All of you seasoned vets can you please share any tips/tricks to make the 2 hour flight we are soon to embark on more enjoyable for the other passengers around us. This will be the first time flying with our son who turned three in december. I imagine we should pack snacks and toys/books to keep him busy. Anything else I should prepare myself with? Does the altitude/pressure change bother toddlers ears as much as it does mine? Should I bring my portable dvd player to keep him entertained longer? (Man this is starting to sound like work, its supposed to be vacation! :p ) Anything that you have to share that did or didn't work will be appreciated. Thanks, Sean

We're bringing a portable DVD player in case our 2 1/2 year old has a meltdown on the plane.

Don't forget rules about bringing food and drink on the plane. You might be better off buying a snack after the security checkpoint...?

Yes, your son's ears will be as bothered as yours are. And at 3, he probably can't yawn on command! So I'd make sure you have something to help him swallow during those parts of the flight - juice in a cup/whatever. You won't be able to bring most liquid past the security point, so bring his cup and buy something past security. On a 2 hour flight you might not even have beverage service (depends on airline, and if it's bumpy) so I wouldn't plan on being able to 'save' some from that for him.

Whatever he needs to be comfortable sitting still for a long period of time, is what I think you need to bring, amusement wise! I think a DVD player would be good, if you bring headphones that will work for him!

And don't forget, you have the wait after you go through security, the wait on the plane after you board, and potential other waits - so 'be prepared'!

Don't forget rules about bringing food and drink on the plane. You might be better off buying a snack after the security checkpoint...?
Allow me to add to this...
While TSA rules state certain things about liquids/drinks/gels/creams/etc... it is not all that clear about solid foods. In the past month of travel, I have seen where people who carried a large amount of snacks and the like have caused rescreening of their bags. (It really was more than a "reasonable" amount.) Not a big deal but causes delays - which may not be easy with a young child in tow.
Here is a link to the TSA list (http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#4) of items you can bring on, and their restrictions.

A reasonable amount of snacks brought with you should be fine. Purchase drinks and the like when you get into the terminal, which you can also take on the plane with you.

The DVD player will save your life! That (and the gameboy for the big kids) keeps them entertained the whole flight

Benadryl. :~D

It is awkward isn't it. Don't panic though, games, books, and your DVD player will probably take care of the flight. One thing that my parents used to do to prepare me was to take me to a nearby airport to watch the planes take off and land. This helped to make me a little less scared when I arrived at the airports. By this I mean that it wasn't completely new and I was in a way excited for the flight. If this is not possible for you don't worry about, you sound like you have plenty of plans to pass the time already. It is also possible your three year old might just sleep through most of the flight.
futurecm21

I would pack some lollypops or something like that, to keep him swallowing during take offs and landings. It is reasonable to pack some crackers or cookies, for snacking. BTW, if you want gum for yourself, buy it at home. They don't sell it at all at Orlando airport, anymore. Considering the mess to the terminals and airplanes, can't really blame them. If he is prone to motion sickness, give him Dramamine before the flight, and pack extra clothes for him, and for you (in case he gets sick on you, which happened to my husband when our younger child was a baby. Fortunately neither of my kids have ever gotten motion sickness since). Most kids get sleepy on Benadryl, a few have the opposite reaction, i.e. bouncing off the walls. Crayola Color Wonder kits are great, and non-messy. Kept my kids busy for a good part of the flight.

The best tip ever: when your kids ears plug up on the descent, give your child a birthday blower to blow on. The pressure of blowing is similar to sneezing or yawning- and little ones think this is great fun. I got this advice from a stewardess, so it must work. I'm gonna pack a bunch for our trip!

Oh, and if you are thinking snacks, remember the stickiness factor. Sugar-free gum and suckers made with Splenda are a good idea!
This will also lessen the hyper-activity factor.

Oh, and benadryl and gravol made my kid loopy. As in wide awake, giggly and then later, irritable. A one year old that didn't sleep from 7:00 AM until 10:00 PM. Not fun. So don't give these drugs unless you KNOW what is gonna happen. Drowsiness is NOT always the result.
Hope I didn't scare you. Just remember, its only a few hours out of your life, so just roll with it.

Most kids get sleepy on Benadryl, a few have the opposite reaction, i.e. bouncing off the walls.

Oh, and benadryl and gravol made my kid loopy. As in wide awake, giggly and then later, irritable. A one year old that didn't sleep from 7:00 AM until 10:00 PM. Not fun. So don't give these drugs unless you KNOW what is gonna happen. Drowsiness is NOT always the result.

I was going to post this same thing. This was how my husband reacted when he was a baby and his mother reminded me frequently when we started having our babies. If you've never given your child benedryl before, give him son in the morning, ahead of time to 'test'. That said, for a 2 hour flight, if it does make him drowsy, I'd make sure I took my stroller and gate checked it because you could have a very lazy and even cranky kid on your hands when you get to your destination!

Two hours won't really be a bad flight, actually. You'll barely get up before you're coming back down again. When our son was about that age, we took four 2-3 hour flights. Each and every time, he fell asleep on his own not too long into the flights. He barely touched the activities we brought for him. The hardest thing about the flights wasn't keeping him occupied but keeping him from kicking the seat in front of him :rolleyes:

Adrienne

My DD was 16.5 months when we flew from CA to Seattle (just me and her). It's a 2 hour, 45 minute flight, give or take. I was able to take small snacks and food for her. The rule of thumb is one new activity for every 20 minutes for ages 1-4. So I packed my carry-on full of little books and toys I had been stocking up on, and hadn't let her play with before. (Check the Dollar Stores or the dollar spot at Target for cheap but entertaining toys. I just picked up some cute playing cards and a pirate ship for DS and a Cinderella type coach with horses for DD. I have them stashed in the diaper bag for long waits or down times while we're out. They were a buck each so even if they only last the 20 minutes once, I'm not out a lot of money. DS is only 4 years old, so the cards aren't much for playing, but they hlep with his counting and number recognition.) Uhm, I think that's it. If I missed anything, let me know.

Liz :cool:

I have been flying with my daughter (now 5) since she was 2 months. Most of the flights have been 2-3 hours. She has flow to Hawaii (5 hours) twice. Once at 13 months and once at 2 years. She flew to Europe (10 hours) at 3 years. These are some things I learned when she was younger.

We travel with her car seat. It is a hassle but she feels comfortable and relaxed in it and settles down immediately. It also helps her see out the window.

I bring a sippy cup and fill it with water (purchase past security check point). I don't let her drink much before the flight so she will want to drink as the cabin is pressurized and on take off to clear her ears.

You didn't mention if your son is potty trained or not. If he is, go to the potty just before boarding. I also suggest using pull ups on the plane unless he is really able to "hold it" for a long time. There may be turbulence and you can't leave your seat.

You might bring a map and point out what you are flying over.

The previous tips of books and toys, especially new ones are great. Look forward to the time as a chance for uninterupted bonding. Read, draw, play together and you will both really enjoy it.

Everyone has some great tips, I don't really have much to add. I am a former flight attendant, and I fly about every other month with my kids, ages 5 and 3, been doing that since the oldest was 2 months old. It is very rare, almost unheard of for a flight over 45 minutes to not have beverage service. Flights over 45 minutes are stocked with drinks, if somethng crazy happens and the crew does not do a full beverage service, they will still have the drinks available to you, just ring your call button. We use to serve 175 people from Phoenix to Vegas, that flight is 45 mins. wheels up to wheels down. It was fast, but we got it done. Don't even try to mess with bringing something through security, or paying horrid airport prices for drinks for your child. That is what the crew is there for, your comfort AND safety.
I second bringing the carseat. First of all, a lap belt is not gonig to keep your son secure during extremem turbulence and secondly, with my youngest, he totally understands he is to stay seated because he is in his carseat, he doesn't ask one time to get out.

[QUOTE=MommyTo2Boys] Flights over 45 minutes are stocked with drinks, if somethng crazy happens and the crew does not do a full beverage service, they will still have the drinks available to you, just ring your call button.
Don't even try to mess with bringing something through security, or paying horrid airport prices for drinks for your child. That is what the crew is there for, your comfort AND safety.
QUOTE]

Yes they have drinks on the plane. My reason for suggesting that you buy it after security is so you can have the drink when you want it. You can ask when you board, but sometimes the flight attendants are so busy that they don't have time or the desire to give it to you. Most flight attendants are really great, but some lately have been very grumpy. Your child needs the water or drink before the beverage service so if you don't buy it make sure you get it from the flight attendants before they shut the aircraft door.

[QUOTE=MommyTo2Boys] Flights over 45 minutes are stocked with drinks, if somethng crazy happens and the crew does not do a full beverage service, they will still have the drinks available to you, just ring your call button.
Don't even try to mess with bringing something through security, or paying horrid airport prices for drinks for your child. That is what the crew is there for, your comfort AND safety.
QUOTE]

Yes they have drinks on the plane. My reason for suggesting that you buy it after security is so you can have the drink when you want it. You can ask when you board, but sometimes the flight attendants are so busy that they don't have time or the desire to give it to you. Most flight attendants are really great, but some lately have been very grumpy. Your child needs the water or drink before the beverage service so if you don't buy it make sure you get it from the flight attendants before they shut the aircraft door.

I have to agree about grumpy flight attendants lately. We had a great crew, happy to be at work, even on Christmas Eve, but coming back on Jan. 4th, you would have thought they were working Christmas day! GRUMPY!!!!!
Usually the ones that are really helpful for moms are the moms themselves.

I took my boys for the first time when they were 2 and 3. The best thing I ever did was bring suckers for the take-off and landing. It helped with ear pressure. I also loved having a DVD player. Each boy got a backpack which I had filled with new toys, games etc... all purchased from the dollar store also.

Does anyone know if the Earplanes (they come for children too) work or are they just glorified ear plugs?
We recently got our son a Leapster and bought him a couple new games that we will give him the day we leave for DL and then return.

Benadryl. :~D

I don't recommend medicating a child unless absolutely necessary or under a physician's order.

If you do though...please be aware some kids actually get "hyper" from the Benadryl....that wouldn't be good on a plane, so if you do please try it out before you fly.

I don't recommend medicating a child unless absolutely necessary or under a physician's order.

If you do though...please be aware some kids actually get "hyper" from the Benadryl....that wouldn't be good on a plane, so if you do please try it out before you fly.



The :~D was meant as a joke. :|

We found on a recent trip (our first flight with our little guy) that the DVD was heaven sent for our 3 yo. We never used it on the plane, but when we got stuck in O Hare during a snow storm, it kept him occupied while we tried figuring out flights and sat at the gate waiting and waiting.

Also, a few new toys that he was surprised with through out the trip made for good times. Kicking the seat in front of him was his main entertainement during the flight unfortunately...:rolleyes:

Deb