Flying with a baby, by myself and with my husband, I can do. We took our three-week old baby across country so I wouldn’t miss one of my best friends get married.
We flew with Holden at 5 months, 6 months, and 7 months… and then I declared, “I’m never flying with that squirmy baby again unless he has his own seat.” So, though the domestic airlines would let us fly with him seat-free for another 17 months, I had reached my own limit.
Firstborn Holden always gets a seat on the plane and, so far, second son Milo does not. I flew with him at 3 months, 5 months, and 9 months but still no seat. His next flight promises to be at a very squirmy and unpleasant 17 months… so, I ask you internets:
So, what are some good safety tips when you fly without a seat for your toddler?
Has anyone successfully (or unsuccessfully tried) the baby b’air? (pictured) What about ergo’ing the heck out of a squirmy toddler? Can I get the little guy to sit in the big guy’s lap for four hours?
Help me!!
Related travel tips for you: travel light this summer and how to go it alone on a plane with a baby
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I fly with my toddler often (last time at 15 months) on my lap. I bring plenty of books, toys, snacks, etc and hold my breath. LOL! In the airport I use a Go Go Kidz attachment to the car set (turned stroller) and gate check it, but that has most recently been used to haul the backpack while I put The Boy in a sling and carry him. Also, he nurses on take off and landing, so that works really well at keeping him quiet! Good luck!
I’ve flown cross country both solo and with my husband 4 times since my 13-month old was born and I’m planning a solo trip when he’s 16 months. He does nothing but squirm and constantly wants to move. But I’ve found if I put him in my old baby bjorn attached to me but don’t use the top clips, he has freedom of movement with his arms and torso but he stays in one place - on my lap! Also - new snack foods (that he’s seen about a month earlier once just to check for allergies). A new snack food can buy so much time especially if they are more treat than standard healthy stuff you get at home. We eat healthy at home so travel is time for a few treats!
Try to get a row of 3 seats for yourself, your husband, and your oldest son, and then you can put the arm rests up and use it like a sofa. Also, if you’re in the bulkhead the kids can play in front of you on the floor.
My doctor says benadryl is ok, by the way.
I wrote a long blog post about traveling with kids at my blog:
http://prettybabies.blogspot.com/2007/06/baby-jet-set.html
Good luck!
Amy
I have a 20 month old daughter & we’ll be flying this week too
We try to schedule our flights at a time of day when the planes aren’t usually full so that I have a better chance of getting a seat for her. We use the CARES harness when we fly, and it is small enough that I don’t mind carrying an extra in the off chance that she gets a seat.
We find that our two kids rile each other up, so we usually split up between two rows. My husband sits with my son and I sit with my daughter.
Nursing during takeoff and landing helped a lot with my daughter. This will be the first time I fly without nursing her (we’re done) and I plan to offer her a sippy cup with milk and a snack during takeoff. I also carry along several toys and books.
But really our main tactic is to make sure that the kids get lots of physical activity before they get on the airplane. We’re lucky that our airport has a play area, and we usually arrive early to take advantage of it. On days when we’re flying in the afternoon, I sometimes have the babysitter take the kids to the park while I do the last minute packing
Debbie
http://www.deliciousbaby.com
I found a great product that I use when traveling with my daughter. Its called The Tray Bien. Its an organizer that slips over the tray table and when locked in upright position holds all the bottles and toys (and benadryl! ha,ha) at my fingertips. It helps to avoid having to get up and down with baby to get their stuff out. The company has a website at http://www.thetraybien.com.
Good luck!
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