Flying with 15 Month Old on My Lap - 2 Hr 50 Min Flight

i went to cancun last spring with a 2 1/2 yr old and my 1 yr old. my hubby and i let the kids walk between us on the seats (we got lucky and the seat next to us was empty, so i moved over). the best idea is to take plenty of snacks and maybe a laptop so you can put in a video! Good luck!

Hey C.! We flew with my 13 month old (she's now 16 months) and she too is a wiggle worm and hates sitting on laps. however, in the plane I think she realized that there was no place for her to run to so she happily stayed on my lap. I was shocked because she has never been one to sit on laps, and still isn't. She loved playing with the tri-fold safety card from the seat pocket so definitely let him go to town with that. Snacks, new books, new toys, anything that will catch his interest is smart to bring along. Back of the plane seating is usually the best because it's loud from the engine and you're close to the galley if you want to stand up with him. Happy flying!

You didn't say what time of day you are flying. If you can, try and fly during or near nap times. My daughter always fell asleep on the plane (and still does) when we were close to a nap time. Also try and sit near a window so he can look out and see.

When you check in (you might be able to call the airline and do it before you even get to the airport)ask them to fill the seat next to you last because of the baby. They are usually very nice about that and if by some quirk of fate, the plane doesn't fill up (ha!) you will have the empty seat next to you to spread out into. And if you can get in the front row of seats in your section, the baby can sit on the floor and play. Bring a blanket and let him sit there and play with a book or something pretty simple.

The best thing is if you can tire him out before the plane, then do it. He hopefully will fall asleep quickly. Good luck.

-M.

Hi C.,
My daughter first flew at 6 weeks old for a 5 hour flight, and many times since then. So I know what you're going through! If you can "manipulate" your child's schedule so that his nap time corresponds with flight time, that would be great. If your child falls asleep easily in the car, he probably will on the plane, too. also, bring something for him to suck on because that will help with his ears popping. YOu can't explain to a child that age how to "pop" his ears, but if he sucks on something it will have the same effect. Other than that, you have the right idea with new toys and things that will entertain him. Do you have a portable DVD player where you can put on his favorite video? That will buy you some time. Good luck! --A.

If you are okay with tv usage, a DVD player with some of his favorite shows.

Just as an FYI, on all but 2 (of over 10) flights I took with my son, they made me take him out of the baby bjorn, they wanted him seated across my lap. If you're lucky, he'll sleep, my son does as soon as the plane moves. Also, unless it's completely packed, they usually move people away from the person with the baby, they always did that with me, like your baby is an infectious disease, but nice for you with the extra room. Along with toys and food, make sure to have a drink, any comfort item them have, blanket, stuffed animal and if they use a pacifier at all bring it. Baby's ears pop just like adults when the plane goes up and down, but they can't sallow to pop them, they don't understand that, this WILL make them cry. So, if you have a drink or a pacifier or something from them to suck on (safely) it will pop their ears and make your flight 100% better. Good luck and happy holidays!!

Hi,
My daughter is slightly younger than you son but we've recently taken flights with her so I know what you're going through. First of all, good luck. I'd be well stocked with favorite snacks and quiet toys, like you said. I brought along her favorite books, plus a few new ones she hadn't seen before so it was exciting for her to have something new to look at. Also, once they turn off the seatbelt sign you can walk up and down the aisle with him. It gives a little variey and helps pass the time. She also enjoyed ripping the pages out of the in-flight magazine. I know it is kind of destructive but it kept her still on my lap for at least 10 minutes! Hopefully, you'll get a small nap out of him too. I found that putting her in the Ergo carrier helped her sleep on me. Again, good luck!

Dear C.,

A child of any age is safest in their own seat, (with a car seat when the are little) not in a lap. Any turbulence can send a child flying right out of your arms. I had to do some air travel when one of my boys was under 2. I always booked him his own window seat and brought his car seat. (It was awkward, but you can pre-board when traveling with young children, that helps.)

He understood that, just like in the car, he doesn't get out of his seat. Luckily our flights were never more than a few hours. We traveled during the day so he could see what was going on outside. I talked a lot about it with him before the flights, about how much fun we would have, how cool it was to fly way up in the sky, how amazing airplanes are, etc. I took books and small toys and played with him to keep him entertained.

Having a seat of his own is an added expense, but a small price to pay for the safety of your little boy.

Also, check with your airport for guidelines on bringing food. So many have strict rules now about bringing food through security and on board that you haven't purchased at the airport.

Best of luck to you,
T.

Usually if the flight is not fully booked people will not sit next to you if you have a child. So lets hope that happens for you. I have to fly with a 1 and 3 year old on the 23rd so I know your anxiety. I have flown with the oldest before, he is very energetic but managed to be relatively good for a cross country flight on a few different occasions. The flight attendants don't mind much if you walk with your son up and down the aisle a little when he really needs to move. Oh one last thing I agree with the other posts about a dvd player. Popping in the childs favorite show can be a lifesaver on a flight. Have a great flight and happy holidays.

I traveled with my 16-month-old daughter this past summer and the flight was okay. My daughter slept the entire flight when we were leaving to go on vacation, but the return flight was challenging. I took plenty of snacks, writing pads (toddlers love to write!), and toys. I also took a portable DVD player and played her favorite DVD’s, such as Blue's Clues. The flight attendants were very nice; they took her on a tour of the plane and gave her snacks too! Then eventually, she became tired and fell asleep. Good Luck!

When I needed to fly the first time with my little one, I did a lot research and found that a child is safer if in their own seat, even when flying. I know it's a big hassle to carry a car seat, but believe me, you'd be better off on the flight with it. Make sure your car seat is flight worthy because some car seats are not. Sitting in your lap for over 2 hours would really not be so good because your child will want to get down and that is not safe on a flight. If you do decide to keep him in your lap the whole time, bring a lot of things to do to keep his attention. Also, he may fall asleep during the flight especially if you fly during his sleeping hours. Good luck in whatever you choose. Hope this helps.

I am a new Mom at 45 yrs old and a flight attendant for 20 years with USAirways flying domestic and international flights. Best things to do would be to request a bulk head seat . . there is room on the floor at your feet for baby to play if conditions are smooth during the flight. Bring your own pillow and blanket, the ones on the planes are not cleaned as often as you think. NEW dollar store toys, some for initial and return flights each, will keep baby happy and occupied ( and are cheap if they drop on the floor and can't be reached )along with favorite snacks and drinks. Never underestimate the power of a dvd player, bring headphones because the businessman next to you does not want to listen to the Telletubbies for 3 hours. Extra clothes in case baby gets sick; this includes an extra shirt for you just in case. And , do not shoot me, if all else fails bring the Benedryl, but try it at home first to see how your child reacts to it. Let the baby run around the waiting area to tire him/her out and burn off some energy. And remember that if your baby cries and squirms and drives all of the passengers and crew crazy , you will never see these people again and the next flight for everyone will provide some other passenger or child to drive them all crazy and will give them all something else to talk about instead of you and baby. Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My only advice would be hope that you aren't on a full flight and they can rearrange seating to give you an extra seat, just in case. I wish you the best and I hope you get a "neighbor" who loves children.

I think that you have the right idea with the snacks and toys. I've been traveling alone with my now 19 month old daughter since she was 6 weeks old. We've been on flights as short as 2 hours all the way up to an international flight at 12 months lasting 9+ hours. I'm about to take my 19 month old on a trip in just a few days as a lap child. Once my daughter got to the stage where she was wiggling so much I tried to get an aisle seat which helps with kicking the person next to you, but regardless of where I was seated I always tried to make fast friends with the people next me by half joking, half seriously apologizing in advance if my child does bump them at some point during the flight. Most times (not all) people are sympathetic to your situation and try to help out if at all possible.

Whenever I've been on a flight I find that if I can walk around with her, that helps. My daughter loved walking (or being carried) down the aisles, seeing all the different people kept her occupied and entertained. Also, just going to the flight attendant area on the plane and letting your son walk or crawl around may help. I've found that the flight attendants also try to help you in making the flight as comfortable as possible for your child.

I know that there's the take-off and landing where you and your child must be seated. Well, between her drinking her cup and talking her through everything that's happening by turning it into a game helps. This usually only lasts a short while, but can be the most difficult. You know best what keeps your child's attention. With my daughter it's singing (quietly of course), me reciting books/poems I've memorized, and just talk, talk, talk.

Good luck on your flight...I'm sure everything will turn out fine!

Ahhh I am having to do this exact same thing this coming Saturday. My daughter is also 15 months and we will also be on a 2.5 hour flight. Our flight is at 6 am as well, which is when she wakes up so I know that she is not going to sleep on the plane. This is what I am planning on doing so far. First of all I am going to let her walk around the terminal as much as possible to let her get most of her wiggles out. THen I am brining lots of snacks, books, toys and coloring books. She has just started to be interested in coloring books and it amuses her for at least 20 mintues, especially when I do it with her. Thats all that I can think of for now but I will definately be paying attention to this post to look for more tips. Good luck to you!

As a flight attendant I can tell you that getting your child his own seat so he can use his car seat is not only the absolute safest way to travel with him, but will also make the flight go much easier for you, your child, and those around you. I do realize however, that it may not be an option because of money. Having said this, I would recommend bringing a car seat with you anyway, just in case there are available seats left. If you talk to the gate agents and flight attendants they will usually try to accommodate your child in an empty seat, so they can use their car seat. If no seats are available they will gate check the car seat for you. As for using your baby bjorn, they will not let you use it for take off and landing because it is not an FAA approved restraint device. You should be able to use it at other times during the flight though. I also wanted to address the post that stated the flight attendants will give you a special seat belt to use with yours. Not all airlines have this (the one I work for does not) and it is my understanding that that is something usually found on international airlines, not domestic airlines, though I'm not sure about that. Just don't expect to get one.

Aside from this professional advice, I think the other posts are right that you just need to make sure you have plenty for him to eat, drink, play with, and distract him with. Letting him walk around is a great idea, just make sure the seat belt light is not on, as it is not safe for him (or anyone) to walk around during this time since you could encounter rough air that could make him fall and hurt himself. Plus, the flight attendants will probably make you sit down during this time anyway. Also, from my experience DVD players are fantastic at distracting little ones for long periods of time, as long as you are o.k. with using that.

Finally, don't worry too much about it. A 2-3 hour flight (as long as you don't have delays...pray for good weather) should be over fairly quickly. If people around you are not accommodating or are annoyed, just ignore them. They are probably just miserable people anyway. You will survive this! Also, let me know if you have any other questions. I'm happy to help any way I can.

I think it is not safe to put your baby in the baby bjorn during flight. you can bring a small DVD player with his favorite movie for him to watch or try to choose flight during nap time. I flew from USA to Southeast Asian few times this year. I have to pack a lot of books toys for my baby to enjoy. most time i chose seating near window so that she will have her own space to play on the floor. I used the blanket to cover the floor and let her sit down there to play with her toys and reading book. if she wanted to walk, I will let her to walk on the back and held her to see through window.
it was fun and good experience to travel with the baby.

they will give you a seat belt for him that will hook up to your seat belt. i don't know how far you are aloud to walk around with him since its just three hours but you can let him play in you food space. snacks are a good idea that will keep him busy and if he likes to color take some crayons. three hours will go fast with take of and landing that i wouldn't worry to much about it. just don't be stressed out about it he will notice that and be all wiggly too. good luck!!!

I don't know what time your flight is, but if you can keep him up. Then he'll be exausted and sleep during the flight. Sometimes that works!