Taking 14 Month Old on 5 Hour Flight...

hi, good luck. i just flew and it was tough. some tips others told me.

bring novel toys/books. things they haven't seen in a while. if its the same 'ol stuff, they get bored too quick.

snacks and drinks for ears/take off/landing.

i would go out and buy a portable DVD player. would have been a life saver. worth every penny. i just saw one for $80.00 at Costco.

good luck!

Snacks- lots of them... a movie if she would be interested on a portable DVD player, new toys activities, magna doodle, water doodle, go on walks when you can... you will make it.

C., sleep consultant, www.lullabyluna.com

Hi T.,
I have taken my daughter on 3 airplane trips (all short flights): to Phoenix when she was 7 months old, and to Phoenix and Las Vegas this month (17 months old). They were all short flights, which I was very glad for. My daughter is too active, and I was by myself, so an hour on the plane is enough.

It's really helpful if you can get your side of the row to yourself. On the trips to Phoenix, we were on the little planes that have two rows of two seats. When she was 7 months old, I bought a seat for her and strapped her in her car seat. She took short naps on both flights. This time, I didn't buy her a seat on any of the flights, but on the Phoenix trip the men seated next to me moved "to give me more room" :-) and it was a huge help. The Las Vegas flight was a plane with two rows of three seats, and we had nobody else on our side on the way out there, and nobody seated in front of us. So it was nice because my daughter is obsessed with putting the tray table up and down, and kicked the seat a few times, but we didn't bother anybody. On the flight home, there was a lady on the aisle seat, but the middle seat was empty, and my daughter was so exhausted she slept the whole way - that was the best flight yet!! So my advice would be to buy a seat for her if you can afford it, or to travel during the non-busy times (Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday) to try to have as much space for yourself as you can. I booked a window seat on all the flights (if you bring the car seat on the plane it will need to go in the window seat), and my daughter liked looking at the window at the people on the ground, and at everything moving by as we took off.

Bring snacks, those are always good for keeping her occupied, and you'll need food if you get delayed. You can also bring a drink for your daughter - just separate it with the other liquids, and the TSA will have you open the bottle/cup so they can test it to make sure it's not an explosive (they won't put anything in the liquid, just wave this little strip thing over the top to pick up any fumes). I bring my daughter's favorite snacks: bananas, goldfish, animal crackers, grapes.

I have the Sit'N'Stroll carseat/stroller, which makes it very convenient for traveling and then you have a car seat at your destination. If you're renting a car, it might be easier to rent a car seat from the car rental place.

As far as keeping them occupied during the flight, good luck! I brought books and toys during the flight. My daughter did like the "Brown Bear" book on the first flight to Phoenix, but really wasn't interested in the books on our flights to Vegas. I bought the "Barrel of Monkeys" at Target, but that lasted for about 20 seconds until she started throwing them into the aisle and I took them away. I bought the Crayola Tadoodles at Target. My daughter isn't really interested in coloring, but she liked taking the crayons in and out of the holder. By the way, baby wipes take the crayon off of the airplane walls and tray with one swipe ;-) . If she has a favorite toy or book, bring that, and also bring something new that might hold her interest for a while. My daughter doesn't watch TV or movies yet, so I didn't even try that. We were on Jet Blue to and from Vegas, and she barely glanced at the TV screens.

The best thing would be if you can get her to sleep on the airplane, or for at least a portion of the flight. But any time I've tried to time her naps, I end up defeated!

Good luck to you!

Great advice from prev. posters. I have done 6-hour flights with an 11-month old and again with an 11-month old and 2-year-old, car rides (10 hours) and ferry trips (1 hour), and here's what I've learned . . .
1. Start planning at least two-weeks ahead. Make a list and check it twice.
2. In a gallon sized zip-lock bag, pack an outfit with a diaper and a sandwich sized zip-lock with 5-10 wipes. This makes it VERY easy to do a diaper/accident change. I usually carry 2 of these per child (outfit only if child out of diapers). I tend to pack clothing in zip-locks so I can use the bag to hold the dirty item.
3. Don't forget about yourself. If your child gets sick or has an accident, it will more then likely end up on you too. In another zip-lock baggie, pack an extra shirt and undergarment.
4. Take extra zip-lock baggies. These make great trash bags, store messy clothing, and are a leak/smell proof sickness bag.
5. Keep food as normal as possible. My children do great in planes and cars, but not so good on the ferry - so I feed them as little as possible and things that are bland, colorless and (sorry to be gross, but) easy to throw and clean up (think bananas, crackers, applesauce, oatmeal).
6. Carry-on an assortment of medications and band-aids.
7. Buy the extra plane ticket. A child under two can travel for free on your lap but 'free' comes at a steep price and the extra elbow room is worth every penny of the ticket.
8. We've always taken our car seats, checked the older one's booster and carried the younger one's seat.
9. Take every advantage of layovers to let those little legs exercise - they need to move.
10. Quiet toys for your child and mini chocolates for those seated around you.

Whatever small entertaining toys you can bring, go for it. If you have not booked the flight already, try to make it during the longest nap period your child takes.
Get your child their own seat - it will make you much happier!
The front bathrooms SOMETIMES have a changing table. If it does not, and you don't get the front row, you can grab a blanket and change your baby either in the front or rear of the plane on the floor - not ideal, but you can do it.
Bring plenty of snacks. You can bring milk / formula, just not a ton. Give the baby a bottle at take off and landing to help with the chnage in ear pressure.
peek-a-boo goes a long way. Make friends with the people around you. Warn the person sitting in front ofyour child that their seat may not recline or if your child can reach their seat, they may kick and they are really too young for you to control it.
Good luck!

I took my daughter to Hawai when she was 10 months -I was scared too... but she did very good- I didn't give her any drug- only her pacifier and her bottle of water.
Enjoy.....

Hi T.,

I have been taking my son on long flights since he was very young -- and it is not hard at all!

SEVEN TIPS FOR HAPPY TRAVELING:

1) Nurse or give your child a bottle to suck on during take-off and landing so his ears will pop and he won't get an earache when the cabin pressure changes.

2) Try to get a bulkhead seat so you can sit on the floor and play with him when he gets tired of sitting. If not, get an aisle seat so you can get up when you get tired of sitting.

3) Bring a few small toys to play with, and a few books. Not too much though -- you won't need it and it isn't worth the effort to carry it.

4) Whatever you do, do not artificially try to delay his nap to coincide with the flight. An over-tired baby is an unhappy baby, which will make the expereince an unpleasant one. And a new experience, especially one with different air pressure and sensations, is no place to try to have your baby nap (unless it is naturally naptime, of course.)

5) Take along the larger stroller -- not the small umbrella stroller. You can put your luggage on the stroller and carry your child, and it is much easier to manuever than trying to carry luggage and a child. You can take your stroller right up to the gate and check it there -- they will put it on the plane with you, and at the arrival gate they take it out again for you.

6) Buy your child his own seat.

7) Anticipate a fun flight, and take it moment to moment... and it will be fun! It's an adventure!

Lots of Love,
Linda
www.RivieraPlaySchool.com

You've received some excellent suggestions. We've flown to Costa Rica and Seattle with our little one and this is what worked:

1. Coordinate flight time during nap time.
2. Bring BRAND NEW (new to your child), novel small toys and play things. Esp. things that don't make a lot of noise.
3. DVD player w/ favorite or new movies (a lifesaver) with headphones that fit your child's head
4. Have a stash of Dum Dum lollipops on hand. If baby won't drink/nurse during takeoff/landing, that lollipop will do it!
5. Bring an extra change of clothing on board for YOU and BABY. You just never know and you wouldn't want to be sitting in a vomit-soaked blouse, you know what I mean?
6. Lots of snacks/easy meals
7. Small blanket/lovey
8. I did a lot of research before flying and Benadryl can really backfire on you and can actually cause hyperactivity and irritability in some children. I'd skip it and instead go for a natural option, Hylands Calms Forte for Children. Works like a charm!
9. It's so worth it to purchase a seat for baby and is much safer, too.

Good luck and have a great time!!!

A box of bandaids entertains for a long time! Lots of things to open, peel, stick etc!

Hi T.,
this may came a little late since I am very bad checking my emails. There is always a first time for everything. It is very normal to feel that way especially going on a trip as first time mom and baby :). We went through the same on a ten hour flight with our then, 2 year old, one year old, and a six months old. We ensured to pack enough, and that they get enough rest. the older two were a little fuzzy but we took turn walking each one up and down as if taking them to the restroom just so they can stretch. We made it to our destination alright...and relieved...lol. Nothing to fear. when he starts getting fuzzy, walk around and have his favorite toys for distraction. At least its a five hour rather than our ten hour...lol...you will do great. It's an experience. You'll be fine.

You know, I was terrified about how our five hour flight would go with our daughter (she was 13 months at the time). Because she is a perpetual motion machine and hates sitting still. I thought it was going to be a nightmare. But she was SO GOOD!! I think the key is just to bring lots of things to do, you have to constantly entertain them. But if you do, they will be good and I think you will be amazed at how well they do. In advance I explained to her that we were going on the plane and she would have to be a good girl and sit. We brought lots of snacks and food, drinks, bottles, books, toys. The big thing is that right before the trip we decided to buy a dvd player and some Elmo videos. It seemed like a cop-out, but really ANYTHING that you can bring is a big help. They have a short attention span, so you have to switch between the books, dvd, toys, eat, walk up the aisle, repeat. It will all turn out fine!

Hi T.,
I have travelled with my kids across the Atlantic on flights that are 14+ hours, then lay overs then more flights.
Be prepared. Take snacks, diapers, wipies, small toys, a favorite blankey or stuffed friend.

Try to schedule the flight right before his nap time, so that you can get on board and have him napping in no time. Also, take something for your baby to suck on or chew during take off or landing. If he isn't on a bottle, then perhaps a fruit in one of those little sucky fruit containers, or even a lollipop. It will help to keep his ears from hurting.

Reading to your baby is also a good idea. Five hours is a short flight, really. Maybe get a bulkhead isle window seat so that you have leg room to put him down to play and also he can look out the window and you can talk about what you see...Have Fund!

Hi T., he will sleep for part of that time, just have his sippy cup, and snacks to occupy him. They have travel things where kids can watch cartoons, or music, I'm not sure what they are called. We traveld to Japan with a 22 month old, with no issues but her ears poping, it was more than a 17 hour flight. J. L.

I like the advice everyone else has given! I would add... To keep her occupied... Go to the 99 cent store or target and buy a bag full of stuff for her to explore that she has never seen before, some paper and a roll of tape. You can wrap to item before giving them to her! It's genious. Sticker books as good too. Also pack her normal food and emergency snacks too. Yogurt melt by Gerber and goldfish are excellent. I downloaded yo gabba gabba on my iPhone and brought her head phones. That was a lifesaver too! We've done three long flights like this. Nursing is a god send in these situations as well. Oh- don't worry about the people around you. Most have kids and understand. Try to get seats by grandparents. Always good for some silly faces!

Hi,

I've taken my elder son, now 2 1/2 on domestic and international flights approximately a dozen times and my younger son, now 1 1/2, on domestic flights (cross country) a couple of times. No adults accompanied us. Fortunately, flight attendants and other people were helpful, which made my trips with my babies, esp. when I traveled with two babies, easier. The only advice I can think of at the moment that hasn't already been offered is the following:
(1) if you are going to mix formula on the plane, bring the single-serving Enfamil packets. (I've tried measuring formula with a scoop from a bag with a baby on my lap. It was hard.)
(2) if your want to let your child walk around a bit but not run away or get lost, bring a child harness. Harnesses are compact and will help keep your child safe and yourself sane.

Enjoy the trip!
Lynne E

Took two kids (1 mo and 18mo) non-stop from NJ to Hawaii. Here's what I learned:
1. DVD player/ipod with downloaded movies/TV shows probably would have been a great idea for older kids
2. Yard sale price stickers (office supply row) stick and unstick easily. Kept oldest entertained off and on for 5 to 10 min several times during the trip.
3. Wrapped cheap toys - put them in paper lunch bags in case security wanted to know what was in them.
4. LOTS of cheap toys. Attention span is about 1min/year of age. I took about 20 to 30 new toys - each wrapped and rotated. Some were flops so I had back up. Probably would have been able to get away with less but it was 10+ hours and oldest is SPIRITED! Cannot count on him napping in unfamiliar environment.
5. Have flown at least 3 time with oldest. Extra seat worth the cost.
6. Did not do bendryl. Only because I wasn't on the ball enough and kids were a little too young. FYI: If you're planning this, give it a trial run before you fly. Do not want to figure out ON THE PLANE that your kid is the one who responds by getting irritable.
7. If you're scatterbrained (like me) have a checklist before you get on/off the plane to make sure you have all the most important stuff (lovies, particularly.) You seriously do not want a tired, cranky kid in a new place when you find out Lovey is on a 3 hour flight to Sacramento and can't make a retrn flight until 2 days from now.
Hope this helps! :-)

Don't try to do the lap thing the whole flight. Get the baby a seat and use a carseat. For one thing at that age they think they have to be quiet and still in the seat. Benedryl does help make baby sleepy but it also helps clear their sinuses making the whole ear drum blowing thing from happening. Also make nice with the flight attendants as soon as you walk on the plane. Having them on your side seems to help with the baby on a plane gods!

Portable DVD player (Little Einstein, sign language, whatever). Take a change of clothes for baby and YOU, because if s/he throws up on you, you'll smell gross for the rest of the flight. And try not to worry about what other people are thinking, just enjoy your child and your adventure. Have fun!

I took my 11 month old on a three hour flight and it was rough, but do it anyway. You need to live life and it may go well for you. Have you purchased a ticked or is he on your lap? Strapping them into their car seat seemed to work great for others on my flight (requires a purchased ticket for baby though). here is a bit of good news. when you travel with an infant they block out a row for you weither you buy baby a ticket or not. If the plane is not full you will have your own row. Bring favorite toys as well as new toys they've never seen before. People around me were very understanding and nice. In fact a group of college girls even held her during my comuter flight while I had a glass of wine! It was exhausting (I did it without husband). If you are traveling with your husband, you should do fine.
I made one big mistake of giving baby benadryl (husband M.D. suggested it). It made her sleepy but she was too stimulated an out of sorts to nap so it just make her miserable. I won't do that again.

Take a DVD player!!!! Even if you don't allow your child to watch tv at home, it will be a lifesaver. Also, we bought a very small dora backpack for our daughter and filled it with lots od inexpensive little toys and gave it to her on the plane. That kept her entertained for a while too. And hopefully she naps for at least an hour of the flight. Crayons and a coloring book are good too. Really anything that holds your babys attention for 20 minute intervals is all you can ask for. It will go by faster than you think.

How fun!! I have taken my boys on flights and lots of snacks, new wrapped toys, lollipops and movies worked. It's not a relaxing flight as you will constantly trying to keep your little one busy but it works. Are you going during a nap time? My kids didn't nap on our flight unfortunately but I know some kids do. We did not bring in the car seat, we just let him sit in the seat or our laps. I do not recommend giving any sort of benadryl or anything like that. He/she could have an opposite reaction to it and make things miserable. Another thing to consider is sitting in the back rows, that way they can walk around without disturbing anyone. :) We went on a trip with lots of family one year and my 2 1/2 year old ran his train up and down the aisle along the arms rests. It was pretty funny as he was saying, "excuse me" to everyone. FOr the most part, people thought it was cute. But there were the few that were not amused. Don't worry to much about what others think...that will make you crazy. Do what you can to make the trip as comfortable for yourselves, your child and the people around you but you can only control so much. If your child just loses it, buy drinks for the people around you!! :) Good luck. Oh... one last thing, lollipops are great for popping ears!!

If possible, request the bulkhead seats at check in. It gives you a little more leg room. Plus there is no one in front of you for your little one to kick.

Bring your patience with you. And don't worry about others around you. Kids get cranky, cry, and poop on planes...that's just the way it is. Speaking of poop, remember to bring some gallon size ziploc bags for any poopy diapers on the plane. It helps keep the smell from penetrating the tiny bathrooms.

If you haven't already booked your flight, pay the extra money so your child can sit in their own seat. We lap carried my son when he was 6 months old for a 3.5 hour flight and I was miserable. Now when my kids get squirmy, I just put them in their own seat. You will need to bring an FAA approved carseat for any child under age 4 if they sit in their own seat. Plus I have always felt that it was safer for my kids to be strapped into their carseat next to me than on my lap in case of heavy turbulence or emergency landing. Definitely have the attendant bring you the seat belt extender BEFORE you install your carseat. I installed my sons carseat without the seat belt extender so well into the plane seat that it took the plane tech crew 30 minutes to uninstall at our layover :(.

Definitely bring lots of food, drink and snacks for your son. They usually allow bottles and sippy cups full of juice, water, milk or formula through security. I usually bring 3-4 sippy cups full of drinks for each my kids. Then refill them onboard when they offer drinks.

Hi T.,

All of the other moms have given you really good suggestions already, but here's a couple more. I used to pack a number of small cloth and paperback picture books. My kids loved to look through them and be read to for hours on end. Also for the small toys, tie each of them to a string or make them hookable onto baby links (safer). Attach a clip to the car seat to attach the string or links to. That way, when baby throws or drops the item she's playing with you don't have to try to fish it out from under the seat, or try to find it when it's rolled 5 aisles across the plane -- diagonally!

A word about carseats -- definitely buy a seat for your child and strap her car seat into it. It's tempting to save the money by having a lap child but it is so much safer for your baby and easier on you if she's in a car seat. In turbulence or a mid air emergency, the amount of force generated by the momentum of a small child is far greater than the strength of your arms. Frankly, I think it is irresponsible of airlines to even offer parents the option of letting children under 2 travel as lap children, and that they should be mandated to either provide appropriate safety seats or tell parents at booking that they won't be able to board if they do not bring their own. They should follow the same weight and height rules as mandated for automobile travel. Just my two cents!

Oh, and on the issue of Benadryl, read Jill Connor Browne's comment in "The Sweet Potato Queen's Guide to Raising Children for Fun and Profit" (a really funny, but also very wise, book). She opines that if the Pharma reps were REALLY smart, they would be giving their free samples to the airlines for flight attendants to pass out with the drinks. Benadryl for the kiddies and Xanax for the adults, in her tongue-in-cheek opinion, would make air travel far more comfortable for everyone! ;-)

Enjoy your vacation!

I have traveled on 4 hour flights with my daughter a few times and we are leaving Tuesday for another vacation. She is now 15 months. The thing I have brought each time is a pillow - she sleeps on it and it is across my lap. A regular pillow. Bring her favorite snacks. Bring her favorite books. Bring a few things she's never played with like: caps to bottles, spoons, random things. Walk her up and down the aisle for entertainment. Hold her up on the seat in front of you so that she can look at all the people behind you. Good luck. And if you're still nursing it'll be the best trick you have up your sleeve. Nurse during take off and landing - helps with the ears popping.

That's all I got.

C.

Adding Kiddie Kangaroo pockets to your baby's car seat gives your little one a place to store her bottle, sippy cup, snack pack and favorite toys that she can reach and retrieve and store again giving her more independence to entertain herself & making the flight happier for all! You can buy a few new things to stash in the pockets before you fly as a surprise for her. www.kiddiekangaroo.com to order or check for store locations close to your home. Baby will love this for all travel even just a quick run to the store in the car. You will love it because you can stay focused on the road and not be reaching back to try to retrieve a dropped bottle or sippy cup or toy for your princess! "Jet with kids" is a great website and recommends this product for traveling babies and toddlers!

Benadryl! I know it sounds awful to drug, but it works. My kids already had ear problems, I didn't need anymore. And, pressure can be really hard on the little ears. Not only did it help with the sinuses, it made them sleepy! I also recommend pacifiers or bottles during takeoff and landing to help the ears pop. Stickers and new snacks are great entertainers as well. And a car seat is a must!

Take your carseat, it will help baby sleep. Our pediatrician recommended that we give our baby Benadryl 30 mins before the flight to help her sleep and tylenol in case she develops an ear ache due to pressure. It worked and we had a great flight our baby was 12 months old.

I have flown with our toddler since he was 3 weeks old. My advice is to make sure you have plenty of snacks (puff cereal, golden raisins, cheerios, etc) Pack a carry on for the baby with a few NEW and exciting toys for her to look at (make sure they are toys that she has never seen) Eventually you will end up walking the aisles with her but hold out for as long as you can or she will want to do this the whole time. When you get on the plane ask the stewardess if she can find a seat with an open middle seat so that your toddler will be more comfortable and less annoying to others. Put a maxi pad in her diaper -this lessons the amount of time between changes while in-flight. If she sits on your lap and straddles you with her facing you-she is likely to leek-and could leek on you -so pack an extra onesie and pants.
Don't stress it-people can be rude but what are ya going to do? Just remain calm and so will your child.
Good luck! We are flying 5.5 hours tomorrow with ours and he is almost two now. It is always a bit of a challenge but can be fun too.

You know all the tricks - new toys, snacks, something to suck on during takeoff and landing, etc. Bring a change of clothes for yourself, too. You will have nightmares about it before you go and think of all kinds of awful scenarios, but you will go to the airport, get through security and then get on the plane. It will be a long flight and lots of work for you to entertain little man, but there are 2 of you, and I know you can handle it! I routinely fly from Maui to Boston with my 2 kids (by myself), and have done so since my first was 16 months old. It is never as bad as your nightmares, and you will get through it. People do it everyday!

Be sure and have an aisle seat so you can walk around when you want to. Also have lots of your own snacks. You could take formula and mix it with water on the plane = I guess. Ask the airlines what drinks are on the plane now that they are so picky about what you can take. Also food for yourself......Don't count on much help from the flight attendants = those days are mostly over.
It will be fine. You all need a trip and will be so glad you did it.
B. v. O.

Hi T.! Well my hubby and I took my 6 month old to Hawaii with us and she did really well! Our doctor said that he would recomend giving Benedryl 30 min before the flight! She slept the entire time! Then I took my 19 month old to Michigan and did the same thing and he did well also! Make sure to have a goodie bag full of things he has never seen before! Get little toys that you know your baby will like and little snacks and bust them out and he will be in awe! Then make sure that he doesn't use them again until your flight home! It will help tremendously! Good luck and don't worry, every kid cry's on a plane for a little bit! It will be fine!
E.
Oh and a portable DVD player saved me! Really was the thing that my daughter and son loved the most!

Hi T.,
-Like others have mentioned, a pacifier/bottle/nursing for take off and landing is a must.
-Try to postpone nap time so that toddler is tired when they get on board and nap on board, not in the airport or car ride there.
-If you are not opposed to portable DVD players, it was a God-send when we took a family trip to HI. When my son really got restless, we put in his favorite DVD--Sesame or Learning Letters.
-Obviously toys, snacks, etc.
*******If there is a spare seat in your row or on the flight, many airlines let you use it for free with your FHA approved carseat. On our flight back there was TONS of room, so we brought his carseat onboard for free and it was sooo much easier than having him go from lap to lap.

Have a great vacation!

-A.

Take favorite snacks, juice/water/milk - and plenty as it's not an arms reach or stores reach when you find you need them & account for time not on plane as in travelling to & from your destination etc.. Definately take your car seat; it's an area of comfort because your baby is already familiar with it and it helps keep your baby "restrained" and/or comfortable. Don't forget his/her blanket and/or favorite toy, books. I always pick up a couple of new inexpensive books and/or toys to keep them entertained. I have two 2-1/2 yr. old twin girls & we've been travelling since they were 6 months - plane rides, 10 hour car rides, etc.....by being prepared you will do fine. Make sure you plan the flight around nap time and or meal time because that gives you even more time accounted for. I would either feed mine just before getting on the plane, give a fresh diaper & before I knew it they were sleeping....or, I would plan to feed on the plane to keep them busy, then have reading and/or play time for the rest of the duration if it was a shorter flight. If there is a crying spell....it happens to all of us; just try to stay calm & don't stress over the affects on the other passengers - the odds are they've been there before. We moms tend to stress more than we should. Enjoy your trip!!

We just got back from a 5+ hour flight and this is what we did. We bought the baby his own seat and strapped his car seat in (since we needed it anyway). He's familiar with the seat and sleeps great in it. Extra clean clothes and bags to put dirty ones and extra diapers/wipes (just in case of flight delays...i haven't seen diapers/wipes sold at many airports). Whatever helps your baby adjust to cabin pressure (nursing, sippy cups, pacifier, etc). Cabin pressure usually worse during decents as they often take 15+ minutes. We also brought our Baby Bjorn in case we had to walk the aisles (our baby is 10 months). If your child has a cold before your vacation, take your baby to the doctor to get checked out. Our son had a double ear infection at the time and the doctor prescribed ear numbing drops....those were a life saver. We had an umbrella stroller and wheeled right up to the gate and checked it there and it was waiting for us when we landed. Other than that, snacks, some toys, blanket. My husband bought a big pack of ear plugs just in case the baby cried a lot. He figured if the baby cried at least he could offer the ear plugs to the people sitting around us....turns out we didn't need them. Once you get your first flight in, the rest will be a piece of cake.

Get a Sit and Stroll! It is a car seat that turns into a stroller that turns into a flight seat and a booster seat. Practice raising and lowering the wheels with the baby strapped in so when you fly it will be easier than trying it out in the stressful airport. Using a Sit and Stroll helps so you don't need to drag along a stroller and a car seat etc. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED mine and even used it when I was not traveling, just around town because my kids would fall asleep in the car and then I'd turn the Sit and Stroll into a stroller and wheel my sleeping babe into the house and let him continue sleeping. The seat fits right into an airplane seat and is FAA Approved. My kids felt comfortable in it since the seat was familiar and theirs. I wouldn't travel with a small child without one. Happy Travels!

In addition to the other great advice, I would consider a portable DVD player. It was a god-send when flying with our two year old. We don't normally watch lots of TV so this was a treat. We borrowed one from a friend. They can also be pretty handy if you have an extended layover or if you're visiting a place that isn't super interesting for a kid.

In the airport, my son loved going back and forth on the moving sidewalk.

Other than that, be prepared to walk the aisles a lot. Also, Colorforms are good, quiet toys. We also had something called "My Quiet Book", a fabric book with shoelaces to tie, buttons to button, zippers to zip...

as the parents of an 18 year old, that has traveled for 18 years...benedryl! Makes them sleep and a 1 time situation or 2 is not a big deal. If you are comfortable, call your ped. and he will tell you what to give the baby. Also, sucking on anything to keep their ears open. This is a fear factor as they scare when the ears pop. As the child gets older, harder candy that chews or big was of bubble gum! I promise, it's not as bad as you might think.

P.S. at the very early age, my husband would walk the aisles with our son in a carrier.

Lots of good suggestions here; a few more:
1. DVD player a must. I really resisted the DVD, but we finally broke down and got one and the plane trips were much better (we travel to/from EC and WC 2 to 3 times a year)
2. Box of bandaids - sounded silly to me at first, but so much fun to a toddler! and they unstick very easily - our window was covered, but they came right off.
3. Lovies - don't forget the comfort items. This will help to encourage rest or nap time.
4. All the other stuff; diapers, change of clothes (just in case) extra shirt for you (I've had plenty of milk, juice, etc. spilled all over me) books, coloring books/crayons, books and plenty of snacks.

Good luck!

We have taken both of our kids on long flights like that, and 90% of the time they did great. Don't stress, they can feel it. Try to not have them nap before the flight. Invest in a portable DVD player and take Baby Einstein or kids movies. The bottle, breastfeeding, binky or pacifier will help their ears for take-off and landing. Books and something cuddly, plus favorite blankie. SNACKS !! Walk up and down the isle. Good Luck.

http://kidshealth.org/research/medicines.html
The FDA has recently come out against giving cold medicines to babies under 2.

I traveled a lot with our babies (alone and with DH) and we've never used Benadryl to drug them. It could also have the opposite effect - make them wired.

I also didn't bring DVDs to watch until they were 3ish. I am not a fan of encouraging TV under under 2 (it's not good for brain development). I flew alone with my son from LA to Ecuador (red eye flight to Guatemala, 2 hour layover, then to Ecuador) when he was 3 and didn't use a DVD. It is absolutely possible to fly without it. Now that my children are 9 (son) and 4.5 (daughter) they love that darn DVD/ipod player to watch movies.

I ALWAYS brought little picture books (paperback) for him to look through. Little easy safe toys. SNACKS.

My friend suggested lollipops to help distract (her older child) as the plane was boarding.

The one problem you may have is landing - ear pressure. Most kids are crying at that point. (But the plane has a noisy hum to begin with, unless you are right behind or in front of that child, it's not going to bug you.) My kids chew gum. Does your child have a binky to suck on?

It's normal to feel nervous, but it really will be OK.

Benedryl! Not kidding. I did not know about this and the flight over to Hawaii was absolutely dreadful - If I could have I would have jumped out of the plane and swam home! Called my pediatrician from Hawaii and he told us about using the Benedryl, but to try it out first since some kids react differently and it can make them more hyper. Thank goodness it worked for us and we were able to return home. Honestly, I would have stayed there and never come home if I knew I had to go through that first flight all over again. and yes the toys and snacks are a good idea as well. Call your airline because most will allow baby formula and such liquids for little ones regardless of the new security laws. Good luck! You'll be fine. Enjoy your vacation!

ok just breathe its not as bad as you think it is. i flew with my daughter alone for the first time when she was 8 months old. heres what i did.

-buy your child a seat! (your hands will be free plus it will be safer for her)
-PRE BOARD! (i cant stress it enough pre board!!!)
-take a stroller (you can check it before you get on the plane)
-pack only what you need!!! (dont pack un needed things)
-have your baby nurse or suck while the plane is taking off and landing (this helps with their ears)
-lots of snacks (if your baby eats finger foods)
-its also helpfull to fly durring your babies nap time so maybe they will sleep.
-buy your water after you go through the security check point.
-dont worry about people starring at you when your baby cries on the plan. babies cry all the time they can get over it.

heres what i took on the plane- (my daughter flew in lap)

-small diaper bag- 10 daipers, small pack of wipes, 2 out fits in case of accidents, 2 empty bottles, 1 unopened can of formula, a blanket, small quiet toys, any and all medications my daughter was on at the time.
hope this helps good luck! (i flew with my daughter at 8mo to washington state, then to michigan at 15 months she did great!)

You've gotten a lot of responses & I didn't read them so this could be a repeat. My 2 cents is to have your husband board 1st & get everything situated. You wait with the baby & let him run around or do whatever until the last minute then you board. If you board 1st that can be another 30 mins of sitting & that can seem like a lifetime! I've flown tons with my 2 kids & I've done it alone! Snacks Snacks Snacks. You'll be fine. More than likely he'll fall asleep for a majority of it. Oh, & I've never have used drugs to make them sleepy!

I took my son, who is 2 1/2 years old, on domestic/international flight since he was two months old. Trust me it was a lot easier when he was little, but trust me don't stress yourself up, because when you are stress the little one knows and they will fuss more. Just relax and breath at the same time. If you are able to get dad to help to entertain the little one, that's the greatest help you can get with the long trip. Before you leave the house, remember to bring the pacifier, the snacks, the books they love and the most effective thing is those little toys that make a lot of different noise to get their attention away from being in the tiny spaces they are in and people who they don't know around them. And also, if there is possible, before boarding, make sure you have a empty seat right beside you, especially right by the window, so they can look out the window. With an empty seat right beside you, your little one can have some space to move around and that will relax him a little bit. (Mine did)