Solo Air travel with 16mo for T'giving- Reccomendations?

[gracemamma]

I'll be travelling alone by air with DD next month and would love recommendations on what has worked for you to keep LO happy and mama sane during such an adventure. We last travelled with DH in June and it was very challenging but now she's mobile and wants to keep it that way. We did not get a separate seat for her but its SW so hopefully there will be a seat for her carseat like this summer.

Also any advice for being away with a toddler is also welcome. I figure we switch to new time zones with nap/bedtimes and be sure to get her out and running around everyday.

I'm rather daunted but really want to see family and friends so I figure other mamas can do it, so can I! Thanks in advamce

[gracemamma]

Any of you travelling with your toddlers these days? would love to hear what worked well for you. TONS of toys for when stuck in seat for example? I figure walking around with her when we can, etc. Just feel like we have a whole different baby now than last summer. TIA!

[LROM]

Howdy, I have a few quick suggestions, but did you try searching this site for "travel toddler" or "airplane toddler"? I'm thinking you're not getting much response because there are so many threads about this, people may feel like they've given all the advice they have already? Just a guess.

I definitely recommend the aisle seat, in case you don't have an open seat and you have to try to keep a fidgeting, mobile toddler in one seat with you the aisle is best because they're not cramped in the window corner and you aren't in the middle seat trying to keep dc's feet off of passengers on both sides. Also if dc wants to sleep, it's hard to do in a middle seat and only slightly easier in a window seat.

One advantage of window seat though is obviously dc being able to look out and to point things out (esp while still on ground/after landing). But I still prefer aisle. And in the aisle you can get up and walk around without bothering others in your row.

Toy-wise, it does depend a bit on personality but crayons/coloring is good, and I found a water color book and set that was fairly non-messy (but I had to hold the cup of water down the whole time). My dd wasn't much into actual toys at that age, so books and things she could draw on were the key distractions, along with standing on my lap and turnign the overhead lights on and off over and over, as well as walking up and down the aisle endlessly.

HTH!

[gbailey]

I got some great ideas before we traveled with DD last month. A new coloring book and crayons. Another poster suggested the triangular crayons because they don't roll of the airline table. That was such a great tip! We brought along her favorite healthy snacks. We overpacked toys and she ended up using her crayons. I also brought alone her toddler bear headphones. She didn't even use them for most of the flight but liked playing with them. LOL

Hope that helps.

[K1329]

I traveled w/ ds at 18 mos. I splurged on the extra seat - well worth it - he had his carseat and it was almost no different than a car ride for him! I brought some toys that he hadn't seen in awhile, and/or, that were new to keep him interested. I read here on MDC that a roll of tape was a great, interesting toy to pass the time on a flight.. and it was! No problems... on the flight there. On the flight back, he had an extended crying fit Desperate times, desperate measures. After 15 minutes of a crying toddler, I gave him my almost empty plastic soda bottle. He spent the rest of the flight happily screwing and unscrewing the top. And had his first taste of soda. Oh well.

Hope you have a great trip!

[gracemamma]

Thanks so much! Great ideas!!

[claras_mom]

Be prepared for there *not* to be an extra seat. Thanksgiving is the busiest travel week/end of the year. Allow more time than you think you need for parking, checking in, etc.

Empty sippy cup for airline drinks. Organize your carry-on so that you can put your hands on everything you need really easily.

Don't overpack toys and stuff; strong chance your kid will be more interested in what's going on around her. I find that singing softly and playing hand games can work well. Or finger puppets.

Other than that, I'd echo other advice.

[Super~Single~Mama]

Get to the airport EARLY so she can RUN RUN RUN before the flight (unless its a crazy early flight - then mama's sanity and sleep is more important!). Take food and toys. Sit in the aisle.

When you pack dipes/wipes put them in a gallon ziplock baggie so that you don't have to take huge bag to the bathroom.

Thanksgiving is crazy - if you have layovers spend them RUNNING with dd so she gets worn out. Crayon's are a BRILLIANT idea - wish I'd thought of that!