Frequent Flyers: Tips Please!?

asmo0401 · November 2010

My mom, sisters, E and I are going to our condo in Florida for Thanksgiving and it will be our first time flying with E. I obviously have plenty of reinforcement, so that is nice! Smile We will also be going to Hawaii the day after Christmas, so this is our "test run" for the longer flight.

My questions: Do you do anything differently with sleep schedule, naps, daily routine the night before or day of? And please give any other advice you have! Things to bring, best place to sit, etc.

TIA!

mstopka · November 2010

I have flown with DD quite a few times. When we fly with DH, DH will sit in the middle seat and then I will sit in the aisle with DD, that way DH will be the only one that gets wacked if she starts flinging her arms around! I never changed her schedule and she adjusted to the time change well (there's only ever been an hour difference in time though). Just have lots of toys and distractions with you on the plane and you will be fine!

Ciarrai · November 2010

Take a deep breath and know that you're going to survive this. Really. I travel quite a bit with the kids (though I haven't attempted all three by myself). Are you buying your DD a seat or no? We start buying a seat around 1, but if you have enough people coming to help hold her, she'll probably do ok. Bring a ton of snacks - whatever she usually has in smaller snack-sized containers. Then you can pull them out and be done. Bring lots of treats too. New toys help - little toys that you can keep pulling out.

For drinks, you can bring juice boxes through security (usually) but cannot bring sippies through with anything in them. I usually bring the sippies through empty and then buy water when I get through security. Bring twice as many diapers as you think you'll need. Bring two extra sets of clothes and an extra shirt/set for you. (I've needed it before.)

Change diapers right before getting on the airplane. If you need to change it on the plane, there's a changing table that folds down above the toilet in the bathroom. It's a PITA, but doable.

I usually check everything I don't absolutely need at the counter. I hate hauling extra crap with me around the airport. The only thing that I gate-check in the stroller.

If you're bringing a carseat (I'm assuming you are), you can buy a big giant duffle to pack it in. If you do that, they are not supposed to charge you for the carseat bag so stuff it full of diapers, clothes, light toys, etc. and put the carseat in upside down. That way if they open the bag, they'll see the carseat and they shouldn't charge you for it.

I do not change anyone's schedule before we fly. Nor do I give any medicine to make them sleepy or anything like that, but I know some people do. Just be flexible and know it's going to be an exhausting long day...but totally worth it when you get to Florida.

bubbs147 · November 2010

Ditto PP's. We go to Florida frequently, and do not adjust schedule. Actually, it usually works out to keep them on their west coast schedule when we go there. We can usually stay out with them a bit later, and they sleep in in the mornings. (With good curtains, of course!) What airline are you flying? Check up on the pre-boarding situation. Some do, some don't. We usually keep the car seat with us until the gate (to make sure it's handled delicately and) because sometimes there is an open seat, and they'll let you put the car seat in it. Nurse or give a bottle/pacifier during take off and landing to help with the pressure. The pressure change makes for massive poopies, so bring spare diapers and clothes. Aim for the family line at the security check points. You can bring milk/formula for kids through, just make sure you point it out and they will want to inspect it. The changing tables on the planes seem to be in the front restroom, so try to sit up closer to it. I always think about what side of the plane will be sunny, based on time of day and direction we're headed, so we don't get stuck on the "hot" side of the plane. (Plus the kids like to look out the window!) Good luck!

ctrfrei1 · November 2010

I agree with PP's. Especially about having new/small toys to keep LO entertained. We had a 10hr flight to Hawaii in September and it was very long, but luckily I had family to help out as you will too. When we got to HI there was a 6 hr time difference for us. We were able to keep DD awake until 7pm thankfully and that helped her adjust to HI time from day one. Lucky, right?