Need Advice!! Airplanes & small children

[grimlin]

Got a 3 year old who will be coming with me and my girl.Both are first time flyer but i'm more worried about the kid and need advice from anybody who has flown with children on airplanes.

We will be going down to TX to see his grandparents(my mom and dad) flying from Michigan.2 and 1/2 hour flight straight there.

[BassChaser57]

The number one thing is to take something for the 3yr old to chew or suck on. A passifier, food, gum, whatever will keep his jaws moving. Sucking a bottle (I know he is 3) would be best on climb and especially descent. When you start down your ears will plug and everytime the babies start crying as their ears have pressure and hurt. The sucking motion will clear their ears and equalize the pressure. The only other advise is to take stuff to keep the little ones busy. No 3 yr old will sit in a seat quietly with nothing to do. You must entertain or get ugly stares and sighs from other passengers.

[huskertko]

If your not adverse to it, Benadryl works wonders.  We just took our kids to Phoenix, both got a dose of Benadryl right before we boarded the plane and they both slept the entire flight (2.6 hours)..

IF you chose to try this I HIGHLY recommend giving them Benadryl prior to your trip, some kids react opposite of what you want.  Meaning some kids instead of getting sleepy, will actually get very hyper, like several Mt. Dew's hyper, not the best thought when you are stuck in a flying tube.  Check with your doctor for dosages and such, before giving kids any kind of medication though.

BTW, my two kids are 5 yrs old and 18 months old.

Edited to add:  Make sure you give them childrens Benadryl, this was actually suggested by our doctor to make them relax on the flight.

[flippin4it.]

Lot of Nyquil............Kidding. Portable DVD player with a set of headphones and his favorite movies.

[bassdocktor]

Ear Planes. Go to Walgreens or any pharmacy and they should have them. Good for the entire family. They keep you from having any ear pain and will make you flight more comfortable. Basically just special earplugs.

[grimlin]

Thanks guys,this is helping a lot....I'm gonna bring a lot of his favorite books,his games and one or two toy cars...should keep him busy for the 2 1/2 hours.

My biggest problems were the fussiness at the start and the ear thing.Somebody told me here get him to drink plenty of water.

[Long Mike]

BassChasser57 nailed it.  Do what he said.

[TI_Bassin]

Bring stuff to keep him entertained, and you can bring his car seat and strap it to the plain seat so he can't get out as easy and he will just think it is like in the car. My three year old love to fly and doesn't really make a fuss so you might be lucky and he will think it is the best thing ever and a little something to help him go to sleep doesn't heart aether.

[Guest avid]

I just flew in from Boston

boy are my arms tired.

badda boom.

[Bassn Blvd]

Stuff him/her in you carry on and stick'em in overhead compartment?    

[Tpayneful]

I have flown with a one year old from Washington to Las Vegas. We booked a redeye and he slept the whole way. Most people were scared to see a one year old on the flight but many complemented him when we got there.

This year I flew with my 4 year old and 7 year old. I took a portable DVD player and two sets of headphones so they would not disturb anyone. I also brought a crayons and coloring books. They did really well when a one our flight experienced a two hour ground delay waiting on storms to blow through. Two hours in a plane on the tarmac is tough but the DVD player probably saved the day.

I would make this one recomendation, DON'T fly Southwest if you have multiple kids from the ages 5 to 12. They don't have asigned seating so you have to get a spot in line and sit on the floor two hours before the flight takes off to improve the CHANCE that you will sit together. If you are lucky it is only one hour but it STINKS.

Almost forgot one thing.  When you are waiting on the plane buy a bottle of something to drink and maybe a snack.  They kids will want something when nothing is usually available.

[grimlin]

We booked our flights american airlines.I had great service every time i fly with them.I've booked dates with them when me and my friends were heading to concerts back in the day.I've always got our seats right next to each other on that airline.Plus i got them for $200 round trip per person non stop! Killer of a deal! That's the thing about planning it 3 months ahead.

The DVD thing came to mind,but how well does that sit over with the airline attendees? They got mad at us once for our headphones being just a little too loud. I'm not even sure the kid will wear headphones to be honest.Books and coloring is already on the list.I'm probably sweating and worrying more than i should be.

[Hookemdown.]

Just Fedex the kids. It's cheaper and no-hassle.  

Just be sure to get the insurance.