BABY TRAVEL GUIDE

Flying With a Toddler  
Victoria Irwin
CONSUMER HEALTH INTERACTIVE

Air travel with a young child can be trying -- for your child, 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:

   Avoid the Crowds

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 child 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.

   Choose Your Seats Carefully

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 child will need an FAA-approved car seat to sit by himself. Even though airlines allow children 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 young children can easily be injured on a turbulent flight.

   Pack for the Long Haul

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 child'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.

   Don't Forget Snacks and Drinks

Meal service might not coincide with your child's hunger, so bring foods you know he'll eat. Good bets include raisins, fruit, small bagels, 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. Ask what will be served to check that it's something you want your child to have.

The air in planes is unusually dry, so make certain your child drinks plenty of fluids before and during the flight. Bring juice boxes (try freezing them ahead of time so they'll stay cold) and bottled water. Skip the airline water. It's treated, and even though the chemicals are in small amounts, they may affect your child's digestive system. Keeping your child's body well hydrated -- and nasal passages moist -- is also one of the best ways to protect him from catching a cold.

   Keep It Comfortable

Let your child 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.

   Avoid Airsickness

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 child 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 child has had motion sickness in the past, ask your pediatrician about medication ahead of time. But remember: These drugs can make children sleepy or agitated.

   Chew on This

The most common childhood discomfort while flying is ear pain. Because children'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 child 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 children. Instead, you might ask your pediatrician to prescribe drops to numb the eardrum if your child has sensitive ears or give him nonprescription pain medication if he becomes uncomfortable.

Further Resources

National Institute of Child Health & Human Development

References

"Tips for Safe Air Travel with Children," Federal Aviation Administration,

"Restraint Use on Aircraft," American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement

"Ten Safety for Traveling with Children," Airsafe.com

________________________________

Reviewed by Laura Grunbaum, M.D., a staff physician at Children's Hospital in Oakland, California.

First published August 27, 1999
Last updated July 1, 2003
Copyright © 1999 Consumer Health Interactive