Traveling Across Country with 15 Month Old, Any Tips!?

Get there in plenty of time so you are not feeling pressured and can enjoy showing her the sites. Know that you'll probably have to take her out of her backpack or stroller. I agree about empty sippy cup through security. I think they are supposed to allow bottles of milk, but it doesn't seem like something to fight about on the day of the trip. My son has flown numerous times, starting at 6 weeks, and has never had ear pressure problems. I nursed him and now he drinks from the sippy cup. I didn't prepare for the taxi time the first time we flew and he was asleep by takeoff. I tried to get him to nurse during assent, but not doing it much didn't seem to bother his ears. Bring LOTS and LOTS of diapers and changes of clothing. Even after we arrived in KS, I had to change him several times with loose stools. (And I've read about lots of other kids in the same boat. Probably not as much of an issue as they get into toddler hood, but doesn't hurt to be prepared.) Try and enjoy it!

When my daughter was 18 mo we flew from MD to California. She did very well. I made sure that one of my carryons was filled with toys and snacks. She didn't have any trouble with her ears at all. Hope this helps and have a safe trip.

S.

My son has been flying since he was 3 months old. He is currently 5. We fly once or twice a year. You have been given some good advice. Make sure you not only have plently of clothes for your child, but also for you. My son had a bowel movement in his pants while he was sitting on my lap. We were in the zone where you could no longer get out of your seat, so I was not able to change him, no big deal since he was still in diapers. By the time we got off the plane and to a bathroom, I reeked and had to change both of our clothes. Even though you are using the car seat, this there may be times when the child will be on your lap...such as trying to calm him down so as not to disturb others.
Plan for the unexpected, we had to spend the night in an airport (long story). We were on our last diaper when we finally boarded the plane the next day. There was no place to purchase diapers in the airport.
We have an inexpensive folding rolling cart. We attach the car seat to it and we are able to quickly move through the airport. It's also nice so he can fall asleep. It works in the same way as the expensive rolling car seats. It folds up and stores in the overhead compartment. There are also straps that you can buy and attach the cart seat to your luggage that has wheels. We don't have to worry about an umbrella stroller or you check the stroller if you will need it during your stay.
Hope this helps. Happy, safe travel!

I started flying with my daughter when she was 8 months old. She's flown 10+ times and isn't 3 yet. Take along an empty sippy cup to get it through TSA screening and have her drink during takeoff and landing. That should help with any ear pressure she may experience. Also, I planned for 2 new books or games/quiet toys per hour to keep my little one busy. I found that she spent a lot of time looking at the other people on the plane and that kept her occupied as well. Good luck and safe travels!

Great! Having a car seat on the plane is super and will help a lot (and also keep her safer). When we've traveled when our kids were younger, we always used a car seat on the plane and they did great. Both napped a lot on planes. Just bring a lot of patience with you. Not all airlines will let you preboard, so you may be stuck installing the seat while others are boarding and speaking from experience, that is NO fun.

For the air pressure change, just have your daughter drink from her sippy cup as the plane takes off. That will take care of the problem. Give her a salty snack like crackers beforehand to ensure she'll be thirsty.

Also bring lots of new little picture books. Those can help. Chunky jewelry and stickers can also be entertaining, depending on whether she will eat them or not (obviously a no if she'll just chew on them).

It sounds like you are very organized and have thought everything through. I liked to put my daughter's car seat in the plane seat which worked well. I always brought sippy cups and tried to time it so that on take-off and landing she had a sippy to help with ear popping.

I found a backpack indispensible instead of the usual carry-on--you will need your hands free. Mine has lots of inside and outside pockets and 2 side slots for bottles or sippy cups. If your daughter likes to be read to bring some books to distract her along with lots of toys. I also liked to buy some new toys (small, inexpensive) so she would be interested instead of the same old stuff. Good luck and enjoy your trip!

It's probably best to use the car seat but we discovered one major downside to doing so when we flew from the East Coast to Hawaii with our 18-month-old son--in the car seat, his feet perfectly reached the seat in front of him and he proceeded to kick it for hours on end. I felt like we spent the entire flight trying to do anything to keep him from kicking the poor soul in front of us from asking nicely to trying to bribe him with treats to yelling to trying to even hold his legs down. It was awful! Another thing to be aware of--if you have a windown seat for your family, you can't sit in it and put the car seat in the middle seat. Most airlines will make you put the seat in the window seat so it isn't in your way in case of emergency evacuation. This is really frustrating b/c we wanted our son in between my husband and I so we could take turns keeping him entertained, feeding him, etc. but it ended up being up to me!

As for some tips: lots of snacks, new toys she hasn't seen before, and what was best for us was a portable DVD player with some Elmo videos. LIFESAVER!! As for the ears, our son is 2.5 now and has flown quite a bit and has never had a problem with take-off and landing, nor has his 9-month-old sister (who has flown twice) but of course it's good to have a drink handy and also if she has any sign of congestion, take her to the doctor to make sure she has no signs of an ear infection. I did that with my youngest before we flew a few weeks ago in case she was developing an ear infection since she was congested. Good luck!

I've been flying back and forth between Colorado and Virginia with my children since my first son was 2 or 3 months old (and while I was pregnant with my second son, carrying my first one as a lap child), and all I can say is, if your daughter is teething, take orajel! It fits in the carry-on liquid allowance bag. Also, I'd recommend if she uses a pacifier, making sure to have one and a spare, in case something happens to the first one--the pressure kills their ears and the sucking helps.
Good luck, and enjoy your trip!