Airplane Traveling with the Toddlers!

1. 1.  Be prepared to bring more than you think you will

2.      need for your trip.

Better to have too much, than be out. Being out of diapers or wipes five miles up in an airplane is not a good thing! Remember that they do not have changing tables in plane bathrooms, so be prepared to change babies, on floor or seat.

2. Bring lots of kid friendly snacks, bottles, juice, etc.

3. Bring toys to entertain, like Gameboys, headphones, quieter toys that have volumes you can turn down or off.

4. Bring two or three changes of clothes for the kids and one for you. Last thing you want is a six hour plane ride covered in apple juice or poop!

    

   Plenty of diapers wipes, etc., better safe than sorry!

5. Bring books to read to kids, or anything like travel games to keep entertained. A good idea is to go to a dollar type store and buy a few toys/games, etc., that your kids are very excited about playing with, and do not let them play with them until you are on the plane!

6. Bring Tylenol for you!

7. Bring a stroller. You can bring a stroller and right before you get on the plane, you set it right by the door, and they will check it for you, and it will be there right after you land. Very convenient for holding diaper bags, purse, etc.

8. Bring chewing gum to help pop ears, to relieve pressure. OR for a younger child, sucking will relieve the pressure, so get out that pacifier or bottle (or heaven forbid a lollipop) to help in case the baby's ears pressurize.

9. Prepare kids ahead of time for what to expect.

10. Discuss proper behavior on the plane and discuss punishment ahead of time. (Put the Fear of God in them!!!) We have all been on a plane with a kid who cries or yells the whole time, do your best to prepare as best as you can to avoid this.

11. Tell kids what games and snacks you brought or what will be available to them on the plane to avoid temper tantrums over food.

12. Go over safety as well, to hold your hand at all times during walking in airport, etc., Keep an eye on all bags, etc.

13. Help your kids remember to get all their stuff together for carryon bag, but have them carry it, if they can walk they can carry a back pack. I have found it convenient for a younger child, you can get a small woman's backpack/purse that is the perfect size for a 2-4 year old. They also have cute kids ones available as well.

14. Dress in layers, comfy clothes, and dress kids this way too. That way you can peel or layer depending on airplane temperature. I was on a plane that was freezing and everyone was complaining. Even with a blanket people were complaining. It was so hard to sleep (overnight flight) with it being so cold. I think the flight attendants finally turned off the air condition because so many people were complaining.

15. Consider what baby paraphernalia you will need to bring with you. If you are staying with family, ask what they might already have, such as a playpen, etc., that you might be able to borrow. This will save you lots of hassle of lugging needless items with you.

16. Bring a last resort toy/snack for when kids get cranky. For us it was bubbles. They now have these little things that you pour the bubbles into that are pretty much spill proof and the kids can blow the bubbles down at their feet, so as not to bother other passengers. It came in a package of two for less than $4 at Walmart. It was a great thing for us!

 

Most of this seems like common knowledge to me, but I was on a Southwest flight (a six hour one mind you)! And the gal in front of me had a child who was probably two, and she did not bring any snacks. Southwest only gives a tiny snack like peanuts or pretzels, they advertise in their itinerary that you are welcome to bring your own food They have gotten better, if you are on a longer flight, you get what they called a “snack pack” which for us what cheese and crackers, fruit snacks, and Oreos, very kid likable.