best place to sit on a plane with an infant and a 4 yrs old

[Anna C. 4]

Some airlines won't give you the bassinet seat... United didn't despite booking it. Bulkhead seats are reserved for the elderly who need extra leg room over infants. During my SFO-FRA flight that meant 40 somethings with mileage miles got those seats, while 7 infants on board had to be held by their parents in their laps....

The moby wrap is a great idea, I had my son in a MeiTei. The United flight attendant made me take him out and face outwards just being held by me as the wrap is unsafe. Whatever, as soon as we were about to take off and the attendants are buckled in too I just put my son back into my wrap, nice and safe. Every airline is different... Delta was horrible on a domestic flight, United was actually good, American Airlines was terrific both going to Europe and domestic, Frontier Airlines was horrible. I bring my stroller these days to keep my toddler contained at the terminal... And check the car seats, instead I use the CARES harness on board. The next time I travel I plan to buy seats for all of us, so much easier.

As for your 4 year old, I'd bring a portable DVD player and all the favorite movies of the month (I know how toddlers change their minds quickly!), snacks, and yes, I mean those unhealthy bribe snacks, just for the flight... The baby will be fine - my son happily nursed and fell asleep when we took off and didn't wake up til England, which is basically the end of the flight from the US to Germany. I did buy two nursing shirts though to nurse discretely, in case some annoying passenger doesn't know that mothers are allowed to nurse in public, I just didn't want a stir or being disturbed. The passengers around me actually thought it was awesome that I nursed him on the plane and I guess even happier that he was all milk-drunk and sleepy

[thongd4me 69]

Hi VJ members, has anyone travelled with an infant before? i wanna asks on some inputs on where is the best place to sit back or front? Plus any tips to make this travel somehow easy and pleasant for me and my daughters will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I would go for the aisle seat in a row closest to the bathroom or changing station.

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

. That has nothing to do with trying to travel with a toddler who is screaming and crying and whatever you do, nothing seems to work to calm him down....last thing you need are nasty looks and rude comments from fellow travelers.

Don't misunderstand me, I have sympathy for parents in that situation and I understand that it isn't as easy as saying "Well don't travel with them until they're ready".

When my wife came to the US with our little guy he was that unholy terror for all but the last 30 minutes of a flight from the Philippines to Chicago. Being 2, deaf and uncomfortable in situations involving and more than zero strangers was a horrible experience for him and he was perfectly content to share his shear terror with everyone on the plane.

She had a sedative for him but he refused to even drink for most of the flight and the little bit she could get into his system was enough to overpower his adrenaline.

I doubt we'll have the same issue when we visit the Philippines next year but just in case we will have a prescription from his pediatrician to sedate him if necessary.

Heck I even take a prescription sedative for myself just in case the claustrophobia kicks in half way through the flight.

[Anna C. 4]

Hm no sane pediatrician or other type of doctor in the USA will prescribe a sedative to your son for flying. Not gonna happen. They might prescribe you Benadryl, which is generally not recommended for children under 5 years and then only for the purpose of mitigating allergic reactions. FOr the purpose of sedating, it very likely won't work as many kids get super hyper from Benadryl.

I have flown many times without a kid and had my fair share of crying infants, tantruming toddlers and kicking older children. I feel as long as the parents are trying their best there is nothing to complain about. It is how it is. If the parents don't try to calm their child, that's another story, but if people are generally annoyed by having a child on board - and they will be loud at some point throughout the flight - then do not book coach. Save up some money and fly business or first class, infants/toddlers are unlikely to be found there. That't just life. I cannot choose either that the really big person is sitting next to me taking half of my seat up. That's what you get when you travel coach, and people who cannot deal with it shouldn't travel.

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

Hm no sane pediatrician or other type of doctor in the USA will prescribe a sedative to your son for flying. Not gonna happen.

Unless you're an experienced medical professional you shouldn't make such absolute statements.

Having a child that has had behavior issues in the past (of self-destructive nature) does give us some additional options.

[Sergi9 110]

I will keep that in mind when I travel with my 2 year old. THe last thing a parent on an overseas trip needs is nasty looks from people who are not in their situation/never traveled with a child.

Just kidding Been there done it multiple times got the t-shirt and the dirty looks. Will never forget the island hopping flights with the kids and the "incident" involving projectile vomiting. I had to throw that T-shirt away

[Golden Gate 530]

Dramamine is always an option. My parents gave it to me and my siblings all the time when we were traveling as kids (over age 2). Saved us from motion sickness and made us drowsy! Handy when there were five of us to contend with.

[happyblessedme 12]

my baby is 7 months old...she would be on my lap, can't afford to buy a ticket for her to have a seat.

thank you for the tip.

Hey sis..My 2 yr. old son was only 2 months old when he travelled from Phils. to Georgia. U make sure u inform the airlines when u purchase ur ticket that u are travelling with an infant so his name will be included in the list of passengers eventhough he don-t have a ticket.

u inform them ahead of time usually when u purchase the ticket..they will give u the seat with a (sorry i forgot the term) something like a baby carrier attached to the wall where u can put the baby safely and with a lil space for u .

U can not bring any liquids .u are allowed to bring water if purchased inside the airport.

I had a C section and my baby was only 2 months old when we travelled so i can give u tips to help u a lil bit.

[happyblessedme 12]

Hi VJ members, has anyone travelled with an infant before? i wanna asks on some inputs on where is the best place to sit back or front? Plus any tips to make this travel somehow easy and pleasant for me and my daughters will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I remember the term now (lol). Airlines will provide a bassinet for your baby.Just be @ the airport as early as you can since some airlines have limited bassinets and it's first come first serve. Make sure to tell them u need assistance ,that way you don't hav to deal with the long line checking in and out..That's what i did and it was so easy for me .

You can bring a stroller too..u are not carrying the stroller with u coz u have to check it in as well and they'll give it to u when u get off the plane if u need to transfer to ur next flight.

Tip to prevent ear pain:

It worked for my 2 month old and my 13 and 9 yr. old.

When the plane is about to take off..make sure ur baby is sucking his pacifier or anything that he can chew(gum for older ones). U can even breastfeed him that way he is making his mouth move.

Edited March 9, 2011 by happyblessedme

[PinayArmyWife 2]

Thank you so much for the tips you guys. I already booked @ Qatar airways and after reading all the replies here, we called again last night and requested for a bassinet, the agent my husband spoke to was very helpful, he actually change our seat number and put us on the bulkhead seat. We also asked about umbrella stroller and he said I could bring it and don't have to check it in, they will just take it when you board. Hubby said it would be a good idea to bring one that if I need a break from carrying the baby I can put her in it and at the same time my 4 yrs old can use it if she gets tired. Flight time is 15 hrs( 5hrs munich to DOHA then 10 doha to cebu.phils)/ 18 hrs total travel time. I will definitely keep your tips in mind.

[PinayArmyWife 2]

Edited March 9, 2011 by PinayArmyWife