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Flying with toddlers

angieezangieez
in Washington Babies

We are probably completely nuts, but have decided to take a trip next month to visit family. We flew one other time when the boys were babies and that was fine, but now that they are mobile...and in the midst of the terrible two's....I have no clue how this will go. I'm scared and already worried about surviving the 4 hour flight.

Any advice?

Has anyone used the CARES harness? Is this necessary? Can you rent them anywhere or should I just bite the bullet and buy them?

Also, any diaper changing advice? I have read some planes have changing tables, but I've never seen one. Any clue?

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Re: Flying with toddlers

  • Seattle_JiLLnSeattle_JiLLn

    We have the CARES harness and I really like it.  I like that he's got his shoulders strapped down so it feels more like a car seat and that he's safer in case of turbulence.  They're not required.  Your kids are allowed to just sit in a regular seat.   I've seen places that rent them on line.

     

    Some planes do have changing tables.  Some don't.  Change right before take off and hope for the best.  If they don't have one, ask the flight attendants where you should do it.  I've done it on the floor in the bulk head area before.  Otherwise, on your lap or on the seat if you're left with no other options.  Just pray for no poop! 

     

    You'll be fine.  Bring a portable DVD player or laptop and let them watch shows/movies.   

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  • cmcmillancmcmillan

    Change everyone right before loading, and ask when you get on where they prefer you change diapers so if the need comes you know where to go asap! 

    Do you have a travel dvd player?  If they have a favorite show/movie take it. I like to pick up videos from the library for trips, new ones of M's favorite shows.

    Target $ bins, stickers, color books, color wonder is good, since it only works on their special pages

    I will say a prayer for you. Angel

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  • kristalovesjaredkristalovesjared member
    I'd do a dollar store/Target $1 bin run and give them something new to play with every 20/30 minutes or so along with a DVD player if you have one, books, coloring books if they like to color. Tons of snacks (maybe beverages near the end of the flight so you hopefully won't have to change a diaper). This might be a weird one, but Ella loves playing with the tape lint rollers... it provides about 20 minutes of entertainment. :) Good luck! I'm too scared to do a flight that long with an 18 month old! 
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  • gina000gina000
    Do you have an ipad?  My son loves the fish app, I can't remember the name but basically it looks like a fish tank and touch the water and the fish move and it makes noise.  He will play with it for a good 30 min.  We also have some other apps, flash cards, and Elmo, which need a bit of our help but the fish one is by far the best.
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  • mrssmith717mrssmith717
    Changing tables depend on the plane, bring snacks, snacks, snacks, and then some more snacks. :)
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  • Seattle_JiLLnSeattle_JiLLn

    imagemrs_smith717:
    Changing tables depend on the plane, bring snacks, snacks, snacks, and then some more snacks. :)

    and cups of ice can be entertaining for a long time too!

    Oh and bring lots of antibacterial wipes to scrub down the trays and arm rests so that your kids don't get cooties on the plane! 

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  • theresabtheresab

    We just finished a trip with 6 hour flights and did pretty ok. I think the last time with the convertible, we will be getting CARES and check the carseat next time.  She doesn't stay in it much (aside from takeoff/landing/turbulance), so more space will be better.

    The airplane seat belt buckle was a good 1/2 hour of entertainment.

    I made photo books of the entire family for her to look through (thank you costco free photos, from buying frames) A couple new books to read (lift the flap ones are great, there are some Maisy ones with 40+ flaps).  Stickers were great for landing when she couldn't listen to music or videos.  We saved the videos on our win phone 7 until absolutely necessary and only needed it on the trip back (which was a 9 pm - 3 am flight)

    A few other things I packed:
    deck of cards
    crayons
    paper
    Paper bags
    slinky
    colored scarves to play peekaboo
    They had these little people book felt boards at costco that I picked up
    lots of snacks and water (you can take water and juice through security for kids, just declare it)
    change of clothes for everyone

    We just changed her on our lap, she was just wet, but both our planes had changing tables inthe rear bathrooms if we needed.

    good luck!

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