Traveling with pre-toddler

[DCJenn]

I agree when they're little especially- the earliest, most direct or shortest time flights make all the difference in the world. Everyone can nap on the plane or in the car or once you get to where you're going.

I've found that as long as you keep telling them what is expected (which of course is easier the older they get but start 'em young!) and YOU don't get too hung up, it'll be fine. And always, always, always remember that there will be things that you can't control along the way- turbulence, earache, bitchy flight attendant. I kind of go all "Deep Yogic Breathing" once we check our bags. Finding your zen is critical. and by YOUR zen, I mean you the maternal person, the non-child, the non-physician. I've also learned that I need to be the keeper of all travel related things. My other two family members are air-heads.

Jenn

[JC76]

I vote for buying the seat and keeping her in the car seat during the flight. A mere 2 hour flight it should just seem like a long car ride to her.

When we went to Germany with Zoe (she was 1 yr old) we checked her stroller and pushed her through the airport on her car seat using this. It worked great. http://www.theportablebaby.com/gogokidz.html

We managed that trip with 3 suitcases, a car seat, an umbrella stroller, and 2 carryons. 2 adults, 1 kid. We're not exactly light travelers. You guys are gonna be totally fine. Unfortunately, have no suggestions on the sleeping arrangements. For eating, we tended to just put Zoe in the stroller to feed her instead of worrying about a highchair.

I recently flew (alone) with a five month old. Granted I know that's a different ball of wax than flying with a mobile tot, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say it was EASIER than flying alone.

1. The airports I navigated had special "family" lanes for security-- or just directed me to cut. No waiting in line! Rocks.
2. You get to board first. This is huge. Plenty of time to get everything stored and organized for flight. and wipe down seat backs and tray tables with wipes!
3. People are nice! It is amazing how much more pleasant flying is when people smile at you (well, at the baby, but in your general direction).

I skipped the stroller, put baby in the Ergo, and bungie-corded the car seat to my rolling carry on bag. Super easy.

I brought along a new book for in-flight entertainment. That's Not My Plane was a huge hit.

[migirl]

I might actually suggest boarding at the last-possible minute, so as to minimize the amount of time that your squirmy toddler will have to be confined to the plane. That worked for us, anyway. DH boarded first to get our seats and everything settled while I waited with the kiddos in the boarding area basically until they shut the doors behind us.

[alison]

Oh gotcha, Jenn.
I do pack super light, and wear slip-ons when I fly.

[Vishenka69]

WI has no baby equipmental rentals at all. So I need to figure something out for highchair (she won't eat in the stroller) and sleeping.

Will call the airline to make sure our carseat is approved and will try to buy her a seat as well. Does anyone know if I can bring sealed ice packs to keep her milk/yogurt cold?

I posted a link to a portable booster seat. You can use an insulated bag -- but I wouldn't bring along a lot of milk or yogurt. You can get more milk in flight, and I'll let cups sit out 3 or 4 hours ... (but I'm on my 3rd kid and gross).

[alison]

I wouldn't bring a lot of milk or yogurt either. It's just a 2-hour flight, and I'm sure Wisconsin has milk for when you arrive! If you think I wants it at the airport, maybe you can buy some at a Starbucks/Peet's at the airport. They should have some!

[Vishenka69]

Tickets have been booked, so there's no looking back. We did get her a separate seat, now I just need to make sure that our Britax Marathon is allowed on board.

Izya will only take a bottle when cranky/sleepy/tired and won't eat solids. So I wanted to make sure to have something for the ride from the airport to the relatives' house as well. I guess I can always get milk at the airport there and back, and take a few yogurt bottles in the insulated bag.

Already starting to take deep breaths. Yoga breathing, zen, in and out. We don't think twice about flying when it's just two of us. But bring her along totally changes everything.

But bring her along totally changes everything.

It does, but it doesn't have to to the extent you're thinking. You and M love travel -- imagine being able to share that love and experience with her!!! It will be FINE.

Yes, all you'll need to do is stop at the Starbucks at the airport and get milk. No need to deal with TSA by taking it in and out.

[DCJenn]

Yes, there's at least three places in every airport that sell milk and yogurt- Dunkin' Donuts, the magazine shops and Starbucks. And if there's a sandwich shop like Au Bon Pain, they have both. Don't worry about packing your own.

J.

[corn poffi]

What airport are you flying into? If it's Milwaukee, it's super easy to pop upstairs to grab something for her after arriving. Just have one of you stay in baggage claim with her and the luggage, the other can take the escalator up one level from baggage claim, walk down a hallway, bam, food court. Won't even take 10 minutes. There's definitely a place to get yogurt or something too. Oh, and just so you know, there's no Starbucks at that airport, but an even more delicious Alterra Coffee that should have milk. If it's not Milwaukee, your options might be a bit more limited.

Taking it along is not worth having to deal with the nimrods in security.

[TigerLily]

We took Ayla at about 23 months on a flight to Boston. I was so so so worried about it. Especially when she threw herself on the floor and refused to walk down the gate and everyone looked at us like they wished we would catch another flight. We didn't get her her own seat, and she is not a small child. At 23 months she was about 35 lbs and 3 ft tall. Anyway, that is beside the point. She sat on my husband's lap and slept almost the entire trip. The plane and sitting with daddy just put her right to sleep. And she isn't a lap sleeper. I think just sensing that getting up isn't an option is enough. Also, we brought the Ipad and loaded it up with all of the kids movies we could think of and a few coloring and piano games. That was a life saver.
Also, we rented a car through Hertz and they have car seats that you can rent also. I'm pretty sure you said you were bringing one...but in case you change your mind. They had it installed properly for us when we arrived and it was nice and clean. With the pack n play, we just bought one on amazon and had it shipped there.
Good Luck! I'm sure you'll have a great time.

[Vishenka69]

Trip recap: We took our Britax Marathon on the flight and I'm so glad we did that. Btw, nobody checked as to what kind of car seat it was and if it was specifically approved for airline travel (I checked before and it is). The wheels that clip on the car seat is the best invention ever but I really wish they were easier to put on and take off. Overall she did a lot better than we anticipated. She did end up beating on the seat in front of her a lot but she couldn't stretch her legs without hitting the back of that seat and luckily the people seating in front of her seemed pretty understanding. I was actually surprised how nice and accommodating everyone was (personnel and other travelers). Milwaukee airport was small but calm and empty. Both Newark and O'Hare are a zoo.