Flying with Young Toddler
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Anonymous
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Our family out west is begging for us to come visit but I am not sure when I will be comfortable taking my kids on a flight again. My 5 year old will be fine and can suffer through a mask for 5 hours and sanitizing her hands every 10 mins, but I also have a 15 month old who literally puts everything in her mouth and is hard enough to fly with in general since she does not want to be contained. Of course we would wipe down the seats and tray table but she will still put her hands on the floor and lick her shoes and do anything she can to ingest germs. Also, I have heard they are not allowing anyone to walk around the aisles and you have to stay in your seat except to go to the bathroom - does anyone know if this is true?
Has anyone been on a flight yet with a kid between ages 1-2.5 and how was it? In my position would you fly or wait, maybe even until 2021? |
Anonymous
| I wouldn't fly with a 1.5 year old in any situation and especially not now. No flying for us between 1-3. Not worth it. |
Anonymous
| We won’t fly with our 2.5 yo since he won’t wear a mask and touches everything. |
Anonymous
| MY toddler has flown a great deal pre-Covid but there is no way in hell I’d take him on a plane now. The restrictions would be agony for him plus the crowds of people would make it a health hazard. |
Anonymous
Yes, this. Family can come here, that would be better. |
Anonymous
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I have a toddler who is about the same age as your toddler and I would not fly with her during COVID. I could never forgive myself if someone in my family (especially my child) got sick and it was preventable. Additionally, unless you quarantine for two weeks when you arrive -- there is also the possibility that you could give your family members COVID. COVID is NOT OVER. It is spiking in many states (still first wave) and will come back (second wave) this fall/winter. It's painful to be away from family right now, but I'd FaceTime and sit tight for now!
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Anonymous
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So, I'm comparatively liberal about the activities I'm willing to do, both by myself and with my kids. We're seeing friends. Our kids go to daycare. We're using playgrounds. I don't lose any sleep over these activities.
But, I would absolutely not take them on a plane right now. Honestly, it's hard to imagine feeling comfortable with that until there's a vaccine. It's obviously your risk decision, but it seems like it's pretty hard to mitigate the serious risks. Surface contacts aren't your main enemy: droplets are. And you're not going to be using a mask with a 15 month old. |
Anonymous
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I flew internationally with mine at 19 months. We had to as we were moving back home. There weren't crowds, and people were spaced out on the flight. Even so, being indoors, in such a small space with so many people is high risk. I wouldn't do it for something like a family visit. Once you land, you risk spreading it to others unless you quarantine strictly (which seems difficult with the purpose of the trip being a family visit).
I don't know if we would have been allowed to walk the aisles, as we didn't even try. But, I think doing so would be a little rude. Most people at the airport were trying to keep their distance, and so I could definitely imagine that walking the aisles would make a lot of people very uncomfortable. We also have family on the west coast, and I'm not yet sure when it will be ok for a visit, but definitely not now. |
Anonymous
So I just flew with my 3 kids (one too little for a mask) and I think it was very safe. Surfaces are already disinfected and the flight attendants give you extra wipes when you enter the plane. Everyone has to wear a mask and if anyone put it down for a second, someone is there ready to ask to put it back up. Special filters on the plane clean the air every 3 minutes and nobody with a fever can get in the plane... obviously riskier than staying home, but in my opinion not too risky. Airports are also empty and middle row on the plane is left empty (unless it’s a group of people traveling together) |
Anonymous
| OP, have you ever flown with a child between 1 and 2 before? I flew with my oldest six times before his third birthday, including three international trips. It is sheer hell. Absolutely my second least favorite thing to do in the world, the first being labor. One of COVID’s few redeeming features is that it excuses parents of small children from air travel. Why would you give that up? Enjoy it. Luxuriate in the fact that you won’t have to fly until your younger kid is at least two. |
Anonymous
| I would get face shields for the kids. There are some on Etsy. I just ordered some for the whole family for a trip we have planned later this summer. |
Anonymous
I’m the above poster. I would add that this is a really crappy age for flying, particularly if you can’t walk the aisle and have to stay seated. I don’t Know if I would do it. |
Anonymous
I agree. My kids are similar ages as OP and if our families weee t driving distance I’d consider it with our 5yo. But not the 18mo, it’s just a terrible age to fly without COVID concerns. |
Anonymous
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That is a tough age. Probably my least favorite age flying with my son especially since we had to hold him the entire time. It’s sheer hell trying to get him to stay still.
We’ve flown regularly with our son pretty much since birth and he’s almost 3 now. Once they are old enough to sit in their own seat and will watch an iPad, it gets easier. |
Anonymous
| No way would I take a long plane ride right now. You’re not just exposed to other people on the plane, you're in lines at the airport and similar. Travel is hard enough with a toddler, let alone during a pandemic. Videochat with family but don't risk people's lives. |