[ellasmommy]

Hi all. I know I've started too many threads lately.....we're just getting so excited about bringing Ella home, and I keep thinking of things I want to ask all of you!

Our Ella will be 20 days shy of being one year when we bring her home. I've read that it might be good to give her a dose of baby Tylenol, or something similar before we get on the plane. We only have a 3 1/2 hour flight (to Atlanta).....but I want her to be comfortable.

Any suggestions for the plane trip???????

[Rhody]

We did give our son a dose of Baby Tylenol prior to flying, but he was teething. I'm sure it also helped relax him a bit.
We had a lap seat, and we basically worked as a team to keep him occupied. We also had things he could chew or suck on so his ears weren't caused too much pain. We had bottles, plastic chew type toys, a cloth book with plastic things he could chew on. We also had finger type foods...cheerios, puffs, etc. he could eat. He really liked playing with the window shade, and looking out the window.
We gave him a bottle (with milk or water) prior to take off and right before landing as the plane started to decompress. He did well, minus some wiggling here and there. He also slept quite a bit.

[Mardan]

Danny was 5 days shy of being one when we brought him home and since we did not get our last update on his medical condition we brought toys that played music (we knew he liked that because of our visit trip), we had cheerios and those Gerber baby puffs, we also had a lap seat for him so both my husband and I could take turns with him. We wanted to give him some baby Tylenol but as we found out when we got him he wanted nothing to do with that. In our case he slept a good part of the way home but only because he came home very sick. Good luck on your pick-up trip.

Julie (proud mom to a princess and a prince)

[krafmatic]

I used to live in Germany and flew with my two eldest all the time. Preparation is the name of the game here.
Tylenol is good, but we also had our pediatrician suggest Benedryl as it makes most kids sleepy (and more likely to sleep on the place). Just as a warning: it does make a few kids hyper, but that is rare.
We always had something for the babies to drink during takeoff and as the place decended for landing...pacifiers work as well.
Pack plenty of diapers and food to handle any delays (particularly when your stuck on the tarmac, yuck).
Also pack plenty of things to do: a few board books, yarn, pocket mirror, pipe cleaner, paper/plastic cups from the flight attendant, plastic spoon,post it notes...there are lots of great things that are small and many you can just throw out when your done. Babies at the age are pretty easy to keep occupied. Just think of things they can manipulate with their hands, put in their mouth, or that make a LITTLE noise (a quiet tap vs. a loud bang...ie a plastic spoon tapping on the tray)

Best of luck!!

[hesabanana]

I am not ashamed to say that I brought a bottle of Benadryl, and we passed it around the gate at the GC airport....there were about 15 kids on the plane, and those that had the benadryl slept, while those who went without screamed. Take the benadryl!

[JustBarbara]

Hi - not sure if Ella is still on formula or not. But I would highly recommend giving her a bottle (of whatever she's drinking) as the plane lifts off - the motion will help relax her and she'll probably fall asleep. Don't make the same mistake I did - I gave my son a bottle as we pushed off from the gate ... and then we waited on the tarmac for 1 1/2 hours

If on formula - I put the powder in the bottle and as soon as we boarded asked the flight attendant to fill it up with room temp bottled water.

Also - the gerber puffs are wonderful, they really do melt in your mouth (my son has given me some to try) I'm not sure about giving Tylenol in anticipation ... Have a great trip - and congratulations! - Barbara

[AngelsMama]

I gave the tylenol and that worked about an hour. Toby had just discovered walking and wanted nothing to do with sitting on my lap or playing with the toys I brought once he woke up. This may sound horrible to some of you and please don't scold me but I let him play on the floor in front of me. I rode in first class (by myself) and so there was plenty of room for him to play. The flight attendants were also great! Don't feel bad if that's what you decide to do, especially if you're flying alone.

[ellasmommy]

I was just in the drugstore, and they now have those thin-strips for Children's Benedryl. It says they dissolve instantly. Is this safe for a one-year-old???

Thanks everyone!
Mary

[mcidas]

Benedryl for a 1 yo??? I would check with the doc first. I would also "test" the kid before going on a plane. Our's gets pretty wound up on Benedryl.

[TerriBB]

We passed Flora back & forth. She was pretty amazed by all that she'd been through the past few days - she slept a lot to deal with it all. She came home at exactly 51 weeks. She was also thrilled with those little Gerber dry snacks. We packed several canisters and they seemed to keep her busy.

That said, we flew with her last week and she did great. She's graduated to Fruit Loops, so we brought the little boxes along on the trip.

The simplest of things will keep them busy, such as a small thread or a crumbled piece of paper! At one year, they are just thrilled watching people walk up & down the aisle - and EVERYONE talks to a baby!

I agree, make sure that you have something for her to drink to keep her ears clear. Our son gets hyper on Benadryl, so we were afraid for Flora to use it.

Congratulations!!!

[dayzeb126]

Mary,


When we brought our son home I took a large diaper bag as a carry on and just filled it with all kinds of goodies. He ended up sleeping most of the time (Thank God). I agree with the rest of the group in reguards to the bottle at take off and landing. It really does help so their little ears don't plug up. Some families on our flight actually brought portable DVD players for their babies to watch. I say over prepare just in case she has a rough time.

[WJarman]

I would also suggest for anyone travelling with a lap rider to invest in the air safety harness made by the same maker as the front pack carriers that are very popular (Not sure I can give the brand name on the forumn) When travelling on a small plane two summers ago the plane was hit by lightning and lurched violently. Our son was safely in a carseat but the baby on the lap a few rows ahead of us went flying thru the air. It was terrifying to see. She wasn't seriously hurt but had a large goose egg on her head and was very traumatized (as were her parents) These harnesses are comfy and strap to your lap belt. The kids can move around but the danger of them flying out of your arms during turbulance is gone.