Join now

Already a member? Sign in

Welcome to Inspire!

What - Inspire is a place where you can connect with people who share your health concerns and find information and advice in groups sponsored by organizations you know and trust.

Why - As a member you can use Inspire to let friends and family know how you're doing, contact others who share your health concerns, receive personalized updates and information about participating in surveys and clinical trials, and more.

How - Joining Inspire is completely free and usually takes less than a minute. Join now!

corner corner corner

Traveling with Toddlers

katek
0 Recommendations

We are traveling with our son (22.5 months adjusted) and foster daughter (a little over 20 months) via airplane for the first time tomorrow evening.

We are driving to Phoenix (about 1.5 hours away) so that we can take a direct flight to Portland, which should be about 2.5 hours.

Any advice for traveling with toddlers? I've seen the threads posted in the last month about traveling with babies.

I'm concerned about air travel affecting their ears. Any advice on how to encourage kids to swallow during take off and landing so that their ear pressure is balanced.

Explore topics in this discussion:

Anxiety Tylenol

16 replies

OrionsMommy

Yeppers, I flew with Orion when he was 6 weeks old (37 weeks adjusted ) and the best thing that i was given was to give him Tylenol about 30 minutes before the flight and then if he needs to suck on anything give them a pacifier or your finger to suck on. He did not feel it at all.

Also remember that if you choose to bring along a snuggly you will have to unfasten it during takeoff as the flight crew has to be able to access the baby in case something happens to you.

Make sure that you take advantage of Family boarding if needed. This is usually after the business customers or the A group with many airlines, just let the gate attendants know that you need to use this service. It is so much better than trying to board at your specified time and trying to find seats together.

I hope that this helps.

mygirlsmom

My sister has been flying to see us a few times a year, with her 2 kids (now 5 and 3). Her husband can rarely come b/c of his job, so she's really had her hands full! She ususally gets them a new toy to bust out if travel becomes hectic (ie: they were stranded in a snowstorm for 6 hours, and believe it or not, a new Elmo and bag of licorice did the trick.) She also has a portable DVD player, but I have a feeling that wouldn't be up your alley, but it has saved her from many meltdows ;) Regardless, some meltdowns have happened, and I guess you just have to realize that so what, at some point each adult on that plane bothered someone with their incessant screaming! But I'm sure Henry will be fine! My sister also gives them drinks during take off and landing, to make sure they keep swallowing. her daughter has ear issues, and this has helped.
Have a fantastic time! We have not yet ventured on plane with the twins. Waiting a little while longer....

charlenefron

Bring plenty of snacks! Make sure the kids are well-rested before the trip. Go to the dollar store and get a few small and noiseless toys that you can pull out when necessary. Since the toy is "new" it will keep their attention longer. During take-off in the air plane pull out a juice box (or something to drink) which will keep them swallowing and protect their ears. If you have a portable DVD player, this can work wonders and keep them entertained. Good Luck!

EvinsMom

Haven't been there, done that yet... but just wanted to wish you guys safe travels and a great trip.

I have a girlfriend that gave here boys raisens to snack on at the beginning of flights- said they were chewy and the kids liked them.

I'm happy to hear you guys are venturing away again- enjoy!
Amy

dustarella

Yay! How fun! I really really want to go to Portland - so jealous! How long will you be gone?

I'd definitely take this as an opportunity to give them a couple 'treats' that they don't EVER get anywhere else, except on a plane/during travel. Be that a portable DVD player (you can rent them too - and usually kids don't care if they can't hear the sound very well - you can turn it down really really low), juice boxes, or suckers (aka lollipops). Even a suger-free lollipop is a treat for kids who don't get that kind of thing very often - plus it may encourage them to suck, although most kids that age will just try to chew them - but if you get a good kind, it'll stand up to the chewing attempts. I don't know if either one has been exposed to gum-chewing yet, but chewing gum is also good for the ears on the up and down. I take care of a two-year old who really likes gum who's really good about not spitting it out at random locations (hands it to me when he's done) and doesn't swallow it TOO often ;)

Definitely a few new toys, but don't spring them out all at once - only give one when they start to melt down, then keep the others new for other melt down times.

I also find that car trips go much better when you leave at naptime. If you aren't leaving at naptime, try keeping them up through their normal naptime, and then they'll be exhausted and sleep the whole way in the car!

I've found that the sleep is the hardest part. It really helps if they can have some area designated that they know is the 'their' sleep area and that they are familiar with from home, instead of some random bed in a hotel or family member's house (even if they end up in bed with you halfway through the night - it helps them settle better for naps, etc). They have these portable toddler 'cots' that can make just a pile of blankets seem like home - kind alike this one: http://www.amazon.com/Small-Fry-Design-Travel-Trundle/dp/B0002VG68W/ref=sr_ 1_10?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1246632317&sr=8-10

Anyway, good luck! And have fun!!

dustarella

Another tip about getting them to sleep the whole way in the car - if you leave in the morning, right after wake-up time, wake them up earlier than usual so they are tired when you leave. Or, if naptime is RIGHT NOW, not 2 hours from now when you were planning to leave, leave early. If we know we're going a long distance (and/or might get stuck in traffic) we leave at naptime no matter how early that may be compared to when we need to be at our destination. It's much easier to play with them and distract them while sitting in an airport than while in the car... or even better, it gives you some extra time so you can stop at a playground near the airport to get some of their energy out before boarding!

dustarella

Oh, and one more thing (sorry, I'm a font of words this morning!) - if you don't have them already, I would HIGHLY suggest investing in a couple of kid backpacks. Ours is from Kelty and go up to 50 pounds... it was $200 but that's because it also converts into a stroller - you can find simple backpacks for $100 or less. Or you can look on Craigslist for gently used ones, since you have 2 kids!

The kids really like being carried in them - gives them a new perspective on the world - and it keeps your hands free to pull other luggage through the airport, plus keeps them from running around insanely & trying to rummage through people's bags! You just gate-check them like a stroller. In fact, if I had to choose between a backpack and a stroller, I'd choose a backpack - they are just so convenient for travel!

3xpreemiemom

We buy new books for car trips & bring along lots of snacks. For some reason, eating in the car and on the plane keeps them occupied. I don't usually offer my kids snacks when they are not hungry, but seriously, a steady supply of non-sugary sleep inducing snacks. (think carb overload) really works. Also highly recommend coloring books and new crayons. One other word of advice is to stash a change of clothes for the kids in your carry-on. Traveling in wet clothes does not make for a happy baby.

Taylorchrisie

I personally try and have my daughter (22 months today) tired by the time we get to the airport. That way she sleeps on the plane. I try to get her to bite on something during takeoff, so maybe their favorite snacks or drinks. I just bought my daughter a toddler rolling backpack from walmart for 10 dollars. She loves pulling it. We are going to Disney in August so Im thinking she may like being able to have her own bag of goodies on the plane. Taylor has been really into coloring lately, so I am taking her crayons and a really small notebook for her to color in. I recently bought her a Fisher Price Kid Tough DVD player too, but Im not sure if thats up your alley either. It saved our lives on a 6 hour car trip, so Im hoping it will keep her entertained on the trip to Cali as well.

Hope this helps! Have fun!

LoveMyBoys

As for the ears -- have them drink something as you start descending, etc. I tried giving my son a snack but he was too distracted by his ears to really swallow it... a little juice worked well - it distracted him and the swallowing helped normalize the pressure in his ears... I also packed them each a little backpack with new toys - nothing big - coloring books and new crayons, some little cars, new books, stuff like that -- they didn't see any of it until we were on the plane - because it was all new it took a long time to go through everything and occupied them for a while! Oh! This last trip, I also got them cheap little MP3 players (although Alden is 3 and Avery 6 so they're a bit older) - they had some Disney ones on clearance at Target - I loaded them with some of their favorite music and they felt so grown up with their little headphones, etc! Good luck and have a great trip! To be honest, I have found the excitement of the trip and being on a plane helps get through most of the flight too - we've never had any major incidents and Avery's first flight was at around 7-8 mos!

ProjectGemini07

I'm traveling (via air w/ one layover) in 10 days. I'm so scared! I am planning on using pacifiers (even though my boys are 2 1/2 they still use them at night so they won't look at me crazy when I give it to them on the plane) and sippy cups to aid w/ ear issues. My sis told me to bring lots of snacks and to basically plan on a snack per hour (goldfish, teddy grahams, raisins, etc.) Dry stuff that travels easy. I also bought the $20 Magna Cart dolly from Sam's and am planning on strapping their car seat to that (I tried it and it fits and fits very snug and tight/no movement at all) to stroll them through the airport. This will eliminate the need for strollers and I'll have the carseats with me when we get to our destination.

Good luck w/ your travels! Please let us know how it goes!

katek

I just wanted to thank everyone for your suggestions.

The trip up to Portland was relatively easy. Henry takes after me in the sleep department and was out like a light before the plane leveled off. I tend to fall asleep with the g-force against me too.

I stayed awake, however, b/c our foster daughter (20.5 months) had an anxiety attack during take off and refused her bottle, which didn't help. She doesn't take a pacifier either. Sigh. But she passed out a couple minutes after the plane was in the air.

We brought a laptop to use as a DVD player for the kids, but it turned out that we didn't need it. We may need it tomorrow, however, on our return trip.

The trip has been good, but we can tell that the kids miss our usual routine. Our son is very routine oriented. We started getting into a routine here. He's finally used to his new bedroom...now that we are about to leave! I'm glad that we came on this trip, but traveling with toddlers is a lot more work than "vacation." ;)

SUPERMOM416

Glad to hear the plane ride there went smoothly! I hear you about more work than vacation with the little ones!

Have a safe trip back!

3xpreemiemom

Glad you survived! Just think, now that you've done the airport, nothing can phase you. :)

katek

We made it back. Both kids were as good as one could expect from two toddlers.

NateAndTimsMom

I traveled with two toddlers/older babies from Haiti to Spokane, WA by myself with a two hour notice no diapers, clothes, bottles, cups, toys, food, stroller, etc. Each of the kids had their own seat. That really helped! What was hardest was going to the bathroom since I was by myself. The kids had no trouble with ears or anything. In Miami I was able to go to Wal-Mart and get a few toys which were a novelty to them. I would recommend novel toys. Also, good snacks. They may not eat much, but this would be a great time to splurge on not so healthy foods to keep kids happy. If you can make sure the kids are tired, great! You want them to sleep on the plane! I just traveled with my boys from Memphis to St. Paul (15 hours each way not including stops) and they did fine. We were in the car so I was able to take a laundry basket full of toys. I bought some new things just for the trip. The things they liked best were whistles, cars, beads, books, and these annoying steering wheel driving things (Elmo). Times when they had enough I took out DumDums (only twice!). One time Timothy had a hard time getting to sleep. Finally I thought to sing to him the song I sing before bed and nap every day--he was asleep within seconds! Flying is very doable and I'm sure you will all do fine! Remember comfort items, novelties, and treats!

Add to the discussion

Don't have an Inspire account? Join now!

Forgot password?

Group leaders

You