Flying for the first time with a super sensitive barely-2-year-old?

UMichGirl

Warning...this is super long! i allreciate any helpful feedback you have to offer though!!

DS is a super sensitive kid--fears the vacuum (breaks down crying and full body shaking if we turn it on), other noises like the blender, etc. He also hates being in confined areas--the elevator freaks him out and he cries the whole time he's in it. We actually had him tested for sensory issues by our local Early On program, and while he was found to definitely have some sensory issues they weren't severe enough to qualify him for services.

So my problem...DS will be 2 at the end of June and we are looking at flying to visit friends earlier that month. For our own sanity we would buy him his own seat as opposed to sitting in our lap even though he could still fly for free. A 3 hour flight with a 30+ pound squirmy boy in our laps who wants nothing more than to be running the aisle sounds like a nightmare. We are worried though about him melting down on the plane. I could see the sounds of the plane, the feeling of takeoff and turbulence, etc sending him into a screaming terror. We would for sure talk to his pedi and also the woman who tested him for any suggestions or things we can do to help him. For all we know he will love it and all our worry will be for nothing. Does anyone have any experience flying with a child like this? We would try to time flights around naps but you never know how that will go...I don't want our fear of what he will be like on the plane to prevent us from going, but I also don't want to terrorize the poor kid and scar him for life if he does have a negative reaction! Thanks so much for any insight!

TiffanyBerry

Get him some headphones!

These are the ones we have for DD: https://www.amazon.com/3M-Peltor-Junior-Earmuff-Black/dp/B000I7NX5E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394423697&sr=8-1&keywords=peltor+junior+earmuff

JenniCollins

Headphones are good for muffling the sounds. I don't know if I would fly at nap time. Being overtired could make the issues worse. You know your child best though, if he'll nap then go for it (my dd does not sleep on the plane). Watching a favorite movie or listening to some favorite music can help to take his mind off all the new sensory issues bombarding him. Good luck!

law&order

UMichGirl said:

  For our own sanity we would buy him his own seat as opposed to sitting in our lap even though he could still fly for free. !

How does he do in his carseat?  We've always put DS in his carseat on the plane so it's much more like riding in the car.  I'm not sure if this would work for you. 

Also, headphones/movies is a good suggestion.

I have a sensory kiddo too and I know exactly how stressful these new situations can be. But DS surprises me often with how he can adapt and be comfortable in what I anticipated to be a stressful situation for us. I think you have to just go for it. It's how they grow and learn to regulate in stressful situations.

LSU628

My DD is super sensitive to sounds/loud noises as well, but actually the white noise of the plane knocks her out. I second the Peltor headphones. We bought a pair for DD and it has totally changed our life. DD was the kid who cried at Disney b/c the rides were too loud. With her headphones she was able to go to an Imagination Movers concert, Disney on Ice, parades, all the things that used to have her crying with her hands over her ears. Totally worth the money.

fanofanne

so we flew with our twins in dec when they were around 20-ish months and the one piece of advice that i can give (which we would have done, but didn't think of it....someone else posted this advice on another thread) is to board last if you can.  we had priority seating which i was initially glad we had, but then sitting in that cramped area and waiting for EVERYONE to board became hellacious pretty fast.  and like other posters said, i would definitely buy his own seat.  good luck and have fun!

AggieBeth06

I would introduce the headphones before. Both with loud noises that he is already afraid of but also with fun or exciting things - like a movie in a theater or a kids concert.

That way he isn't scared of them.