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nicole marie
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| Posted: May 04 2007 at 9:39am | IP Logged
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Hello Ladies,
My husband and I are about to move across the country with our nine month old daughter. My little one is now crawling (thanks again to everyone who gave wonderful suggestions about getting through that pre-crawling fussy time!) and I don't think she is going to be thrilled about being made to sit still on the plane. My husband will be driving all of our things out, so it will just be my dd and I on the plane. I was wondering if there are any suggestions or creative ideas that have worked for other moms on ways to keep their little one happy and quiet (maybe that is just wishful thinking!) She is a happy girl usually, so she may be completely fine, but just in case, I was wondering if you had any suggestions in the event of a meltdown. Thanks so much!
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MichelleW
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| Posted: May 04 2007 at 10:38am | IP Logged
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I hope others have better ideas for you, but this is what I used to do when I traveled with littles.
1. Try to sit near the galley. The stewardesses always let our littles roam in the galley when they weren't serving, if the child NEEDED to roam (last resort sort of thing).
2. Plan to have her drink something on take-off and landing (bottle, juice-cup, etc).
3. Ask for an empty cup, a straw and a napkin. The exploration of these things is amusing. When she is bored with them, add a few snacks to the cup. (The airplane cups are more interesting than cups brought from home, probably because they are clear and new).
4. When the snacks become boring, ask for a cup of ice. Put one ice cube on the napkin. Ice cubes are fascinating.
5. Have a special blanket or sleep snuggly along.
6. Be happy and smiley yourself. That helps A LOT!
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Michelle
Mom to 3 (dd 14, ds 15, and ds 16)
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mom2mpr
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| Posted: May 04 2007 at 10:55am | IP Logged
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Number 1--pack your sense of humor--in case of meltdown  oh, and lots of chocolate for mom!
Get a bulkhead seat--a little extra room and she can stand next to your seat and play.
Direct flights vs stops--I found both to have their advantages and disadvantages. My kids did better with stops. Lot's of airports have playgrounds and shops and it was a nice change of pace/scenery and way to get wiggles out. We could do about 3 hours in the air but then needed a change.
Try to plan for flights during naptime--this worked awesome for ds. Dd needed to be home in bed on her belly-ugh!
I am not sure how it works now(they used to be half price-seats for kids under 2) but get her her own seat and bring the carseat. It was comforting for my kids to be in their own carseat while taking off and landing. It also gives you a little extra room and somewhere to put her if you need to go to the bathroom. I would tell a flight attendent and have them keep an eye on her-or your neighbor if you feel comfortable. By the way, try to go when you are in an airport--much easier.
Packing--food and disposable bibs, small toys(get a few new ones at the dollar store),board books, sling/carrier and stroller,diapers(a few more than you think you'll need, just in case), lots of wipes, 2 extra outfits for baby and one for Mom(I had a friend whose son got sick on the plane--all over her!!), water and snack for mom--just in case.
I think I flew with ds when he was about 1 year--it wasn't all that hard. People are very willing to help. If you are prepared and relaxed she will pick up on that and be fine.
If meltdown occurs, whicb is unlikely since all this will be new and quite entertaining for her, just stay calm and do what you have to do to calm her down. It is an awesome age to fly-little enough to carry, big enough to be entertained, young enough to nap a lot.
Hope that helps. I flew a lot with ds when he was a baby and it was quite pleasant and fun!!
Good luck!
Anne
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CatholicMommy
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| Posted: May 04 2007 at 12:25pm | IP Logged
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The first time I flew with my son, I did my best to keep him awake a while beforehand, so that he would be tired enough to just want to nurse and cuddle. That lasted the first leg of our flight both ways - then I'd have snacks and little (new) activities. The trick for us was not to pull out more than one thing at a time, pacing additions and changes. Our first time on a plane was from Michigan to Minnesota with a stop in Wisconsin - and then back a few days later - so very short.
But several months later we flew non-stop to Amsterdam, then another flight to Rome, drove all over the place, flew out of Switzerland back to Amsterdam, then home to the US. He did mostly fine on those trips too - enough changes/snacks timed just right to keep it just going smoothly.
:)
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guitarnan
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| Posted: May 05 2007 at 6:13pm | IP Logged
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This is going to sound really silly, but I have tried it and it works. Talk with your daughter about what to expect. Start about 2 weeks before the trip. Tell her you're going to fly on the big airplane and it will take a long time, but mommy will be there...the next day, add some details (we will eat on the plane...if you are packing her food, tell her what it will be and that she will sit on your lap to eat). Every day, go through the whole thing again with more detail. Include the takeoff and landing experience (so she knows her ears will pop). If it's a late night flight, consider changing her into pj's either at the airport or on the plane, so she knows that she will sleep on the plane...you get the idea.
I know this sounds silly, but even little ones can understand some of what you tell them. It will surprise you, how calm she'll be because you've told her what to expect. ("We'll eat dinner on the big airplane. Mommy will pack your favorite (insert food name) and we will bring your spoon from home. The flight attendant will bring Mommy dinner on a tray.") (Note: this last gets very, very tricky if you and daughter are sharing a seat. Like, almost impossible. Think about bringing your own food if you're not buying a separate seat for dd.)
Also, buy a couple of little toys for in-flight surprises. Consider getting something that is hands-on (push-button toys, for ex.).
If you decide not to buy the extra seat and put the carseat in checked baggage, think about constructing a box for it (cheaper than those duffel bags they sell). We actually kept our carseat boxes for this purpose...but you can get any tall box and cut it down to size. We used to collapse the box for storage, and tape it together in the passenger drop-off zone. You will need to bring scissors and duct tape or packing tape...which you can then stick into your suitcase. This gives you a good solid container so your carseat's belts and buckles won't get torn off. Make an address label for the outside of the box and tape it on with tons of clear tape.
An umbrella stroller is a godsend in airports. You will probably have to gate-check it, but that generally means you'll just wait at the airplane door for them to bring it to you at the other end.
Visit the ladies' room right before early boarding is called. Usually flight attendants are happy to hold babies while you do this in flight, but if you need to go when they are serving meals, things don't work out so well.
I hope this helps. Advance planning is key. Also...make a plan for what to do if your daughter has a cold or (worse) other illness. You might consider trip insurance if you have nonrefundable tickets...
Good luck...it can work out really well, don't worry!
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Paula in MN
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I have no advice, I just remember when my brother moved back here from Japan.
He flew a non-stop flight with 5 kids all under the age of 6.
His wife had to wait another 2 weeks until our Embassy re-opened so she could get a Visa.
If my brother can do it, ANYONE can!
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 Paula
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Philothea
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| Posted: May 05 2007 at 9:06pm | IP Logged
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Bring your carseat and have her sit in it. I have flown cross-country several times with my son as a baby/toddler and this is the number one thing that helped, as he knew from experience that carseat time can mean sitting still for a long time. He knew not to complain, because to him, it was just like a car ride. It saved my arms from having to hold him all that time, too. He even slept a while. Mid-flight, I got up with him, changed his diaper in the restroom, and walked him around (or let him walk once he was mobile). We did that for as long as the passengers around me would put up with it, and then I put him back in his carseat for the duration of the flight.
I also brought new toys he'd never seen before for the novelty factor. One that worked great was a travel size Magna-doodle.
Even if you don't plan to buy the baby a seat, bring the carseat. If there is any extra room on the flight, and you tell them you want her to ride in the carseat, there is a good chance they will accomodate you, and worst-case, you just have to gate-check the carseat.
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: May 05 2007 at 9:21pm | IP Logged
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LOL, Paula...sort of puts things in perspective!
Nicole, I have traveled cross-country with infants and littles many times. I so remember the first time I would have to travel with my first baby, 3 months old. I had never traveled that far by plane before, I was leaving my hometown in PA to live in CA, and I was a new mommy without my dh...OH the worry! Yet, my worry was needless because baby nursed on take off and landing, slept/nursed for most of the trip, and everyone was as friendly and supportive as can be. Honestly...God sends help to mothers in need on airplanes!
I prefer not to do the bulkhead seat because I like to have quick access to my bag (which you don't have in front of you because there is no seat to store it under.) I don't purchase an extra seat for those under 2 (they just want to be on my lap anyway.) I like to travel light. I don't bring a carseat (because I arrange to have one available at the end of the trip.) I carry the baby in a sling (Oh if I had a nickel for every woman who has said to me while traveling "Boy, I wish I had one of those!) I bring one carry-on with wheels with all my stuff for the trip (that I put above my seat and don't touch until we get off the plane.) I bring another carry-on that straps over my other shoulder. In it I have all my ID stuff (be sure to prepare for boarding with your toiletries in baggies, etc. - see your airline rules), personal stuff, and baby stuff.
Baby stuff: diapers and wipes, cup for water, snacks, toys (little blow up balls, chew toys, stickers, roll of tape, anything that can be thrown away easily, I'll think more on this...)
I do like to board early (although some mothers prefer to wait so that your time on the plane isn't as long) in the hopes of using the restroom and getting all my things in place. As you board early, it is usually easy to mention to a steward/ess that you are traveling alone with your new baby and you are sharing a seat. You can request that if there are empty seats, if arrangements can be made for you to be in a row with an extra seat. When you get a really good steward (like I did on my recent trip) I didn't even have to say anything and the steward asked the gentleman in my row to move so that that my family (my 11yo and 1yo were with me) could have more room. Sometimes folks will move on their own, too.
If nothing else, I've learned that the trips are over much more quickly than I anticipate. Plan, prepare, and do the best you can knowing that your flight will be over soon  .
Please let us know how it goes, Nicole. I'll be praying for you!
Love,
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Angie Mc
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Jordan
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| Posted: May 07 2007 at 5:20pm | IP Logged
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I've made three Transatlantic flights with little ones and one thing it took me until the third trip to realize is to pack my carry-on lightly. Carrying too much stuff just complicates things and is hard to manage.
The noise from the engines has helped my kids to sleep on the plane and I've tried to make sure they're ready for naps when we board. For me, nursing has worked well at helping my baby fall asleep and the white noise has kept him asleep. I also strategically plan snacks that are not messy but take longer to eat. I try to have some unfamiliar things that would be interesting--cups, straws, drawing utensils, objects or cards you can hand them one at a time like holy cards, items from your wallet, or a deck of cards.
I hope it goes well for you.
Jordan 
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Rachel May
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I like boarding first because it gives me time to put in the carseat and I don't have to bump it over people. Getting off, you are last so you have time to get yourselg together, and the attendants will often help because they are leaving too.
The time that everything went wrong (alone with 3 under 3, 3 carseats, double stroller, kids vomitting, flight from CA to HI) I told myself, "It's only ONE day......"
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nicole marie
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| Posted: May 07 2007 at 9:55pm | IP Logged
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You all have been such a help! I feel much better and your ideas are wonderful! It is good to know that it will be ok, and like Rachel said, worse case scenerio, it is only one day. I love the idea of cups, cards, finger foods and a few new toys. I think that I will be able to keep her awake until the flight, so hopefully she will take nap. Most of the time she is interested in new faces, so if people are friendly she may enjoy a good game of peek-a-boo. I also really liked the idea of talking to her beforehand about everything that is going to happen. I think I just need to pray for that peace that surpasses all understanding, so that at least I can remain calm despite whatever may happen. I know that she is very aware of how mommy is feeling. If I can take along my sense of humor, she will really pick up that and respond well. Thank you all so much again and say a prayer for us on Thursday morning as that is when we are scheduled to fly!
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nicole marie
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| Posted: May 10 2007 at 7:38pm | IP Logged
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Thank you all for your prayers!! We made it safe and sound and dd was wonderful! I think I used suggestions from everyone. She was so good and everyone commented on what a happy baby she was, but that was thanks to your advice on diversion tactics. Thank you all again so very much!
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mom2mpr
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| Posted: May 10 2007 at 9:03pm | IP Logged
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So glad all went well. Enjoy your new home!!
Anne
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: May 10 2007 at 11:58pm | IP Logged
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Good job, Nicole! So happy all went well.
I'll prya for a smooth transition into your new home.
Love,
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Angie Mc
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Airplanes and Infants
