How do I keep my child happy on a plane?

To keep kids happy, keep them fed and watered. Delay feedings for two to three hours or so before the flight takes off, if feasible. Once you're seated, pull out a mini-feast of foods your child loves. (Avoid anything too sugary, even if it's a “favorite, simply because your kid may start bouncing off the walls.



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Just like in other situations where you are trying to calm a child, distracting and/or comforting is often just what they need. Hug them, give them a treat, sing a song or play a game; strategies that work off the plane will often work on it.

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When possible, Brewer said she would try to put her kids in a baby carrier and walk around the plane to soothe them. Distractions also help, she said, even something as simple as a plastic cup with ice or a spoon or a fellow passenger who is willing to engage the baby.

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12-18 Months Old One year olds are often highly mobile yet totally uncontrollable, making for a potentially dangerous travel combination. At this age, children are still too young to understand and follow instructions, so discipline is ineffective.

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After your child reaches about 4 years old, travel suddenly gets much easier! Your children will start pulling some of their own weight and will begin to be capable of making long-lasting memories. Every year, you will find that you have more and more options for exciting travel!

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3-4 Years Old. In comparison to the three years before, flying starts to get a lot easier at this stage.

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In response to overwhelming stress in young children: The brain drives the fight or flight response and release of stress hormones, The young child has limited capacity to manage this overwhelming stress and experiences increased arousal — fear and anxiety (physical and emotional sensations).

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The average age of onset of fearful flying is 27 years. Fearful flyers often report that their anxiety developed after the birth of a child.

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Try and stick to flights during the day to make life a little easier for yourself. She explains: Everyone has a different opinion on this one, but I have always found flying during the day is best with toddlers and young children.

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Traveling is already stressful, so adding a young child to the mix can really ramp up a parent's stress. Fortunately, there are several things a parent can do in advance to anticipate the discomfort their little one may be experiencing and take steps to get it under control early.

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