Traveling to Another Country with My 2 Year Old

M.,
Ditto what the others have said. My 3 1/2 yo daughter has flown to England three times. I did use Benadryl once, but mostly it's been a case of similating your bedtime routine from home. Her own carseat (if you're allowed to use it) is great, because she's used to it in your car (two was too early for mine not to be strapped in:-). A two hour domestic flight taught me that one!) You get on board, have dinner, change her into her jammies, give her some milk (they'll warm it if you ask) set your watch forward, and read a book or two. Make sure she has her favorite blankie. If you limit her afternoon nap, she'll be tired anyway, and the motion and noise will entice her to sleep. You might want to put her next to the window so you can get in and out to the bathroom easily. Walk with her up and down the aisles if you need to, and definitely use anytime you have before the flight to let her run. I didn't realize bwi had a play area (I'll look for it now), but they do have some ramps we used on the last flight which we let her run up and down on before the flight. Make sure you take snacks she likes with you. If she's into stickers, they're great for keeping her occupied for a while!!

Good luck, K.

ps-I find explainïng the steps as we go helpful to my daughter..."we're going to get on the plane, get in your carseat, have dinner, etc..." Then there are no surprises.

I was a flight attendant for 8 years and have travelled annually to the Middle East to visit my husband's family since our son was 1 year old. I do not recommend any medication, but each child is different. If you do use medication, be sure to try it out before the flight as some medications can cause children to be a bit hyper and not sleep. Usually the vibration and slight turbulence will put children to sleep. I always travelled with my son's little pillow and blanket and teddy bear so he felt like he was in his bed. And most international flights have the little tv's in the seat backs so that always calmed and put my son to sleep almost immediately as we don't usually watch tv at bedtime or in bed at all. I usually tried to get him to eat a good meal before the flight so his tummy was full too, but not so full for too many diapers or bathroom trips or upset stomach for turbulence that can result in vomiting. I do sometimes use clairitin to keep his ears from hurting if he has a little bit of a stuffy nose or allergies. And this causes some drowsiness, but not too much. Good luck!! And enjoy it's exciting for kids to fly. Let her enjoy the fun. Try to do a full day, but not over scheduled the day you travel so she will be tired, but not over tired. BWI Airport has a great indoor play area when it is open to wear the kids out and see some of the aircraft up close and personal and see the flights taking off and landing. Dulles does not. My son even attended school and flew that evening a 20 hour flight through London.

Some people say you can give your child Benadryl to help them sleep through a flight but that could backfire on you. For some people Benadryl keeps them awake and I am not sure if I would go that route. Maybe before you head to the airport or some airports have child play areas, you can have your child run aroiund and burn off a lot of energy. That way they will be tired out for your flight. Have you ever flown with your daughter before? The plane will have the same sort of effect as driving in the car does, she may be lulled to sleep. Good luck to you either way you go and have a safe flight.

There are several things that people recommend, however, I don't think it is a good idea or safe to give kids of that age any medication that they do not need. Most of the medications that cause drowsiness are not recommended for children that age even when they are sick, much less when they are well. Keep in mind, also, that these medicines make some kids hyper and restless, which you won't want, and wouldn't know until you give them to her. Please talk to your pediatrician before you decide to give her anything, even over the counter medicines.

Since this is an overnight flight, she will most likely sleep. They dim the lights and the plane is usually quiet. Try to make it as much like home as possible. Bring a special blanket or stuffed animal, read a story, etc. If she listens to music at night, bring headphones and a cd player for her to listen to. I would also bring quiet activities that she likes as well, in case she does have trouble sleeping, like crayons or small toys to play with.