Having stumbled on this thread http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=612451 I figured what the heck, I’m going to be traveling (flying overseas) with the young’un in a few monthes and any advice more specific to toddler travel would be greatly appreciated
Benadryl is your friend 
We flew to Brazil last year with our then 18 month old. He slept on the flight going down so he was fine for the 8 hours of international flight. We had two connections where it proved a little more challenging. We brought books and a portable DVD player with some things he liked. We walked around quite a bit with him so he wouldn’t get bored.
I would recommend bringing your stroller. We brought a small umbrella stroller which we regret doing. Your toddler will probably be napping so the stroller makes a good place for that to happen. We should have brought our somewhat larger stroller with bigger wheels. The small one was fine but the sidewalks where we were were very bumpy and uneven and the bigger wheels would have been better.
Book them their own seat and bring their carseat to strap into it. Bring suckers for takeoff and landing. Lots of toys that they haven’t seen before and wrapped if they like unwrapping things. Nothing with small parts though. Dispense these at regular intervals throughout the flight.
If you’re going to try benadryl try it at home FIRST. Some kids go to sleep, some get impossibly hyper. You don’t want to find out yours is in the second category mid flight.
Same advice as the baby thread - get on the plane last. Bulkhead seating will provide a tiny amount of space for moving around or rear of the plane will be quieter for nap time.
Someone here once mentioned that they carry those cheap foam earplugs when traveling with their children and if things go bad they offer them to surrounding passengers with an apology. It might diffuse some tension in the event things go poorly.
Make sure you specify a toddler meal when you book. Then they will get more toddler friendly food (I seem to recall apple sauce, yogurt cups, crackers & cheese and things like that) Also bring plenty of your toddler’s own favourite foods. Try to find things that they like that are not too high in sugar as most convenience foods are. As with toys, only offer one at a time as needed through the trip.
Consider bringing their car seat for the plane ride. They are more likely to sit (& nap) happily in a car seat than just in a regular airplane seat. Tell the airlines when you are booking that you have a car seat. They will only put it at a window seat and never at the emergency exit. They will also want to inspect it to make sure it is one of their approved seats. If you are renting a car, it is good to have your own car seat at the far end too, as in some countries car rental agencies won’t be able to provide them. And if you are not travelling by car, you can usually store it in a locker at the airport until your return.
i’ve heard about some parents will get a one time sedative prescription (NOT high on my list of options by anymeans) for the kiddies, my son is very stubbo, er independant and hasn’t accepted that there are voice levels other than loud or off yet. should i consider one for myself so I don’t punch out the ignorant turd that turns around and yells about my kid being loud right before he goes to sleep thus starting a new 5 hour screaming jag? OK that was all a jest, well mostly, hadn’t thought about the airline “meal” (what quality is the food on international flights anyway?) so thanks for that tip to Registered at Last. Hadn’t considered benadryl but had thought along the lines of a sedative, for one of us at least, thanks for that tip also (can i just call you kit?) hmm ear plugs, might be a good idea, definately better than beating on the above mentioned hypothetical a-hole. hmm, well, heck I think I’ll just let him use my (for the time being) defunct cdma cell phone (he’ll be in hog heaven LOL) TY to you Caffiene.addict also
Anyway, thanks for the advice, anymore you think of please, pass 'em along,
If you’re not planning on driving at your destination (or you don’t mind putting the carseat in checked baggage), you can rent or buy a harness for the airplane instead of using a carseat. I rented one when we went to Hawaii and checked the carseat. It worked very well. A child that size is used to being strapped in whenever he goes anywhere, and it helps to not let them know that being unstrapped is an option on the airplane.
remember some kids respond the opposite way to sedatives and benadryl.
Same advice I’d give to an adult who was packing:
Look at everything you packed. Take out the things you don’t need.
Also, zap them with TV if possible.
No, go ahead and beat them to death.
(the Turd, not the child.)
Or bring sedatives for everyone instead of ear plugs. Or candy. I like candy. Most people will be prepared with earplugs on a long international flight already. I’d be happier with an offering of chocolate than of ear plugs.
Well, in fairness, in the thread linked, someone actually suggested a tranquilizer for an INFANT UNDER 3 MONTHS OLD, which I assume is not legal anywhere in the entire civilized world, except for possibly Cambodia and maybe parts of unincorporated San Diego County…
That said, a toddler tranquilizer for a 4 or 5 year-old might not be such a terrible idea, although I don’t know about how your MD/Pediatrician would feel about such a request.
Too bad Caesario isn’t still around…
(Seriously, I imagine flying with a toddler is much, much more challenging than with a tiny infant)
What for?
Kimmy, not sure I understand what you mean. Do you mean why I am I going or why am I taking the little one, or why do I need advice?
I can tell you from experience that this is absolutely true. 18 months is one of the more challenging ages to travel with a kid - they’re young enough they can’t follow instructions and can’t sit still for long unless unconscious, but old enough that they can will themselves to stay awake and get bored easily.
I’ve been on a 17-hour flight with my son, and what worked well for us were in-flight movies, having a few clean bottles that the flight attendants were kind enough to refill with milk and keeping any small water bottles and coffee stirrers. Believe it or not, my son preferred putting the coffee stirrers/straws in an empty water bottle and dumping them out to any of his toys. But I’d agree to bring plenty of fiddly things, like unwrapping, for your child.
Also, even if you have a seat for them, be prepared to hold them most, if not all, of their waking hours. And definitely get an extra seat. Even if you don’t plan on using a car seat (and I’d recommend it because it’s easier for them to sleep in a car seat instead of on you - you move), you’ll welcome the extra room, and the kid will be less likely to annoy other passengers. When you ride coach overseas, they cram you in even moreso than they do on domestic flights.
Brings lots of snacks and plenty of diapers and plastic bags with you for diaper disposal. And take advantage of any layovers to let the kid walk in the airport.
Good luck!
Get a Kid’s Trayblecloth!! Scroll through all the images of all the different pattern & color options to see how they work. Awesome!
And get a grownup one for yourself while you’re at it.
They make finding and reaching for things in those tight spaces so much easier. You will LOVE them!
how cool, I’d never seen these before, thanks for that tip.
and yes, infants are immeasurably easier to travel with, they eat sleep and poop (well mostly). Can’t imagine why anyone would think they need a tranquilizer for an infant
You’re welcome! I saw them on Rachel Ray a couple of years ago and immediately bought 2 for my husband and I. I can’t tell you how nice it is not to have to reach down into your bag on the floor to get a pen or a deck of cards or your reading glasses or whatever, every time you want something. Especially on an overseas trip (and that’s primarily where we travel). The flight attendants always want to know where we got them so they can get one for themselves. And you get the added bonus of feeling like you’re flying First Class when you have your meal on a tablecloth - LOL.
Enjoy your trip!
Toddlers are tough. If you go the Benadryl route, definately test it out say a week before the flgiht. Benadryl can act as a stimulant to some kids, and can start out as a depressent and turn into a stimulant a few months later with the same kid.
Despite the horror stories, at least on international flights without tons of Americans, most people are helpful or at least tolerant of toddlers on the plane. My own theory is that the entitled, self-righteous, child free opinionated board posters don’t actually have a passport and probably can’t afford to fly. YMMV.
I always wore cargo pants and a shirt with lots of pockets. Have lots of stuff ready for a quick draw if needed. If using soothers, bring a couple, wet wipes, snacks, play stuff, etc. If they watch cartoons, have a dvd player, ipad or laptop with a bunch of shows loaded up and ready to go. Dragging along a favorite blanket or toy is a good idea. Definately have a change of clothes handy. A hoodie is kinda nice too. Keeps the kidlet warm and can also kinda cocoon in the hood.
Lots and lots of toys, and other distraction type things.
Make sure he has something to suck on at take-off and landing to lessen the pain of ears popping. That goes for you too, but he’s probably too young for boiled sweets. This sounds too obvious to mention but I’ve seen people forget to do it.