NBR- Flying with toddler tips?

bumpuser9353653

So we are taking our first flight with our daughter on Wednesday (DC to Dallas). She's 21 months.

We are packing her CDs and putting her in a disposable for the flight. Not normally a screen-time family, but we'll have the iPad for sure. The ILs will be with us too, so got a few extra hands to help out if needed. And we'll grab some snacks for her too once we're past security.

Any other tips from the frequent flyers out there?

rainydayluck

How long is the flight? Have lots of snacks (you can bring them with you before security), new books that she hasn't seen yet, coloring stuff (if she is into that), sheer scarves (this work wonders to play games with), headphones for the iPad (we got some special ones made for toddlers) and stickers (even window cling stickers). 

We have flown a bunch with DD. I personally think shorter flights with layovers (like 1 hour) and super long flights (15 hours) are way easier than the in between flights that are like 3 hours. Then again, when they are younger, they fall asleep way easier than the older kiddos.

Good luck!

bumpuser9353653

@rainydayluck - the flight is around 3hrs, nonstop. Takes off at 10:30am (she naps at 1pm). Crappy timing, but that's what happens when you find cheap tickets, right?

Forgot to mention, we got a couple coloring/sticker books for her that she hasn't seen yet. Will probably take a book she likes too.

Good to know we can take snacks through security. Thanks for that info!

Junebug060609

Snacks, drinks, extra diapers (for the extra drinks, lol), iPad/kindle, new toys.

Have someone else you are traveling with help you with her at security.

You can bring pouches and prefilled sippies thru security, you just might get a pat down. Also, you can opt out of being scanned and ask for a pat down if you arent comfy with a scan while pg. They wont bat an eye, trust me.

MOTY: If I am flying at naptime I bring benadryl. I used to have to fly cross country, sólo with my toddler, five hours direct, often leaving right at naptime. A decent nap made all the difference.

bcnoelle

I think those are all good ideas that you already have. Maybe even use a night time diaper, just in case. We took a 5 hour flight with DS at 18 months. Overall he was relatively well entertained with some new toys, iPad apps, snacks. It was just a bit exhausting for us. Also give her something to drink for swallowing during take off and landing to help her ears popping. We needed a car seat where we were headed so we bought something on amazon that turned the car seat into a stroller. It was ok, but if you don't need a car seat I'm sure a lightweight umbrella stroller would be a lot less cumbersome. Good luck and have fun!

bumpuser9353653

Thanks ladies! I didn't realize we could take snacks through security, so we will definitely be doing that now. Planning on taking an umbrella stroller, and we got DD her own seat, so we'll have the carseat with us so she can nap in that if needed.

Fingers crossed that she does well!

Junebug060609

With most airlines you can check one baby item for free. Not sure if you were planning on it, but you could do the stroller that way (dont check the car seat, no way to know if it takes a beating). You can gate check the stroller if you dont check it.

FYI you probably know: Car seat and stroller will have to go on the belt at security (or get inspected by hand).

Also, you should be able to pre-board to install the car seat.

Kageer

Lots of snacks for sure. Maybe special treats for desperate measure-m&m's, lollipops, jelly beans. I keep these as a last resort and lollipops for takeoff and landing to encourage swallowing so ears don't pop.

Allibob

I made up a few goodie bags with a couple toys and a snack that I could pull out if she got bored. It helped organize my carry on so I wasn't digging through it in a panic, & I always had something new to pull out in case something bombed. I went to the dollar store to find some cheap & small toys. Stickers are great too, plus a few things loaded up on the iPad.

christieep

I always overprepare when flying with DS.  A few entertaining items: books (including a few new ones), a magnadoodle type board, iPod/iPhone/iPad with apps and videos downloaded, a couple little people toys, crayons.  I also pack several of those food pouches.

Overprepare on the diapers!!!!  I packed six for our last four hour flight.  DS was having digestive issues and we went through all of them.  Four diaper changes on the flight alone, the others at the airport.