Anyone have any advice for flying with a 1 yr old?

[texaswildflower]

LO and I will be flying to CA for H's homecoming soon. I purchased two tickets so that I can put him in his seat. I know he won't want to stay in my lap for 4+ hours.

Should I sit him in his carseat or use one of these? kidsflysafe.com/buy-now/
Anyone have any experience using the harness?

If you have any tips for a smooth flight, I'd appreciate them!

[iluvmytxrgr]

I would use the harness not only to keep him safe but also to strap him down. Also, bring plenty of snacks and things to distract him with. A bottle or something he can suck on will help his ears for take off and landing.

[JakJak]

Do you have an ipad? DS is obsessed with ours, so I have a couple movies on there for him when we travel. I think it's important to get up and let him move around, 4 hours is a long time for a 1 year old to sit still.

[ggirl]

Lots of snacks and toys. iPad or kindle fire for things they can touch and see, books, short cartoons etc. like stan said, don't use Benadryl unless you know it knocks your child out. A lot of times it makes kids more hyper. My sister used to fly with her kids all the time at age 12 weeks and up. She usually had a separate carry on dedicated to things for them.

[softspot]

I would not spend the $$$ on that harness unless you plan on flying a lot. You have to take his carseat anyways, right? I'd just use it.

I would bring individual servings of snack so it takes up less space, but lots of different kinds. For toys maye something new so he's really excited about it. I would change him right before boarding & then not again until you land unless it's absolutely necessary.

[NomadicMama]

I have flown a lot with LO, especially from when he was three months old until he was two (because he was free). Honestly, while all the snacks and other diversions are valuable, I have found that my LO is typically enthrallrd by all of the activity happening on a flight and I often don't need half the crap I brought to entertain him.

Do your best to relax. If you are keyed up, he will be too. And I know it's difficult to relax on a flight to meet DH at homecoming--I did it with a nine month old.

Good luck!!!

ETA: I got a CARES harness for LO. I really like it. In his car seat, LO's feet are perfectly positioned to kick the seat in front of him. In his harness, not a chance of kicking the person in front of him. If you do buy one, and have time to order it, I used a Bed, Bath and Beyond coupon at Buy, Buy Baby and saved 20%.

[doombunny]

Definitely lots of distractions. Something to color/draw on is always good, or use a touch-style drawing program on an IPad if you have one. Less mess that way.

I always exercise my dogs before a big trip. Not sure if that works on munchkins, but probably worth a shot! A sleepy munchkin is a quiet munchkin, so long as they're past the fussy-sleep stages. :3