https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:33:47 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wa-lap-child-toddler#post-1775117 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 21:50:31 +0000 Meow 1775117@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <br /><p><i>This comment has been deleted by the original poster.</i></p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wa-lap-child-toddler#post-1775090 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 21:33:43 +0000 wheres_c 1775090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We travel with our LO alot, he's 19mo. We bought a carseat just for traveling...the cosco scenera. Its $40 at Wal-Mart and congress with a bag.<br /> I always call the airline and ask them to block an empty seat, 50% of the time they will do a courtesy block. If they are unable to do it via phone, then I ask at the check in counter, 25% of the time they will block a seat then. If they can't do it, I ask at the gate prior to boarding. Out of about 12 flights, we've only had to hold him once. He is so much better behaved when hes in his carseat. </p> <p>I reccommend downloading some cartoons to the ipad also. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wa-lap-child-toddler#post-1774960 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 20:02:50 +0000 hilsy85 1774960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shopaholic: hugs mama! We survived a 10 and 12 hour flight when L was 16 months and running around like a crazy person was his favorite thing to do (and still is). We bought him his own seat, but he spent a lot of the flight on my lap anyway. </p> <p>Are you still nursing? I found that the only way to get him to sleep was to nurse him, and he slept fitfully on me for a few hours. </p> <p>I also found that toys that I normally would not give him, like tiny match box cars which are technically choking hazards, were really interesting to him. Also, plastic cups and tiny balls, or play doh that can be made into balls and shaken in cups. If K is into stickers, that would be a great one. </p> <p>Just know that the flight will end! I would for sure prep her for some videos/movies so that she is interested in them on the flight, and get a pair of toddler headphones--they worked great for us. Good luck! You can do it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wa-lap-child-toddler#post-1774943 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 19:54:46 +0000 78h2o 1774943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shopaholic: she fell asleep in it, but only after we'd landed. :bummed: It did seem to help contain her and the angle was ok. We bought ours, but I think there are sellers on ebay that rent them. Heck, I could probably loan you ours. If you get the travel carseat, would you need it at your destination? I do think she did a little better in her carseat vs. the Cares harness, but if I had a carseat waiting for me at my destination, I probably wouldn't bother with the carseat and would just do the harness. I definitely think the harness is safer than just a belt for a little kid (in case of turbulence), so it is good from that standpoint if you end up not being able to take on your carseat but end up with an extra seat. </p> <p>ETA: What kind of carseat and stroller do you have? I was traveling alone and I had a Britax B-agile and one of our regular carseats, the Diono Radian RXT. I was able to wedge the Radian into the B-agile seat and then secure it with a bungie cord in a way that allowed LO to still ride in it. It actually worked pretty well. I was able to push LO that way and then pull my suitcase. The Radian worked really well on the plane because it is so narrow.</p> <p>@CupQuakeWalk: I asked my ped about Benedryl and she said it would be fine to give her some, but that I should test it out beforehand to see how it affected her. I didn't feel like it really made her sleepy, so I didn't give it to her. I've heard it can sometimes cause a paradoxical reaction in some kids where it makes them hyper, so I do think you want to test it out beforehand! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wa-lap-child-toddler#post-1774777 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 17:59:04 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1774777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shopaholic: please let me know about the Benadryl if you get a chance to ask your ped. We have already had to give it for a rash LO had a few months ago (19m old). I can't remember if it made him sleepy, but he didn't have any bad side effects.<br /> And don't let other passengers make you feel bad!!! They must not have kids. Either way: it'll add more stress to your flight and you dot need that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wa-lap-child-toddler#post-1774695 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 16:49:10 +0000 sunny 1774695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shopaholic: Fingers crossed that those seats stay empty!!! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wa-lap-child-toddler#post-1774660 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 16:33:05 +0000 shopaholic 1774660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: I am going to ask our ped about it next week. He even always comments on how active and energetic K is, and he's from Taiwan. Maybe he'll be sympathetic and tell me how much to give?</p> <p>@looch: @SugarplumsMom: Thanks for the votes of confidence. I already always get snide looks when she screeches in stores or restaurants. I think airline passengers will give me death stares.</p> <p>@NovBaby1112: @swurlygurl: @sunshineandsushi: @T-Mom: @78h2o: Thank you for sharing your stories! We actually have requested Bulkhead seats with bassinets, but I know K will have nothing to do with the bassinet even if we miraculously got it. We just checked the flight today and it looks like about 80 empty seats each way, so I am hoping they will let me bring on the carseat and we can sit somewhere else if needed. Praying more like it!</p> <p>@78h2o: Thanks for all your tips! The Care Harness sounds really interesting! Especially because it takes so little space (when I'll be handling everything myself!) Was your LO able to fall asleep in the Care Harness? I wonder about the seat angle. So you think it's worth the price? It's more expensive than the travel car seat I was looking at. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wa-lap-child-toddler#post-1774299 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 13:16:15 +0000 78h2o 1774299@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shopaholic: Oy! Your LO sounds exactly like my LO! The last time I flew with her was just 3.5 hrs each way, but I was alone with her and it was rough (though, indeed, we did survive). Both flights were red eyes, and while every other kid on the entire plane was passed out, LO was busy as ever! She literally fell asleep on both flights as the plane was back on the ground and taxiing to the gate. I kid you not. </p> <p>RE: the carseat, I took it to ticketing and they said there was a good chance it could go on, so I took it to the gate. At the gate they said that it looked like the flight was going to be full after all, so I had to check it. There ended up being an empty seat and I got it. I had brought a CARES harness and that worked pretty well to contain her, though she was able to slip down and worm her way out of it once or twice. On the way home, there was an extra seat and they let me bring the carseat on. </p> <p>I second the suggestion to get a bulkhead if possible, if not, maybe you could pay for seating with extended leg room, if that is an option? I put a blanket down and let LO play at my feet for awhile on the one flight where she had a seat but no carseat. </p> <p>The things that worked best for her were Curious George on the ipad and snacks. </p> <p>Oh! I found out the hard way that a) many food service places in the airport close at 9 or 10 and b) the airplanes do not usually have milk. If you're going to be in the airport super early or late, I'd suggest bringing powered milk. I suspect it might be different on an international flight, but who knows. I have a friend who told me the same thing happened to her and she emptied 40 creamers into a bottle, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wa-lap-child-toddler#post-1773577 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 09:00:47 +0000 T-Mom 1773577@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We took my DD to HK when she was around 18 months. She was in night terror phase (lasted through our next international trip to Singapore) so it was terrible. The sleeping was pretty bad due to night terrors and just general discomfort of flying lap child. She didn't get but a few hours in at a time. I had actually tried to get a bassinet for her but when they saw her, they said she was too long. The only thing I can suggest is getting a bulkhead seat (we were able to request one at time of ticketing, I think?) if you can for a little more leg room. My DD spent a lot of time out of her seat just sitting at my feet and sitting on a blanket on the floor. She may have even taken a nap on the floor, oops. I'm sure your K will do better than you think, but even if she doesn't, you have to just muscle through it... and when you are done, you will feel like you can do anything! :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wa-lap-child-toddler#post-1773555 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 08:55:20 +0000 regberadaisy 1773555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mr &amp; Mrs Bee have done it many times with their kids. I think they did a blog series. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wa-lap-child-toddler#post-1773547 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 08:51:21 +0000 sunshineandsushi 1773547@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oy, good luck!!!</p> <p>When we flew in May, our boys were 16 months old. It was only a 3 hour flight each way, so definitely nothing like what you're facing, but it was tolerable for us. We noticed on our flight there that the last row was pretty empty so when we flew home, DH had them change our seats to the very back of the plane. It worked, and we had the entire back row to our selves, across the whole plane. So he sat on one side with one boy and me on the other with the boy. And since it's so loud in the back of the plane from the jets, no one could hear when they had their one or two temper tantrum. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wa-lap-child-toddler#post-1773472 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 08:24:04 +0000 swurlygurl 1773472@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had the same problem when I flew with L for a 3.5 hour flight :( One way we had an empty seat, the way back we did not. The flight with the empty seat that she got to sit in was one million percent better.<br /> The flight where we didn't have an empty seat for her, the flight attendants let me sit in the row with an extra 5" of leg room which made a WORLD of difference! She could actually stand on the floor in front of my legs which helped when she just could not tolerate sitting on my lap anymore.</p> <p>Really though, all you can do is take deep breaths and know that the flight *will* eventually end!</p> <p>Oh, and my best distraction tool was NEW snacks, that she'd never had before. That flight was not the time for strawberries and blueberries - it was time for oreos, goldfish and vanilla wafers! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wa-lap-child-toddler#post-1773455 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 08:09:20 +0000 NovBaby1112 1773455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shopaholic: all i can say is GOOD LUCK :heart: lol. My LO sounds a lot like K, hates being restrained, cannot sit in my lap for more than 3 minutes, is just go go go all the time. The longest we have flown is 2 hours though and I thought that was hard!! What time is your flight? I will be PRAYING you find an empty seat for K- seriously beg the flight attendants and if you see an empty seat, I would totally ask the person sitting next to it if they don't mind switching. I brought lots of snacks my LO never gets like lollipops, candy, etc, anything to keep her quiet/occupied. New toys/trinkets, one of those magnet boards you can draw on, color wonder markers, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wa-lap-child-toddler#post-1773344 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 06:38:45 +0000 SugarplumsMom 1773344@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shopaholic: Your K is such a little jetsetter! I think she'll surprise you and do just fine :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wa-lap-child-toddler#post-1773342 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 06:37:35 +0000 looch 1773342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you're going to be totally fine because you're concerned about it, if that makes any sense at all. My largest concern with a lap child is how much they "spill over" into another passenger that's not related to you. I usually start by saying hello to everyone and asking in advance for their understanding, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wa-lap-child-toddler#post-1773337 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 06:27:53 +0000 ShootingStar 1773337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok so idk how you'd feel about this, but friends of mine are flying internationally soon and their ped recommended giving their two kids (3y and 16m) Benadryl to make them sleepy on the flights. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wa-lap-child-toddler#post-1773241 Mon, 21 Jul 2014 23:19:22 +0000 shopaholic 1773241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SugarplumsMom: Thank you for the list! I've been gathering and starting to pack and prep already with a lot of these things. Anything under 5 hours doesn't really phase me anymore. I've just never flown with alone before, much less on such a long, continuous flight. </p> <p>@BlessedMama: Thanks for that info. So I'm really hoping we can find out maybe the day before, if there will be empty seats. Lol! I'm just scared it will do the opposite, like I've heard from a few mamas. We've given her a small dose before, with no impact whatsoever on her nap. </p> <p>@bisous: Thank you! Even if LO could still fit the infant seat, I think she would be really uncomfortable in it at this point. Nice your LO slept for you!</p> <p>@CupQuakeWalk: Ahh! Do we have the same kid? We have blinds AND blackout curtains, sound machine and a humidifier. lol. Yes mama! Report back or wall me how it went! Hoping for your sake he makes a change in pattern! </p> <p>@Kimberlybee: Thank you! 2 weeks. Though I have very low expectations and assume the 1st week will be hell with jet lag. K is very in-tune with her routine and time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wa-lap-child-toddler#post-1773229 Mon, 21 Jul 2014 22:59:24 +0000 Kimberlybee 1773229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shopaholic: No advice since we've only flown domestic and you're a pro at that already! Good luck and safe travels!! How long are you staying in Taiwan? I am super jealous. My childhood bestie just came back from Taiwan and posted pictures of all the amazing food she ate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wa-lap-child-toddler#post-1773198 Mon, 21 Jul 2014 22:32:21 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1773198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shopaholic: p.s: maybe wall @Ree (I forget her exact username) but she amazing at traveling with kids! I hope she chimes in on this thread for you (us!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wa-lap-child-toddler#post-1773197 Mon, 21 Jul 2014 22:30:58 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1773197@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shopaholic: when do you go? We're leaving in a few days so I can report back! I could have written your post.<br /> We travel A LOT, but LO is just in a very special phase right now, so I know this trip will be unique. It's a 13h flight and I'm almost sure there won't be any empty seats, but a girl can dream. We also have a non-sleeper. He can't sleep if there is any light or sound. This should be fun. In the past, it's been bad, but at least he's been consolable with snacks and toys. Nowadays? Not so much! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wa-lap-child-toddler#post-1773173 Mon, 21 Jul 2014 22:09:34 +0000 bisous 1773173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Good luck! We had a multiple leg trip when DD was just about 1 with about 10 hours flying time roundtrip. I felt a little crazy myself. I don't have a lot of advice for a wiggly toddler because mine wasn't that wiggly at 11.5 mos, but just figured I'd share my experience.</p> <p>I planned to have DD on my lap, but she was becoming more mobile by the day and I got nervous that it wouldn't go well. We brought DD's old infant seat, which she still fit in--I figured at least one would have an open seat. I called the airline (Icelandair) in the weeks before the trip and got the same advice over and over--that there was no way to know in advance whether I would be able to use the seat, but that I should bring it and see if they could rearrange seats to make it work. If it did not, they'd gate check it. Because of the way they gate checked for our flights, if they checked it for the first one, you could not use it for any other leg. It turns out there was no room on either of our first legs, so DD ended up being a lap baby. She was very good and slept a lot for me--but I also was nursing full time at that point. </p> <p>Bring lots of toys...stickers, washi tape, BandAids (haha this is a hit with my DD). I wish you lots and lots of luck with the trip and I hope they are able to accommodate you with the carseat! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wa-lap-child-toddler#post-1773044 Mon, 21 Jul 2014 20:52:29 +0000 BlessedMama 1773044@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh. My. Gosh. Good luck! I seriously thought the 2 1/2 hour flight we did last week was enough! My daughter is 21 months old and she actually slept both ways but I was still exhausted! You are superwoman for doing that long of a flight. They won't let you take the car seat on the plane unless you have a seat for her, if not they make you drop it off before you board for gate check. </p> <p>Bring lots of snacks, coloring books, new toys shes never seen before, Ipad/DVD player with her favorite shows, lollipops...and benadryl never hurt anyone lol :silly: </p> <p>I do also take a thing of clorox wipes on with me and wipe down the seats, windows, trays, etc since they touch EVERYTHING.</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wa-lap-child-toddler#post-1772711 Mon, 21 Jul 2014 17:47:10 +0000 SugarplumsMom 1772711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We took our trip to Lanzarote when E was 19 months, and although it was a short flight compared to when we flew to SD (when she was only 7 months), I was still scared! BUT she did soooo well! I mean pinch me, this can't be really happening well! </p> <p>Although she was really active, she was interested in our surroundings and I was able to busy her with carefully packed toys and snacks. Here's what I packed:</p> <p>- a water coloring book<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Galt-Toys-Inc-Animals-Water/dp/B000UFEGUK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1405983043&#038;sr=8-1&#038;keywords=Water+Magic+Animals" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Galt-Toys-Inc-Animals-Water/dp/B000UFEGUK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1405983043&#038;sr=8-1&#038;keywords=Water+Magic+Animals</a><br /> - pen &amp; paper (she was really into regular ol pens back then)<br /> - stickers<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00007LVF3/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&#038;psc=1" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00007LVF3/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&#038;psc=1</a><br /> - random small toys she's never seen before<br /> (like a kaleidoscope pen I found randomly)<br /> - snacks she normally doesn't have<br /> - I introduced her baby doll before we left for the airport<br /> (which didn't work, lol)<br /> - iPad with new apps<br /> - I almost forgot her play phone (we had the FP one back then, but got this one later and it's soo much better)<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/LeapFrog-Count-Smart-Phone-Violet/dp/B004MWN0MC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1405983611&#038;sr=8-1&#038;keywords=LeapFrog+Chat+%26+Count+Phone" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/LeapFrog-Count-Smart-Phone-Violet/dp/B004MWN0MC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1405983611&#038;sr=8-1&#038;keywords=LeapFrog+Chat+%26+Count+Phone</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wa-lap-child-toddler#post-1772702 Mon, 21 Jul 2014 17:39:09 +0000 sunny 1772702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ahhh! I'd be scared too. My LO wasn't a big fan of the Ergo when she got to walking, but she would eventually fall asleep if I put the cover on and bounced her. She eventually got used to that on our trip to Japan and it was relatively straightforward to get her to sleep. </p> <p>Good luck!!!! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wa-lap-child-toddler#post-1772679 Mon, 21 Jul 2014 17:14:57 +0000 shopaholic 1772679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm seriously getting more anxious day by day about my upcoming international trip with LO next month. We've done plenty of flights before, even Int'l, but she just does NOT sleep on flights. Maybe 15-30 min. here and there when she was under 6 months. She'll be 17 months by our trip.</p> <p>I booked this trip 12-14 hours flight times BEFORE K could walk - and wanting to do this trip before we'd HAVE to buy her her own seat. Sure, she was always active, but now it's a whole other ball game! She is in the midst of a screaming/shrieking phase. Can't sit still for even a minute if she's not restrained. And starting with the tantrums. I've tried practicing letting her watch the iPad or color in my lap while holding her. She just squirms and tries to get down. She doesn't sleep while being held. Won't tolerate the Ergo anymore. </p> <p>Oy. I must have been certifiably nuts. My only prayer now is to hope there are 2 empty seats somewhere and that they'd let me sit with a carseat in it? But how likely is that and how soon would I know or they will take the carseat away? </p> <p>I know I'm rambling now… but I'm seriously freaking the eff out about our trip now. Anyone had a super active toddler as a lap child on an international flight? I need tips. Help. Or lots and lots of vodka. j/k </p>