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ABCNEWS.com
When the Crabby Traveler polled readers on their feelings about flying with children, a significant majority said theyd like airlines to designate a special section on planes for kids. Passengers are longing for peace. Meanwhile, while were all still lumped together in economy class, whats a parent to do?
Dr. Stevanne Auerbach, director of the Institute for Childhood Resources in San Francisco, is here to help. She has been writing and speaking about toys, childrens products, child development and parenting for more than 25 years. She joined us for a chat on traveling with children. A transcript follows.
Moderator at 11:55am ET
Dr. Stevanne Auerbach is ready for your questions.
Lee Pillsbury from [208.234.147.22] at 12:08pm ET
What can you recommend to distract a toddler who wants to walk up and down the aisles during meal service?
Dr. Stevanne Auerbach at 12:12pm ET
The toddler's safety is very important. Children cannot walk up and down the aisle more than anyone else can -- you don't want your child wandering up and down the aisles. A toddler, like my grandson who I flew last summer, is happily amused with a series of books, paper activities, games and small toys. He sat still. Lap time is great for story telling, reading and activities. Sometimes children have to learn to sit still.
Dawne from [12.2.155.108] at 12:13pm ET
What age does it become easier to travel with children?
Dr. Stevanne Auerbach at 12:14pm ET
It's never easier. Each age has its own special issues to deal with. Babies sleep but their ears are more sensitive. Toddlers want to move and be active and older children get bored. So for each age, your child needs the right stuff to make the journey.
Casandra from tnt2.chi1.da.uu.net at 12:15pm ET
I have a 5 month old daughter who has riden the plane twice already. However, we are planning an auto trip this summer when she will be 7 months. Any tips on how to make traveling from Wisconsin to Florida fun?
Dr. Stevanne Auerbach at 12:16pm ET
Travel in auto, plane, train is all the same thing. When we are prepared, our child enjoys the trip even more. This includes snack, changes of clothes, a travel play bag filled with favorite things, emergency supplies, snacks, juice and water. Certainly in cars we have tie-ups and children can get restless.
Kathy from sou.mind.net at 12:17pm ET
I will be flying with a five month old and am concerned that she will cry because of all the noise, she startles fairly easily, and I am concerned that her ears will hurt from the altitude change. Do you have any suggestions so I will not get other passengers mad at me?
Dr. Stevanne Auerbach at 12:20pm ET
Some children have sensitivity to noise. It might be a good idea to talk with your pediatrician for a suggestion about how to protect her ears -- she can wear earplugs that are soft and will help her to cut down the noise or ear muffs if earplugs don't work.
Gail from gtsi.com at 12:21pm ET
As a business and pleasure traveler, I have had my hair pulled, my seat back kicked, and my shoulder slept on by other people's children. Typically, I will look to the parent (or adult traveling with the child) to address the issue. Sometimes this doesn't happen. I will then firmly instruct the child to stop. Is there a more effective way of dealing with this?
Dr. Stevanne Auerbach at 12:23pm ET
Being understanding of the child will benefit everybody. If you are so inclined, take a small sock puppet along or even an extra pair of socks and create a little puppet with your hand. Sometimes just that distraction will make all the difference. It's appropriate to ask the parents to be considerate of your needs on the flight and give them the sock puppet to play with.
Bungee Dude from [38.149.76.53] at 12:24pm ET
Does it make sense to have separate flights - one for families and one for business?
Dr. Stevanne Auerbach at 12:24pm ET
It makes sense if there are enough families going to a place like Disneyland for example. But as a reality, it's not practical for the airlines.
Wayne from [207.110.37.189] at 12:24pm ET
I've seen a lot of suggestions in regards to sedating children on flights. Can you give us your thoughts on this?
Dr. Stevanne Auerbach at 12:26pm ET
I personally do not like sedating for a variety of reasons. I think the other methods--play--should be tried first. In my book, Dr. Toy's Smart Play: How to Raise a Child with a High P.Q. (play quotient). I have many suggestions for products that help children more than sedation.
Milly from barnard.columbia.edu at 12:27pm ET
We're travelling from Tucson to San Diego and then back to New York next week with my ten month old son, any advice on keeping him occupied -- the last leg of the trip is scheduled for his regular bedtime.
Dr. Stevanne Auerbach at 12:29pm ET
His favorite bedtime toy, if it can be taken along, is a comfort. Also check for soft books, a hand puppet and even some small play things that can be taken along to comfort and distract him until he goes to sleep. More than likely, he will sleep most of the trip. (Hopefully).
Carolyn from [198.151.12.16], at 12:29pm ET
My kids are 8 and 5. We leave Sunday for Disney World. I'm planning on taking a few books, some crayons, paper , a few small toys and some juice boxes with us on the plane. Any other suggestions to make our trip easier for us and the other passengers?
Dr. Stevanne Auerbach at 12:31pm ET
A good start. Add hand-held games, a tape recorder and tapes. Listen to the children's programming on the plane. Some puzzles, activity books...they will lose interest after 10 minutes in anything, so you've got to have a large variety of items.
FlyingDad from intxxnet.com at 12:31pm ET
Juice boxes can squirt unexpectedly when you open them at altitude.
Dr. Stevanne Auerbach at 12:32pm ET
Better to take it in a thermos. It can be refilled enroute by the stewardess. Drinking plenty of water and liquids is important for children as well as adults.
Polly Jackson from spencerstuart.com at 12:33pm ET
Is it best to just purchase a seat for a child under 2 years old and have them strapped in?
Dr. Stevanne Auerbach at 12:34pm ET
If you can manage, great. If not, a lap is comforting for the trip. It's safer in their own seat belt, but they often want reassurance and comfort from the lap and arms. My grandson fell asleep in my arms and slept for at least an hour of the trip and I read.
Lee Pillsbury from [208.234.147.22] at 12:35pm ET
Where do you recommend changing a baby's diaper on an airplane? Its nearly impossible to do so in the tiny lavatories.
Dr. Stevanne Auerbach at 12:36pm ET
Changing a diaper is absolutely challenging on the plane. The small lavatories make it tricky. I would do it carefully, using the platform in the bathroom. For the baby's comfort, changing is important.
Moderator at 12:40pm ET
We're out of time. Thanks for your insight today, Dr. Auerbach. You can find Dr. Auerbach's Web site at:
http://drtoy.com
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