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Flying with a Toddler

Flying with a toddler can be trying -- for your toddler, for you, and for everybody seated nearby. But by planning ahead and knowing what to expect, you can make the trip bearable if not enjoyable. Here's how:



Fly during off-peak times. Generally that means avoiding Monday mornings and Friday afternoons, when business travelers do most of their flying. Some parents book red-eye flights so their kids can sleep all the way to their destination, but unless you, too, are able to snooze all the way there, forget it. You'll arrive exhausted, with a well-rested, energetic toddler on your hands. Others plan their flights to include a connection. Although it adds some time to your journey, it also gives everyone a chance to get out and run around and gives you access to a bathroom with a changing table.



Many families like the row just behind the bulkhead because there's more legroom and you don't have to worry about your kids bothering the passengers in front of them. The downside is that there's no under-seat storage for carry-ons, the armrests often don't go up, and you have to crane your neck if you want to watch the movie.

Ask for an aisle seat so your toddler can get up several times during the flight (he will!) without disturbing fellow travelers seated next to him. Also, it's best if he has a seat of his own, and keep in mind that your toddler will need an FAA-approved car seat to sit by himself. Even though airlines allow toddlers up to 2 years old to sit in a parent's lap (don't forget to bring proof of age), you'll both be more comfortable if you have separate seats -- and he'll be safer, since toddlers can easily be injured on a turbulent flight.



In addition to your usual diaper-bag supplies, stow a few small toys and books (enough so you can pull out one per hour). Choose a few old favorites and some new items. Add your toddler's favorite comfort object (plus an extra, just in case) and a sweater or blanket, since airplanes sometimes get cold. And take along extra wipes (it's amazing how many you can go through) and several zip-top plastic bags for collecting the used ones, as well as antibacterial gel for cleaning up. In fact, it's a good idea to pack an extra set of clothes and diapers in case your checked luggage gets lost or you miss a connecting flight.



Meal service might not coincide with your toddler's hunger, so bring foods you know he'll eat. Good bets include raisins, fruit, Gerber puffs, crackers, animal cookies, cereal bars, and dry cereal. Remember, too, that most airlines have special kids' meals, which you have to order ahead of time. When flying with a toddler ask what will be served to check that it's something you want your toddler to have.

The air in planes is unusually dry, so make certain your toddler drinks plenty of fluids before and during the flight. Buy juice boxes and bottled water from a store or restaurant at the airport before takeoff. Skip the airline water. It's treated, and even though the chemicals are in small amounts, they may affect your toddler's digestive system. Keeping your toddler's body well hydrated -- and nasal passages moist -- is also one of the best ways to protect him from catching a cold.



Let your toddler get up and walk the aisle periodically -- as long as there's no turbulence. Kids' hands and feet may swell during a flight, just as adults' do, as a result of sitting still for hours and being in a low-air-pressure cabin.



Even kids who do okay in the car may have a problem on planes, perhaps because of the recirculated air, the closed space, and the inability to focus on the horizon. Since hunger seems to exacerbate the symptoms, try feeding your toddler a light, low-fat snack before takeoff. If he does get sick, a cool wet cloth on his forehead and lots of TLC can help (here's where a cloth diaper and bottled water come in handy). If your toddler has had motion sickness in the past, ask your pediatrician about medication ahead of time. But remember: These drugs can make toddlers sleepy or agitated.



The most common childhood discomfort while flying with a toddler is ear pain. Because toddler's eustachian tubes (the passages between the middle ear and the nose) are so narrow, it's hard for air pressure in the ear to equalize when the cabin's air pressure changes during takeoff and landing. Swallowing helps open the passage, so give your toddler something to eat or drink while the plane taxis down the runway before takeoff and a few minutes before the start of your descent. Some airlines provide warm wet towels during the last segment of a flight; if yours does, hold the towel over the affected ear to provide relief. Over-the-counter decongestants might work for adults who want to prevent ear pain, but a study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine found that they're not effective in toddlers. Instead, you might ask your pediatrician to prescribe drops to numb the eardrum if your toddler has sensitive ears or give him nonprescription pain medication if he becomes uncomfortable.