Flying with a 2 Year Old

garnet1996 · 01-18-2007, 07:28 AM

Does anyone have any advice on flying with a 2 year old and all her stuff? The last time she flew she was only about 5 months, but DH and I were still loaded down like packhorses. I got this little set of wheels to go on her car seat - something called gogobaby or something like that.

I should mention too, I am terrified of flying, so anything that makes my life easier is a winner! I know, I'm married to a pilot

Adreamer's_wfe · 01-18-2007, 09:27 AM

I used to fly with Emily once a month when she was that age, so I know what it is like to pack a toddler around an airport with a bunch of bags. She had her own little backpack filled with books, headset & music, games and snacks... don't forget the snacks. The music was key for Emily, she was busy singing her songs, stayed calm and really went into her own little world. I used an umbrella stroller, ditched the diaper bag for a backpack of my own with my stuff plus the diapers. The less stuff the better - two backpacks can easily be looped over the handles of the stoller so you can still have your hands free. Good luck.

Eastbayk · 01-18-2007, 02:18 PM

I flew with Max a few times when he was that age.

I invested in one of those little wrist leash things so that when I was in line I wasn't constantly worrying about holding his hand. He could get a step away from me when we were standing in line. It made me feel better to that it would be harder for someone to just snatch him away from me in a big airport. They would have to pry the velcro off first and that would take some time.

I loaded everything in the stroller- carseat, carry on, toys and pushed it and made him walk. It was much easier than trying to juggle all the bags and push a stroller. I remember bringing sticker books, a DVD player and some toys. But he always seemed to sleep a good portion of the flight, he still does, must be the low vibrations or something. He also liked just walking up and down the aisles. A LOT. I think I counted 37 consectutive loops around the coach section on one trip. If people look at your funny just ask them if they would rather hear your child screaming for the whole flight as you tried to contain him in the seat.

Sometimes the flight attendants are a great help (bring juice as soon as you take off, making puppets out of airsick bags or cups) and sometimes they are too busy or just plain would rather stand in the gally and gossip. They do have a job to do and a lot of passenger's to please, so I try not to bother them too much.I was able to bring on small juice boxes and snacks when I flew in Sept.

Snag a pillow and blanket when you board the plane if you can. The best trick I ever learned was to use the blanket as a catch-all for toys. Tuck one end into the crevice where the seat and back meet (under the carseat if you use one) and the other end into the magazine area. Then, when toys get dropped, you don't have to crawl all the way down to the floor to get it, you can just grab it off the blanket. SOOO much easier.

Good luck with your flight!

kim

Amanda · 01-18-2007, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garnet1996

Does anyone have any advice on flying with a 2 year old and all her stuff? The last time she flew she was only about 5 months, but DH and I were still loaded down like packhorses. I got this little set of wheels to go on her car seat - something called gogobaby or something like that.

I should mention too, I am terrified of flying, so anything that makes my life easier is a winner! I know, I'm married to a pilot

I know nothing about flying with a 2 year old, but I have a nice looking pet carrier you could use!

Adreamer's_wfe · 01-18-2007, 07:18 PM

Are you suggesting she put the two-year old in the cat backpack? Becuase that is just genius!!! He would be safe, he could breath, and she could carry him on her back.

Too bad you can only wear one backpack at a time, and I have 5 kids... maybe a large dog crate would work for me.... te,he,he...

garnet1996 · 01-18-2007, 09:19 PM

Does it have wheels? Why put it on your back if you can roll?

Amanda · 01-18-2007, 10:07 PM

Now I guess you all know why I don't have kids!

i2r2 · 01-20-2007, 06:39 PM

I have to second the idea of an umbrella stroller. You can use it right up to the gate and hang stuff from the handles (as long as something, or someone is sitting in it). I found a really nice one by Jeep that had a shade on the top and a small storage area on the bottom for little bags and it also reclined. We also ditched the diaper bag and got a backpack. It was better than a diaper bag. It had a CD pocket and mesh pockets on the side that were great for juice/water cups. We never went back to the diaper bag.

Good luck!

christykay · 01-22-2007, 10:12 PM

I travel quite a bit with my 4 kids (usually alone) and have these tips for you. I absolutely agree with the umbrella stroller and backpack, these are a must! The stroller can be rolled right to the gate which is wonderful, but don't get too attached, like baggage, strollers get the brunt of it when traveling. My kids are now ages 8, 7, 4, and 2 so we don't use the stroller as much anymore. All of my kids now have and wear a small backpack that contain snacks, activities, one stuffed friend and a small blanket. Not only are they responsible for their own backpack, my mommy hint...the backpack weighs them down so they are a little slower on their feet. Because I travel with 4, the older 2 are paired with the younger 2 and we use the buddy system for EVERYTHING. From tying shoes, to reading books on the plane to zipping up jackets. It is really great to use the buddy system with any 2 kids that aren't getting along well. I purposely pair these 2 together, this way it forces them to work together and get along. My last bit of advice is to dress the kids in one bright color. I always use red. My kids have great red dresses, red shirts, and my son even has a red hat that he often wears. Although my kids are great at staying near me while traveling, kids are kids and it only takes a second for a little wandering and by wearing red it is so easy to spot 4 monkeys wearing red. It is so funny to see the reactions on other travelers faces when a mommy and 4 bright kids walk through the airport and onto the plane. The more you travel with kids the easier it becomes, for you and of course the kids. I can't even begin to count the number of flights my 2 year old has taken.

01-18-2007, 07:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
garnet1996 Jetgirls Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peachtree City, GA (Atlanta) Posts: 44 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Flying with a 2 Year Old Does anyone have any advice on flying with a 2 year old and all her stuff? The last time she flew she was only about 5 months, but DH and I were still loaded down like packhorses. I got this little set of wheels to go on her car seat - something called gogobaby or something like that. I should mention too, I am terrified of flying, so anything that makes my life easier is a winner! I know, I'm married to a pilot

01-18-2007, 09:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
Adreamer's_wfe Jetgirls Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 451 Recipes: Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Flying with a 2 Year Old I used to fly with Emily once a month when she was that age, so I know what it is like to pack a toddler around an airport with a bunch of bags. She had her own little backpack filled with books, headset & music, games and snacks... don't forget the snacks. The music was key for Emily, she was busy singing her songs, stayed calm and really went into her own little world. I used an umbrella stroller, ditched the diaper bag for a backpack of my own with my stuff plus the diapers. The less stuff the better - two backpacks can easily be looped over the handles of the stoller so you can still have your hands free. Good luck.

01-18-2007, 02:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
Eastbayk Jetgirls Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 404 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Flying with a 2 Year Old I flew with Max a few times when he was that age. I invested in one of those little wrist leash things so that when I was in line I wasn't constantly worrying about holding his hand. He could get a step away from me when we were standing in line. It made me feel better to that it would be harder for someone to just snatch him away from me in a big airport. They would have to pry the velcro off first and that would take some time. I loaded everything in the stroller- carseat, carry on, toys and pushed it and made him walk. It was much easier than trying to juggle all the bags and push a stroller. I remember bringing sticker books, a DVD player and some toys. But he always seemed to sleep a good portion of the flight, he still does, must be the low vibrations or something. He also liked just walking up and down the aisles. A LOT. I think I counted 37 consectutive loops around the coach section on one trip. If people look at your funny just ask them if they would rather hear your child screaming for the whole flight as you tried to contain him in the seat. Sometimes the flight attendants are a great help (bring juice as soon as you take off, making puppets out of airsick bags or cups) and sometimes they are too busy or just plain would rather stand in the gally and gossip. They do have a job to do and a lot of passenger's to please, so I try not to bother them too much.I was able to bring on small juice boxes and snacks when I flew in Sept. Snag a pillow and blanket when you board the plane if you can. The best trick I ever learned was to use the blanket as a catch-all for toys. Tuck one end into the crevice where the seat and back meet (under the carseat if you use one) and the other end into the magazine area. Then, when toys get dropped, you don't have to crawl all the way down to the floor to get it, you can just grab it off the blanket. SOOO much easier. Good luck with your flight! kim __________________ -Chase your dreams but always know the road that'll lead you home again What's it like to be me? http://ohthelifeofapilotswife.blogspot.com/

01-18-2007, 07:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
Adreamer's_wfe Jetgirls Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 451 Recipes: Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Flying with a 2 Year Old Are you suggesting she put the two-year old in the cat backpack? Becuase that is just genius!!! He would be safe, he could breath, and she could carry him on her back. Too bad you can only wear one backpack at a time, and I have 5 kids... maybe a large dog crate would work for me.... te,he,he...

01-18-2007, 09:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
garnet1996 Jetgirls Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peachtree City, GA (Atlanta) Posts: 44 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Flying with a 2 Year Old Does it have wheels? Why put it on your back if you can roll?

01-18-2007, 10:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
Amanda Jetgirls Plus Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PHL suburbs Posts: 2,153 Recipes: Thanks: 12 Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Flying with a 2 Year Old Now I guess you all know why I don't have kids!

01-20-2007, 06:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
i2r2 Jetgirls Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: MI Posts: 43 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Flying with a 2 Year Old I have to second the idea of an umbrella stroller. You can use it right up to the gate and hang stuff from the handles (as long as something, or someone is sitting in it). I found a really nice one by Jeep that had a shade on the top and a small storage area on the bottom for little bags and it also reclined. We also ditched the diaper bag and got a backpack. It was better than a diaper bag. It had a CD pocket and mesh pockets on the side that were great for juice/water cups. We never went back to the diaper bag. Good luck! __________________ "Absence is to love what wind is to fire... it extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great." - Comte DeBussy-Rabutin

01-22-2007, 10:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
christykay Jetgirls Ol' School Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: S. Carolina y'all Posts: 805 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Flying with a 2 Year Old I travel quite a bit with my 4 kids (usually alone) and have these tips for you. I absolutely agree with the umbrella stroller and backpack, these are a must! The stroller can be rolled right to the gate which is wonderful, but don't get too attached, like baggage, strollers get the brunt of it when traveling. My kids are now ages 8, 7, 4, and 2 so we don't use the stroller as much anymore. All of my kids now have and wear a small backpack that contain snacks, activities, one stuffed friend and a small blanket. Not only are they responsible for their own backpack, my mommy hint...the backpack weighs them down so they are a little slower on their feet. Because I travel with 4, the older 2 are paired with the younger 2 and we use the buddy system for EVERYTHING. From tying shoes, to reading books on the plane to zipping up jackets. It is really great to use the buddy system with any 2 kids that aren't getting along well. I purposely pair these 2 together, this way it forces them to work together and get along. My last bit of advice is to dress the kids in one bright color. I always use red. My kids have great red dresses, red shirts, and my son even has a red hat that he often wears. Although my kids are great at staying near me while traveling, kids are kids and it only takes a second for a little wandering and by wearing red it is so easy to spot 4 monkeys wearing red. It is so funny to see the reactions on other travelers faces when a mommy and 4 bright kids walk through the airport and onto the plane. The more you travel with kids the easier it becomes, for you and of course the kids. I can't even begin to count the number of flights my 2 year old has taken.

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