Charlie O'Brien blog: top tips for flying with a toddler

So we survived the wedding with our toddler Noah – yay!

In fact, more than survived – he was an absolute star and so well behaved all day.

I took everyone’s advice from both here and on my personal blog and let everyone chip in and help and suppressed my inner-mummy-control-freak.

So next challenge – flying with toddler!

We are off for a family honeymoon to Italy very soon and it will be our first time taking Noah on a plane.

Last year our family summer holiday was Dorset and it was so easy – we threw a tonne of stuff in the car and off we went. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit nervous about the flight.

Noah is at that age where he wants to run free and throws huge tantrums if he doesn’t get his own way. So I asked for advice from the best place I know – my Facebook page!

If you’re flying with a baby or toddler soon – here are some top tips from parents in the know:

Louise: My tips are taking lots of little things to do to keep them occupied, so iPad with some favourite programmes, comfy clothes, blanket and keep them hydrated.

Lucy: Snacks , snacks & more snacks! My daughter ate her way through a flight to Florida!

Sarah: Cbeebies storytime is a good app. A selection of stories that read to the child.

Holly: Tale a spare outfit for you on the plane in case he's sick, wees or gets food on you!

Stacey-Ann: I take a Trunki and inside I have a bag of small new things they haven't seen before! Makes them much more interesting! Even if they are just from the pound shop! New sticker books, colouring in books, little puzzles, cars and we like little farm animals. Then when they start to get bored I let them look in the bag.

Philip: Something to distract him when you start losing height for landing, also dummy or bottle to keep him swallowing, to help with his ears.

Laura: Take a toilet roll, colour it in to make a telescope. Then play what can you spot. Buy new small toys. Stickers, snacks, books.

Helen: We take small things...little cheap toys/puzzles/books/colours. Wrap each thing up and give him one to open and play with every 20 minutes!

Jo: To save your arms, take a carrier if he still fits in it to rock him off to sleep. You can take milk & water (they just swab it at security). Zip lock bags to separate things in your carry on.

De: Make sure Noah gets the window seat and tell him lots of stories high above the clouds and the fairytale kingdom.

Catherine: My son gets severe pain in his ears when taking off and landing. I used to take loads of snacks, drinks etc but nothing worked. Then an air hostess told me about taking karvol. When you get on the plane tell the staff you have it and before you start to take off or land they will put a serviette in a cup of hot water with drops of the karvol on the serviette. Then I get my son to inhale the steam. It helps to keep his air passages clear which in turn helps the pressure in his ears.

Nao: Pot of ready porridge if you're doing an early morning flight and little one will need breakfast. Air hostesses will happily put hot water in it for you.

Wow, so many great pieces of advice. I’m off to the shops tomorrow to grab a few little bits to wrap up for him, and I’ll definitely be stocking up on LOTS of snacks!

Fingers crossed he’ll be a good boy and see the whole thing as a huge adventure.

I’ll report back in a couple of weeks and good luck if you’re off on holiday with little ones soon.

Charlie

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