Airplane ride w/ 9 mo old - advice?

marybeth1699 · June 2013

So my LO is crawling and cruising and hates to sit still. Any suggestions on what to bring for a 2-3 hour plane ride? And specific toy or book or whatever suggestions are welcome!

JulesDiane · June 2013

If you can afford a seat, being able to strap the baby in your car seat and into the seat would make your life so much easier. I can't even get Brynn to sit in my lap for 5 minutes without wanting to wiggle down onto the ground. Plus, it's safer too!

Cdienst · June 2013

Fly at night.. maybe bring a boppy for them to sleep in your lap?

Latham12 · June 2013

JulesDiane:
If you can afford a seat, being able to strap the baby in your car seat and into the seat would make your life so much easier. I can't even get Brynn to sit in my lap for 5 minutes without wanting to wiggle down onto the ground. Plus, it's safer too!

This! But if not I always bring a boppy, some toys and try to keep LO awake so she sleeps on the flight. We just flew to Florida and had 3 flights with 2 layovers and it wasn't as bad as I thought. Also LO loved lookin out the window!

DCMerged · June 2013

This might work like it did for us, or might backfire, but we flew during LO's naptime. He was tired from all the excitement in the airport, etc. that once I nursed him on takeoff and had the nursing cover over, the hum of the plane and the milk put him right to sleep for a good hour. After that, he was refreshed and just played with some toys but also loved looking at people on the plane for the rest of the trip. Good luck!!

henrytviii · June 2013

I've flown several times with DS. I can't afford a seat so he sits on my lap. Some toy ideas - blue painters tape (do anything with it, stick it on our LO, the seat, make something etc, its the best toy ever for an airplane seat), a cloth bag with little toys in it, silk scarf for peek-a-boo, a dry cup and straw and plastic spoon. I also let him rip up sky mall. Non-traditional toys are biggest hit but mostly I am the toy. I sing and play hand games with him, try to eat his hands, tickle him etc., walk the aisles as much as possible and try to meet people, talk to the flight attendants. Bring finger foods and a kids plate for them to eat off off since the trays are gross.

At 9 months I still tried to nurse him to sleep but it very rarely worked. I am flying this weekend alone with my son and bringing the above items and adding small stacking cups since he knows how to stack now and colored pipe cleaners to build together with. Might try a few crayons too as he seems interested in pens.

Latham12 · June 2013

henrytviii:
I've flown several times with DS.nbsp; I can't afford a seat so he sits on my lap. Some toy ideas blue painters tape do anything with it, stick it on our LO, the seat, make something etc, its the best toy ever for an airplane seat, a cloth bag with little toys in it, silk scarf for peekaboo, a dry cup and straw and plastic spoon.nbsp; I also let him rip up sky mall. Nontraditional toys are biggest hit but mostly I am the toy.nbsp; I sing and play hand games with him, try to eat his hands, tickle him etc., walk the aisles as much as possible and try to meet people, talk to the flight attendants. Bring finger foods and a kids plate for them to eat off off since the trays are gross.nbsp;At 9 months I still tried to nurse him to sleep but it very rarely worked.nbsp; I am flying this weekend alone with my son and bringing the above items and adding small stacking cups since he knows how to stack now and colored pipe cleaners to build together with. Might try a few crayons too as he seems interested in pens.

DD loved ripping up sky mall too! I may try the blue painters tape on our way home from Florida!

jnnfrrose6 · June 2013

I wouldn't worry about paying for a seat. Just take the cars eat with you to the gate. If you're there early enough (which you probably will be with the baby) ask the gate agent if there is room to bring it on. We've been 50/50 on getting this. Worst case you check the car seat at the gate and get it back when you land so you don't have to worry about it getting beat up in the nether regions of the airport.

We just flew cross country with our 9 month old (3rd and longest trip so far) and I found having a sling helpful. I have about 4.5 yds of fabric I use to wrap him up on me (you can find videos on youtube for how to do it) and it's great because I can tuck him in on me and cover his head to cut down on distractions. The flight home he slept for about half the flight on me and my hands were free to eat and read a book. It was also nice to have this option while at our destination.

We also try to time the departure with a feeding, make sure to have snacks for later, and bring some new, quiet toys. 2-3 hours really isn't too challenging. The woman next to me on my last flight had an 18 month old and 4 year old and was on the first of 3 flights, ultimately heading for Afghanistan, so remember it can always be worse!

britbratjf · June 2013

We flew with a 10mo and it wasn't the greatest experience because she doesn't like to sit still. But we did bring some new toys and books for her and those helped (along with LOTS of snacks). My LO is really into lift the flap books right now so we got a couple new ones. We also got her a new stuffed animal (she's nuts about them) and the Fisher Price Activity Blocks.

She was also a fan of the Sky Mall magazine.

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Airplane ride w/ 9 mo old - advice?

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