Toddler Times
The Toddler Travel Tips of Huckleberry Holbrook
Hi guys! Huck here!
Did you know that this week I took my sixteenth plane ride? I know, it’s a little ridiculous. But since we live in New York City and my mom and dad’s families live out west, I spend lots of time on airplanes. And guess what! I’m a real good flyer ! Wanna know my favorite tips for flying with toddlers? Good! Let’s go!
Also on Babble: The dos and don’ts of family vacations — 25 tips for traveling with kids
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14 Comments
Sara commented on Jan 26 12 at 11:09 pmGreat tips! And super cute pics, super star!
Becka commented on Jan 26 12 at 11:37 pmWow – perfect timing for me. I leave next week for Sydney (yes, that’s Australia) with my 20 month old, by myself. Exciting times folks. But I’m grateful to have a few more suggestions to get us there with smiles on our faces :) Any thoughts on dealing with significant time change?
Becka
http://www.tinytoesbigbrains.com
Bambi commented on Jan 26 12 at 11:43 pmWay to rack up those skymiles, Huck!! You look like a pro. ;)
lauren commented on Jan 27 12 at 12:27 amLOVE THIS!!!! we have traveled a few times with my kids and these are really great tips natalie. bravo new mommy!
Ellie Shaw commented on Jan 27 12 at 1:14 amHuck, your mom is so clever and thoughtful that I’m sure you’ll enjoy every flight – and so will your fellow passengers. One suggestion: ask her to make sure you have a bottle or sippy cup ready when the plane starts descending so you can drink a little at a time and help take the pressure off your ears. When you’re older you can chew gum to do the same thing but, let’s face it, you’re still a little short in the dental department.
Kisses, sweetie!
Ellie
Megan commented on Jan 27 12 at 5:53 pmMy last flight with the girlies Taylor was a total breeze, due to a sweater and two hand puppets. I stretched my sweater from the armrest to the tray table, then held puppet shows over the top of it for les petites. They loved it (as did our stewardess). Granted, we usually get our own row because Child the Elder has to buy her own seat AND we fly Southwest, but even one hand puppet keeps Tamsin happy when we’re forced to share a seat. I recommend Ikea’s hand puppets, because you have to go to Ikea to buy one, and that’s always a good thing. Soft serve? The as-is section? Yes, please!
Jessi commented on Jan 28 12 at 3:16 amI am so glad you posted this! I’m flying with my 11mo this week, without my husband. I have my ring sling ready but tomorrow I’m seriously Loki g into an umbrella stroller.
nutterbutter commented on Jan 28 12 at 2:22 pmBecka, with a little one there is not much you can do about adjusting to time change. You can’t give her anything because of her age, and so you will just have to expect to be up in the small hours of the night, and crash in the afternoon when she does. When you get there get as much sunshine as possible. You should expect it to take roughly 1 day per hour of time difference. And unfortunately it will be the same on your return. I have been flying “home” to OZ from the UK and the US with my (now) 3 kids almost every year for 12 years… I have 5 year old twins. Now that they are older I am using liquid melatonin in very small doses to help with the adjustment but it still only cuts off a few of the days from a 12-15 hour time difference.Instead of fighting it too much we now just go with the flow. Are you flying with QANTAS? Unfortunately I can’t say I am impessed with their general attitude anymore. You have the added difficulty of needing to carry foodstuffs for the flight that may not be permitted into the country so you’ll need to be aware of this and have things at hand to declare them (ALWAYS declare any foodstuffs you have). You might also seriously conside travelling with your childs’ carseat in the cabin. Make sure it is FAA approved and have copies of the airlines policy with you. A” travel a GO GO” is very useful to convert the car seat into a stroller for the aiport. Hope that helps.
e.d. commented on Jan 28 12 at 5:56 pmLove, love this entry. Talk about bringing back memories. As I am old…er, I’ve forgotten much about then children’s earlier years; except, I vividly remember the plane rides with toddlers: Oh wow! You are a trouper, mom. Huck, I would definitely be one of the flirting passengers with such a handsome, tiny boy.
JT Taransky commented on Jan 28 12 at 6:47 pmMy friend recommends wrapping up a few things from home (even little boxes of raisins and other snacks) the toy or snack lasts twice as long if unwrapping is part of the game!
kat commented on Jan 28 12 at 8:27 pmWow Huck, I think your mom is just really lucky with such a good travel buddy. Most of those things don’t work for my kids, especially the trying to get them to sleep on the plane…. little monsters is what they turn into!
I have a few tips for those moms who have kids like mine, (We’ve gone from Hawaii to Europe several times and then some, so we have some experience too) Masking tape, can be helpful because little ones like to crinkel it. Older toddlers can help tear pictures out of the magazine and tape them to the seat in front to make a story, and then pull it all off again.
Bringing a sheet in your carry on helps too, you can pit it on the floor while you wait for your connecting flight and/or if you get the bulkhead seats you can put it on the floor and make a little play nest there. Protects from germs and folds up small!
When traveling with more than one little one I would bring a car seat, worth the hassle, so you can have one kid sleep in there and still have the ability to comfort the other, or take that one potty, or whatever.
Good luck all, We’re going to Europe again in a few weeks at almost 2 and almost 4 and 6 month pregnant and no daddy to help……!
Melody commented on Feb 02 12 at 8:54 pmWhat position in the ring sling? My baby won’t let me wear him on the plane :(
jessica commented on Feb 02 12 at 9:20 pmYou’re a doll, Huck!
Meg commented on Feb 13 12 at 12:26 pmI was born in the Cayman Islands and moved to the UK when I was 2. In those two years I flew a gazillion times to places including New York, Australia, Bermuda, Rio and obviously the UK (as that’s where my parents are from). From what I can glean there were huge differences in attitudes between different companies. Also some funny stories that give a couple of tips for things not to do: 1. take a balloon on board – it will explode and scare the poop out of everyone on board, 2. put your baby on the floor to sleep – she will possibly roll under the seat and be found by another passenger
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