that's a long ass link but I think it should work :)
Step 1: Lock the doors and buy some of these for your kids. /s
I have little ones, and I can't imagine a life without speaker grills. Mine are all plain black boxes... totally uninteresting to the kids, thankfully. With bright orange speakers like that, I'm sure I know plenty of adults who couldn't resist.
Like this!
Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
---|---|---|---|
2 Packs Pop Fidget Sensory Toys, Autism Special N… | $8.98 | $8.98 | 4.6/5.0 |
^Item Info | Bot Info | Trigger
So I’ve recently traveled with my toddler. He was 15 months when we flew several times earlier this summer. Naptime went right out the window, because the airport and plane were so stimulating. If they fall asleep, you’ve hit the jackpot, but otherwise, just be super prepared to keep them snacking and entertained.
My kid loves those pop-it silicon thingies. I also got a variety of fidget toys (google up fidget toys, or autism fidget toys), that are small, plastic and not injurious if he flings them. Little matchbox cars, etc. I did a mix of new stuff, and then a few comforting favorite toys too. Same with books, a couple favorites and a couple new flap books.
For snacks, similar deal. A mix of favorites (craisins, veggie straws) and then we shopped the airport mart to pick out some new snacks that we don’t do at home, and let him pick out a little doohickey toy too. Goldfish were a huge hit, and honestly I couldn’t give a duck about nutrition or balance when I’m enduring a flight with a baby.
My kid was an angel for most of the flight, and then things went south quick near the end, the last 20 minutes or so (or felt like an eternity to me) he absolutely melted down, and then passed out on me the second the wheels hit the ground. But these were 2-4 hour flights. I’m sure your kiddo will conk out at least once after all the airport and plane hullabaloo.
The important thing to keep in mind is (everyone!) wear comfy clothes, have your baby bag ultra-organized (I love those small packing cubes, keeps it handy to hand your partner a toy bag or snack bag or diaper kit instead of digging around), and remember, people can be assholes and don’t understand so fuck em, or they have kids themselves and will be surprisingly empathetic to your struggles haha. On two different flights while my kid was melting down, 2 different lovely ladies tried to help out. Of course there was nothing they could do, but the sympathy and effort made me tear up at the time.
It always helps to nurse/bottle/drink a beverage during takeoff and landing, that helps them pop their ears. I tried to not nurse until we were actually in motion taking off, and that worked really well.
One last tip- just get to the airport early enough that you don’t feel rushed in any way. Forget about trying to time the nap, and just give yourself plenty of time to get though security, bathrooms, the store, last minute diaper change, etc. It makes it so much more relaxing even if you wind up kicking around the airport for extra time. I also coughed up the cash to sit near the front of the plane, and waited to board til the end to minimize the time spent sitting on board on the ground.
Good luck!