Could Really Use Your Flight Travel Tips for 11 Month Old!

I did baby tylonal before we got on the plane. You can also just bring some and give it to him if he starts screaming :). I never used a decongestant with my oldest and he took his first trip at 5.5 months (a 15 hr flight). His second trip was at 1 yr 3 months. I brought a portable dvd player with some movies. I'm not big on little guys in tv but you do what you gotta do in these situations. I also bought 2 smaller special toys he only got to see on the plane. New toys are so entertaining. Also brought snacks. Cheerios and such to pass time. Just plan a lot of 15 minute activities hehe. You'll make it! Don't worry! Worst case scenerio, you'll be walking around the plane a lot.

with my daughter whom i flew with the first time at 8 months (just her and i). i got her her own seat so my hands were free. i sat her by the window and she loved standing and looking out from her seat. also a big thing is to only bring what you will need-
ie- small diaper bag, 10 diapers, travel pack of wipes, change of clothes, snacks (LOTS OF THEM), un prepared bottles (get your water after security checks). and some small quiet toys.
for the ear pressure have your baby drink his bottle on the way up and down or even suck a paci. its like the equivalent to yawning for us.
durring the layover let your baby crawl around chances are it will wear him out for the next flight and give your legs the stretch they need. what i did with my daughter was block off a little area with her carseat and my carry on bags and she cruised around till it was time to preboard.
YES! speaking of preboarding DO IT!!! it helps sooo much then to have to fumble around with people pushing past you. aslo when you check in you can see if there is a passenger by you and if not enjoy the extra room!
i hope this helps good luck!

We always had a bottle of something for him on take off and landing. The sucking helps with the ears. Talk to your doctor about the benedryl thing. My doc said it was ok. I didn't give it to him, but I brought it just in case.
Then we also requested either a bulkhead seat or sat far in the back so that we could stand up and "mommy walk". At 11 months old, we brought a favorite blanket, a favorite doll, and lots of snacks. I found preloading bottles with powdered formula, then using bottled water when it was time, was really convenient.
Southwest also has these little planes you can buy in the terminal that when you push a button they flash and make very quiet plane noise. It keep my son happy without offending anyone else!
Good luck!

My daughter is 9 months old and she's been on 4 flights back and forth to Florida to visit my family and once to Oregon. The bottle on take off and landing, pacifiers (which my daughter doesn't take), some toys or light books, see if you have an empty seat by you or if you can move to a row with an empty seat (and they will let you bring on his car seat if there is an empty seat). Most of the trips I've been alone so the Baby Bjorn was a must!!! It is so much easier to get on and off the plane with the bjorn. That way you have free hands for your carry on and hand to break down the stroller as you get on the plane. My daughter is on Similar, so I used the 8 oz premixed bottles for the plane and you can take those through security. Plus you can just open them poor them in your bottle and you don't have to worry about water or the powder (or just screw a nipple right on top of the bottle). Bring plenty of Puffs and the yogurt melts since those are not messy. And if the flight attendants ask you if they can hold your baby - Let them!! It much eaiser to go to the bathroom without trying to hold the baby at the same time! :) Hope this helps! And I have not tried the Benadryl (plus I don't think you are supposed to give Benadryl to babies) but if he starts to get fussy break out the Tylenol for sure!

Hi N.,
My husband and I flew from Hawaii to the East Coast when my son was 5 months old so my advice might not be exactly what you need but I found a few things really helpful. First off bring lots of antibacterial wipes and as soon as you get to your seats, wipe everything down, armrests, tray table, and plastic surface near you because there are a lot of germs on them and your baby will most definitely touch them. Next, bring a lot of snacks. Luckily the airline people don't look twice when you are bringing stuff for the baby onboard so pack as much as you think you'll need for each leg of the flight...and then double it. (We were stuck in NJ on the tarmac for 2 extra hours!) I also bottle feed my baby so bring lots of formula and buy a large bottle of water in the airport. Bring 1 or 2 new toys that your little boy hasn't seen and bring them out one at a time when he starts getting a little fussy. This will entertain him for a bit longer. If he starts getting really fussy and you can get out of your seat, walk him to the back of the plane to look out the window at the clouds and sky. It's really loud way in the back and walking around will probably soothe him. Also, something I found out when we flew is that some planes don't have the baby changing tables in the bathrooms (and the ones that do are ridiculously small!) We ended up changing my son on a back table below where the flight attendants keep their supplies. I just asked a flight attendant if it was okay and gave her the helpless look and she said it was fine. It was sooooo much easier than in those tiny bathrooms and I made sure to use my changing pad and wipe up the counter completely after I was done changing him. That's all I can think of. I wish you a safe, uneventful trip!

Hi
You will definately need to give him a bottle, or something to chew on for take off and landing to help alleviate the pressure in the ears. As long as they are swallowing, it should work.

Regarding the use of Benadryl or any other decongestant... be VERY CAREFUL. I have heard that it works great for some kids and makes other super hyper and anxious. You might want to test his reaction prior to getting on the plane, if you intend to use it

Otherwise, take a few new toys and books, crayons and paper.

Good luck

Having a bottle for him at take off & landing worked wonders for my son as it realizes the pressure in his ears. The bummer is that you have to buy the water at the airport however once you get on the plane, make a bottle as soon as you get settled so it is ready (without showing it to your son). Wait until the plane just starts to take off to give it to him and then again on landing. If he takes a pacifier, bring at least 3 so if he tosses one you have an easy back up. During the layover, let him get out and move around as much as possible so that he will not be quite so anxious on the 2nd plane ride. I saw a lady at the airport who had a large sheet that she laid down and let her little boy crawl around on. Thought it was a great idea as he seemed like he was really enjoying it. A sheet is thin enough to fit into your bag yet thick enough to protect him from the airport floor. I also let my son push his stroller around to wear himself out. I have found that the smaller unmbrella strollers, which you can check in as you get onto the plane (Target has a great one made by Cosco that has a place on top for a cup for you, a cup holder for your child like a snack tray- which also helps keep him "locked" in the stroller, and a storage area below - only $35 and WELL worth it) are wonderful for travel. Plus they are great for a trip being that they are very compact & if it was to get damaged its not too expensive. Take lots of snacks and baby's favorite toys/blanket, etc. Don't worry about the noise of toys. For the most part you can barely hear the toys while on a plane anyway. If your son likes to watch movies, then a portable DVD player is worth taking. Since you will be traveling with your husband, your son can crawl back and forth on the plane seats to you both. If you don't have a whole row, sometimes the check in counter at the gate can help you get an extra seat for free if the flight is not full. try to get a good nights rest before you go as traveling with a little one can really take it out of you! Hope you all have a great trip!!

Hi N.,

Will you be purchasing a seat for him or will he be on your lap? My son was 2 when we traveled so he had his own seat. I would definitely suggest a backpack full of his favorite toys, activities, books etc. If he's interested in movies yet, you might want to consider a portable DVD player. Definitely have LOTS of snacks available that you can carry on (prepackaged ones like crackers) Take a look at all the airline/travel guidelines for carry-on's though. Not sure how long it's been since you've traveled, they are pretty strict now a days.
I'm guessing he's not potty trained, so bring a changing mat, the bathrooms are extremely tight spaces!

Have fun!