taking my 23 month old on an airplane for the first time and FREAKING OUT!

So tonight at 9 pm me and my son will be departing Reno NV and flying 1 1/2 hours to Portland Oregon to visit my mother for a week. And im 29 weeks pregnant. I've been having anxiety all day now. I wont be bringing the umbrella stroller because my mom bought us a new one and I want to bring that one back with me. So im worried what will I do with him trying to run off while we are waiting at the gate for possibly an hour? How will i carry him through the airport while carrying the diaper bag and pulling my rolling carryon and being big and pregnant? Its hard for me to carry him hes heavy. I can't bring a sippy cup because of the liquids rule. Or food. Airport food is too expensive. I worry about if I will have a screaming unruly toddler on the plane. Oh and he is sitting on my lap the whole way. With my belly. I've already give him his nap for today and im thinking if I keep him awake the rest of the day, give him dinner then a nice bath right before we leave he will sleep the whole time. Is that the right plan? What if he IS sleeping on the plane and I have to pee?? I am pregnant so that's highly likely. What do I do with him? Im really working myself up with all this. Any advice or tips? Please share. If it were up to me I would've gotten him his own seat but my mom bought the ticket and I can't afford another seat. I can't afford airport food or drink. I cannot afford to stress out so bad I complicate my physical state. HELP!

Comments

  • Howe old is he? Could you put him in a wrap or carrier? Would it be worth it to take a cheap stroller & not bring it back? I think you're allowed to take a sippy cup, but I'm not positive. The main thing is to take a few deep breaths, try to calm down (so he will be calm) & remember...it's just a short temporary trip. It's not that long & it will be over faster than you know. Try to make it fun & talk to him about how exciting it is & let him look at the airplanes & people & shops, etc. Make it as fun as you can. You can do it & it will be worth it to spend time with your mom! :)
  • @Wilsomom he will be 2 on may 6th. Its going to be dark so he wont be able to see anything out the windows and honestly he's not very observant so I can't distract him with planes or people. I have one umbrella stroller but I have a new one at my moms that I want to bring back home and I need both since im having two kids soon. I wont have anybody to help me with him so I want him to be asleep but that worries me because I will not be able to put him down if he's alseep at the airport. Im worried I can't hold him very long because even though im only 29 weeks along, im huge with this belly. And I have so much luggage to bring on the plane.
  • This may sound weird...but maybe ask for a wheel chair? I think a lot of airports have escorts that could wheel you to the gate? As far as being on the plane, every flight attendant ive ever met was very helpful. Im sure they would keep an eye on little man while you pee real quick lol kids are kids...dont worry about him being unrulely the people around you will get over it lol thankfully its a short flight...deep breath :)
  • Ok I see. If you're not in a hurry he could probably walk with one of those monkey/leash back pack things from Walmart. Then maybe sleep on the plane. Also, is there someone that could help you get as far as allowed? (I'm not sure how far people without a ticket can go) Maybe a new toy that's just for the trip to distract him. Sorry, I'm not much help, just trying to think of as many ideas as I can. :)
  • As far as I know u could bring a sippycup with u, when I travelled with my 17month old I took her to the bathroom with me when I had to go pee and she was being entertained by the people sitting next to us..it was 2 1/2 hour flight for me from Seattle to San Diego, we got there fast and I was 25weeks prego..u can do it and if there are empty seats ask the flight attendant if u could switch to different sit so your lil one could have his own space, they're usually nice about that.
  • As far as the need for you to use the bathroom, don't drink anything starting now, and empty your bladder right before boarding.
  • I fly with my children often and you most certainly can bring your sippy on the plane. They will just test the liquid first. Good luck!
  • I would bring the cup itself and if anything they can at least add some water. maybe if you have pad or phone you can play show on? it will go by fast. go to the bathroom right before boarding and don't drink too much. my daughter likes to color maybe just plan paper and pen don't have to bring all the coloring stuff. Good luck I'm sure it will be ok.
  • Thanks everyone I've made it through security with him I was able to check on of my rolling bags that I thought I would have to carry on so that lightened me up. Adrien is playing on the seats and trying to talk to people lol it doesn't look like it will be a crowded plane at all. I wish I had a tablet or something to keep him occupied. O well we will just have to make due. Will update when we land. Wish us luck for an easy safe flight :)
  • Good luck! I'm sure everything will be just fine. :)
  • Wow my daughter is turning 2 on may 6th too , oh and I'm Gona be flying out the country on may 18 , let me know how everything went for you and ur lil one . :-D
  • Update - so adrien did not sleep at all on the plane. He wasn't a loud crying baby at all. He was pretty well behaved. The seat next to me was empty so they said I could have him sit there. He couldn't make up his mind if he wanted his own seat or my lap so he kept moving back and forth. Everyone just ate him up he was just mr charming lol. I did have to change his diaper in the plane restroom though. Omg they are soooo small! I actually had to keep him standing up the whole time i changed him. So it wasn't that bad I was anticipating so much worse.
  • That's good news! I hope you're having a good time! :)
  • I hope my daughter behaves good when it's time for our trip .. We gotta flight 8 hours straight :(
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