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toddlers, tantrums and travel
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Anonymous
| anyone have any advice on what to do if a 15 month old throws a tantrum on a plane?? i have to fly solo with DS next month for the first time and he just started with the tantrums (he is currently 14 months old) ... i am absolutely terrified on what to do. this past weekend we flew and i was able to defuse him with a pacifier, as much as i DO NOT like to give him the binky outside the crib, with him it is truly the "off" button, so that is what we went with. should i just go with that next time (assuming it works) or does anyone else have any suggestions on how to handle toddlers on a plane? TIA. |
Anonymous
| OP here, sorry, forgot to mention that i had DH with me for this last flight. DS was also riding on my lap and it was very difficult as he's super wiggly and fidgety and i could not have survived without DH's hands constantly switching toys to keep DS engaged. so i am at a total loss on how to handle this upcoming solo flight with DS. i do not want to buy an extra seat but will if i have to. |
Anonymous
| If you have trouble giving your DS a pacifier outside the crib, you will definitely not like my suggestion but in answering your question of what works for us- Benadryl. I think 1-3 years is the toughest age to fly w/ kids, particularly when I'm flying alone with DS and trying to do the circus act with him on my lap, pulling out toy after toy while he squirms, hollers and makes everyone else's time around us unenjoyable. He takes it, falls asleep, wakes up and we're there. Doc doesn't have a problem with it either. I know many people are opposed but it's what works for us and don't believe my child is going to be damaged long term because he had a bit of Benadryl here and there. Also, I've bought a bit of time in the past with slowly giving him munchies and showing him apps on my iphone (Peekaboo, Wheels on the Bus, Tozzle, Tappy Tunes, Balloon Animals). I've also downloaded "Baby Einstein" movies on my phone so he'll watch those for a little bit. |
Anonymous
| When I fly with my kids, I do whatever works. At the time of our last flight, I had just given up all bottles but bedtime bottles. But, knowing I could pacify her with a bottle, I just scrapped that rule for the flight. So, if I were you, I'd just give him the binky and deal with the fallout, if any, when you are back home. |
Anonymous
|
OP, the best you can do is pay attention and make an effort. You will not meet anyone's wrath if you are trying. A little consideration goes a long way (outside of D.C., that is). |
Anonymous
| All bets are off when flying. Bribe your kid, give him sugar, whatever. A truly soothing, engaged hug can do wonders for a tantrum, especially if it's more about emotional overload or tiredness. |
Anonymous
|
Give him the binky.
We use the wathever it takes approach, bottles, lots of toys, books, stickers, DVD player, walks down the aisle, even singing. Last flight we took DD was 18 months. Towards the end of the flight the flight attendant came over to give her a set of wings DD had "earned" for being such a good traveler. I thought DH and I deserved the wings also for keeping her tantrum-free for 8 freaking hours  .
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Anonymous
| Benadryl. Otherwise deal with it. |
Anonymous
|
By him his own seat if possible and take your car seat. I have flown 8 times with my 23 month old before the most recent flight, always a freaking nightmare. I had food, toys, dvd player, stickers, markers, books, you NAME it. She absolutely would not sit still or behave. So this time we bought her her own seat and dragged the car seat along. Was a complete 180, I couldn't believe it. She wiggled some, and was a bit fussy, but nothing compared to before. She actually fell asleep for the last 2 hours, I could read a magazine and get something to eat. I was just amazed at the difference.
If you get the separate seat, I recommend putting on an overnight diaper on your son. I tried to not let her out of the seat as long as possible because I was scared if I took her out she would never get back in. Good luck. |
Anonymous
| Totally agree with the person who said age 1 - 3 is the hardest time to fly. Yes, do whatever works. What we found, unfortunately, is that for us, NOTHING worked during that phase. Our normally mellow child turned into a demon child on a plane during that phase for some reason. I was horrified at the fits he would go into and DH and I tried everything we could (I never flew alone with him) - and on one of the flights we had strangers asking us, "Is he okay? Is he sick? Do you have new toys to give him? His favorite foods?" After about three of those experiences and I was in tears once from the stress by the time we landed, we just stopped flying until he turned three. I think our son was extreme...even though it can be difficult I think that some toddlers do handle it better than others. But still, bring a DVD player (sadly our son could care less about TV at that age so this did us no good but I know many recommend it), give him the binkie, snacks, whatever it takes. Oh, and we always bought a seat for him...I couldn't have imagined the extra stress of him being on my lap and having a stranger seated next to us. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| I bought a bunch of new small toys and coloring books and sticker books. Then I would bring out a new thing to play with every 45 minute to hour or so, plus getting beverages and pretzels from food service. We also brought along a computer and tried playing thomas the train for them to watch. The last trip we took on a plane was over a 5 hour flight to CA and back, and we managed without benadryl. We also take several trips back to the bathroom to go potty since my 3.5 year old was potty trained. But we all went, me, my 3.5 year old, my 18 month old all together because they don't like being separated. It isn't much fun, but it is survivable. |
Anonymous
| How long does the Benadryl effect last? I'm asking because we have an upcoming international flight when the baby will be almost two, and I'm trying to formulate a game plan! |
Anonymous
You have to test it on your child before the flight. Benadryl makes some kids hyper--just the thing you're trying to avoid. |
Anonymous
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Buying an extra seat for him for her is smart. You NEED to make friends with your neighbors, not alienate them. It does not pay to act spiteful (even if you don't call it that). You never know who you are next to - they could be dressed in sweats, but be airline "family" (someone with pull) - so don't be stupid. As long as you act responsibly (NOT LAZY), you are generally safe these days. Looking out for yourself means being responsible - doing what you need to do to maintain a positive environment. Not a *hostile* environment such as allowing seat kicking. That person is just ASKING for trouble, because it is rather obvious when there is a lazy parent, and they are the first to get kicked off. I've seen it myself. But I would not stop that parent from getting kicked kicked off, because really, they are just asking for it. |
Anonymous
|
NO to Benadryl!
Use the binky. Buy him a seat. Pray. |