How to Travel With A Toddler by Plane

The thought of traveling alone with an unruly toddler is enough to exhaust even the most seasoned parent. By toddler, I am talking about the 12 - 24 month crowd - you know, the ones that can't talk very well and do not follow directions yet! The success of your trip will depend on how prepared you are but also on the personality of your little one. Some toddlers just travel better than others but by taking a few extra steps to prepare, you can minimize the guaranteed boredom and misbehaving that is likely to occur.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Snacks
• Toys
• Loveys
• Stroller
• Backpack or Diaper bag
• Patience

1. Pack lightly for the airplane. Especially when you are alone, you won't have the hands to deal with a lot of carry-on bags. One suggestion is to use a large backpack for carrying diaper needs, extra clothes, snacks/drinks, toys, and your wallet/keys/personal items. You can always put a smaller empty diaper bag and empty purse in your checked luggage to use at your destination. Don't forget to pack a book or magazine for yourself in case your child does fall asleep! Efficient packing will also speed up your trip through the security gate.

2. Don't forget the child's blanket or lovey for the plane. This will help your toddler feel calm and secure when you are traveling.

3. Bring an umbrella stroller and check it at the gate instead of with your bags. You will be glad you did no matter how old the toddler. The stroller will give you a break from chasing after little ones and if you are in a hurry to change planes, you can be swift on your feet instead of dawdling behind your toddler.

4. Check to see if there is a children's play area in the airport if you have a longer layover. I have seen them in Atlanta. If not, find an empty gate and let your child run around and play to let off some steam.

5. Try to schedule your flights around naptime or bedtime if possible. The next best thing is to overlap the flights with naptime/bedtime.

6. Try to change diapers in the airport right before you board so you won't have to attempt it on the plane!

7. Bring enough drinks and snacks to last all day, especially if traveling by plane. But remember you can't bring liquids through the security line at the airport (unless it's 3 oz or less). I usually bring a pre-packaged toddler juice through security and then buy a bottle of water or use the drinking fountain to dilute the juice once I am in the gate area. Snack suggestions: crackers/goldfish, dried fruit, granola bars, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and cereal bars. The idea is to provide wholesome snacks while minimizing mess! Don't forget those wipes for easy cleanup!

8. 
    
   Travel with a toddler and don't forget the toys!

   Buy a couple of new toys and only present them in the airport or on the plane. If you have been on a long trip (a week or more), you might want to buy another new toy to give on the plane ride home. Your child may be bored with the toys you have brought if he/she has been playing with the same ones all week.

9. Play games in the airplane such as letting the child turn the light on/off, read books, and look out the window. Children at this age are usually easy to distract so always have something new to do.

10. If possible, buy a seat for your toddler. While traveling with an infant on your lap is doable, traveling with a toddler on your lap is not! Both you and your child will be more comfortable if you have your own seats. However, if they are under two, you will have to hold them in your lap during take off and landing. You also have the option of using a car seat but when traveling alone, you will have a hard time lugging the car seat around the airport. You can get a car seat dolley that puts wheels on the car seat (link below).

11. If you can, try to get seats toward the front of the plane (so you don't have to carry your child and bags down 30 rows of seats!). If that is not possible, try to board first if you are at the back of the plane. Also, when deplaning, wait till everyone else gets off first. Then you can take your time getting your things together without holding up everyone else.

Tips & Warnings

• You can bring juice through security if it is in a resealable container like a sippy (not a juice pouch or box).
• Buying an extra seat also comes in handy for naptime. Your toddler can lay in his or her seat and put their feet on your lap. It's also great for those in-flight diaper changes, if you need to on longer flights.
• The airplane seat belts can only be used if your toddler is over 25 pounds. Consider a CARES vest instead (link below).

Resources

• CARES Child Aviation Restraint System
• Traveling Toddler Car Seat Travel Accessory

[ladyt06]

on 5/5/2009 This is a very good, very accurate article! I have been traveling with my daughter almost since she was born! So, I know!

[medphysinfo]

on 4/28/2009 Great article. I used the CARES on my last trip. See my article on how to modify it so the little one doesn't slip down while sleeping.

[Munch]

on 4/20/2009 Great article! I once traveled with my (then) 15 month old daughter from San Francisco to Jakarta, Indonesia alone! Boy was that an adventure! To top it off I was 7 months pregnant!