Lessons Learned at the Airport :: Flying with Toddlers

By the time Little One was one year old, he had already earned over 10,000 frequent flyer miles. Over half of those earned miles were done with just me and Little One traveling alone. I felt like I was a pro at traveling. Five hours on an airplane? No problem. A two hour layover? No worries. I seriously believed I had this under control. Believed … notice the past tense.

After this past summer’s trips, I am not so confident at traveling with Little One anymore. What happened to shake my attitude?

He grew into a mobile toddler.

If you happened to be on the flight from Liberia to Atlanta on July 22, let me apologize right now. That was my monster precious Little One that screamed for three hours. I was the one walking the aisle, bumping into knees and elbows of every aisle seat passenger, trying to console my Little One with motion, but probably looking like I just wanted to make sure everyone heard him and was awake with me. I. Am. So. Sorry.

Gone were the days of soothing an upset Little One with the breast. Gone were the days where Little One would be content in my arms, his head resting on my chest. Gone were the days that his wiggling was controllable and “flailing” was not his talent.

I was a hot mess.

But I made it through. Little One made it through. And, believe it or not, I’m headed again on a flight with Little One later this month. But, I will not approach this trip with the same naiveté as I did over the summer and I hope the things I do will better prepare me for when my Little One becomes a flailing monster.

Here are my lessons learned when traveling with an 18 month old:

1. Leave the noise making toys at home (or pack them in the luggage for the destination). Duh! Right? That toy with the rattle that makes a noise when you press it: I swear the volume on that thing increases with elevation. The first time Little One played with it on the airplane, I was shocked at the noise volume. Of course, that was during the night flight when most people were sleep so it was quiet on the plane. My advice: Even the quietest of noise-making toys is amplified in an airplane.
2. Even in the rush of the moment, do not just “toss it” into the diaper bag because when you need it (whatever it is!) at a moment’s notice, you’re not going to be able to find it because – of course – it has sunk to the bottom of the bag underneath everything else. My suggestion: Use a bag with outside pockets so you can easily put the needed items in easy reach.
3. Snacks, snacks, and more snacks…and the more variety, the higher chance you’ll pacify Little One. Fruit snacks, juice boxes, dry cereal – I kept my pantry his snacks inside an insulated lunch bag. My son  drinks diluted juice, so I even brought bottled water along. Helpful TSA hint: Security will let liquids through if they’re for a baby. TSA does take your lunch bag, look through it, and perform tests on its contents, but bottled water and cups of juice made it through TSA every single time. Secondary hint: Put the lunch bag as the last thing of yours to go through security. That way you’ll be able to collect all your other things before TSA pulls you aside.
4. Pack the pretty, stylish Kate Spade diaper bag and use a functional, hands-free carrying bag as your diaper bag when you’re flying. The value of being able to toss a bag onto my back while I would chase (or carry) my toddler around an airport was priceless. I once used a shoulder tote bag as a diaper bag. R-E-G-R-E-T. Being able to use both hands to hold and care for Little One is a huge advantage. My suggestion: I use carabiners to hang things off the backpack and yes, I’m sure I look like a pack mule.
5. If you can afford it, purchase a seat for Little One. I know it’s a luxury, but if you’re in the position to give your toddler his/her own space on the 2-3-or-4-5-hour plane ride, do it. Another suggestion: I bring Little One’s car seat onto the airplane and strap it in the seat. It’s safer and keeps him confined in his own space, in a seat he is used to. Plus, I know it can’t get lost/delayed/damaged as cargo. It is a burden to carry around the airport (like I said, I’m a pack mule), but I always carry it with me.

Now, go and create some memories with your Little One. See you at the airport!