flying with a 17 month old... need suggestions

[prechrswife]

What we did with our car seats is we counted them as checked baggage, and just picked them up at baggage claim when we arrived. We could have rented them with our rental car, but it was going to drive the price up, so we just took our own.

[Cataholic]

I flew with J when he was 22 months old. We took the carseat, and purchased a seat. I can't imagine flying without my child in a carseat. The 'what ifs' fly through my mind, not to mention there is some security for the child in his/her own car seat. Plus, when we rented a car, I knew what carseat was protecting my child.

I used a umbrella stroller for transportation, and brought a wheeled cart, the kind that fold up really small (KWIM?) to transport the carseat. I managed to attach the carryon luggage to the carseat and it was pretty cool. Everything was on wheels except me.

We took new toys to hold his interest, and a portable DVD player. That was a relatively 'new' thing for him, and it held his interest a little bit. I also planned the flight for his nap time- hoping it would work. I can't remember if it were the trip out that wasn't so great, or the way back. One was okay, and one he had his feet on the back of the seat ahead of him. But, overall, his behaviour still beat the behaviour of the adults in front of him.

It is one trip, do your best, and smile. Most people have been through it, and will have sympathy. You can only do what you can do, and Hannah can only be her very best self.

[ILoveMyAbbyGirl]

Gavin was around 2 the first time he flew on a plane. He was pretty excited to be on a plane, so that kept him occupied for a while. Just bring some toys, and if she loves the signing dvd, I recommend getting the portable DVD player. Gavin had one for both the trip to Florida and the trip to Jamaica, and he loves it. Gives him something to do. =]

PS: I just did a search on Walmart.com and they have a portable DVD player for $70, and one with a case for $80. Might be something to look into. =]

[sparks19]

Yes I think I have convinced Brian to get a portable DVD player.

I know it will all go fine. I worried about the last plane ride we took when she was three months old too lol and it went great.

[caseysmom]

Darn if we were closer I would loan you my portable dvd player, I have two. Anyway you will end up loving having one anyway.

The vet has me give bubba benadryl for car trips

[sabies]

I was going to recommend signing time dvds but you already thought of that! Sam loves the signing time videos too, I think she has a thing for Alex. It was probably around 17 months when I realized she was yelling out his name when they sing the intro song.

At least 2 1/2 hours isn't toooo bad. Hopefully you will be seated near other kids/kid lovers because that in itself would work to entertain Sam and it seems most babies/kids love to watch other babies/kids. Adults who love kids are good substitutes for other kids.

Sam won't sleep in the car anymore either unless she's really tired and it's dark. I thing after a point they are too aware of what is going on and don't want to miss out. It's a tough call - do you try to make Hannah tired so she does sleep or would that backfire and make an overtired cranky baby?

Since Sam is now 19mo old it's easy to remember what entertained her at 17mo and unfortunately for us crayons were way too early, still are, but she is very into picture books that are just pictures of objects that she can identify (I think she is happy to show off knowledge of things) and she likes to play with containers or buckles. I'd say pay close attention to what entertains Hannah at the time and pack that as carry on. Make a list to help remind yourself of all the tricks to try - healthy snacks, pat-a-cake or similar games/songs - if you're nervous about the flight you might panic and forget your ideas!! (I know I would, my husband is the calm one.)

Good luck and have fun!!!

[sparks19]

that's sweet of you caseysmom. You are right...we probably will get a lot of use out of a portable DVD player since we often take looooong car trips and what not so it will be well worth the money I suppose. it's something we were going to get someday anyway so why not now

yeah Hannah LOVES signing times. I only have one on dvd right now (the rest are on dvr) so maybe I will buy another one for the trip.

I know I'm going to bring her stacker rings, a couple of her wooden blocks (the rings and blocks are her favorite toys) and she loves books. Rarely do I get to read a WHOLE book to her because she has figured out how to turn pages so she just likes to do that, look at a picture and then turn the page again lol. So I'm hoping that having these things will keep her distracted from the fact that she can't run around everywhere.

usually hannah gets up around 7 for soemthing to eat and then she usually goes right back to bed for about 3 or 4 hours so I'm hoping if we keep her awake until it's time to take off then maybe she will be tired enough to nod off. she's pretty good about not being too cranky if she misses a nap.

I was never afraid of flying before. I loved flying. But since having Hannah... I get really nervous on flights. When we flew to florida last year at Christmas I was so tense the whole flight. that is until the drink cart came around and I got myself a whiskey lol... that took the edge off. and of course all the plane crashes in the news these days don't help. lol