Flying for the 1St Time with My 9 Month Old Son

Babies cry in the plane because they can't equalize their ears. hold off feeding until take off and landing if possible and then feed them with a bottle. The sucking and swallowing equalizes their ears. If they use a pacifier that works too.

My daughter is about 9 1/2 months old and she doesn't like to sit still either! We've never tried to take her on a flight tho. I would try to take as many of his favorite toys as you can. My daughter likes toys that light up and make sounds. She also likes for us to read a book to her sometimes. If you have already been giving them to your son, I would also suggest taking some of those fruit or veggie puffs or other finger foods that he likes. That always entertains my daughter for a bit, trying to feed herself. And of course be sure you have his bottle & pacifiers! Good luck!

We have a 20 month old and he has been on approx. 15 flights. You'll be surprised at how well they can be on a plane. First, make sure that you pack plenty of snacks and drinks (milk or juice)You will need something for take off and landing (when the air pressure changes) so make sure you have a drink or pacifier. This is very mportant!. Secondly, change his diaper in the airport right before boarding and apply ample diaper cream b/c you won't be changing it as often. Thirdly, bring a bag just of small toys & books to keep him occupied. Something that has been a lifesaver for us is we have a toy that suctions to a window & hangs down (meant for a car) and I always sit by the window with him in my lap. The first thing I do is pull out the toy and suction it to the window. We play peek-a-boo with the animals that hang from it using a small blanket that we bring along. He always gets a kick out of it. If you give him your undivided attention on the flight while he is awake - you shouldn't have any problems. But, you may get lucky and he may sleep the entire time - which has happened a few times for us. Good Luck & I wish you the best on his first flight!!!

My friend took her daughter to the ped. and they gave her a prescription for something like benedryl that was enough to make her drowsy and fall asleep for the trip there. Good luck!

Our latest road trip was the best yet when we used the Taby Tray. It can be used on a plane as well - as it is so difficult for children to use the tray - it doesn't reach them.

It kept our daughter busy for hours. She was able to use it for snacks as well as having a surface to play on. I love the cupholder and crayon holders, as I am not having to pick these up from the floor anymore. She even drew on it with crayon and we could wash it off with soap/water. Great for short trips also.

The tray is sturdy and very simple to attach. It works great on our stroller as well --- we use it at the mall --- makes shopping/eating there enjoyable!!!

I will be buying another when when we have our next one, as I will have 2 kids close in age to contend with!

You can get the Taby Tray online for the best price at www.kidscornershop.com. Hope this helps.

Hi S.- I flew with my daughter from the get go, and actually got it down to where it was not bad at all. I chose to fly at times that were not as busy, so I didn't feel as bad if she didn't do well. (late night flights or early am flights) Then, I would plan on feeding during take off and landing, anything to keep her swallowing so her ears wouldn't bother her, and lots of snacks. Bring his favorite toys. Another trick (although it has backfired before too) is to try to keep him awake before the flight- delaying nap time/bed time until you get on the plane. And when all else fails, there is nothing wrong with a little infant Tylenol/Benedryl to help him sleep.
So these are just a few ideas- good luck and have a safe trip!

I live in TN and all of my family is in CA. We have had to travel back and forth 5 times with in a year for family gatherings. Both of my children have been on a plane early in life and it won't stop anytime soon. If you are flying by your self make sure to be well prepared. I would take a diaper bag on the plane with wipes and bottles (ready with water or juice) in a very accecable place. Toys are a good tool but make sure to have a blanket (it gets cold). The hardest part is getting settled in and off the plane, but shortly after take off he should be in ahh for the flight.

Good luck,
M.

I have flown three times with my son while he was under the age of two. The things that really helped were breastfeeding. I don't know if you still breastfeed.. but he was happy.. when he was a little older.. just a baby bottle with water was great.. Honestly the thing that made my son the happiest was standing on my lap looking out the window! If you can get him to sleep he may just stay asleep on the plane.. We had to switch flights once at bwi..my son fell asleep we got on our next flight and got off in NH and he was still asleep. So I wish you luck!! and if he cries don't worry they all do at some point and people have to just expect that!

Hey Stacy
I am also a first time mommy of a beautiful 15 month old daughter. She as flown 4 times already, all about 2 to 3 hour trips. I would suggest packing food,if he is eating finger foods. I am sure everyone has told you to make sure he is sucking on something for take-off and the landing. He will have problems with the pressure of the plane.
We just got back from a trip and she loved playing with my cell phone.
Wear slip on shoes too... they make you take off your shoes, and it is difficult while holding a baby. They should also let you pre-board too. Good luck, D.

I am actually flying with my 1 1/2 year old in January for the first time. She is loud and in the terrible 2s already. I have purchased a dvd player & plan to let her watch AS MUCH as she wants on our 6 hour flight!!
A friend of mine has also flown with an infant and she picked up like 20 new toys from the dollar store..wrapped up like gifts...and distributed throughout the flight there and home. I plan to try a bit of that too.
I have never flown myself, so it should be an interesting trip :) There is a website that has a lot of tips that I have been reading... flyingwithkids.com Good luck!!

We took our son on his first flight when he was round 11 months old and he did great! We made sure he either had a bottle or his pacifier during takeoff and landings to help keep his ears from clogging up. However, he hum of the plane actually lulled him to sleep and he ended up sleeping most of the flight(s). He also enjoyed playing with the magazines in the seat pocket even though we brought toys for him. It'll be fine - good luck!

I just flew for thanksgiving with my 16 month old twins. I brought toys for them, but they just wanted to play with the magazines behind the seats and I read them the magazines. Make sure you bring juice or milk and little snacks, that was a big help for me. I let them down to play in the area under my feet and they did that for awhile. Good luck.

Dont worry about your baby if he crys. Hes a baby and thats what they do. If another passenger doesnt like it, they maybe should have drove so that wouldnt have to be around all age groups on a plane. I know you dont want to make anyone elses flight a headache, but thats life. Have fun.

Hello S.!
I started flying with my oldest daughter when she was 2 months old, I gave her some tylenol about an hour - 30 minutes before we took off; every time I fly with both of my girls they would get medicine so they can sleep on the plane and don't get bored. Just make sure that you pack all of your important things in your carry on bag and store it under the seat in front of you. I hope that you will be able to get a separate seat for your baby, that makes things a whole lot easier, I know southwest will "let you have a seat" if the flight is not booked. Just to let you know, you can take liquids on the plane with you, but.. anything over 3 oz's. would have to be bought once you go through the checkpoint. DH, works at the checkpoint so I am constantly getting updates on things. You will do fine, I travel with two girls and like to try & be thr first on the plane & LOVE being the last off the plane; with the girls it gets hectic getting on & off of the plane. Good Luck & HAVE FUN!

Do keep in mind the new flying restrictions with liquids. You may have to empty his cup/bottle before boarding if it isn't formula. If that's the case, just be sure to let the flight attendant know you'll be needing a refill ASAP so your child can have a liquid during take-off.

My son had a portable DVD player (with a fully-charged battery) for once we hit cruising altitude. Most flights, he's amused at the novelty of his surroundings, but the DVD player has come in handy!

S. - I travel by air frequently with my little one. He will probably put up what you will swear is the biggest fit ever. Don't stress about it - I've figured out that besides the 4-5 people nearest to me, no one can hear a thing over the sound of the jet engines.
I also try to lighten up the mood with the person directly behind me. Even us business travelers have travelled with a child at one point or another. The reason for this is that your curious child will be peering over the seat at this person for most of the flight - if they entertain him by making faces or whatever, that's less time that you have to entertain him. Plus, people do love little babies - I know I appreciate having them on each of my flights because I feel like our flight is blessed by an angel.
OK - last note - Ultimately someone (several somone's) will offer to lend you a hand, carry you stuff or just hold your angel while you run to the potty, take them up on it.
So basically what I'm saying is that the less stressed out you are, the less stressed your little one will be.

FYI - traveling with a baby - go to http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm#0
for all the latest rules - you can carry on formula without a hassle, just make sure you pull it out and put it on top of your stuff going through security. Have fun!!!