same age, I talked to the Dr. in advance about the ear popping thing because I had a really bad problem with that when I was younger and he told me to use Benadryl. I never give the kids medicine except for fever or if it's been given by a Dr., but it actually worked. On the way home I just tired her out and didn't use the Benadryl and she slept great. It was for a 3 hour flight with a lay-over. She also sat on our laps and did great!

moped replied: Jack and I fly lots and he has always done well except at 18 months where he doesn't want to sit still - but he does really good. I have treats, juice, toys and htings to keep him occupied.........

She will be jsut fine!

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: Both my kids have always done pretty good on flights. I always take the Bjorn just so my hands are free. Plus one of those cheap umbrella strollers that are light and easy to fold. Just check it at the plane entrance. If they lose it, who cares. Lots of snacks are key. Plus lots of simple toys that you don't mind getting lost. My kids always throws things over the seats in front of us or on the floor. So again, if it gets lost, who cares unless its something they love. Leave the loveys at home or in the suitcase. I always sorta swaddle my kids on my lap and rock a bit at take-off. Helps to soothe them. I nursed them on take-off too for the pressure. Bring LOTS of binkies if they use them. Again, they fall on the floor. Plastic baggies are essential for things like this. Hand sanitizer since you will be touching a lot. A blanket since its always a bit cold. I even sing to my kids...I don't care if people can hear me...better to hear my awful voice than a screaming child. If it helps, you can even get up and walk around a bit. Oh, and if you're like me who gets really HOT under pressure, wear layers that are easy to take off and on. GL! You'll be fine.

grapfruit replied:
That's great advise! I do feel for her. Alyx is so cute and lovey, but she's very demanding and likes DOWN. So everyone pray for her!!!