Just the thought can be daunting ( I remember beforre my own child listening to the screaming and crying and thinking the cherubs were being tortured !) However I have flown with my daughter 9 times and she is not yet 2! We rarely have too many dramas if you make sure you have a few essential items!

1. A couple of familiar smallish soft toys.

2. Their favourite book and a new book

3. A couple of small new toys or borrowed from a friend.

4. Your essentials bag - nappies, wipes, plastic change mat etc...

5. FOOD! Pack into small sandwich bags - small amounts of- sultanas, rice crispbreads, etc..If taking foods taht need to stay cool such as cheesesticks, small yoghurts etc het a small insulated cooler bag and put a small icebrick in there and use these snacks first.

6. The airlines are pretty good if they know you are travelling with a toddler or small child and if there are any spare seats, will put you next to it so that you have plenty of room! Don't be afraid to ask if you can move if there are spare seats.

The airlines usually supply a lap belt for your child- it attatches to your belt so that they sit on your lap- I have found that this is where my little girl is happiest during longish flights anyway! If your husband is travelling with you - takes turns!

7. I know that some babies and children have difficulties with the change in air- pressure and their ears can hurt- I was still breastfeeding once a day up until recently and letting them have a breastfeed as you take off and land avoids this! If not still breastfeeding- try a bottle of water or milk as the swallowing reflex relieves the pressure on the ear drums.

I always took my port- a -cot with me as I found it was familiar and we never had any problems at our destination getting her to sleep in strange places. Without it....well lets just say, no-one had much sleep!

Good luck, hope the trip goes well- sorry it is for such a sad reason.

A friend who flies with her little ones alot makes up a suprise bag.  She hunts in the cheapie $2, red dot type stores and buys cheap little bits and pieces in the weeks preceding.  You have to be careful with really little ones and the safety of the products you buy.  She lets them dip into the bag every hour or more often when they are younger and it keeps them busy and stimulated. Good luck.

I was  a flight attendant before kids.  Every thing that's been said is correct.  Most importantly bring your own car seat.  It is by far the safest place for your child.  If you can afford or borrow one the carseat that's also a stroller is great.  Do ask for  a bulkhead seat.  Tell every airline person you deal with that you have an infant and don't want to be any trouble but to please help you.  If your proactive about needing assistance it will endear them to you.  Also, have something for him to suck on during take off and landing.  THis helps his ears and everyone around you.

I know this is a difficult time you will be in my thoughts.

My son 7 m old on his firs trip - ask the company if they provide cot (wel I dont know what they are called but its a little bed for small kids) my son slept for most of the jurney in it. get things for him to chew on for take off and for landing (or he might vomit) and ask if you can sit  at the front where there is more space. Take along some of his most liked things and some new things as well. good luck and hope all goes well.

My son has flown four times in his life and he is only 21 months. He slept through most of the early ones, when he was little, but the last flight, the one in May, we made sure he had his paci and blanket (with tag!) with him at all times. We also got him some new toys that we only pulled out on the plane- a minimagnadoodle and some books. And we also used benedryl for the return flight, but since he was already sick (caught a cold in Florida), we were going to use it anyway.

First of all, I'm sorry to hear this.

Please consider buying your child a seat and bring his carseat, as this is the safest thing to do for him. Bring new or favorite toys so that his attention could be occupied. Also, bring a pacifer (if he uses it) or some drink to encourage swallowing to relieve ear ache when ascending and descending.