flying with a very very active 19 month old About This Page:

[htoddrmt]

Hi,

I was getting advice from my friends but figured this site has helped with my other questions so perhaps somone has some advice for me.

I am flying direct with west jet (3hours) by myself and I will be 25 wks preg. My 19 month old son does not sit still or like to be held. there was no option on buying him a seat as I got the last ticket on the plane.

Toys/books/crayons will not hold his interest for long becuase even at home he would rather walk around listen to music etc.

Any suggestions on things to help me out would be greatly appreciated. I am hoping to bring lots of food and have him hungry 8 am flight and hopefully this will help as he loves his food.

I am also hoping to get an isle seat although this is not their policy (no real reason other then not to wake a sleeping child) Sleep ya right LOL

I am planning on pre boarding and stowing my stroller and luggage then exiting the plane till it is almost fully boarded, hoping that this will help then he won't have to stay seating on my lap while people are boarding. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it is a smooth flight so we can walk up and down the isle.

Thanks everyone in advance for any suggestions you may have. worst case is he will be a basket case for 3 hours...I can handle it

[Danielle Harmon]

Maybe you could bring 3 small wrapped prizes that he could open along the way. It may be incentive for him to be still (or more still than he normally would.)

When we had to fly with our kids at that age we kept them up the night before so they would sleep during the flight. That way they were not disruptive to the other passengers. No one, not even Mom, wants to listen to a toddler scream for three hours because they can't move around. (I speak from experience...mortifying experience.)

As he gets older take him on short flights so he learns that it is okay to sit and be quiet for a few hours. Kids learn by watching us and by continuing experience...I'm sure someday soon he'll be an inveterate flyer!

[htoddrmt]

thanks but staying up won't help, I am thinking about gravol....though I am not that type of person. He just won't sleep being held...love my ds and he is a super easy child but sleep is in his crib and being held is for a 7 day old.....LOL he was even like this as a baby. I am assuming he won't cry but hopfully since we are going in march people will be like oh hi, etc....I am hoping the people sitting next to me will talk to him LOL he would love that.

Well what is the worst thing that can happen, he cries for a bit and settles down once we are allowed out of our seat

You can prob tell by my messages that I am confident but thinking the worst. My husband is thinking it is a very very very bad idea......

Oh well I want to go so we are going....my second time to florida and the first time was just a stop over YEAH - bring on the heat and sun I need it

[WeRDisneyFanatics]

Maybe consider bringing a portable DVD player if you have one (or can borrow one). We flew on JetBlue when our DD was about that age and the TV screens behind the seat really kept her attention. She didn't even want the headphones--just watching the cartoons kept her attention.

You may want to double check if they'll let you get on and stow your stuff then get back off the plane before you try it. I've never tried that and I'm wondering with stricter security if they allow that.

[JoanneS]

Is there any way you could switch flights so he can have his own seat? Airplane seats are pretty tight these days. It's not going to be comfortable to fly with him on your lap for very long, and if you encounter turbulence, he will have to do so. Three hours or more of misery is no way to begin a vacation.

[krisk11]

I've never been on a flight where they let people walk up and down the isle but maybe your airline does. I vote for switching flights so he has his own seat as he is kinda old to be on your lap for 3 hours. Good luck. Maybe he will be so fascinated by his surroundings or intimidated he will sit quietly (well one can hope for your sake)

[Reese]

The first time I flew with DD she was 15 months. She is extremely active as well. I brought some small window clings, & she had a blast decorating the wall, & window beside her. I asked the flight attendant first, & since they were easily removable she had no problem with it. I also sat in the very back row with her, b/c she could stand easily beside the seat, & not be in anybodys way.....plus nobody could hear her over the plane noise from back there if she was being too loud! I also brought crayons & paper, & had her draw pictures for just about everybody I could think of, the pilot, the ground crew, the people infront of us..... A direct flight is wonderful! I am hoping to get one on WestJet when we fly this year!

[htoddrmt]

Originally Posted by JoanneS

Is there any way you could switch flights so he can have his own seat? Airplane seats are pretty tight these days. It's not going to be comfortable to fly with him on your lap for very long, and if you encounter turbulence, he will have to do so. Three hours or more of misery is no way to begin a vacation.

Ok so you are going to think I am turning down everyones suggestions and being a capital B but I am really not, and my son is perfect except for all of these suggestions won't work on him....Dam it LOL -- he does not watch tv and not even remotly interested or I would try that. AND trust me I will be doing all these things anyhow just to see if they work at all.....

As for switching flights no can do unless I want to loose the money I paid for the flight and I knew going in there would be no extra seats but to save 400$ I was willing to be cheap and suffer the consequences. Besides the direct flight is so nice when they don't happen very often from here.

I have talked to people about gettting off the plane and it seems to be ok as long as you can get by the people if not I will try and board last....I assume that is allowed?

So really keep the suggestions coming, I am sure somthing other then what I have thought of will work

I really do applogize for saying that certain things won't work for him.....

[hockeyguysmom]

I know he is a little young for earphones but since you said he likes to listen to music, my kids have a fisher price fp3 player. You can download songs & stories onto it. When we flew airtran they had satelite radio in the arms of the chairs. Because it was something new it really kept their interest.

We flew with our youngest at 10 mo & 13 mo. We used snacks, especially chewy snacks like raisins to help with ears popping, oh and lollipops help with ears & take along time to eat.

Good luck, hopefully everyone here can give you some good suggestions.

[Danielle Harmon]

have you thought of a book about airplanes and flying? you could read it to him and it may keep his interest for a little while. Nothing will keep his interest for the entire 3 hours so you will have to have other options. I'm really not sure you would be allowed to wander the aisles for most of the flight, just for safety reasons. I just hope, for the safety of all of you (19mo, you and baby-on-the-way) that one seat for all three of you is not overly uncomfortable and the flight is ultra smooth. Perhaps, if someone doesn't show up for the flight someone would be able to switch seats so he could have his own space.
Does he have a lovey or a special blanket? If so, make sure you have them...if this is his first flight it could be very stressful on him.

[5SOXFNZ]

Not a very healthy suggestion but.....You'd be amazed at how much time in a seat a lollypop can buy you!! Granted, you and him would be a little sticky in the end (but that's what wipes are for right??)

I have a VERY active 22 month old son and this is my go-to when we fly. And on the plus side, it helps with the pressure change of take-off and landing!!

Also, we always pack a few matchbox cars in the carry on, usually ones I get dirt cheap, and he loves to run them all over the tray. If one falls, I have a spare ready and I don't even botehr trying to collect them until the end of the flight.

I actually prefer a window seat with him because just the fact that people are next to us sort of makes him realize there is no "out"!! He stands on my legs, watches out the window and I narrate...probably driving the people around me nuts but, hey it's that or a yelling child, deal with my tour!!!!

believe it or not, three hours will "fly" by..no pun intended!!!

[minushka72]

My son was 18 months on his 1st flight and he flirted with the girl sitting behind us for most of the flight. We took 2 "field trips" to the bathroom. That held his interest for a few minutes and the walk took a few minutes. New books, new crayons. A few small snacks. Definately try for the 1st row. This is usually where they put people needing assistance and there is a little more floor space so he might be able to sit on the floor and play quietly. If there is turbulence then he will have to be in your lap. (not sure about the floor space for the front row on your airline, but there was plenty on our Jetblue flight.)

[Tigger71]

Not sure of your specific airline's seating plan but when my eldest kids were realy young we always requested the very rear seats. The extra room to the side where the seats go from 3 to 2 is best for the extra floor space near the window. Also being closer to toilets and the galley areas is good for interaction with other travellers and cabin crew who may provide relief by amusing your DS in conversation. I too took a domestic flight (only 1.5hrs) whilst 35wks preg. and had my then 2yr old sit on my lap. Let's just say I really wasn't that big but we could not put the traytable down and therefore the food offered was not an option for us - LOL! Best wishes for a safe flight.

PS. Maybe you could take some character stickers or sticky tape to entertain your DS. If all else fails using your digital camera to take pictures during the flight and then sit to view them may hold his attention for a few moments.

[JoanneS]

Since you know your son better than we do, then how do you calm him down at home? When you need him to sit still for a haircut, dentist appointment, church service, etc... what do you do then? My DS was about his age when he arrived in our family and although he didn't speak English, he was able to obey when I told him to sit down or to be quiet, and he had lots and lots of issues at the time. You have some time before your adventure, right? How about practicing airplane trip with him and making it a game, so he knows what you expect of his behaviour when you travel?

[Danielle Harmon]

Originally Posted by JoanneS

Since you know your son better than we do, then how do you calm him down at home? When you need him to sit still for a haircut, dentist appointment, church service, etc... what do you do then? My DS was about his age when he arrived in our family and although he didn't speak English, he was able to obey when I told him to sit down or to be quiet, and he had lots and lots of issues at the time. You have some time before your adventure, right? How about practicing airplane trip with him and making it a game, so he knows what you expect of his behaviour when you travel?

Brilliant ideas!!!!