Air travel

[ajaan113]

I know several of you have traveled with your LOs by air. How did you keep you toddler occupied on the flight? We are flying from DC metro area to Hawaii. This is about two 5 hour plus flights. What kind of toys should I pack? I've been looking at the thirft stores for small toys, but any advice would be helpful.

How do you deal with jet lag for a toddler? It's a six hour time difference. We leave to go to Hawaii in the morning and the red eye returning.

[sugarkissed]

We've traveled with DD several times, but the most recent trip was the most challenging as they never want to sit still at this age! She's really into cars or anything with wheels, so we brought her a few of those, crayons and paper to draw on, and soooo many snacks.

We also found a sticker book and that was a big hit and movies and games on our phones or iPad.

As far as jet lag, I don't have much for advice! We have never crossed as many time zones as you are going to, but DD has always adapted fairly quickly and handled it better than us. We stick to her normal schedule as much as possible.

ETA We run around the airport as much as possible before boarding to get some energy out. I won't let her nap until we are onboard.

[happymama]

If LO is traveling on a lap, you can still bring the car seat. If there is extra room on the flight then they can get their own seat, and if not they can check it at the gate. Check with the airline, but that was the case when we flew. For a long flight LO may do better in their familiar car seat, DD won't sleep in a lap but will be out for a couple hours in her car seat.

Bring something to help with the ears. DD still loves her binkey, so we used that. If not, a bottle or straw cup works too as sucking and swollowing will help the inner ear pressure during takeoff and landing.

We brought LOTS of snacks. For toys I brought a coloring book and crayons, her little leap pad "computer" that she is obsessed with, and books. I would bring any small favorite toys, comfort items, and then maybe pick up a couple new small toys as something "new" may entertain for longer.

Don't forget to throw in antibacterial wipes and wipe down the whole area when you get to your seat. Plane cooties are nasty and LO will be crawling around touching everything. I also bought a bottle of water inside the airport and didn't get the beverages on the plane. DD was wiggly and not a fan of sitting still and she is in her "when I'm mad I throw anything within reach" stage. Dousing our seat mates with something was a high probability if I had used the open beverage cups they offered on the flight.

[redfraggle]

We have only traveled by car with our kids, but I recommend some books and some busy bags. (Google "toddler busy bags" for ideas) Snacks are also a must, whatever you can bring, which isn't much these days. Also, if you can get up and walk around some, I would probably do that because on long car trips, our kids get antsy and want to get up and burn off energy. I'll bet your LO would find the lavatory really interesting...

Good luck!

[RedDDD]

On the plane we had my sons little suitcase filled with all their stuff. Stuffed animal, two blankets, sticker books, coloring books, DVD's, lots of snacks, one flight we did the wrapped gifts (dollar store items gift wrapped and then they get to open one every time you need a distraction), both times I have flown in the last 6 months we filled up sippy cups with whatever is their choice (almond milk for DD and apple juice for DS) went thru security no problem at all, have a a couple of tshirts just in case spills happen or in my case one of my toddlers started throwing up (thats a whole other story for another time) my ipad is loaded with apps for them, install some new ones so they are excited about seeing new games on the plane.

other then that GL! After our last experience flying with two toddlers we decided we would not be flying with kids for two years.

[junewife]

I haven't read the PPs, but I just returned yesterday from an 11 day trip on the opposite coast. We had a 2 hour flight followed by a 5 hour flight and my LO is very active/physical.

Definitely buy LO his/her own seat if you can, and bring your carseat on board. My LO understood being strapped into his carseat better than having to sit on a lap.

I also made sure to change his diaper just before we got on board each time, and on the longer flight I think I changed him twice (because of course he had to poop while we were in air). During the layover, I let him run around as much as possible to burn off energy. I bought a cup of milk from Starbucks since we couldn't take it through security, and LO really likes milk before naptime.

We tried the best we could to keep our LO on our home time, which worked better than I thought. He started to adjust to local time by the end of the trip, so he was a little thrown off, but nothing crazy. It was only a 3 hour difference though; not sure what I'd do about a 6 hour difference. I might just follow LO's lead.

Things we brought on board the flight:
Melissa & Doug sticker books
Coloring book and crayons
Library books (so they were "new")
Eric Carle sound books, like this (LO LOVEDDD this)
Play Doh
A small dump truck toy
Little People toys (we got airplanes)
Lots of snacks- grapes, PBJ sandwiches, goldfish crackers, graham crackers, etc.

[ajaan113]

We didn't buy DS his own seat. It was $1,000 for his own seat. Since I sm the only one working we didn't. Now I am second guessing myself.

DS hates the car seat. He is fine for about 20 minutes before he screams. That's when someone is sitting next to him.

We will be in Hawaii for three weeks so DS will probably adjust but wanted advice to make it easier.

Thanks for the list of suggested items. Going to the thrift and dollar stores to find some this stuff.