Flying with 22 month old toddler. Advice please!

Re: Flying with 22 month old toddler. Advice please!

• Mountaineers member

  June 2013

  I've been flying with both of my kids since they were a few months old. I always use my stroller until the gate and you can check it right there. And it is right there for you when you get off the plane. I hide toys for a few weeks so they will be fresh and new to them on the plane. I buy travel coloring books. Lots of snacks. Portable DVD player with earphones and iPod with toddler apps. I have never flown that far before but I'm sure there will be a nap in there somewhere. Make sure you bring your child's birth certificate. Pittsburg airport didn't ask for it when we left but I knew something told me to bring it because sure enough Tampa airport asked.

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• Karen1998 member

  June 2013

  I wouldn't lap child on a flight for all of the money in the world. I highly recommend you getting your child a seat and putting his carseat or a Cares harness into it. 

  Sleep will likely be fleeting, but if your LO has the space to stretch out, he's more likely to sleep.  If you get a bulkhead seat and your LO isn't overly tall, you can get a "bassinet."  I don't know that DS would fit in the bassinet now, as he's on the top of the height charts for his age (22m).  We just kept LO in his carseat and he slept there.  He was only 9.5m then, but he would have been out of that bassinet (the KLM ones are basically fold down baskets) in about two seconds.  However, the lady next to us was lap carrying a very calm 17 month old to India.  He cooperated nicely and sat in the bassinet.  So, it also depends on your LO's activity level.  

  I agree with the rest of what the PPers said.  Also, look up your plane type on seatguru.com (sorry, not clicky), so you know if there are any spots on the plane that you can walk or stretch.  Not all overseas planes have space next to the exits in coach.   

  I used gallon Ziplocs to pack a lot of plane things.  I had two sets of diaper changing bags, so I could just grab them from the seat pocket and go to the bathroom to change him quickly.  I put 2 diapers, wipes, butt cream and an extra bag in each.  The extra bag was for soiled clothes or really potent diapers.  I kept one diaper changing bag in my carry on (a backpack) and the other in the seat back and flipped when needed.  I also had bags of new or not seen recently books and toys.  Since you're LO is older, also bring earphones so he can watch the airplane movies (they usually have a couple of kid ones) or use the iPad.  

  Also, depending on your airline, you may have size and weight requirements for your carry on.  Your diaper bag is excluded from this.  KLM has these, but they only checked us in the US going out and not coming back in.  Just a heads up as I wasn't expecting that one.

  BFP#1 4/17/10...EDD 1/6/11...M/C 5/28/10 BFP#2 11/19/10...EDD 8/4/11 Squeaker born 7/30.

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• WalteRose member

  June 2013

  When I recently traveled with my son on a 6 hour flight (he was 18 months at the time, but super active), I went to the dollar store and bought $20 worth of toys/items for him to play with. I only took one item out at a time and only took it out when I really needed it. I've heard of people wrapping items so it takes more time and each item feels like a present. Also, all the items were small and inexpensive enough that it didn't take up much space and I didn't feel like I wasted money if he lost it. 

  Good luck!!  

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