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On an Airplane with a 9- to 18-Month-Old
Taming Toddler Turbulence
By Alexandria Powell
On travel day, use the time in the airport to your advantage. "Get a gate tag for your stroller as soon as you arrive," says Karen Blondell, a mom of two toddler boys from Los Angeles, Calif. "Get something to eat, and let the kids loose for a while once you are settled and waiting for the plane to board. Bathroom visits and diaper changes are a must – there's a lot more room in the airport than on the plane."
"Know that going through security will take a while," says Karen*, a mom of twins from Oregon. "Kids have to come out of the stroller, and the stroller has to be put through the X-ray machine. If they are wearing real shoes, their shoes have to come off too."
Take advantage of the pre-boarding opportunities many airlines offer to families with young children. Also, know that not all airlines announce it, so when in doubt, ask.
Once on the plane, remember to keep your focus on your little one. "There are some parents – certainly not all – but some parents who kind of assume small children are going to amuse themselves," Ogintz says. "Obviously, that's not [going to] work. Unless he's asleep, your job is to entertain him." There's a plus to this, she points out: You get to spend a few hours simply interacting with your child, with no distractions.
Here are a few tips to make the flight as painless as possible:
- While you can always attempt to schedule flights around your toddler's naptime, toddlers can be unpredictable. It's better to make sure your child is well rested and fed, and consider any nap a bonus.
- It's important to remember that a 9- to 18-month-old won't be able to chew gum to depressurize their ears. Have something for her to drink on hand during takeoff and landing, and encourage your child to drink so that the swallowing allow her ears to pop.
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