{"id":54454,"date":"2019-07-20T03:38:13","date_gmt":"2019-07-20T03:38:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.babyhealthandcare.com\/tips-to-survive-flying-with-a-toddler\/"},"modified":"2019-07-20T03:38:13","modified_gmt":"2019-07-20T03:38:13","slug":"tips-to-survive-flying-with-a-toddler","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.babyhealthandcare.com\/de\/tips-to-survive-flying-with-a-toddler\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips to survive flying with a toddler"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n Photo: @hennablossom via Instagram <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

You\u2019ve mastered flying with a baby<\/strong>. But air travel with a one- or two-year-old\u2014sorry to say\u2014is actually much harder: Squirmy toddlers<\/strong> take up more lap space, and you can\u2019t always lull them off to dreamland with a boob or bottle<\/strong>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Sarah Price knows first-hand that flights with an energetic toddler can be trying. The mom of two lives in Iqaluit, a community that can only be reached by plane. \u201cIf we want to go anywhere, even just Walmart, it starts with a three-hour flight,\u201d she says. Her one-and-a-half-year-old daughter screams, kicks and wiggles, even though she\u2019s a frequent flyer. Like many parents, Price\u2019s go-to is the family iPad. \u201cIt\u2019s the one thing I can\u2019t live without when flying,\u201d she says. Here are a few more travel strategies for your next trip.<\/p>

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Before you go
<\/span><\/strong> Former flight attendant Francine Jackson* encountered her fair share of toddlers after seven years on the job. One of her pro tips: If it\u2019s a longer flight, avoid overlapping the flight with your tot\u2019s naptime, and try to book an overnighter or post-bedtime flight instead. \u201cI know that sounds terrifying,\u201d says the Toronto mom of two. \u201cThey may fuss a little more than usual at first, but eventually they\u2019ll be so tired they\u2019ll fall asleep.\u201d Corinne McDermott, founder of the website Have Baby Will Travel <\/strong>and also a mom of two, recommends selecting the seats closest to the washroom (and change table). Pack an extra T-shirt and hand wipes for yourself in case of a mishap. You can bring milk, formula or juice through security if your tot is under the age of two, but the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority<\/strong> suggests using a bag of frozen veggies to keep liquids cool (instead of ice or gel packs, which face restrictions). You can also refill a sippy cup with water after you\u2019re through security. Consider boarding the plane last instead of first to shorten the amount of time you\u2019re stuck in the seats with an antsy kid, and let your child stretch her legs at the gate before boarding.<\/span><\/p>\n

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On the plane<\/span><\/strong>
Keep your toddler busy by thinking of your flight in increments. Every half-hour, introduce a new activity, Jackson suggests. (This can include snacks.) \u201cIt breaks up the flight, and it feels like time is going faster,\u201d she says. If your child has the attention span, a tablet or DVD player (with kid-appropriate headphones) can be a lifesaver. McDermott is a believer in relaxing your usual screen-time rules. \u201cThe kids will see it as a treat,\u201d she says. However, it\u2019s best to pull out the tech last, once you\u2019ve exhausted other \u201cold-school\u201d options, like books, colouring activities and sticker pads. Inexpensive dollar-store finds make great distractions (it\u2019s not a big deal if they get lost or broken). Put each activity into a zip-lock bag to keep things organized, or attach toys to a set of stroller links so you\u2019re not constantly fishing under the seats. For an extra element of fun, Jackson suggests gift-wrapping each new toy. Avoid round objects that roll off the tray table (choose triangular crayons instead of regular ones). <\/span><\/p>\n

The best time to go for a walk is after the flight attendants have finished their rounds with the service cart, says McDermott. Make funny faces in the bathroom mirror or let your little one totter down the aisles. This burns off energy, and befriending fellow passengers could build goodwill in case of a tantrum later.<\/span><\/p>\n

McDermott tells parents to \u201chope for the best, but prepare for the worst.\u201d If an epic meltdown does happen, keep your cool and try to breathe. \u201cThrow people an apologetic smile before returning your attention to your kid,\u201d she says. \u201cThat may placate the bigger grumps.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

*N<\/span>ame has been changed<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Expert tip<\/strong>
Kids under two are allowed to sit on a parent\u2019s lap for a small fee (usually just the airfare taxes), but Transport Canada experts actually recommend using a car seat for infants and toddlers. This requires buying an additional plane ticket (yikes), but there are a few advantages: it\u2019s safer, your kid is contained, and your hands are left free. Check with your airline for policies (and bring the installation manual just in case).<\/span>
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<\/span>Read more:
Flying with kids: How to have a stress-free flight>
10 ways to keep your toddler busy>
10 tips for taking your kids on an airplane><\/strong><\/p>\n

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