plane travel with 12 month old - need suggestions

mom2anangel

Hi, we're going on a vaca to visit family in about 6 weeks and I'm looking for advice.  We're flying from MI to TX - it's a little over a 3 hour flight.  I'm looking for advice on things to bring to entertain our DD who will be just over 12 months old at the time.  Also, I plan to change her diaper before we board so I won't have to do it on the flight but if I should *need* to change it will I be able to do that in the bathroom on the plane?  I haven't flown since I was pg with her and didn't pay attention but there doesn't seem to be a lot of space in there!  And, if anyone rented a car while on vaca did you bring your own car seat or try to rent a carseat from the car company.  Any other advice or suggestions would be really appreciated. TIA

GRKaters

We last flew with DS when he was 13mo. Bring a car seat with you (we travel with our Cosco Scenera); we've always rented a car at our destination and brought our own seat. You can change a diaper in the plane bathrooms--DH has always done it for us if needed. For the flight itself, we put an overnight diaper on DS in case it would be longer than normal between changes (as long as it's just pee, of course).

We brought new toys that he'd never seen before and some favorite snacks. We also each wore things we knew he liked playing with--a half zip fleece for DH and a hoodie sweatshirt with strings for me. Sitting on our laps, that gave him something to play with, which he loves.

Don't underestimate the appeal of simply being in a new place to explore! We get a lot of mileage out of the tray table, overhead lights, window shade, and seat belts.

If you need to rent baby equipment or toys, check out babysaway.com. We've used them in TX, GA, and CO with great results.

 

pinkbubbles

tray table? does that mean your child bangs on it or something? i only ask because when i flew with my DS that is exactly what he did and the person in-front of me was shaking around, so i stopped him. seems like it would be inconvenient for the person in the seat in-front, would it not?

GRKaters:

We last flew with DS when he was 13mo. Bring a car seat with you (we travel with our Cosco Scenera); we've always rented a car at our destination and brought our own seat. You can change a diaper in the plane bathrooms--DH has always done it for us if needed. For the flight itself, we put an overnight diaper on DS in case it would be longer than normal between changes (as long as it's just pee, of course).

We brought new toys that he'd never seen before and some favorite snacks. We also each wore things we knew he liked playing with--a half zip fleece for DH and a hoodie sweatshirt with strings for me. Sitting on our laps, that gave him something to play with, which he loves.

Don't underestimate the appeal of simply being in a new place to explore! We get a lot of mileage out of the tray table, overhead lights, window shade, and seat belts.

If you need to rent baby equipment or toys, check out babysaway.com. We've used them in TX, GA, and CO with great results.

 

KathrynMD

We are flying w/ DD next month for the first time - she'll be 14 months.  My plan is to get on the plane as late as possible, no early boarding - and then bring all new toys and a few faves and lots of snacks too.  I hadn't thought about wearing clothes she likes, but that's a great idea.  We are also flying at her best time of day (mornings) so I hope she'll be in a good mood.

mavs_girl07

GRKaters:

We last flew with DS when he was 13mo. Bring a car seat with you (we travel with our Cosco Scenera); we've always rented a car at our destination and brought our own seat. You can change a diaper in the plane bathrooms--DH has always done it for us if needed. For the flight itself, we put an overnight diaper on DS in case it would be longer than normal between changes (as long as it's just pee, of course).

We brought new toys that he'd never seen before and some favorite snacks. We also each wore things we knew he liked playing with--a half zip fleece for DH and a hoodie sweatshirt with strings for me. Sitting on our laps, that gave him something to play with, which he loves.

Don't underestimate the appeal of simply being in a new place to explore! We get a lot of mileage out of the tray table, overhead lights, window shade, and seat belts.

If you need to rent baby equipment or toys, check out babysaway.com. We've used them in TX, GA, and CO with great results.

 

I agree with this, especially the part about a new place to explore.  DD was fascinated by the stuff in the seat pocket in front of us, but most of all LOVED all the people around us.  She was fascinated by watching the attendants walk up and down the aisle, played peek-a-boo with the woman behind us and the man across the aisle, said "hey!" to everyone she could.  She was totally entertained by all the people more than anything.  GL!

fall-love

We had a direct flight from LA to NY (5 hours) when my DS was 11 months old... (we've also done several other big flights at 6 and 9 months) he was amazing... a perfect angel!  I don't know what airline you're flying, but if at all possible, get a window and aisle seat with nobody in the middle (if there are any open seats on the flight).  The flight attendants are usually really good about giving those to families with babies.  Ask before you get on the plane. 

Bring your own carseat.... you can gate check it along with your stroller, which incidentally makes a great luggage cart... I always wear my DS in the Ergo through the airport.  Bring a large black garbage bag to put your carseat in, so that it doesn't get nasty in the belly of the plane. 

Bring snacks, books, puzzles, maybe even crayons and paper... and babies often sleep on planes due to all the white noise.  Make sure you are nursing or giving a bottle at takeoff and landing to prevent their ears from plugging up.   You can change diapers in the lavatory... there's a tiny changing platform... but we've generally just done it in our seats... using DH's lap as the changing table.  This works particularly well if you've managed to score an extra open seat. 

Good luck with your flights!  We're flying to TX this week too... and I'm a bit nervous because now DS is 17 months and running around... I hope he continues his trend as a fabulous traveler!