Avoid "TODDLER" in-flight & Lay-over Disasters!
May 29 '00
After experiencing the nightmare situation of being held-over for EIGHT HOURS in a busy Florida airport with a 15-month-old (after spending 3 hours in a 747), and then having to continue on with another 1 hour short flight in a 9-seater plane… I am pleased to say (now, looking back) that I am VERY proud of how prepared I was! As is true with any trip we take, I agonize for DAYS about what we will need, compiling a master list on my computer so nothing is forgotten when it comes time to pack. I am going to share the portion of my packing list that focuses exclusively on plane travel. I keep this list saved on my computer and every trip as my children grow, I will revise it to make those packing decisions easier for next time.
Please Note This review is a revised and condensed version of one I have posted under "Traveling with kids." This is a new category and I have received so much positive feedback (email & comments left) about how useful my packing suggestions were that I have brought many of those packing ideas here. My editorial on "Packing Tips" is also taken from that editorial.
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• Plan to bring your stroller right up to the gate.
You will have enough to carry without having to lug your little one in your arms or in a backpack. The airlines are very good about stowing your stroller underneath for you (you simply leave it before stepping onto the plane). When you depart from the plane, your stroller will be right there waiting for you. I couldn’t believe how easy this was.
NOTE: If you have any detachable parts (like the adult beverage rack, or a removable feeding tray), take this off and place in your carry-on bag. The airlines may do this for you, and they could become separated from your stroller. Please also note that there is no particular reason behind how things are listed here; there is no significance to the order.
• Pack a meal, just in case.
We had a flight scheduled at noon, that I assumed would be serving at least one of those “lunch box” snacks. Instead we were offered our choice of non-alcoholic beverage and the standard bag of peanuts. I always come prepared, and had packed 3-4 jars of my daughter’s very favorite baby food. She doesn’t particularly like baby food anymore, but if hungry who is she to fuss? I also have lots of snack foods (see below), but the jar foods ensure that she is also getting something nutritious too.
• Small Tupperware container filled with crackers and cookies.
I like to use a small circle-shaped one. Tupperware is better than plastic bags because they protect the contents better against breakage.
• Baby B’Air - Turbulence Protection Vest.
This is an easy to pack vest that protects children under 2 against unexpected turbulence. (I wrote an entire review about this, so I will spare you the details here. You can find more information about that here: http://www.epinions.com/kifm-review-5C7E-13F777F-38C107F1-prod5
• Carry-on full of things your toddler likes to hold.
Such as action figures, favorite stuffed animal, books, and a teething item. **Also pack about 5 extra diapers and an extra traveling wipe case, just incase your short flight becomes a layover nightmare like ours! And don’t forget to pack a travel package of tissues, and some infant pain-reliever like Tylenol.
• Comfort items.
These are things to make your child more “comfy.” I brought (and my daughter was very happy to have) her blankie and pacifier. I also brought a receiving blanket to cover her with when/if she fell asleep. Now please don’t laugh, another item I brought were my daughters Po (teletubbie) slippers. She LOVES her slippers, and they are certainly more comfy than her hard leather walking shoes.
• Cold pack, small collapsible cooler carrier, 2 sippy cups full of milk.
The cooler I am referring to is one of those small plastic ones that you received in the hospital after giving birth. Nowadays you can also find those collapsible lunch-box type coolers too. I placed a frozen, plastic ice pack on the bottom and packed 2 sippy cups full of milk. Naturally, you can substitute with juice or water. But since they offer those beverages on the plane and in the airports, I chose to fill mine with the organic whole milk I buy for my daughter.
• Car seat.
I list car seat here, because I want to encourage all parents to consider purchasing your child her own seat on the plane. Most airlines offer these tickets (for “infants” under the age of 2) for half the fare of regular ones. We didn’t have one on our way down, and my daughter struggled to herself comfortable enough to fall asleep. We purchased a separate seat for her for the way home (from Florida), and she fell asleep the minutes she was buckled into her familiar seat, and the plane went into motion. I truly believe she was thought she was traveling in a car. She didn’t try to get out for the entire 3-hour flight! We still needed to entertain her at times, but she was very content reading her books, eating her snacks, and beeping mommy and daddy’s noses (a favorite pastime of hers).
• Favorite diaper changing distraction item.
For us, this is a musical bear that she activates herself with the press of a button. Music plays and lights flash, and for some reason this object interests her change after change. I list this item separately (instead of under the “carry on” bag items) because it is THAT important to your sanity. You never know when or where you will need to change a diaper, or what your child’s mood will be. Better to bring something proven to work. I also bring one of those thin, soft-cotton receiving blankets to lie my daughter on. They are large enough to cover the entire changing table and/or a large part of any floor, further protecting my daughter from germs.
• Emergency lollypop and bib.
My daughter has had the pleasure of eating a lollipop about 5 times in her life. I keep 3-4 in my diaper bag at all times in case an uncontrollable temper tantrum occurs in a very public place (where many people will be disturbed). I allow my daughter to have her temper tantrums when we are alone, but refuse to allow this behavior when it can really disturb others. She is NOT learning that she is being rewarded for her behavior because I am careful to give them to her “before” these episodes erupt. I suggest the bib because at this age, our children are not effective at “licking” and really don’t understand the whole concept behind eating a lollypop. But she does enjoy them (until her hands get too sticky). This is another time when you will be glad to have packed extra wipes. . to clean up the messy fingers and face.
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As always, I encourage you to please add your suggestions for what has worked for you in my comment section! Nothing would make me happier than to find several more unique ideas!
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Epinions.com ID:
sgentile
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Location: New England, United States
Reviews written: 249
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About Me:
I'm a mother who focuses on safety, fun, & value. I write from experience.
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