Flying with a 17 month old

jobiann

Ok ladies, I need some direction.

My IL's have proposed a family trip in June and we of course would be flying with my then 17 almost 18 month son. I need some advice and input.

I already know I want him to have his own seat, and I assume we have to provide a car seat for him to sit in while on the plane which we'll use also for the rental car we'll have for that week. Do you have any recommendations for cheaper car seats to get for this trip? Something lightweight but also comfortable for him to be in for the 2 or 3 hour flight with no transfers hopefully. The convertible car seat we have now is pretty bulky.

Any advice is welcome. Are there certain airlines that are more kid friendly? 

Also, we are flying with MIL, FIL, DH, myself and DS. Possible my BIL and his GF...

TIA!

DreadLoc

cosco scenera.  cheap and lightweight.  you may need to pack an extra towel to use to roll up if you plan on using it RF in the rental car. 

RayRay007

When I flew with DD around that age she sat in my lap. The next time we flew she was over two, and had her own seat, but we didn't use a car seat on the plane. We checked our convertible seat under the plane. 

Maebb

DS is that age, and we've flown with him a few times.

I don't know about a carseat, but lots of snacks, books, and quiet toys, and give him something to drink during takeoff and landing so his ears will pop. DS pooped during the takeoff on two different flights - that was fabulous. A flight attendant came up to me and said, "Oh, does somebody need a diaper change?" I was like, "Yep, but I thought I had to wait for the fasten seatbelt sign to be turned off."

phunkyphish

I don't have any advice, but I have to do the same thing at the same age and I am dreading it. I'm actually attempting to get her interested in some kind of cartoon so that she can watch for a little while to keep her occupied. So far, it has not been successful. 

jobiann

Thanks ladies! I'm a planner so I'm just nervous about the unkown.

Plus, I think it's smart to get advice from those who have been there before.

I also need to check with the airline if they will check a BOB Utility Stroller. I really want it as we'll be running around a National Park, so my umbrella stroller just won't cut it off road.

So much to do, lists to make, things to buy!!

BluepointToasted

I had no problem gate checking my stroller on any of the 4 flights from the trip we just went on.  For the long overseas flights I bought DS (19 months) his own seat, and he flew on my lap for the two short flights  (<2 hours each).  On the first flight (7 hours) we brought his carseat, and I wish I hadn't.  He wouldnt sleep in it and only wanted to sleep on me, and was much more comfortable in a regular seat.  On the way home we checked it. 

I brought a little bag with snacks, a few new things from the dollar section, and these awesome books from Melissa and Doug where you fill a little pen with water and write, then it dries and disappears.  My kid might be weird, but he LOVED ABC flash cards on the plane ride.  And episodes of Bubble Guppies and Yo Gabba Gabba downloaded on our phones of course.