Plane Travel with Babies/Toddlers
Here ya go! A comprehensive overview of everything you need to do/bring for a successful airport/plane trip with a toddler or baby. I consider myself a bit of a pro- my daughter has been on 17 flights in 20 months. And I also know it can be totally intimidating! I don’t worry as much when traveling with my husband & toddler, but when I’m doing it alone- my nerves flare up!
Before You Go:
Book your seat(s). If traveling domestically with a child under two, you don’t have to buy them a seat, but you can. We don’t, and hope for the best. It’s worked out for us almost everytime. Make sure you register your lap child with your airline.
On American in particular, when you register your lap child & then change your seat assignment- it will automatically save the seat next to you (so no one else can book it). It only opens up if the flight is full and the seat is needed.
Check the seating chart frequently and move around if need be. We always move around to an open row of three in hopes of the most space possible.
Determine if you’re going to bring the car seat on board (if you bought a seat for your child). It is the safer route, although we have never done it. This is a personal preference!
Plan for your transportation through the airport. From age 0-14 months, I carried her through the airport in a wrap or carrier. Now we bring a stroller and check it at the gate.
What to Pack in Your Luggage:
Pack n Play Sheet- it can be helpful for your baby to sleep on sheets that smell like home.
Clothes
Diapers/ Wipes
What to Bring on the Plane:
Extra formula (if formula feeding)
Paci
Blanket
Extra Set of clothes
Snacks (easy non messy)
Toys
Tablet
Baby birth certificate
Wipes and Diapers (extra)
Hand Sani
Headphones, so you can watch or listen to something when (if) your baby or toddler naps
If you need it, pump- you’ll want this on the plane with you and it doesn’t count towards your bag allowance (It’s a medical device)
At the Airport:
I recommend gate checking your carseat and stroller. This will mean less bouncing and bumping around and is safer. You can buy travel bags for both to keep them protected.
You can usually board early during “family boarding”- and while this can be helpful with an infant who is just sleeping, it may be more difficult for your toddler.
Buy water to fill your child’s water bottle at the airport.
Let them run around and get energy out near the gate. Avoid keeping a toddler strapped in if possible.
On The Plane:
Save electronics for later, bring out one toy at a time and one snack at a time until they start to get restless, then give the tablet.
Let them walk the aisles a few times. The flight attendants are usually friendly and helpful.
An aisle seat is usually best for an active toddler, less ability to get down and try to run the plane.
Keep expectations in check, know that naps may be off, sleep might not come & that’s okay! And if your child is the loud one on the plane, that’s also okay! He/She is acting developmentally appropriate for their age and the plane ride WILL end! You got this Mama. The experience of the trip is worth the travel to get there!