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Tips for Air travel with a 2 yr old
We have C's first air plane ride coming up. We are going to my brother's wedding in Seattle and leave on July 7th. What are your tips for traveling through airports with little ones? Can I hold him as I go through the metal detector or does he have to go through on his own?
We plan on taking an umbrella stroller and checking it when we board the plane at the terminal. Then we will rent a car with a toddler seat so we won't be taking one of those. We thought we would take some books and snacks for the flight. Then also bring a portable DVD player and laptop so C can watch movies during the flight. What else would you recommend? Do you have recommendations for kid friendly headphones he can use? Should they be the big ones that cover his entire ear, or will earbuds work?
A friend suggested we take him into the Pedi to have them check his ears before the flight to make sure there's no trace of infection so they will adjust to the changing air cabin pressure. Would you recommend this? C doesn't normally have an issue with ear infections. If so, how soon before the flight would you take him in? I want to go early enough so we can treat if there is something, but late enough that an infection won't develop after we get the all clear but before the flight.
How do you get your kid's ears to pop? Carson will chew gum, should I just rely on that and a sippy cup to get him through? Any suggestions on this would be much appreciated!
Thanks ladies, you are life savers when it comes to this stuff!
Re: Tips for Air travel with a 2 yr old
We've taken Maddie to the Caribbean and Mexico and for her ears I give her the go go squeeze applesauce from WalMart and she does just fine. I didn't take her to the Dr about her ears either time, but she has not ever had an ear infection. For this last trip 2 weeks ago, I got her a travel magna doodle and it was a HUGE hit. She isn't into watching TV and DVD's so we didn't bring any of those. I do have a purse that is hers (she like to zip and un-zip) that I stuffed with some little toys and books and between that and the magna doodle, she was set.
We gate check the stroller and it's no problem. You will also get to pre-board and get settled early, which is nice. At check in, try and get the bulkhead, the people at Delta ticketing counter will tell you that you cannot have it, if there is not an exit door ON THAT SEECIFIC side, you CAN have it, we like the bulk head cuz DH is 6'5 and it gives M more room to play. You can always check again at the gate.
I also bring empty water bottles and fill them up in the water fountain after I get through security. I have crackers, snacks on had as well.
Have fun!
Drew is 2 and we traveled by plane to Florida. I carried him through the security (removed his shoes) -- I found some airports were more strict than others as far as him wearing a jacket. We didn't check a stroller.
Drew has had several ear infections (and now tubes), and he didn't seem to have major issues. There were times when he whined and was tearful, and I'm not sure if it was out of discomfort or being bored (trapped in the seatbelt). I called his Ped and she suggested the Ear Planes for kids (but I couldn't find them in stores) and chewing gum. I think the gum will help Carson and the ear popping/pressure. Since he didn't have symptoms of an ear infection, I didn't take him in for a check.
He likes to be out and about, which doesn't work so well in planes, but we kept him in his seat and belted so he wouldn't want to roam the aisles.
We brought a portable DVD, a handful of little toys (cars, characters), crayons/paper and snacks. We have the Sony headphones for kids -- you can find them at Target or Best Buy (pink or blue). They are smaller and aren't as loud as standard headphones.
My suggestion for plane travel is to prepare that there may be times that Carson is antsy or crying, all which would be normal on a flight -- especially the first one at a young age. I got myself worked up in fear of a melt-down on a plane with everyone groaning at my boys and wanting to send us down the emergency slide. There were plenty of babies crying and a dog barking, so that put me at ease. When Drew got antsy I would calmly talk to him or introduce something new. I'm a firm believer that your child will mirror your emotions, so stay calm and Carson will follow
Enjoy your trip!
Ditto this. We just flew back to Hawaii from Disneyland last weekend. Both my girls loved drawing on the Magna Doodles. I had a few toys and books they had never seen before and we bought some movies and tv shows for our iPhones and the girls watched those. It was way easier than bringing a laptop or portable DVD player. Betsy used the earbuds from the airline fine and Carly just wanted to watch without sound.
I had a ton of food in my carryon-fruit snacks, cheese & crackers, dried fruit, etc. I gave them sippy cups when their ears bothered them. And the crew didn't mind putting water in their sippys for me.
We also rented a carseat from the car rental company and it was really stinky and dirty. I would bring some Clorox wipes to clean it up when you get there. If your child has a seat on the plane, you can bring your carseat from home and strap it into the seat with the seatbelt. We have done this every time we have flown, except this last time when Carly was a lap child. The girls fall asleep better if they are strapped into their carseats, rather than just sitting in the airplane seat (or on our lap, like Carly was).
Are you flying Continental? We flew them from Santa Ana to Honolulu and they had DirecTV on the flight. It cost $8 and it's in a tv in front of your seat and you can watch live tv and have access to all the basic DirecTV channels. Betsy was able to watch Nick Jr until we got too far over the ocean and then she watched their pre-recorded stuff. But you would be able to watch live tv on your flight and all the channels they normally offer. It was awesome!
Have a great trip! My DH always starts a countdown on his watch when the flight takes off so we know exactly how long we have until we land. I asked him many times on the flight home and Carly would not fall asleep how much longer we had to go!
We have traveled with DS on average once per month since he was born.
- umbrella stroller - consider bringing the red gate check bag to help reduce scuffs and damage.
- consider bringing your own car seat and baggage checking it. We bought the cheap 35 buck cosco one from walmart - it comes in a plastic bag that is good for transporting. It is light and not bulky. But WAY better than what you will find at rental car companies IF they remember to reserve you one or get you one. Real PIA.
- dvd player, ipad with apps, we use kid sized full ear headphones, favorite small toys/and stuff. We generally only take a diaper bag and a toy bag on the plane. Whatever fits.
- we use the CARES flying harness - only FAA allowed harness for toddlers. Is similar to a car seat buckle system. It fits perfect into the diaper bag. Bring a piece of the rubber liner stuff that you might use to line shelves - it helps prevent him from sliding on the seat when buckled.
- bring snacks, extra clothing - shorts/pants, extra diapers, wash cloth/receiving blanket, antibacterial wipes to wipe down things and hands. The position the kids sit in the plan seat - maybe just boys or just my DS - seems to cause diaper leakage. DS ALWAYS - meaning since he started wearing pull-ups, leaks in the plane seat.
- DS drinks twice as much when flying and eats twice as much. Mostly snacking.
- Many airplanes do NOT have a changing table. And even with a big toddler it is really becoming impossible to change on the table when provided. You can't change in the bathroom otherwise because there is on place to lay them down. So just be prepared for seat changing and dirty looks. Put down a changing pad or towel - use antibacterial wipes. The seat will probably be cleaner despite your child being changed on it than it was to begin with lol
- going through security CAN be easy. at this age, provided he is just drinking milk - don't take any through security - buy it on the other side. It just makes things more quick with a toddler. There is NO reason why you can't bring it but it saves you about 2-5 minutes and with a cranky or terrified toddler those minutes are important. Take off everyone's shoes, jackets, belts, he can't carry toys through and yes you can carry him through.
Oh and as for ears - I think it is over the top to have a pedi appointment first before flying but that is probably also because we fly so much - I understand this is your first time.
We have found that a half dose of children's bendryl works great for helping DS when he has a cold or allergy attack and is all stuffed up. It does NOT knock him out or anything like that. Otherwise, I simply recommend that your toddler drink from his sippy going up and coming down. Don't have him start chugging until you feel your own ears start to pop - it takes a few minutes once you take off.
DS has never had an ear issue but we are sensitive to the possibility thus benedryl when he has a cold/allergies and try to get him to drink going up and coming down.