Air travel with a 2 year old?

Question

This will be my sons first time traveling on an airplane and just want some advice that worked to make a peaceful trip. Me and my husband are at odds on what to bring. I think it is important to bring a stroller for him while at the airport, especially since we have an 1 1/2 layover. I also heard that it is your choice to bring a carseat on the plane. I think it is important to have him in one but what I have researched, it seems that some like to be in the seat alone. Also, what did you give your toddler to keep him happy and quiet, food and game wise? Any advice over and beyond would be appreciated. Thank you!

Answer 1

you know when your ears pop when lift off occurs, get a boiled sweet and suck on it so stop it from happening

Answer 2

I'm a former Flight Attendant who now flies a lot with my own three children transatlantically about twice a year plus many short trips, since each was 4 months old.

Even though I'm almost always alone, I have almost always brought a car seat. There are many reasons why this is a good idea. Two year olds don't fit airplane seatbelts very well and you probably need the carseat at your destination anyway. Using it onboard guarentees that it arrives that it gets there in one piece (it's iffy checking them).

Most car seats in the U.S. are FAA approved. Also, he's old enough for a CARES harness, a car seat alternative that is easier to carry. It's expensive at $75 and can only be used in airplanes. Check out this site for more info on both;

http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_childr...

I only recommend using a CARES harness if you have a car seat arranged on your arrival. Remember that renting car seats from rental companies is not only expensive, not guarenteed but many of their seats are old and expired. Avoid doing this and bring your own!

To get yours' through the airport, there are various gizmos sold, some quite expensive and not all can be used on all brands of carseats. I simply strap mine, which is quite heavy, on to an all-metal luggage cart with an extra bungee cord and it worked great. Also play with the idea of strapping it to the stroller, again with a bungee cord or wedging it inside (which can then be used to double secure your stroller before leaving it at the aircraft door).

These are just examples. I'm not promoting either the products or these sites;

http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_k...

http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Toddler-...

http://www.onestepahead.com/product/osa/...

I do recommend bringing the stroller even if your 2 year old likes to walk. Use it to carry your bags when not in use and you'll have it if he falls asleep. Ask at check-in to confirm that it *will be returned to you* when you connect flights. Usually this is the case but once they said no so, and on my flight yesterday they didn't, so double check.

A quick word on low cost companies. Sometimes their rules are different so make sure you don't have to recheck in at your connection point.

I always bring 1/3 more supplies than needed. Plenty to eat and drink. Don't sweat the TSA guidelines. Here they are;

http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm

Bring what you want and the worst that can happen is that they take it away, no fines, speeches, etc. I've managed to get juice through, although they say officially no. Don't risk having a thirsty, whinny child in the check-in area. Bring his favorite sippy cup and dump it right before security if needed.

Since your son hasn't flown before, talk about it and perhaps get a book at the library (there are quite a few on the subject). I can assure you that I never saw a 2 year old unhappy with flying (although many were a little too happy...) Even take him down to the airport if you live close enough (don't go totally out of the way). The security is the scariest part for kids. They actually find the flying part fun. Let her know that she needs to put her toys on the security belt and to walk through the arch. You go first and have him follow;

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/c...

Bring books, let him carry a small backpack with toys he's chosen himself (but you do some editing). For long flights, I have a suprise new toy that I bring out once in the air. Some people might recommend a portable DVD player. I waited until my youngest was 3 but decide for yourself. If you do opt to take it, or any electronical gadgets, please fully charge them before leaving. How disappointing it is when they run out and it's rare that you can do it onboard! Bring the recharger to do the deed, if you have time, before your next flight (especially if there's a delay on the second flight).

Learn to change him standing up, assuming he is still in diapers. This does take practice but toddlers hate to lie down in strange places and the inflight changing tables are usually too small for them. I use the handicapped lavs instead of the ones with changing tables. In the terminal, you can use either.

You can get up and move around during the flight but please try to do so after the meal service. Always keep an eye on him. Those carts are heavy and are just above a toddler's head. We simply couldn't see little ones in front so please be careful. If turbulence hits while you're up, don't return to your seat unless it's safe and close enough to do so. If it's really rough, consider sitting on the floor! Same with the restroom (ugh! but better that than injured).

Toddlers still do best in "bulkhead" seats. These are the ones behind a wall. They're located in various locations, depending on the aircraft. Request them early through reservations or through your travel agent. They're popular. You can get in and out of them better and no kicking the passengers in the row in front (toddlers are very good at this!)

This can be a challenging age to travel with, especially since they like to move and getting them to sit still can be difficult. This is another reason why I was so glad I had brought the car seat. I have strapped an unhappy little one down more than once. I could then spend my energies comforting her, instead of trying to hold her down.

Hopefully, you have a good baby carrier that still fits this age. Strappy, fiddly front packs like the Bjorn are usually outgrown but I found my sling super-useful when my toddlers were this age. Some parents swear by their pouches and wraps. Don't disembark with a sleeping toddler over your shoulder and make sure you have something to support your back if he wants to be carried. In such an unfamiliar setting and with a new experience, he might want to be close to you so don't kill your back holding him on your hip.

At this age, it can be tempting to give a child some sort of medication. I've seen it work but children can have the opposite reaction. Allergic reactions to antihistimes is common, which includes myself. I was taken to the emergency room at age 7 thanks to Bendyrl. You also risk dehydration and having a disoriented child on landing. I manage without on 11 hour transatlantics and three small children so with just one, and your husband to help, you don't need to resort to this.

Many flying tips say to make the child suck on something or drink during take-off and landing. This isn't accurate. ENT specialists say to have the child awake about an hour before landing (top of descent, landing or touch-down is too late).

http://www.entcda.com/AAOHNSF/earsandalt...

I can confirm that is when I saw problems at work. Take your child to the doctor in the last few days before you fly to make sure his ears are clear and infection-free. Heathy ears can handle pressurization changes. Don't unnecessarily wake him up afraid that his ears will expode. On all our flights, I have never done anything special on take-off and landing with my kids.

A quick word on documentation. If you're flying internationally, make sure you get the passport in plenty of time. On domestic, they usually don't ask for anything but bring a certified copy of his birth certificate just in case, if you're in the U.S.  

I wrote an article on this subject in 2000 when I was still flying. I've since put it on a blog to share with other parents. It's totally non-commercial. Be careful of advice on the web written by those who never themselves worked with the airlines.

Feel free to visit;

http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com

Have a good flight!

Answer 3

There is everything you need in this website:

http://www.angelfire.com/jamiehassen79/f...

Answer 4

Take something to occupy him, I hate flying, I'm off tomorrow :]

Maybe to take his mind off it, Take a blanket, some toys etc.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

Stroller is a must unless you plan to carry your son all the time which can be hard.

There's a product out there called CARES (http://www.kidsflysafe.com/) which is a TSA approved child restraint to use on board, you can use this without bringing a car seat. A great invention I must say since I've been using them for international and domestic flights.

Bring lots of his fave snacks, new toys/old toys that you had hide from him a week or so before the flight, coloring books, doodle pads, portable DVD player is amazing too.

Good luck!