flying with a 17 month old... need suggestions

**sparks19** · 01-27-2009, 01:29 PM

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Ok so at the end of February we are flying to Florida for Brian's dads 60th birthday.

I am DREADING the flight. it's only 2 1/2 hours but HOW... HOW am I going to keep Hannah occupied for two hours without letting her walk around?

she is NOT going to want to sit on my lap that long.

so I need to come up with some really GOOD ways to distract her for 2 1/2 hours.

I am HOPING we get three seats (we did last time on the way home but not on the way there) so maybe once we are up in the air she can stand on the floor in front of her seat every once in a while (as long as the flight isn't rough of course). that would keep her happy but I'm not holding my breathe on that one.

So help... please?

**prechrswife** · 01-27-2009, 01:45 PM

We flew with our girls Christmas of 2007. They were 2 and 4 months at the time. The difference from your situation is that because Mary Joyce was already 2, we had to buy her a ticket. However, she is very active, and we were somewhat worried about that. We took a bag for her that had things like a coloring book and crayons, small toys, books, snacks, etc. Honestly, she was so fascinated with being on the plane that things went much more smoothly than we ever expected. Big advice--take a stroller for the airports and check it when you board the plane. They will have it waiting for you when you deplane. We got a little umbrella stroller to use since it was less bulky than our regular one, and it was a lifesaver. We had the baby in a snugli, but the 2 year old rode in the stroller. That was so much better than having her try to walk or having us carry her through the airport.

**Sirrahsim** · 01-27-2009, 01:48 PM

Even if she does not have a paid seat you can always bring along your carseat. It does not incur baggage fees, and if there is room you may use it on an empty seat. If there are no empty seats, they can plane-side check it for free. Chances are she may feel more secure if she is strapped in AND you won't have to worry about a car seat when you arrive.
Also a new little toy or two can be a great distraction. Something that she hasn't seen in a while might work too. If you have a portable dvd player that could be a lifesaver. She is a bit young to be into TV but she might enjoy the sounds and colors of the Baby Einstein DVDs.
Snacks are also a good time waster, especially if you can make it into a game. I saw a snackbowl at the store yesterday with a plastic lid that requires you to push your hand through a hole to get to the cheerios or whatever. I can imagine that Austin would think that was a hoot and he isn't much older.
I'm sure you have thought of this, but possibly THE most important thing that you need to do for her is to have something for her to suck on during take off and especially landing. A pacifier, teething ring, or even a sippy cup will do, but you need something that will help her pop her ears.

I'll keep thinking. We have flown with one or both boys several times.

**sparks19** · 01-27-2009, 01:56 PM

ooooooooh we can bring a stroller on the plane and they will check it? I was worried about that. I thought we were going to have to carry her lol. that's great news.

I was thinking about a portable DVD player but don't know how expensive they are as we don't have one at the moment. but if we had one of those... I would just put her signing times on and she would stay perfectly still the whole time lol. she LOVES that show.

she will definitely have her pacifier and her sippy cup.

She has a whole bunch of toys downstairs that she hasn't seen in a long time so I will have to go through those and make up a bag.

I'm on the fence about the carseat. it's REALLY big and bulky and will be hard to carry around the airport.

**lvpets2002** · 01-27-2009, 02:45 PM

Please make sure that you bring the baby something to put in her mouth to chew on == upon plane takeoff into the air.. So many parents dont think about this.. Adults put gum in their mouths to chew on.. Babies need like a bottle or pasifier or your thumb to suck on.. Her wittle ears drums will start popping when the plane is reaching altitude.. After that & when the plan is in flight I will just bet she will go to sleep.. See I used to fly a whole lot & noted all of this in diff flights.. Have A Fun && Safe Trip..

**Grace** · 01-27-2009, 02:50 PM

Benadryl.

**Husky_mom** · 01-27-2009, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by Grace

Benadryl.

LOL...LOL...LOL... that should help too... LOL

**Husky_mom** · 01-27-2009, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by lvpets2002

Please make sure that you bring the baby something to put in her mouth to chew on == upon plane takeoff into the air.. So many parents dont think about this.. Adults put gum in their mouths to chew on.. Babies need like a bottle or pasifier or your thumb to suck on.. Her wittle ears drums will start popping when the plane is reaching altitude.. After that & when the plan is in flight I will just bet she will go to sleep.. See I used to fly a whole lot & noted all of this in diff flights.. Have A Fun && Safe Trip..

what she said ^.... she´ll probably go to sleep.. but if se doesn´t have something for her: a toy, food, etc...

cheap DVD players can be found at 80-100... maybe less...but that´s the cheapest I´ve seen... but I think you´d do better with some of her fave toys and play or some new toy so she´s busy with it getting to know it...