Toddlers and airplanes

[maplesugar]

I will soon be flying across the country in an airplaine and am very nervous about bringing my 16 month dd. She is a very vocal and really is hard to calm down if her needs are not being met.
You hear all these bad stories of breastfeeding mothers being kicked off for breastfeeding and such. When dd feeds, she will not tolerate covering. I am just nervous and am looking for other's experiences with this.
Also do the airlines still sllow food to be brought onboard?

[ggs]

He's not a toddler, but DH and I just flew from MI to CA with our then 3 month old DS. I nursed on both take-off and landing coming and going, and wasn't given any problem (I flew Spirit). I used a blanket to cover on the way there, but on the way back, I forget to pack it in our carry-on, so I just went without. There was a man sitting next to me and I don't think he even noticed (or if he did, he didn't let on).

As far as bringing food, I'm sure that's allowed. Many airlines these days don't provide snacks unless you purchase them, so I'm sure there wouldn't be a problem if you brought your own. We had our own drinks when we flew, and no one said anything.

For toddler entertainment, I usually pack flashcards, books, and my cell phone and keys as toys for my DD. We also have a travel DVD player (she loves Signing Time dvds), but I've never had to use it when we've traveled.

HTH! Good luck!

[Adasmommy]

I've never had any trouble with nursing on a plane and I do not cover up. I think being given a hard time is rare and liable to be even rarer since the recent publicity.

If your husband will be with you, and it would make you more comfortable, you could nurse in the window seat with your husband on the other side . . .

Also, I wore my daughter in the wrap in a FWCC for at least one entire plane trip, and nursing in the wrap is just kind of naturally discrete. I have heard that some people have not been allowed to wear their babies on the plane, so no guarantee there.

I'd bring good books to read, if she likes that. Most plane trips aren't really that long and it will probably be over before she gets too irritated with anything!

Good luck!

[Adasmommy]

I just saw you're flying accross the country so that could be a kind of long trip. I recommend lots of diversions. Maybe you'll get lucky and she'll sleep. And I've never not been allowed to bring food on. So bring plenty!

[limabean]

Airlines definitely allow you to bring food on board. Anything you purchase in the terminal after going through security (including drinks) is fine to bring on, and anything you pack from home that isn't a liquid/gel is fine. I travel with a sandwich, crackers, and a banana for DS and have never had any type of problem. I do dump the water from his sippy cup and purchase a bottled water in the terminal to refill it.

As for breastfeeding, is the official policy printed somewhere? The FAA's website maybe? Maybe try to find some type of breastfeeding rights document and print it just in case, but I've never had anyone question me about breastfeeding on a plane. I always just chose a window seat and kind of turned my body towards the window.

[mamasaurus]

Here's a link to the TSA website on what you can bring on the plane:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...ted-items.shtm

I fly a LOT with my girls - and honestly, I have found that it completely varies from airport to airport as far as the food goes. Sometimes I come across a very strict TSA person and they won't allow me to bring yogurt or applesauce on the plane. Other times it's fine.

Also - no ice packs allowed - I've had so many of those taken away from me at security. If you need ice, put ice cubes in a ziploc bag - use two, they leak.

Also, I've never had any trouble nursing on a plane. None.

And bring lots of little distracting things. I have an almost 5yo and a 2.5yo and I can't remember what 16 month old kids are into! HA! Memory loss...

[Shakita]

I started flying with the kids since they were 3 months old and always breastfed until my little one was 18 months old. I never covered, however I wore nursing tops. I used to nurse at the airports, different airlines and never had any problem. My little one is hard to distract but he would settle down for nursing and that would comfort him.
I never bring anything with me and purchase fruits and water at the airport after I have passed the security area. Once you get past security, any items purchased you can bring to the airplane.

[Quinalla]

Food is definitely allowed. The only thing about food is if you take it through security it can't be loose (like you couldn't just put some fries in the tray, but I don't know why you would do that ). As for drinks, anything you buy after security is fine and certain baby stuff is allowed, just check that TSA link.

As for bf on a plane, I have seen plenty of mothers do it and I haven't seen a single person care and most don't notice. I think people are fine as long as the kid is not screaming or crying loudly, then they can start getting annoyed, but I doubt anyone would say anything unless you were just ignoring the kid and not trying to console them.

Are you going to get a seat for your kid too? If not, try to pick a seat closer to the back where you will be less likely to have someone sit next to you.

Good luck! I think you will be fine, just bring plenty of snacks and toys.