mariposang
i have my 15 mo.old baby for 24 hours flight to philippines...And need some advice for the people who have experience travelling with their kids...
What tips you can give to me on plane and airport?
Thanks...
Have a nice day
Answer
I'm a former Flight Attendant and I now fly a lot internationally with my three children.
First of all, I hope you have whatever passport he or she needs. This can be a real headache with children. If you haven't tackled that, do so now and please be careful with the photo. Taking the correct child's picture can be tricky so get the full instructions from whichever country this concerns. If your child is a U.S. citizen, he or she will need that passport to re-enter the U.S., even they have another passport.
This can be a difficult age to travel. Toddlers love to run and hate to be confined. I do recommend that s/he have his/her own seat and that you bring his/her carseat along. Try to get an extra seat next to you if the flight isn't full and you haven't purchased a seat for your child. Ask very nicely for this at check in.
This is the only way to fly safely with any baby. Lap children are allowed because statistically, flying is so safe, there's very little chance of anything going wrong. If it does though, a lap child has no protection.
First check that your seat is approved by your airline. This is the link if you are flying a U.S. company;
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/
For a non-U.S. company, check with your airline's website.
I will say that my toddlers were much more settled and much easier when they were in their familar seat. Not to scare you but some parents haven't been able to keep a hold of their little ones and have been "off loaded" as a result.
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2007-01-23-airtran_x.htm
I will admit that I've strapped down an unhappy little one more than once. Toddlers hate to be confined and simply don't understand that they have to be seated sometimes. Firmly anchored in, I could then consol them while we landed.
To get through the airport, they sell all sorts of gizmos like these;
http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_kids.html
http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Toddler-Attach-Rolling-Carry/dp/B000JHN3AS
http://www.onestepahead.com/product/osa/363756.html
I simply use a small metal luggage cart with an extra bungee cord and it works great. I skip on the stroller and she can even ride in it. She usually prefers to walk and then I load the carry-ons aboard. Some parents are also able to wedge the seat in the stroller or bungee cord it to the back of the seat portion of their stroller.
Besides, taking your car seat onboard virtually guarentees that it'll be there at your destination. Checking them risks damage and loss. Wont you need it when you get there?
For entertainment, get him a new toy, anything and it doesn't have to be expensive. Keep it and give it to him or her once you're on the plane. My son at that age liked anything with wheels. Once, I simply had a package of plastic animals. Kept him busy for ages!
Play dough, stickers, anything to color with and simple toys like pinwheels are also recommended. Just make sure that they don't make ANY noise. Even a quiet toy can drive your fellow passengers batty. No one will mind if you read to your child though. Chunky books with flaps are fun for toddlers. These make good suprises on the aircraft.
I actually don't recommend a portable DVD player *unless* s/he can watch it without sound. I doubt s/he'll wear the headphones but try it at home. For such a long flight, I recommend a player with at least 5 hours playing time. Keep the light low to save battery time and bring a recharger with any adapters to recharge it on layovers.
Just some other small tips;
-Bring a change of clothes
-Bring way more diapers than you think you'll need
-Wrap extra diapers and clothes in plastic and tie with rubber bands to save space in your carry-on.
-Learn to change him or her standing up (don't try to fit him on those tiny babychangers and toddlers hate to lie down in strange places)
-Bring an empty sippy cup to fill during the services. This will prevent spills in the air.
-Get up and move around with him but keep an eye out. Those carts the F/A's use are the perfect height for hiding little ones
-Bring snacks. Don't fret security. I've never had anything taken away (yes, water but not snacks) and that's the only risk. If you have something not allowed, they simply remove the item. No scenes, no speeches, no arrests!
-Try to sit in a bulkhead seat so that there's no one in front of you
-Bring slippers, especially if you're not in the bulkhead!
The stroller can be "gate-checked", meaning that you will get a tag at the counter when you first check-in and then you can bring it to the door of the aircraft. Please ask if your stroller will be returned to you at the gate on any connections. When exiting the plane, if they are using more than one door, ask at which door are the strollers (usually with the wheelchairs). Bring a bungee cord and at the door of the aircraft, fold the stroller and double secure it with a bungee cord to prevent it from popping open en route. You can also cover it in a bag if you want.
It's actually a myth that children need to suck on something for take-off and landing. I rarely saw it in my 13 years as a Flight Attendant and with all the flights I've made with my children, I have never, ever done anything special with them for take-offs and landings.
ENT specialists simply recommend that the child is awake for landing;
http://www.entcda.com/AAOHNSF/earsandaltitude.htm
The delicate time is not during take-off or landing/touchdown but at the *top of descent*. This is usually 40 minutes to an hour before landing and everyone's ears have to reverse the pressurization. I can confirm that when I worked, if any passengers had ear problems, this was the time. Not just children either! They actualy felt *better* as we got closer to landing.
If you dive (which I thought of because I've gone diving in Borcay), you learned the same principal but in the opposite direction. Going down into the water is the same as going up in the air and vise versa. Just as a reminder, if you are a diver, don't do it within 24 hours of flying!
The BEST way to avoid ear issues is to take your little one to the doctor a few days before flying. My son was good at getting symptomless ear infections. The doctor will look in his or her ears and make sure they're clear and infection-free. Healthy ears can handle pressurization changes.
My son was 20 months old and slept just 20 minutes of an 11 1/2 hour flight. It was just so fun for him! Not so fun for mom but I survived... Even the calmest, most placid children are not good on planes at this age. Take heart. You're not alone.
It can be tempting to use some sort of medication to get a toddler to sleep on a long flight. I never have done this due to a family history of allergies but be aware that this is not rare. Sometimes children get the opposite reaction and I've seen this a couple of times when working. If you decide this would be a good idea, talk to your doctor and try it at home first.
For more information, I wrote an article on this subject. It's based on both my personal and professional experience of flying with kids. It's totally non-commercial and other parents have contributed;
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com
Both of you get plenty of sleep the night before and good luck!
I'm a former Flight Attendant and I now fly a lot internationally with my three children.
First of all, I hope you have whatever passport he or she needs. This can be a real headache with children. If you haven't tackled that, do so now and please be careful with the photo. Taking the correct child's picture can be tricky so get the full instructions from whichever country this concerns. If your child is a U.S. citizen, he or she will need that passport to re-enter the U.S., even they have another passport.
This can be a difficult age to travel. Toddlers love to run and hate to be confined. I do recommend that s/he have his/her own seat and that you bring his/her carseat along. Try to get an extra seat next to you if the flight isn't full and you haven't purchased a seat for your child. Ask very nicely for this at check in.
This is the only way to fly safely with any baby. Lap children are allowed because statistically, flying is so safe, there's very little chance of anything going wrong. If it does though, a lap child has no protection.
First check that your seat is approved by your airline. This is the link if you are flying a U.S. company;
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/
For a non-U.S. company, check with your airline's website.
I will say that my toddlers were much more settled and much easier when they were in their familar seat. Not to scare you but some parents haven't been able to keep a hold of their little ones and have been "off loaded" as a result.
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2007-01-23-airtran_x.htm
I will admit that I've strapped down an unhappy little one more than once. Toddlers hate to be confined and simply don't understand that they have to be seated sometimes. Firmly anchored in, I could then consol them while we landed.
To get through the airport, they sell all sorts of gizmos like these;
http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_kids.html
http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Toddler-Attach-Rolling-Carry/dp/B000JHN3AS
http://www.onestepahead.com/product/osa/363756.html
I simply use a small metal luggage cart with an extra bungee cord and it works great. I skip on the stroller and she can even ride in it. She usually prefers to walk and then I load the carry-ons aboard. Some parents are also able to wedge the seat in the stroller or bungee cord it to the back of the seat portion of their stroller.
Besides, taking your car seat onboard virtually guarentees that it'll be there at your destination. Checking them risks damage and loss. Wont you need it when you get there?
For entertainment, get him a new toy, anything and it doesn't have to be expensive. Keep it and give it to him or her once you're on the plane. My son at that age liked anything with wheels. Once, I simply had a package of plastic animals. Kept him busy for ages!
Play dough, stickers, anything to color with and simple toys like pinwheels are also recommended. Just make sure that they don't make ANY noise. Even a quiet toy can drive your fellow passengers batty. No one will mind if you read to your child though. Chunky books with flaps are fun for toddlers. These make good suprises on the aircraft.
I actually don't recommend a portable DVD player *unless* s/he can watch it without sound. I doubt s/he'll wear the headphones but try it at home. For such a long flight, I recommend a player with at least 5 hours playing time. Keep the light low to save battery time and bring a recharger with any adapters to recharge it on layovers.
Just some other small tips;
-Bring a change of clothes
-Bring way more diapers than you think you'll need
-Wrap extra diapers and clothes in plastic and tie with rubber bands to save space in your carry-on.
-Learn to change him or her standing up (don't try to fit him on those tiny babychangers and toddlers hate to lie down in strange places)
-Bring an empty sippy cup to fill during the services. This will prevent spills in the air.
-Get up and move around with him but keep an eye out. Those carts the F/A's use are the perfect height for hiding little ones
-Bring snacks. Don't fret security. I've never had anything taken away (yes, water but not snacks) and that's the only risk. If you have something not allowed, they simply remove the item. No scenes, no speeches, no arrests!
-Try to sit in a bulkhead seat so that there's no one in front of you
-Bring slippers, especially if you're not in the bulkhead!
The stroller can be "gate-checked", meaning that you will get a tag at the counter when you first check-in and then you can bring it to the door of the aircraft. Please ask if your stroller will be returned to you at the gate on any connections. When exiting the plane, if they are using more than one door, ask at which door are the strollers (usually with the wheelchairs). Bring a bungee cord and at the door of the aircraft, fold the stroller and double secure it with a bungee cord to prevent it from popping open en route. You can also cover it in a bag if you want.
It's actually a myth that children need to suck on something for take-off and landing. I rarely saw it in my 13 years as a Flight Attendant and with all the flights I've made with my children, I have never, ever done anything special with them for take-offs and landings.
ENT specialists simply recommend that the child is awake for landing;
http://www.entcda.com/AAOHNSF/earsandaltitude.htm
The delicate time is not during take-off or landing/touchdown but at the *top of descent*. This is usually 40 minutes to an hour before landing and everyone's ears have to reverse the pressurization. I can confirm that when I worked, if any passengers had ear problems, this was the time. Not just children either! They actualy felt *better* as we got closer to landing.
If you dive (which I thought of because I've gone diving in Borcay), you learned the same principal but in the opposite direction. Going down into the water is the same as going up in the air and vise versa. Just as a reminder, if you are a diver, don't do it within 24 hours of flying!
The BEST way to avoid ear issues is to take your little one to the doctor a few days before flying. My son was good at getting symptomless ear infections. The doctor will look in his or her ears and make sure they're clear and infection-free. Healthy ears can handle pressurization changes.
My son was 20 months old and slept just 20 minutes of an 11 1/2 hour flight. It was just so fun for him! Not so fun for mom but I survived... Even the calmest, most placid children are not good on planes at this age. Take heart. You're not alone.
It can be tempting to use some sort of medication to get a toddler to sleep on a long flight. I never have done this due to a family history of allergies but be aware that this is not rare. Sometimes children get the opposite reaction and I've seen this a couple of times when working. If you decide this would be a good idea, talk to your doctor and try it at home first.
For more information, I wrote an article on this subject. It's based on both my personal and professional experience of flying with kids. It's totally non-commercial and other parents have contributed;
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com
Both of you get plenty of sleep the night before and good luck!
Traveling with an infant?
brittany
In a few weeks I'll be traveling to the west coast. Not only is this my first plane ride but I will have my toddler wit me as well. Does anyone have any tips or advice they can give me.
Answer
Brittany,
Since you will be traveling with a young child on a longer plane ride it is very important that you be prepared for the unexpected.
Be sure to pack enough extra clothes, diapers, food and drink items for your child.
Keeping your child occupied while at the airport and then on the plane will be your biggest challenge.
I am not sure what time of day you will be traveling but it might be a good idea to travel around your child's nap time. However, it may not matter because all the new sites and people around will keep your child very occupied so it may be hard to get your child to nap.
If you child is walking, I would recommend that while you are waiting at the airport try to walk your child around a little bit and point out some interesting sites. You will want to try to keep them occupied while at the same time tire them out. This way once things settle down on the airport you child may be so pooped out that they will fall asleep.
I would recommend bringing toys that can entertain your child but at the same time not disturb the other passengers as much.
Also you may want to plan ahead and see if you can reserve a seat toward the back of the plane. This way you will be near the bathroom in case it is needed and also will have a little more room if you need to get up and rock your child.
A window seat may also work to help occupy your child if you are traveling during the day as during take off and landing they will have something to look at through the window.
I am not sure if you child watches any TV yet, I know it is hard at that age as kids do not have a long attention span. But you could also try bringing along a DVD player to watch some movies. Or if you have a smartphone, there are plenty of You Tube videos on there with short cartoon clips to keep your child somewhat occupied.
How these tips help and good luck!
Nadine
Brittany,
Since you will be traveling with a young child on a longer plane ride it is very important that you be prepared for the unexpected.
Be sure to pack enough extra clothes, diapers, food and drink items for your child.
Keeping your child occupied while at the airport and then on the plane will be your biggest challenge.
I am not sure what time of day you will be traveling but it might be a good idea to travel around your child's nap time. However, it may not matter because all the new sites and people around will keep your child very occupied so it may be hard to get your child to nap.
If you child is walking, I would recommend that while you are waiting at the airport try to walk your child around a little bit and point out some interesting sites. You will want to try to keep them occupied while at the same time tire them out. This way once things settle down on the airport you child may be so pooped out that they will fall asleep.
I would recommend bringing toys that can entertain your child but at the same time not disturb the other passengers as much.
Also you may want to plan ahead and see if you can reserve a seat toward the back of the plane. This way you will be near the bathroom in case it is needed and also will have a little more room if you need to get up and rock your child.
A window seat may also work to help occupy your child if you are traveling during the day as during take off and landing they will have something to look at through the window.
I am not sure if you child watches any TV yet, I know it is hard at that age as kids do not have a long attention span. But you could also try bringing along a DVD player to watch some movies. Or if you have a smartphone, there are plenty of You Tube videos on there with short cartoon clips to keep your child somewhat occupied.
How these tips help and good luck!
Nadine
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