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November 2011 Moms
Travel with an 11 month old
Hi Ladies!
I?ve been in and out of the board since our LO was born in November. I?m back returning for a little advice.
We have gone on two trips with LO. The first was in March when he was 4 months old, 4 flights total to Hawaii. (we live in Alaska so it?s a minimum of 2 flights most anywhere we go). The second was when he was 6 months old to Missouri.
We leave Wednesday night for a trip to Pennsylvania. I?m really stressed over it. We?ve been having sleep problems as it is, and I?m worried about the flights, keeping him entertained, and the 4 hour time change from here. I think going there with the time change won?t be so hard since he?ll (hopefully) be tired when we get there, and it?s 4 hours later so we?re good. Coming back I know is going to be hard.
Our second flight (and first flight coming back) is 7 hours. He hates being still. If he?s awake, he?s on the move. He doesn?t like to snuggle unless it?s before bed or a nap. We leave at 2 am (again, Alaska flights suck) so I think he MAY sleep the first 3 hour flight, but I?m really worried about the second one. It?ll be morning by then, and it?s a long flight. Any tips? I know we can walk the aisle, and read books, play as best as we can, etc. But any more advice would be helpful. I know he was already slightly challenging at 6 months because he?s SO active. Now it?s much beyond that.
I just need ideas on how to keep him entertained when he?s awake. Please!
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Re: Travel with an 11 month old
We just got back from a long road trip (Iowa to Michigan- 8-9 hours, MI to Ohio- 3 hours, OH back home to Iowa- 8-9 hours). We left around a nap time so she slept the first hour in the car before we had to do any entertaining. I think you might have more luck with LO sleeping if you wear him. She was cozy in her carseat and we played soft music. Maybe once you can unfasten seatbelts on the plane, rock LO and get LO acquainted with their lovey again, try doing your routine as close as possible to get him to sleep again. As far as entertainment when she was awake, we brought a crap ton of toys, some new, puffs, and books. A change of face helps too. When he gets burnt out on ou, switch to Dad. There might even be someone on your flight in the row next to you or something that would want to hold him if you are open to that. Food generally is the best distraction for my DD. also, relax. If LO senses your nervousness, they will be nervous too. Expect them to cry and have some not so good moments. Get up and move around in the plane. We didn't have that luxury unless we stopped the car. Point out different things on the plane. Look out the window.
Good Luck!
Good luck
I traveled with DD on a 3 1/2 hr non-stop flight at 7 1/2 months and then a 3 hr non-stop flight at 10 1/2 months. It's mostly hard because DD wants to squirm so much. She stayed in a pretty good mood, but she did NOT want to just sit so a lot of time was spent passing DD back and forth with DH (I was traveling with DH (except for one leg when I was by myself which was rough.) - I hope your DH will be with you!).
Do you BF? In all the travels, the only time I got any sleep from DD was with BF-ing. But it was always quite hard for me to get in a comfortable position so DD could get into a comfortable sleeping position.
Other things that kept DD entertained in flight: the magazines, the crinkly barf bag, my drink cup, playing with a thread that was coming out of my seat, the latch for the tray table (DD *loved* that), looking around (especially standing in my lap and looking at the people across the aisle/in the row behind).....but mostly it was a lot of going between us (me and DH).
Agree with a PP - I know traveling even w/o LO can be stressful, but I think if you can be calm about it, it helps LO be calm. Good luck!!!! Hopefully you are traveling in the off season and you'll have some extra space on the plane! Have a good trip!
Ergo or similar baby carrier. That way, you can walk up and down the asiles of the plane, hands free. We live in Germany and flew to the states when ds was 5 months. The Ergo was a lifesaver. He slept in it, and I was able to go through security while wearing him. That was SO helpful for carrying bags.
Do you have a tablet/iPad? Load that up with some fun apps for him. It helps us in the car. Also, as others said, toys, distractions, snacks.
I won't lie, the time change was rough. Going east to west, no big deal, he adjusted just fine. But going west to east, ugh. Many days of no sleep for both of us. Sounds like that is the beginning of your trip, so you will have help? That is good. For us, going east was going home so I was alone, jet lagged myself, with a baby up all night. Good times.
best of luck! Have a great trip!
DS born via unplanned C-section at 40w6d
Thank you ladies!
I?m nervous because I know it won?t be as easy as it has been before. He?s been on 9 flights, and done great but that was when he was younger and slept more. And our flight schedule wasn?t as harsh either. I know we?ll be fine. Expect the worst hope for the best! J
I?m going to get some new toys, and books that?ll serve as distractions and packing a picnic blanket for him to stretch out and play between our 3.5 hour flight and 7 hour flight.
Ergo has been a lifesaver for the previous flights and I?m definitely using that again. I?ll have DH with me and my MIL for the first leg of the flights also (she?s been here visiting and we?re flying back with her). I do breastfeed still a few times a day, and definitely plan to use that as my secret weapon! I?m thinking he?ll do fine, I just am nervous. I?m going to try to keep in mind what you said and stay calm! So true they can sense if you?re wound up and nervous.
Thank you for all your help.