2.5 year old bad behavior on airplane, WWYD?

[Anonymous]

It's entirely possible that he will be a different kid on this next flight. My DD has had a couple of rough flights (I break up the cross country ones though - saves money and heartache even though it adds travel time).

We talk about the flight and how we behave at airports/on airplanes a lot leading up to it. I try to come up with 3 or 4 specific rules about how to behave - no yelling, no kicking the seat in front of you, etc.

On the few occasions we've had to do an overnight flight or a long, direct flight that corresponds with naptime, I've given her a Benadryl on the okay of her pediatrician.

[Anonymous]

I would try not to give too much sugar if your child gets hyper with it. I have done the Benadryl thing when my DS was 1, but for some kids, it has the opposite affect so if you are going to try this, test it out first. If your DS likes electronics, then just use that as much as possible, however, I would not give the electronic before take off or right before landing. Some kids go crazy if you have to turn it off for takeoff/landing.

We also got those re-usable stickers and DS put them on the airplane window - they peel off easily. Second the wrap cheap toys idea. Did that, too.

I had my ds put his head on my lap and feet up on his seat so ds could lay down for a nap. That might be more comfortable for him. And bring a "lovey" or something he uses for nap time.

[Anonymous]

Do not medicate in less you know it will work. That stuff makes my kid hyper and would make it worse. Bring lots of bribes, iPad and strap into a car seat so they cannot kick and hit you. Do not walk around as it is annoying and difficult on the flight attendants. People think their kids are cute but others are not. I don't want to be bothered by other peoples kids nor do I want them bothering my kids, especially if they cannot behave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On a flight, at that age? Whatever works. I took new little toys, books, lollipops. Whenever he started looking restless, I'd pull something out. On the ground, the rules are different. On a plane, I did whatever I could to keep him quiet. Another lollipop? Sure, no problem.

+1

A friend told me that every rule is allowed to be broken on airplanes in terms of what the kid can have -- no chocolate normally? Chocolate on planes -- check! New toys-- check!
If your kids likes it - ipad, with new games, etc. The plane at 2 is not a behavior lesson. You both need to just get through without maddening the other passengers and/or yourselves. Just be clear that outside of planes, the same old rules apply. Be consistent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Second bendaryl

+1 I've never done it, but I would now that my youngest (the screamer in the family) is over 2.

Also, I echo pps who say don't schedule a flight during a nap. I know its hard if you are going xcountry, so it may not be an option. But avoid it at all costs for chldren who still nap. It sounds ideal, but it turns bad really quickly. Just too many cool things to look at and hear, there's no winding down time.

GL on the next flight.

[Anonymous]

This just happened to us. What I did afterwards was while we were waiting for our stroller, I explained to our DD that there were so many people on the plain and it's not nice to yell and make noise because their ears will hurt and they won't be able to sleep. She seemed to kind of understand that but we'll see how it goes next time we fly.

Honestly I think that at this age, shit happens and we have to do the best that we can and hope that people don't hate us too much. And if they do hate us, there's just nothing we can do about it.

[Anonymous]

This happened to me once. Full on crying for the last 45 minutes of a flight.

It just is. There's not much you can do if they won't sleep and can't walk around. My best flights with DD were AFTER a good nap in the airport. I actually got compliments on her behavior.

As opposed to the nightmare flight, when someone asked me if she always had "fits" like that. My answer: She's 2.

People don't realize, I hate the noise and crying as much as they do, or more. Compassion goes a long way.

[Anonymous]

I hate traveling during my kids' sleep times. They NEVER sleep on airplanes.

I agree-break home rules-candy, videos, and new (cheap) toys. Lollipops got us through many tough situations. Then there was that 1 red eye where nothing worked...shudder...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Second bendaryl

just be sure to try it ahead of time. We gave it to my son and while he fell asleep right away he woke up 30 min later in a RAGE. it was hell. Return flight we skipped it and he slept the entire flight.

OP if child is 2.5 he must have his own seat..did you bring his car seat on board? Kid typically do better when restrained in their car seats and will be more comfortable for sleeping.

[Anonymous]

+1,000 to the PP's who said benedryl

I love my little guy but he is a complete hellion on airplanes - we'll get maybe an hour into a flight before he's ready to run up & down the aisles, kick people's seats, hit, scream, cry. And we've tried all the tricks - snacks (1 M&M at a time), favorite toys, new toys, shows & games on the iPad, books, etc. It finally got to the point where I had to fly home with him for a funeral by myself and my pediatrician recommended benedryl. Best Flight Ever.

[Anonymous]

FYI-Benedryl hyped my kid up.

[Anonymous]

I thought Benadryl was no longer recommended for kids.

[Anonymous]

I know naptime sounded like a good idea in advance, but we learned the same lesson you did - a tired toddler on a plane is a nightmare. Schedule the flight if you can so that he is well rested.

Also, use a carseat - he's used to it and knows the expected behavior in a carseat.

And like everyone else said, he'll need your constant attention and lots of snacks, treats, toys, etc.

[Anonymous]

Ice! Playing with ice in a cup was So Much Fun for mine at that age. Be prepared to get a bit wet yourself, and maybe pack a change of clothes for him in your carry on. We'd have ice cube races around the tray table, we'd try and stack ice cubes. Mine never played with ice cubes at home, so it was a great distraction when we had to take a long flight.

Other than that, yeah. Snacks, toys never before seen before, puppets, books, playdough. No matchbox cars though, no matter how careful you are they will end up on the floor and then running down the length of the plane and your child will decide at that instant that that was his most favorite matchbox car ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought Benadryl was no longer recommended for kids.

It isn't for young kids because of this reason - parents overmedicating to make kids sleep. For true illness, many docs are ok with it.