Travel
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Traveling with a toddler
We are going to fly to Pheonix at the end of July. Not sure of our flight times but I am really nervous about this!
He is almost 3 and a very active boy. The last time we flew with him was when he as 6 months old and he did great but now he is very mobile obviously.
So we are buying him his own seat and do we need to bring our carseat for him to sit in on the plane.
Any suggestions to keep him busy. I was thinking of getting him a Leap Pad that will be new for him. Any other suggestions to keep him calm?
Re: Traveling with a toddler
Do you need a carseat? No. I've never taken one for either of my kids.
I definitely suggest having his own little carry on that you pack with familiar snacks (pick up juice or water after you've gone through security) and some new books, toys and games. I tend to hit up the dollar section at Target before we fly and pick up stuff I know my kids will enjoy...crayons and coloring/puzzle books, little card games, stickers, etc. If you do get him a Leap Pad, don't forget earphones so that it doesn't disturb the passengers around you.
We find that talking about the airport, plane, and trip way in advance help DS prepare. We talk to him about staying seated, being quiet, not running, etc. We like to get it in his head so at least he is not caught off guard the day of.
Also, we love having our stroller. We gate check it but it's awesome to strap him in while in the airport.
FYI: Kids under 12 do not have to remove their shoes in security. Also, you can carry him through and if you are carrying him, you can ask to not go through the body scanner (x-ray) if they are directing you to do so.
DS has flown several times and we have never put him in his carseat, the first time (at 8 weeks old) we attempted it, but it was too cumbersome so we gate-checked it and haven't missed it since. Bring LOTS of new toys, fav treats, movies, games, etc. I would also recommend gate-checking a stroller so he doesn't have to walk or you carry him throughout the airport.
And please, please, please.....don't be one of those annoying people who "walk" the aisles with their kid which in turn disrupts other passengers as well as flight crew. I'm not saying you'd do this but on our last 3 flights we have seen parents doing this and it has turned into a huge pet peeve of mine. Stepping off soapbox.
They just had a segment on traveling with toddlers on The Today Show this morning here is a link to it:
http://moms.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/18/12279970-5-tips-for-happy-toddler-travel?lite
While I was looking for that I also came across this one:
http://travelkit.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/29/11941623-7-tips-for-surviving-a-long-haul-flight-with-kids?lite
I always buy some new books and small toys that my DS had not seen before and put them in his backpack. I also put a small lunchbox with all kinds of snacks that I know he likes. I don't let him open the backpack until we are on the plane. He loves it! I also bring along a DVD player and movies. In case he melts down I bring along a few small toys that I wrap in tissue paper. I pull these out of my bag along our vacation to distract him when he's really having a moment...it usually buys me 10 minutes. He loves getting the little "presents". They are nothing big...usually a small sticker book, matchbox car, etc...