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Traveling With An 16 Month Old

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jessesgirl

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Traveling With An 16 Month Old
Posted: 12-02-07 00:26am

In March we're planning to take Ava to Sesame Place in Pennsylvania. We plan to fly there which will be a 3 hour flight. I'm nervous about that b/c I hope we can entertain her for that long. We'll spend the first day in Philadelphia and maybe sleep there. The second day we'll spend at Sesame Place. The third day we'll spend in New York City. We'll take her to the Toys R Us and find something to do that we didn't do when we went last year. Any advice for flying and traveling with her being so young?
Anyone been to Sesame Place? Anyone knows a good hotel in Philadelphia or Morrisville? Anyone live in the area?
Thanks!
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Sandbox Party

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Posted: 12-02-07 02:33am

ive never been to Philly.. maybe ask Kay? i kno she lives somewhere around there.

as for the flying... the best thing u can do is keep her from taking a nap the day of the flight then book a red-eye so shes sleeping the whole time.
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tinkinpink84

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Posted: 12-02-07 05:35am

ya i dont think flying will be bad at all, i flew over to germany with joseph, the first flight was 3 hrs and we left at like 1pm and he slept that entire flight but i had his carseat on the plane and he sat in that for the flight and the longer part of the flight, 3 hrs is nothing haha mine was a total of 11 hrs.
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Becky

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Posted: 12-02-07 06:29am

Here is some briiliant info I found for you:

Tips for Flying with a Toddler

-Pack an outfit or two for your child in your carry-on bag, because luggage gets lost and accidents happen. When packing clothes for your child, more is better.

-Consider the weather at your destination, but pack for the unexpected. I usually do two outfits for each day, plus extra pieces just in case. When it comes to underwear and socks, I take more than I think I will need. Always pack a blanket, wet wipes, and a pair of slippers.

-Spend a few minutes with your child packing some favorite toys to take along. Put some in the checked luggage and some in the carry-on bag.

-Pack a small toy as a surprise in your handbag, and hand it to your child as a distraction when things get noisy.

-If your child has a cold, do check with the doctor before the flight. My three-year-old has flown while nursing a cold with no adverse effects, but it is a personal choice. A quick phone call to the doctor’s office will help you make an informed decision. Remember that over-the-counter medicines in liquid form are subject to security restrictions. Chewable tablets are a good alternative.

-Take some dry, low-sugar cereal as a snack. Crackers or raisins are also a good choice. A boiled egg is a meal by itself, and it fits into a small container or a zipper bag. Liquids are restricted in some airports so do not bring any drinks from home, as they may be confiscated.
You can always get water from the flight attendants, or buy a bottle after you pass the security checkpoint. Salty snacks will make your child thirsty and they provide little nutritional value, so do your best to avoid them.
Sugary juices and carbonated drinks are diuretics and will make your child go to the bathroom frequently so do try to avoid them, or you will spend a lot of time in airplane lavatories. My rule is that when we are thirsty we drink water, other drinks are treats to be taken occasionally.

-If you are nursing and want to take a bottle of expressed milk, check the security restrictions regarding breast milk. There’s a link at the bottom of this page.
If your child is still wearing diapers, it makes sense to buy the premium, extra absorbent kind to use during the flight. It will save you a lot of trouble and inconvenience.
Take the time for a diaper change just before boarding. Don’t forget a plastic bag to put away the soiled diaper, and take a cloth nappy or something similar to cover the baby-changing tray that sits over the toilet in the lavatory. If you use cloth diapers at home, consider using the disposable kind while you’re traveling. Do not create more work for yourself unnecessarily.

-Make sure you feed your child before the flight. Do consult the airline if you can request a child meal. Dishes that have a lot of sauce are more likely to be spilled, and a meal especially made for children will be easier to handle in the confined space of an airplane.

-Pack a washcloth to clean sticky hands, or get a small packet of wet wipes.
If you have the choice, schedule your flight for a time of the day when your child is happiest. Avoid flying too late at night or too early in the morning. If it’s not possible, it’s especially important to make sure your child is well-rested before flying. A tired toddler is more prone to tantrums and irritability.

-Always book a separate seat for your toddler if you can afford it, even if the airline allows you to share a seat. Carrying your child on your lap may be feasible during a short flight, but if you have several hours of flying time, it is far too tiring and uncomfortable. I’ve done it, and it was a dreadful 14-hour flight. Don’t count on empty seats; chances are there won’t be any. This is an instance in which the money spent will be well worth it, so make adjustments somewhere else if you must.

-If your child turns two in between your travel dates and you would prefer not to buy a separate ticket until it is required, let the airline know. Usually you will be charged two different rates, infant and child, one for each part of the journey, but you should check with the airline before you finalize your ticket purchase.

-Consult the airline if you’d like to take your car seat onboard, and make sure your car seat is fit for use on an airplane. This information should be listed on the back of the seat. If you would like to check-in your car seat with the luggage, consider having it wrapped in plastic for protection. Luggage handling can cause real damage to the fabric and the safety buckles. Ask the airline if the seat will be treated as a piece of luggage for allowance purposes.

-Dress your child in an outfit suitable for the flight. Nothing too fancy, constricting or uncomfortable for the pressurized, air-conditioned cabin of an airplane. Pants and longer shirts are best. A shirt that leaves the tummy exposed may make your child feel cold. Comfortable shoes are a must.

-Carry a stick of lip balm in your handbag. Airplanes are notorious for causing dry skin. Some airports do not allow liquids or gels to be carried on board or to pass through security checkpoints, so consult with your airline if you’d like to carry moisturizing lotion.

-Inform yourself about the current security restrictions. The preparation will result in a smoother path through security. Shoes that are easy to remove (for you and your child) are a good idea.

-Have something ready to give your child to chew during take-off and landing, as it will help relieve pressure in the ears.

-Take along a couple of crayons (not too many or it can be a mess if they roll away), and a small, blank notebook, or a light-weight coloring book.

-Pack a small, favored backpack for your child to carry in the plane. Include a few small toys like miniature plastic animals and small books. Don’t pack too many or the bag will be too heavy. Encourage your child to play with one or two toys at a time. You want to avoid losing a small, hard-to-find dinosaur in the plane.

-If your child likes to throw toys on the floor, consider taking only a soft stuffed animal. You don’t want to have an irate neighbor who just got a plastic toy thrown at his head.

-Request a window seat for the child. The two-seater row is best, as you’ll be without a neighbor.

-Take a funny, entertaining storybook to combat boredom. At home, try to keep the book away from your child for a few days so it becomes new again the day of the flight.

-If a tantrum is looming, take evasive action. Get up and take your child for a walk around the airplane.

-If your journey is long and you will have a connecting flight before you reach your destination, a change of clothes will refresh your child, so make use of the spare outfit you packed in your overnight bag.

-Don’t forget to pack your child’s feeding bowl and spoon and fork in the checked luggage. Children get attached to their own things, and familiar items will help calm any feelings of unease upon arriving at a new place.

-If shopping right away once you arrive at your destination will be an inconvenience, do pack some non-perishable food you can feed your child.
Keep in mind that small bodies feel tired more quickly, so be understanding if your child cries and feels out of sorts.

-Be calm and don’t lose your temper. Pass along some good vibes to your child and make use of your sense of humor. Flying can be a fun experience for young children.



***Hope some of this info is useful for you- good luck! i'm sure it'll be just fine***
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Proudmommy13601

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Posted: 12-02-07 08:13am

I think they coverd the basics on travel, I do have a question though, Is Sesame Place open in March its a water park???
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Proudmommy13601

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Posted: 12-02-07 08:15am

I just Checked and they dont open till May, I hate o see you plan a trip if its not something you can do!
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jessesgirl

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Posted: 12-02-07 10:04am

I didn't even look into that. Thanks!!
Thanks for all that info.
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jessesgirl

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Posted: 12-02-07 10:07am

THIS SUCKS! I just went check, not that I didn't believe you, but I wanted to see other times they were open. There's no way we can go until after the baby's born. We'll have to wait until the summer of 09. The baby will be 1 and Ava will almost be 3. Jesse's going to be disappointed when I tell him. I was getting ready to book it too! Thanks for pointing that out!!
I guess we'll plan something else. Anyone know of a toddler friendly place to go? Disney would be too much for her I think, but it's an option.
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Sandbox Party

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Posted: 12-02-07 18:40pm

Islands of Adventure is awesome! Jacob LOVED IT and so did my God son Arick.
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yellow ribbon

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Posted: 12-02-07 19:30pm

ive never even heard of sesame place. I think its silly to take babies to Disney, its so expensive and theres not alot for them plus they arent going to remember it. if yall want to vacation do something more for yall somewhere they offer baby stuff like the beaches resorts have the sesame characters. Steven and I wanted to go there when he got back but not now that i will be about to give birth
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jessesgirl

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Posted: 12-02-07 20:49pm

Well, Disney's out of the question. It was a quick thought. We just want to go on a quick trip before this baby's born, so Ava can have something special with just us.
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tdr

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Posted: 12-02-07 22:56pm

Aw! I wish you'd been able to do Sesame! That's seriously 15 minutes away from me and I WORK THERE!
Ummm...when are you due again, Betsy? I can't remember. Dutch Wonderland is up here. Will that be open?
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jessesgirl

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Posted: 12-03-07 20:40pm

I'm due in July. We're going to Sesame Place next summer when the baby's 1. We've decided on Disney. I've gotten a lot of positive feedback from friends who've taken their toddlers.
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Emma2

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Posted: 12-04-07 10:47am

Ask your dr. for some infant , toddler gravol. It will calm her and wont run the risk of getting booted off a flight is she cries or yells.
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PenguinsRus

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Posted: 12-04-07 11:34am

As for the cities, I lived one town away from Philadelphia for the first 18 years of my life. Then for the last 2, I moved to New York City, so I have both of those covered!

How much are you wanting/willing to pay for a hotel? Sesame place is really fun. I've been there a few times. She will LOVE it!!

When you go to the huge Toys-R-Us store, make sure to ride the big ferris wheel. It is two dollars I believe? but it is really neat and you can get a picture of it. The carts are really cute. Sometimes there is a long line for it, though.

Have fun Smile


edit: just read the rest of the post and realized you aren't going. oops. have fun in disney, then!
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jessesgirl

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Posted: 12-04-07 17:27pm

Emma2 wrote:
Ask your dr. for some infant , toddler gravol. It will calm her and wont run the risk of getting booted off a flight is she cries or yells.


What is that?


Yeah penguinsrus (sorry, don't know your name) we've been to nyc before and rode the ferris wheel. It was fun.
We're going to sesame place summer 09.
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PenguinsRus

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Posted: 12-04-07 18:08pm

My name is Sarah. That's good that you still have plans for it in the future. Your kids will love it Smile
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