travelling with toddlers

[Kiwi]

In January I will most likely have to take a long haul flight from New Zealand to the Caribbean with my 22 month old daughter. That is one 13 hour flight, a stopover and then another 8 hour flight. Does anyone have advice on what to do with toddlers in a cramped space for that amount of time. Is there anything you can give them to make them sleep or something that is safe? I have travelled long distance before I had children and know how annoying they can be after that many hours of screaming.

 

[LilyLamb]

the screaming likely comes from inner-ear pressure problems

there is medication for that

it's going to be very difficult to keep a toddler in one spot for that length of time

bring her VERY favorite toys in a carryon bag - and one or two news toys for when she has reached the end of her rope/and yours

make sure that during the stopover you allow her to "run" around - maybe there will be a playarea for children - if not - find a very deserted spot in the airport and let her run, chase a ball, pull a toy around or just spin

 

[Kiwi]

forgot to mention that we would stay overnight in a hotel at the stopover, so that bit won't be a problem, just the travelling.

 

[karla]

I haven't taken a long flight with my daughter, but we did do a 4 hr. flight this past summer when she was 18 months old. I was more paranoid then I needed to be. I had visions of her screaming the entire flight - did I mention that I was 7 months pregnant at the time. We didn't have any problems with her ears. Make sure to take lolipops to suck on and a drink. We also packed coloring books and crayons and books. We never got to use them. She was wide wake until the engines of the plane started and then she was out and slept the whole time. Both for the trip down and the trip back. If you bought a seat for her - take a car seat - this way you won't have to wrestle! I wish you much luck!

 

[LilyLamb]

One other thing - I recommend a window seat - so she can watch the world go by

 

[VOW]

Talk to your child's doctor before you go. He or she can give you a prescription for something to make the child sleep if necessary. You can also get the baby's ears checked to make sure there is no problem with fluid beforehand. If a child is borderline with fluid in the ears, the change in pressure while flying can give him an ear infection RAPIDLY.

Make sure you give a bottle or something to drink upon takeoff and landing.

For YOUR health, get up and walk as much as you can. Let baby run a little bit too. On a nice big plane, you will probably meet a few people who would love to trade smiles with a toddler.


Peace be with you,
~VOW

 

[Dewjunkie]

Sedatives.



For you.

 

[sklippstein]

I took a 10 hour flight to Germany with my 15 month old. There is a prescription that ur dr can give u that will numb the baby's ears should a problem arise. Also give the baby BENADRYL.......this will make them sleepy......very sleepy for quite some time. We also brought toys and just let her walk up and down the isle. She slept a majority of the time, so it was an enjoyable flight.

 

[JohnR7]

Originally posted by VOW
If a child is borderline with fluid in the ears, the change in pressure while flying can give him an ear infection RAPIDLY.

A while back, I had a problem with that with my ears. So I did some research. There is a tube that drains the fluid out of the ear. The opening to the tube only opens when you yawn, swallow, or chew. The problem comes when the ear does not drain properly, and you get a back up of fluid in the ear.

Now they have done a study and it shows that children who chew gum are less inclined to get ear infections. Sort of the opposite of when we were kids and they did not want us to chew gum.

I did by the way, cure my problem though prayer, and chewing some gum to open up the tube and allow the fluid to drain out of my ears.

 

[JohnR7]

Originally posted by Kiwi
Does anyone have advice on what to do with toddlers in a cramped space for that amount of time. 

On some planes you can request the first seats in the section you are flying. Sometimes there is a bit more space on the floor there where a toddler can play.

In general the older kids are, the easyer they are to travel with, esp. if they are old enough to walk to help get themselves around a bit. Ours was in a stroller when we went to Hong Kong and my wife spent a lot of time to carry the baby and we put the packages of the things we were buying in the stroller. The Hong Kong women thought that was pretty funny that we carried the baby and put our packages in the baby carrier. They have real expensive strollers over there, as much as $300 or more. Because they fold up real small for getting into the taxie and the different sorts of transportation. We got into a crowded situation at one point that it was very hard to find space to get the stroller though, esp. when we were going up and down the steps for the subway. You almost have to fold it up and carry it and carry the baby at the same time.

 

[DeputyDan]

Pack a carryon for the kid... with lots of stuff to keep it occupied.

 

[Million Pieces]

Actually I wouldn't recomment a window seat. Try to get an aisle seat so your child can get up and down, and not feel trapped. Also, I don't recomment the front-most seats either. Those arm rests often don't fold up and down, so if she needs to nap, she's stuck to one narrow chair, which is not comfortable. Best seats are nearer the middle, less noise than the rear, and more stable (less turbulence) toward the wings. Don't pre-board when the boarding calls come. The less time you have that child imprisoned in a small space the better for her and everyone arund her. Ask an attendant for a couple of extra hands carrying luggage, etc , if you're travelling alone with her, that's what they're there for!! Bring an extra change of clothes, or two (plus sealable bags for dirties), if she's toilet training, or even if she's normally well-trained. Bring zipper-bagged finger snacks, the snacks offered on airlines are pitiful. Remember that little kids NEED to eat every two hours, airlines often don't offer meals or food of any kind more often than every 4 to 6 hours. And wet-wipes, lots and lots of wet-wipes!

One more thing, be willing to bring a little extra cash for if she does happen to have a problem and scream a lot. Buy drinks for the passengers around you in apology!!! LOL Otherwise, Gravol, aka dramamine, is a GOOD thing!!

BTW, I have travelled extensively with 2 toddlers.

 

[Kiwi]

thanks guys for the advice, the flight will now be taken in march, more time to plan aye.

 

[kiwimac]

In NZ you can get for your little one Phenergan which is an anti-histamine. It will make her VERY sleepy. You may want to try using some.

As well take story books that you can read her, just little pocket books that will easily fit in your carry-on luggage. I also recommed YOU get as much sleep as possible 2 to 3 days out from the travel so that you will be able to cope!

Oh & I suggest a double vodka before take off, for YOU !, You may well need it!, Just remember, if the ride gets bumpy, HOLD her in your arms, it won't stop the bumps but she will feel safe!


Take care

Kiwimac