How do I calm my 1 year old on a plane?

Use a Pacifier or Bottle During Takeoff and Landing The sucking action can neutralize ear pressure and calm—so pacifiers, bottles, and other sucking toys work, too. Consider a Boppy pillow, which helps babies sleep and feed more comfortably, says Dr. Grow.



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Experienced traveling families already know this, but in most cases the hardest time to travel with a child is from when they become squirmy and mobile by about 9 months old until they hit the age of reason bargaining/cartooning/snacking at about 18 months.

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Keep in mind:
  • Only 1 infant may be seated in the lap of each ticketed accompanying adult and the infant must be included in the reservation.
  • Additional infants under 2 years old must be ticketed and occupy an infant safety seat or in a separate aircraft seat.


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When booking a long-haul flight, call the airlines and request a bassinet. The bassinet will give your baby ample space to lay down completely for an uninterrupted sleep during the flight. If bassinets are not available, invest in an inflatable foot pillow or footrest. Just inflate it once the seat belt sign goes off.

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People ask me all the time about giving their children Benadryl or any antihistamines, Hammond said. Technically, it is not recommended to give your children anything before they fly.

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Diaper bags, soft-sided cooler bags with breast milk, child safety seats, strollers and medical or mobility devices don't count toward your personal item or carry-on.

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Strollers can be checked at the gate or with your regular checked baggage at the ticket counter. A stroller may be brought onboard without counting toward your carry-on limit. This is based on space availability; space guaranteed only with the purchase of a ticket for the infant).

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As long as your kids get a good night's sleep, morning is a great time to fly, because they'll be less tired and in a better mood. There are some instances where you'll have to book a later flight. Still, keep in mind that there are pluses to evening flights.

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Early morning flights are usually less bumpy, which means more time letting your little one out of the car seat to explore the cabin (a must for new walkers). If that isn't possible, and you've got a by-the-clock napper, book a flight that coincides with nap time.

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Unfortunately, babies don't quite understand how to cope with (or avoid) that unpleasant sensation. As a result, they may get irritable and cry—especially during take-off and landing. Parents and guardians traveling with infants can get ahead of this ear pain and the tantrums associated with it by planning ahead.

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Use a Pacifier or Bottle During Takeoff and Landing The sucking action can neutralize ear pressure and calm—so pacifiers, bottles, and other sucking toys work, too.

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Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen about 30 minutes before takeoff or landing. Or, use nasal spray or drops before takeoff or landing. Follow package instructions exactly about how much medicine to give your child.

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Japan Airlines has introduced a feature on its seat booking system that shows where young children are seated. A child icon appears when a passenger is travelling with children aged under two years.

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Can I take milk on a plane for my toddler? Travel with toddlers on planes, means you still need to think about food and drink for them. And yes, you can still bring milk or water on board for your toddler. It's usually advised to bring water in a sippy cup rather than a normal water bottle.

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Water for babies is allowed in reasonable quantities in carry-on bags. Remove this item from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings.

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Traveling with a diaper bag? Guests traveling with children under 2 years old are permitted to bring a diaper bag on board, free of charge, and it will not count toward the 1+1 (one free personal item and one paid carry-on) baggage allowance. The diaper bag must be able to be stowed on board.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages medicating to sedate babies and children on plane rides. Giving the medicine has more risks than benefits because it can have serious side effects if you give them repeated doses.

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People ask me all the time about giving their children Benadryl or any antihistamines, Hammond said. Technically, it is not recommended to give your children anything before they fly.

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