Flying with a toddler

[ktsmommy]

Since you all don't really know me, let me just tell you I am a control freak. I also haven't flown since 9/11, consequently Katie has never flown.
Having said that, here's the issue: My dh wants to go home to NC for a holiday visit. Fine. We can't drive, though because he wants to fly. Originally it was just him and Katie for 10 days. I put a big fat foot down to that! Now I will go for a 4 day weekend over the New Year's holiday and he & Katie will stay through the next weekend. That's fine ... his dad is over 70 years old and they only see Katie once a year. No problem.
I am terrified to take Katie into a crowded airport and even more terrified at the thought of dh and her being in an airport without my supervision. (Go ahead, laugh. I already admitted I am a control freak.) I do trust Larry ... just not the 1000's of people surrounding them at the airport.
Can you give me advice on safety in the airport? What about the actual flying? What can I do for Katie during take-off and landing? She has tubes in her ears ... will this be a problem?
Also, for those of you who have flown recently, what is allowed on the plane these days?
Sorry for the freaking out episode here, just a "little" nervous!
Beth

[fudas]

Sorry, Beth no help here. I am a terrible flyer! And I don't blame you one bit about the control thing! We flew with Rose when she was two years old. I was in a cold sweat the whole flight, and she did just fine. The whole airport thing would freak me out too. Just remember to bring her birth certificate for check in at the desk. Nobody told us that we needed it, but they accepted her insurance card in it's place. This was all before 9/11, so who knows what it's like now.
I know that wasn't much help at all, but I sure can sympathize with you!!:w00t:

[Disney5]

OMG, you are gonna laugh at how easy it is once you've done it. As you know Morgan just turned 2 and she is about to go on her 9th round trip flight since she was 7 months old. Piece of cake!
I love taking the stroller, great for them to sit while you cart your luggage. Through security you will have to take her out - take off your shoes, her shoes, any jewelry, etc. Bring your I.D. Go through the X-Ray machine while holding her. The airport gate is a FANTASTIC area to run around in - just seats there. Obviously stay with her and keep her from bothering too many people (we talk to EVERYONE...ugh!) but expend her energy before you get on the plane. You will not be able to take water (or any kinds of liquid, if you have meds or tylenol - check in with your luggage) but you can dump it out just before you go through security and then refill it at a fountain. Now, if you have formula and mix that into the water right then as you are in front of the security person, you're totally fine and they'll let you have as much of that as you want! No other liquids are okay - you can get things (milk) at the little shops on the other side of security if you need them.
If she's 2 or older you'll have to pay for a seat. If you will be taking your carseat for use on your trip, keep it with you and let her ride in it for the plane - more comfy!!! You have preboarding because you have a young child so this is also a piece of cake! There should be a stamp on the bottom of your carseat saying it's FAA approved, within the past few years almost all of them are (the most inexpensive are not.) If she's under 2 you may choose to have her be a lap child. No charge! She does NOT go inside the seatbelt with you, that would crush her in an accident. Wrap your arms around her. Check your airline for options, sometimes you get a free seat under 2 for using an approved carseat. Sometimes they give you reduced fares...
As long as she continues to take sips as you are taking off and landing, shouldn't be a problem for you. We never had a problem with Morgan at all, even with ear infections, but she did drink water for me when I told her to. Your stroller will be checked right at the entrance to the plane, just leave it there and it's a first on, first off piece - when you step off the plane, it should be waiting right there for you.

[Tink]

Shawna gave all wonderful advice, so I am not going to expand on that.
Instead I will say that having tubes in her ears is a GOOD thing! While I had tubes in my ears, flying was a breeze. It is now that they are out that I have all kinds of ear pain due to ear issues. So, she should be fine.
If her ears DO hurt though, ask the flight attendant for a cup with a little warm water. Use that to cover her ears. Somehow, it works!
Leanne

[ktsmommy]

Okay, I am a little less stressed now. We have purchased our tix. Larry went to priceline.com and got really good cheap tix for him & Katie since they will be coming back together. Once they got their flight schedule, I called the airline they are flying out on and got on the same flight out. The agent also went ahead and assigned us seats together.
Now all I have to do is find her birth certificate ... we have moved 3 times since Hurricane Katrina so good luck to me! :w00t:
I am also going to buy a harness for her. I know, I hate those things and swore I'd never use one. But I never thought I'd be taking a very active, friendly, fearless 2 year old child into a busy airport, either! Larry has to swear he'll use it on the way back. He knows if something happens to Katie he can't come home! :)
Beth

[Mulan112501]

You asked what was allowed on the plane these days - and I didn't see anyone post on that.
First - you will do fine! flying. You didn't say how long the flight was - but make sure you have lots of little different things to do on the plane. For Miss G (who flew first at 3), I took books, washable markers and a pad, a fishing game..things like that. Whatever works - but take a few surprises. If you're lucky - maybe your gal is a sleeper! Mine never was :)
I flew just a couple of weeks ago, and make sure any carryon liquids are < 3oz and can fit in a 1Qt ziploc bag. You can see the list of regs at the TSA website. I won't post the link because I'm not sure of the rules, but google TSA - and you'll find it. There are exceptions for medications, and formula / breast milk - but not many. Be aware that you will have to have this out separately to go through the x-ray. For me - it was alot of things I had not thought about (makeup, lipgloss, etc.). If you're like me ... I don't really want to throw my tube of L'Occitane hand cream I carry in my purse away...so just be aware.
Take care - have a GREAT trip!

[Disney5]

Oh - PM me if you want to call I'll give you my phone if you have any questions.
Also, you don't need her birth cert - she's over 2 and you won't get free tickets anyway. So, we do usually take her shot record, which shows her first immunizations and an easy way to check age. We have NEVER had to have the birth cert - even before age 2 and Morgan is BIG for her age. We've flown 4 different airlines and never had a problem. Do on the online check-in on your flight out and it makes things easier/faster for you. Try to get seat assignments at check-in for your flight back as well (or now if they'll let you, sometimes yes, sometimes no...) to get seats together.

[Disney5]

I posted on liquids above. Just don't bring any liquids, gels, creams, check those. Buy milk or other drinks after you get through security - can't really wait for the plane trip because you have to check in so early. Snacks are just fine. Take water for her and dump it right before you go through security, then fill up in a fountain on the other side of security.

[Disney5]

They will pull tylenol and meds if you don't have a dr. note with you - unless you really need it, check them in your bag. If you really need it, then get a dr. note to bring along (for the most difficult security personnel...)
If you have breast milk, they will make you taste it! YOU, not your child. Some agents have been known to make you throw it out and pump on the other side because they have no way of ensuring it is breast milk...whatever... If you have the formula can with you, you can mix your water with it on the spot - must be in front of them. Do not take pre-mixed because you will be required to throw that out and make fresh.

[fantasmicmom]

The first time I flew with my girls was only the second time I'd ever flown! My girls were 3 and 8 months. I was worried about take off and landings because of their ears but I heard if they were sucking on something they did fine. Makenna had a binky and I had brought some juice in a bottle (she wouldn't take breastmilk from a bottle!) but I didn't know what to do for Corinne so I bought her one of those "bottle pop" suckers. Sheloved it and both of my girls were sucking on their "bottles" when we took off! They did just fine.
I also pack surprises for the girls when we fly. I will go to the dollar store and buy different toys and activities. I even wrap them so they get really excited. They always want "bottle pop" suckers when we fly now too! Just give her things to color, read, play with, and she should be fine!
I would also definitely take a stroller and make sure she's strapped in when you are moving across the airport. Umbrella strollers are the easiest because you can just collapse them when you board the plane (or you just leave them and the flight attendants collapse it for you) They take up the least amount of room.
If you're using a harness, make sure you get Katie used to it before you trey it at the airport in case she freaks out! They make ones that look like animal backpacks that strap on and then has a leash with a handle for oyu. They are cute and not so "harness-looking"
Good luck! You'll be just fine! It always helps to be prepared!

[Disney5]

Our stroller is huge and comfy - but it still weights very little. The people putting it out for us as we board and deplane have often referred to it as the Cadillac stroller. We LOVE it! It helps us hold stuff, Morgan loves is and is comfy, and folds up easily and nicely as well. I actually prefer it to the umbrella strollers and would never go without it. To top off the wonderful features, it's actually made to be a jogging stroller (I don't jog), but it handles all types of terrain, corners, curbs like a dream! Every one of our friends who I have let push it have immediately ordered one - it's that good! It's the best money we've spent on kid stuff since birth!

[Tink]

Okay everyone - I hope you can find it, and I am sorry I forgot to do this earlier, but I am going to move this topic to the appropriate section.
If you have any questions about why I moved it, just ask!
Leanne

[Disney5]

Nope, I think it's great!

[platinum]

The ear tubes will NOT be a problem at all (although this is late for you, but just fyi). Our son has them and we've been on tons of flights since he was an infant...he does better since he's had them than before he had them. You DO NOT need to worry about him sipping something while taking off/landing b/c the tubes keep the ears open. :)

[ktsmommy]

Well, we are flying again in May, this time to CA. Since I asked for advice before our last flight, I thought I'd give an update. Katie did quite well on the flights. As we were looking out at the clouds, she looked over at me and exclaimed, "Mommy! I'm flying! I'm flying!" She had the biggest grin on her face! She has been wanting to fly again ever since!
This next trip, we will be in the air much longer, so we are taking lots of books and, hopefully, a DVD player! I have also scheduled the longest leg of the flights during her regular nap time. Hope she sleeps some!
Thanks for all the good advice everyone! And I am so glad to hear that the tubes make things even easier! I won't be so uptight about her sippy cup this trip! :)
Beth

[Tink]

Beth - I am not sure how I missed this post earlier, but if so, I would have also agreed that tubes in the ears do not cause a problem.
I had them in my ears while working for the airlines, and went on several pain free flights! I no longer have tubes, and once again have pain, so the tubes do help!
I sure hope your daughter sleeps on the flight for that long leg. A dvd player is really wonderful to have just in case. Bring some of her favorite videos and such. You will be fine. I can't wait to hear about your trip in May! Where are you going in California?
Leanne

[ktsmommy]

We are going to San Diego to visit my brother's family. The point of the trip was to visit before he was deployed for 6 months in October (Navy), but he was deployed in April, with only a month's notice beforehand. So, we are now going to visit with his family and be of some support to his wife. They have twins who are 5 months older than Katie ... 3yo ... so Lynn has her hands full, to be sure!
I'm still trying to persuade Larry & Lynn that a day trip to DL is better than not going at all! I know they are all about doing Legoland, the SD Wild Animal Park, maybe a baseball game, and the beach. We are only there for 6 days, so I may loose out on this trip. If so, we are closer to WDW anyway, so I'll request a family trip there for our 10th anniversary next year! :D
Beth

[Tink]

Beth if you need any help convincing everyone to do a day in Disneyland you know where to get it! I do remember now talking about this with you before, but my brain is getting old and I simply forgot! ;)
In either case, San Diego will be a blast and it is great for you to go spend time with family there!
Leanne