Tips for Traveling with Very Active Toddler

Sounds like my son. :) Depending on the diaper situation (poo vs just pee), I found it a lot easier to sometimes change his diaper at the seat. Other than that, the bathroom would be your next bet. If you can manage a standing diaper change, that makes it easier. Always pack extra diapers and wipes -- like more than you think necessary. Better to have too many than too little.

It sounds like you're set with the toys and dvds. You might try adding new books, toys or dvds to your collection to make the moment even more interesting for him. My guy liked playing with aquadoodles and magnadoodles. He also liked eating and the more food I brought, the better he usually behaved. I always kept a small stash of airplane only type snacks for when or if I had to bring out the big guns and bribe him -- things like M&Ms, skittles, fruit loops, etc). To this day, my son thinks that Fruitloops and AppleJacks only exist at the airport. A cup of ice and those little straws still keeps my son entertained. Sometimes, it's the little things.

If he still naps, try running him around the airport terminal for a while before boarding. This seemed to wear my guy out -- especially if the flight overlapped with nap time.

All in all, you can only do so much. It sounds like you're fairly well prepared so I'm sure he'll be fine. It's only 4 hours and, in the scheme of things, this is not a long time for an adult so if anyone finds him annoying they'll get over it. Try and stay positive and I'm sure you'll have a good trip. Good luck!

First of all, get to the airport early. Stay calm. Make sure you have a bathroom break right before boarding and at the same time give your son a clean diaper. Pack light. By this I mean, don't take too much to carry on the plane with you. I found it easier to have a backpack, that way I could wear it and have two free hands while boarding. Don't take your purse as a carry on. Use a pocket in the backpack for money, ID, boarding pass, etc. Then pack snacks in ziplock baggies, they don't take up much room and don't weigh anything. Pack a variety of snacks that are easy and not so messy. You'll need his sippy cup too, although it will have to be empty going through security. Buy a bottle of water and maybe some juice once you are through security. Pack all the toys and DVD in the back pack. Only take out one play item at a time, that way there is less confusion.

Don't worry about what the other passengers are thinking, that will only stress you out and make the situation worse. Do what you have to for your son. I had to use the seats to change my son, the bathroom just doesn't have any space.

Good luck, stay calm!

If you can, get one of those "premium economy" seats with the extra legroom. United has given them to us for free since we're travelling with a kid; on other airlines, it's usually like a $30 fee. Then you can sit cross-legged in your seat, and your son can play on the floor in front of you. Bring 2 or 3 cars or trucks (new is best, so he'll be more interested), maybe some "little people," and let him play there. It helps if he doesn't have to stay in the seat the whole time--especially if he's travelling as a "lap child." Finger puppets and stickers can be good, too. Has he started coloring yet? If so, that'll work for a few minutes (and a few minutes here, a few minutes there, adds up!).

It might also help to explain to him what's going on--20 mos is about when my DD began understanding the whole plane trip thing. Now, at 25 mos, she understands that you go on an airplane to see Nana and Poppop, and since she's THRILLED to go see her grandparents, she puts up with the plane trip better (at least, than she did at 15 mos, which was our worst trip!).

Oh, and for the diaper changes--they have a changing table in the bathrooms. It will almost certainly be too small and very uncomfortable for your son. You will likely need to leave the door open for there to be room for you to stand while the table is open. It will be unpleasant, but you'll both live. GL!

J.,

Antique Mom here. You received lots of good advice. I think we had a lot of success with finger puppets that told "stories" made up on the spot. I remember taking a few little odd things wrapped up as "gifts" to be opened in hour increments to "celebrate" how far along in the trip we'd gotten. Maybe that's where the finger puppets appeared? Lots of "itsy bitsy spider" and reading of books.

One thing I can think of is make sure his sinuses are good and clear. He might be a little young for chewing gum, but take something for him to chew when the plane is going up and coming down.

If you have time before the trip, you might want to see if you can do some "sit-time" training?!! Including some "exercises" that he can do standing on your lap or the floor in front of you. (Jumping, flapping arms like wings, head and shoulders knees and toes etc, Simon Says [without the tricking that's more for older kids?], stand on one leg while counting to three, then the other leg. He might have fun practicing doing these things inside a cardboard box that is about the size of the area in front of an airplane seat.

Come to think of it - maybe you could get one of those pop-up net laundry hampers to take on the plane with you and set it up in front of you (if there's room)...

If he's into making animal noises, take a DVD with animals on it and have him make the sounds as it shows the animals. My nephew loved that kind of thing

Back when my babies were little, we sometimes resorted to helping them be calm by giving them Benedril. I know people are more concerned about that kind of thing nowadays, but it doesn't seem to have hurt my son! He's 21 now and smart as a whip.

One last thought - regarding the diaper change - feed him stuff before the trip that produces a solid poo so it's not so messy. Cheese? No raisins or prunes during the trip!

Good luck!

A.