https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 09 May 2026 15:53:54 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-flying-with-a-2yo#post-2599155 Fri, 05 Aug 2016 07:09:51 +0000 lamariniere 2599155@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'll preface this by saying my kids have been pretty easy and flexible to travel with, so these things work well for us. I would not bring a stroller. Anytime we've done a road trip we have never needed it. Also, it's just going to take up space in the trunk of your car. I would also look into renting a car seat instead of taking one, especially since you'll be in a foreign country. For the plane, my kids always sleep at some point on a red eye. In my experience, they dim/turn off the cabin lights and the hum of the plane helps them sleep, especially if we get on the plane later at night after normal bedtime hours. So I would just bring something like a Water Wow, sticker book and some small toys (cars, animals, figurines). For jetlag, how big is the time difference? Our rule is that we get on schedule as much as possible right away and limit naps to 2 hours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-flying-with-a-2yo#post-2599123 Fri, 05 Aug 2016 03:06:19 +0000 Nutella 2599123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would def bring an umbrella stroller and gate check it. </p> <p>Be open to making an exception to the screen time rule and see if just 'watching' the screen is entertainment enough (my LO flew long haul and enjoyed just watching the movies without headset)...we aren't big ok it normally but anything goes on a plane!</p> <p>Go for lots of adventures on the plane to the toilet, kitchen area and around the aisles. </p> <p>Also we found letting him run around at the airport let him get tired enough to sleep! If it's an overnight flight they'll dim the lights which should help. </p> <p>We never took car seat on the plane but checked it in so didn't have to deal with hiring one at the other end. </p> <p>It's surprisingly easy at this age when you can still reason with them, and bribe them with special treat snacks if you get desperate 😄</p> <p>Enjoy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-flying-with-a-2yo#post-2598860 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 17:20:56 +0000 looch 2598860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would not bring the car seat on the plane, but I would learn how to secure the one I do bring with a seatbelt, as I am not sure what Iceland uses (ISOFIX or LATCH).</p> <p>I would look into a small roller suitcase for your child to bring on board the plane, even packed with old toys from around the house, they're suddenly interesting again because they came from the suitcase!</p> <p>Have a great trip. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-flying-with-a-2yo#post-2598830 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 16:34:37 +0000 Beehive 2598830@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ElbieKay: Sounds like a great trip!<br /> 1. Strategies for getting through the airport - I agree, bring your stroller to the airport, you can check it at the gate (and if your LO wants to walk, you can pile carry-on bags in the stroller and wheel them to the gate).</p> <p>2. Suggestions for small toys for in-flight entertainment. Note that we don't do very much screentime and I would prefer to avoid using the iPad - We always bring some books on the plane, and lots of snacks (cheerios, those little freeze-dried fruits). Things on the plane like the plastic and styrofoam cups from the beverage cart are very fun too. There are such cute iPad apps out there, I agree with @Habesbabe: that if you're up for it, this would be the time to make a screen time exception (DS almost never uses the iPad at home, but we let him use it on vacation as a special treat). </p> <p>3a. Opinions about whether to bring a car seat or rent one when we arrive at our destination (Reykjavik) - I think you should definitely bring your own carseat. Not something you want to stress about when you arrive, who knows the condition and safety of the rental car seat, and you will be taking a road trip, so you'll *really* need a good car seat. </p> <p>3b. If we bring a car seat, should we check it or have him use it on the plane? - Definitely use it on the plane. DS was way too wiggly at 2.5 to sit in an airplane seat without the carseat, and he slept very well in the carseat.</p> <p>3c. Suggestions for dealing with toddler jet lag, and tips for getting your child to sleep on a plane. - My suggestion for jet lag is actually to adjust your LO to the time difference as little as possible. That way they will be awake and happy during normal adult dinner time, and will even sleep in a bit in the morning. Once we realized that, our international vacations got even better! As far as sleeping on the plane, doing some modified version of a bedtime routine may help - have him board the plane in his PJs, read a book, whatever you normally do. If the timing is right, hopefully he will sleep just fine.</p> <p>Have a wonderful trip! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-flying-with-a-2yo#post-2598791 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 15:56:20 +0000 HabesBabe 2598791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1) We brought an umbrella stroller and put the kid in the stroller and the carseat on our backs in a bag/backpack. Security line wasn't too long for us, but we just made sure that he had his favorite toy (along with a spare in my purse), and a bag of Cheerios.</p> <p>2) Hopefully your LO will sleep, for your sake and everyone else's on the plane. Since it's a red-eye, I would try to keep him awake on the drive to the airport, get there early (giving yourself ample time to check bags, park the car, go through security, etc.). Then let him wear himself out running around the airport. I boarded first with the car seat and installed it, and then my husband came on with our kids towards the end of boarding. The helped a bit, too. And USE THE IPAD. Even if you are a screen time Nazi, this is not the time or place to stick up for your anti-iPad beliefs and children. Just do it. Bring headphones and hope he passes out and sleeps through the whole flight... otherwise, load some movies (download them, in case your flight doesn't have wifi or it's spotty), some calming games.</p> <p>3a-b) We brought our carseat on the plane and installed it (forward facing, even though he is still RF in the car). It let him fall asleep and I didn't want to get kicked off the flight for having a rowdy kid who refused to sit in a normal seat during take off and landing.</p> <p>3c) We only had a 3 hour time difference, so not much advice for jetlag. Just try to keep them up with the time zone you're in, since you'll be there for an extended period of time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-flying-with-a-2yo#post-2598780 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 15:44:18 +0000 ElbieKay 2598780@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are taking our son on his first flight in 3.5 weeks. It's a 5-hour red eye, and he will turn 2.5 the day before the trip. Please share your travel suggestions, including but not limited to:</p> <p>1. Strategies for getting through the airport.<br /> 2. Suggestions for small toys for in-flight entertainment. Note that we don't do very much screentime and I would prefer to avoid using the iPad.<br /> 3a. Opinions about whether to bring a car seat or rent one when we arrive at our destination (Reykjavik).<br /> 3b. If we bring a car seat, should we check it or have him use it on the plane?<br /> 3c. Suggestions for dealing with toddler jet lag, and tips for getting your child to sleep on a plane.</p> <p>We need to pack light for this trip because we will be taking a 10-day road trip when we arrive. </p>