So, I'm going to be going to Oregon alone with Calder next week and I need some advice from all of you. I haven't traveled alone with Calder ever and so I'm a little nervous. I have three questions / concerns:
1. I want to get Calder a new 'special' toy for the trip. I'd like it to keep his attention for quite a while. Do you have any favorite silent (or very quiet) toys that would fit the bill?
2. The last time Calder was on an airplane he was 2.5 months old. I carried him in the sling and it worked perfectly. I can certainly do this again but I'm wondering if it would be easier for me to take the stroller. I won't be needing it in Oregon so it would be just for the airports etc. He will be 12 months at the end of the trip, is taking steps but not yet walking if that makes a difference. He likes his stroller very much and when we went to DC a few weeks ago (crud, I didn't blog about that yet) he took many naps in it. The sling is comfortable but I don't know if Calder would nap in it. I'm leaning toward taking the stroller but I think it will be a little bit of a hassle. If you've done this was it a big deal?
3. I'm worried there's something I'm forgetting. If you have any travel advice, please bestow it upon my comment section.
1. I want to get Calder a new 'special' toy for the trip. I'd like it to keep his attention for quite a while. Do you have any favorite silent (or very quiet) toys that would fit the bill?
2. The last time Calder was on an airplane he was 2.5 months old. I carried him in the sling and it worked perfectly. I can certainly do this again but I'm wondering if it would be easier for me to take the stroller. I won't be needing it in Oregon so it would be just for the airports etc. He will be 12 months at the end of the trip, is taking steps but not yet walking if that makes a difference. He likes his stroller very much and when we went to DC a few weeks ago (crud, I didn't blog about that yet) he took many naps in it. The sling is comfortable but I don't know if Calder would nap in it. I'm leaning toward taking the stroller but I think it will be a little bit of a hassle. If you've done this was it a big deal?
3. I'm worried there's something I'm forgetting. If you have any travel advice, please bestow it upon my comment section.
14 comments:
I flew with McKayla when she was about that age and I think that a stroller is a MUST have. They take it from you not at the gate but at the entrance to the airplane and you get it back right as you get off the plane. So easy and convenient.
I agree - stroller is a must! I would suggest letting him toddle around before you board. Let him get used to small confined areas - I had an incident with Kaden last yr (even though he was older then Calder) he went bezerko as we got on the plane. Take advantage of the Kid play areas in some airports! If he has a special stuffed animal, I would suggest bringing that.
I have gone both ways and I would definitely suggest you take the stroller. The only tough part is getting it through the xray machine. It is worth it though. I vote stroller.
Don't worry about a quiet toy because when the airplane is in the air, the sound is so loud, no one will hear it. My kids always like things they aren't normally ever allowed to touch: ipod, cell phone, pens. But a 12 month-er? That's a hard one--a new car? Just bring lots of different snacks and twice the amount of diapers you think you'll need. Better safe than sorry.
When Madeleine was just a little older than Calder I bought her a pair of sunglasses at the airport. Between the sunglasses and the packaging she kept herself amused for over half the flight. If Calder hasn't really played with glasses before, that might work. Other times I've bought a toy camera, toy keys, or anything else that she usually isn't allowed to play with.
I'd suggest a stroller if only so that you can keep him off the gross carpet. I don't know if the carpet will be gross, but it usually is, isn't it?
The biggest issue I've dealt with is milk. I don't know if Calder's drinking milk yet or not, but if he is, you need to know that you most likely can't get milk on the plane. If you need some, buy it before you board.
Good luck, and have fun in Oregon!
I also think you should take your stroller but take one that you can shut down pretty easily (since you will have to put it thru x-ray). Usually the workers are nice to help you get everything through, but if not, then ask the nice stranger behind you for a hand. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
Do you have a portable DVD player? A Must! If not, then ask someone in your ward if you can borrow theirs. Maybe he's not into movies? New snacks are fun - stuff that you don't usually let him have (fruit snacks, licorice, marshmallows, etc.). I've gotten the $1 flashcards before and just let her chuck them and bend them and don't feel bad about ruining them. I usually go to the dollar store before a flight and get new things for her.
Good luck - you'll do great!
I can't believe he's going to be one - I don't have any advice, I just wanted to express my surprise that a year can go by so quickly! Calder's really cute!
I too say take the stroller. Another flying tip is to not check your car seat. I always take mine to the gate and check it with my stroller right when I get on so it doesn't get lost with the baggage.
A big plastic dinosaur is a fun one year old toy and you can usually find them for cheap. My boys are also big fans of small plastic bottles with lids(an empty spice bottle), especially if they can fit a few of their treats inside. For some reason the opening, dumping, re-filling and closing mesmerizes them.
Have fun and good luck!!
If he needs a stroller, I suggest bringing a cheap, small umbrella stroller! They are so much easier to deal with then the bigger ones.
I would usually put Thomas in a carrier right before the flight so he would fall asleep before we got on the plane.
When you check in, ask if there are any empty seats and if there are try and have them seat you where an empty one is. This is always nice added space so he can have his own space to play and not bother your neighbor.
Bring fun snacks for him to munch on. I also suggest getting items that he doesn't normally play with to entertain him.
If you have a portable dvd player, those are nice if he is into watching cartoons.
I always call ahead and also ask when I check in if the flight is full. As long as there are seats open, you can take a carseat on. I ALWAYS take a carseat with me if I can because it keeps 'em buckled and my kids are always more likely to sleep if they are in their carseats. I say take the stroller because it's easier to get around sometimes when you don't look (and feel) like a sherpa.
As for milk or whatever Calder is drinking, you're allowed to take breast milk, formula, juice, baby food with you and you're not limited to the usual limits. When I flew with Naomi, I put them in a ziplock and took them out at security so they could see them. I always take enough baby food and snacks and drinks, to last me for the flight, plus some in case we get delayed.
Oh, and I don't ever buckle my children in their seats until absolutely necessary. Otherwise, that can be like another 30-45 minutes that they are just sitting there.
Calder's such a good kid...it'll be a breeze! Have a good trip!
I agree with what everyone else has said...bring a small stroller. It's really easy, and will be very helpful when you have to sit in lines and don't want to hold him or worry about chasing him. All the times I've flown I've used the stroller all the way up to the gate, then I put Owen in our baby bjorn to get on the plane. That just makes rolling my luggage and stroller to the plane and folding the stroller up a lot easier (free hands). Then I've even left Owen in the carrier during the flight because he slept better in it than just in my arms. So, you could do the same with your sling or something. The dollar store is a great idea for new toys. Plenty of snacks is important. I've been lucky enough that Owen has slept a lot of our flights, but he tends to sleep more when we travel. Traveling alone I would always worry about not having enough hands, but there have always been people around who were willing to help me out. I've not had a bad experience traveling alone yet. Good luck!
Since we have flown 11 times now with Kinsley, I consider myself an expert :) I second, third, whatever, everyone else that you should take the stroller. I say take a sling, too, though. I use the stroller for my luggage stuff and put Kins in the sling. You can wear him through security, that way your hands are free to get everything up on the belt. She never goes for the new toy we take with us. She wants the puke bag, the touched all over airline magazine, the woman's hair in front of us, the tray table lock, etc. So maybe a new book with some cool stuff in it to touch and a little chew toy type thing (since I assume he's still teething and will want something clean in his mouth!). Good luck. It'll be long and stressful but well worth it to get to Oregon! And we'll be in touch for a time to come see you guys in Columbus when you get back.
Oh, and we let Kins crawl all over the airport floor. Gross, but worth it!
Oh my goodness you guys are awesome! Thank you so much for all your travel wisdom. So, I'm going to take the stroller and feel much better about it.
I bought Calder a new toy car and a toy airplane that he is going to flip over once we're at the airport (I think). I also got all sorts of fun treats that I think he'll like.
Oops I might be too late, but I'm surprised no one has mentioned the risk of damage to your stroller. Mine have come back with damage about 3 times...once the wheel was completely broken off. If you don't need it OR and you only have a nice one it might be worth leaving it...if you have a comfortable carrier.
And with the toy...I never did that cause I figured it would only last 10-15 minutes at best like most toys for that age. DVD player is helpful. I bet Calder won't have any trouble. And a 2nd Hyeyoung on the carseat. I always take a car seat for both kids whenever possible. It is worth dragging it through security or whatever you have to do.
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