Vacation/flying with a 10 month old?

adoxyinherear

Mobile: Vacation/flying with a 10 month old?

Am starting to freak out a little. First, how to keep DD happy on a two hour flight. And second, if I'm going to over pack like a crazy person or try not to pack too much and forget something crucial. Any advice?

orangegoggles

Lol I was the same way! I dont have advice regarding that age as I imagine she won't appreciate sitting in one spot. If it were me, I'd buy some toys and books she's never before and some favorite snacks.

I just made a list very early and just kept adding to it whenver something popped into my head. Once on the trip I realized I didn't need half the stuff I brought lol but at least I felt prepared for the unknown.

Good luck!

Ladiebug710

We just flew two weeks ago and for the most part LO did fine.  I tried my best to time a feed right as we were taking off.  On three of the four flights he was a perfect gentleman and either slept or just hung out.  The second leg of our journey home was a different story.  I wish I had more advice.  I tried it all, new books or toys he hadn't seen - none of it kept his interest.  Snacks were helpful, what can I say, the dude loves to eat, but mostly he just really wanted to crawl down the aisle which was unfortunately not an option.

As far as packing goes, I packed two outfits per day with a few spares.  No regrets there, we pretty much went through all the clothes.

Junebug060609

 We've done cross country with DS 4 times (visiting family), plus an equally long flight to HI.  You'll probably do better than you think with such a short flight.

Bring toys/books on the plane with you along with food and drinks for her.  At that age BM/formula and stuff like puffs.  Forego the solids on flight day, not needed at that age.  Give her something to suck on take off and landing and be prepared to be entertaining her for the duration of the flight.  Two hours will go by faster than you think...unless she's melting down..in which case just tell yourself that you'll never see those people again.  Know also that everybody who's flown with young kids either has had them melt down or will have them melt down.  For us the meltdowns are more likely at bedtime. 

For packing: Check all you can.  Bring a day and a halfs worth of diapers, a change of clothes for baby, a shirt for you, and food/drinks and a few toys for LO.  Have a 'go bag' (for us a ziplock with a diaper, wipes and a receiving blanket to use as a changing pad) ready in case of diaper emergencies.  Buy the rest of the diapers you'll need at your destination, they are bulky and easy enough to get on the other end.  Bring nightlights and other elements of your bedtime routine (for us that meant his blankie & books...add these to carry on as well, don't be without the bedtime comforts!).  We check carseats (at gate if a layover, with suitcases if direct.  get a bag for it!), and gate check strollers (handy to lug baby and belongings in the airport). 

At security:  Make sure babies name is either on your ticket or she has her own (different airlines do it differently).  EVERYTHING has to go through the xray.  Strollers get folded down and put through, car seats, all of it.  You can go through with formula, WCM, and pouches of food...but be up front with them about it and put it in its own bin with tops to coolers opened and the like.  You may get a pat down if you travel with that stuff, but they'll let you through with it.  LO stays in your arms through security (leave her in stroller until last second before you get scanned, walk through with babe in arms, and stick her back in the stroller asap on the flip side).  Kids under 12 can leave shoes on. 

Give me a shout if you have more questions.  I've flown with DS at 3, 4, 11.5, 18 & 19 months.

adoxyinherear

Thank you so much for the advice, everyone!!

MickeyM04

I was the same way when we flew with DS at 4 months old and then again at 8 months old.  You will over pack.  It's fine.  Better too much than not enough.  It can't be avoided. 

In terms of how to keep DD happy, DS slept mostly for our flights because he was still a little peanut but one suggestion that I've heard is to buy a couple of new toys/books/etc. that she's never seen before so when she gets bored she has something new that will hold her interest for longer than she might otherwise be interested.  I'm also not against using the iPad for entertainment.  DS isn't allowed to watch TV yet but on our long car trips the iPad (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse) can usually hold his interest for a few minutes at a time.  Similarly, for long car rides we just bring a LOT of small toys because he gets bored after a couple minutes and we just keep swapping them out.  He LOVES stacking cups and has like 5 sets so I just brought a few of those (small and easy to pack) and kept swapping them out.

Also, does DD have any guilty pleasures?  DS loves tearing kleenex and napkins into tiny pieces.  Yes, it makes a mess but we clean up after and it's a great way to keep him busy.  Usually when we are out to eat, it can keep him entertained the entire time we wait for food.  Also our sunglasses.  He's not allowed to play with them usually but if he gets fussy, we'll give them to him and he gets SO excited because he usually gets scolded when he tries to grab them off our faces.  Forbidden things are a great way to keep them busy as long as it's supervised of course.

GL!

adoxyinherear

theresat858:

We went to fl when N was 11 mo and she did great. Napped on my boob, loved people watching, and despite my "bag of tricks" the best toys were the Starbucks cardboard thing and the plastic airplane cup. Have fun! Oh and if you wear baby thru security you don't have to take them out.

This is good to know! I was planning on wearing her anyway. Huzzah! 

adoxyinherear

andrea ri 80:

One last part of my experience, this is critical...its such a clich?, but DD was our Florida souvenir/unplanned stowaway, so I guess be careful in that respect unless your ready for another little

Ah ha! Well. I went off the pill a couple of months ago because I hated it and DH and I are just "asking for it," as a friend of mine said, since we aren't doing anything but the ol' pull and pray.  

Shaungela

RusalkaSings:

theresat858:

We went to fl when N was 11 mo and she did great. Napped on my boob, loved people watching, and despite my "bag of tricks" the best toys were the Starbucks cardboard thing and the plastic airplane cup. Have fun! Oh and if you wear baby thru security you don't have to take them out.

This is good to know! I was planning on wearing her anyway. Huzzah! 

 

Awesome tip... we are going to Wisconsin in Sept and Vegas in November (just the 2 of us)... i need to remember this!!!