Taking a break from my regularly scheduled food posts to throw out some advice. Some travel advice. When you’re braving the sky with kids.
If you follow me on Insta (or take a peek at the bottom of this page!) or Facebook, you’ll know that last week my little fam traveled to sunny California to the happiest place on Earth: Disneyland. It was a four hour flight from Chicago, which had my mind reeling of all the necessities we needed to get through the flight with a 7-month old baby and active toddler. So in the midst of it all, I thought I’d type out all of the travel trips I’ve accumulated over my years of mom life. Granted, I’ve only been a mom for a couple of years but I’ll admit my kids have had their fair share of time in the sky. My parents jokingly (or maybe not jokingly…) say my oldest should be Gold Level frequent flyer status by now. Har, har.
Anywho, from newborn to toddler, I definitely have a few rules, tips, and tricks I want to share with you all. Most aren’t groundbreaking, but remembering back to my first flight with my son, there were so many things I stressed about and a few nuances that never crossed my mind. So here we go!
Age Verification
On (I believe) every airline, a child who is 2 and under classifies as a “lap infant”, which means you don’t need to buy them a seat (because they sit on your lap, duh). However, if you go this route you’re required to have a formal document (e.g., birth certificate, paperwork from the doctors office) at check-in that shows the name and birth date of your child to verify they are indeed under 2. We’ve always just used an online doctor’s record that we’ve printed off at home. So make sure you have this for any flight if you have a lap infant, but do not forget it if you’re flying Southwest. Although every airline is supposed to ask for verification, Southwest is the only airline who as has asked us every time without fail.
Backpack Style Diaper Bag
One of my key essentials! Keeping your hands free is of the utmost importance, especially when you have multiple kids or a mobile baby. I personally have used the Jujube B.F.F Diaper Bag, which is durable, stylish, and comes in all of the patterns/colors for everyone’s tastes. And I recently switched to the Fawn Design Diaper Bag (I have brown and the limited edition Dusty Blue) when we had our second because it’s a touch bigger. And I will say, I’m obsessed.
Baby Carrier
Continuing with the hands free theme, a baby carrier will also become your best friend. We’ve used our Baby Bjorn Baby Carrier One Air for both of our kids and it’s been a lifesaver. I’ve heard from other parents that the previous model wasn’t too great, but I can attest that this carrier is incredibly comfortable and supportive both for parents and baby. And the mesh for ventilation is awesome!
Backpack/Roller Bag
This is completely optional, but I had to include this note. When our son was quite young, I snagged him a child sized backpack to carry his water bottle and a couple of small toys. When he was old enough to pull something (well), we upgraded to a Popatu Rolling Backpack (also sold at Nordstrom). He genuinely loves pulling his own “suitcase” through the airport like a big boy. This also serves as a good form of entertainment and your kid can carry some of his essentials for you!
Boarding Time
The hubby and I tend to disagree on this one, but early boarding is usually a strict ‘no’ from me. And here’s why. Boarding early is beneficial for people who need to stow away bags, but when you’re carrying only flight essentials that you’ll keep under the seat, you don’t need to get on early. Yes, it’s glorious when you’re kid free but boarding early means 30+ minutes your kid is confined on the airplane. 30+ minutes of more entertainment and hoping your kid doesn’t climb over the seat. And how awful would it be if there were a mechanical delay? Add another hour to your seat time? No thanks. So unless we’re flying Southwest, when we have to get on early to make sure our seats are together, I’m waiting until the last minute.
Diaper Changes
If you have a kid in diapers, make sure to get a diaper change in right before you board. Yes, your child still may drop a deuce in-flight and you’ll have to change it anyway. But I try to take all measures to avoid any blowouts. And let’s be honest, airplane bathrooms are freakin’ tiny, so I avoid using one for diaper changing at all costs. Speaking of blowouts, make sure to pack a spare set of clothes in your diaper bag in case your child experiences one!
Seat Assignment
If you have a (non-mobile) baby, I recommend getting an aisle seat, if possible. This way if your baby is a little fussy, you can easily take a stroll down the aisle without having to work your way through your sitting neighbors. On the other hand, if you have a mobile baby/toddler, I’d recommend a window seat (with a lap infant) or a middle and window seat for a toddler with a purchased seat. For the latter, you can use your legs to block in your kiddo and I’ve always found that the never-ending aisle is too enticing for a kid who just wants to run around. We’ve also brought an extra blanket and let our kid play on the floor (I can hear the gasps now). But there just seems to be a little extra room on the floor for their limbs and toys to spread out.
Take Off/Landing
This note particularly pertains to babies, so if you’re not a ‘baby’ Mama you can skip to the next section. And I totally attribute this tip to my sister-in-law who first made me aware of how to attack the take off and landing of every flight. Remember when you were little and your ears would pop? Well, the same can happen to babies. So to avoid a potential outburst, make sure your baby is sucking on something (e.g., breastfeeding, bottle, or pacifier). Although ear popping doesn’t happen to everyone, I always make sure my baby and toddler have something in their mouths at these critical points.
Snacks
All the snacks. Keeping your child occupied through a flight is the hardest thing you’ll do, particularly if they’re a mobile baby or toddler. I’ve found that snacks are a key component and will keep a little one sitting down while they chomp on their goodies. There are a couple of ways you can do this: packing snacks or purchasing at the airport. I’ve done both ways but usually find it’s just easier to grab things when you are there, because it’s one less thing you’re hauling through the airport/security. I always try to get a couple of healthy options (e.g., fruit in a cup, string cheese, simple sandwich) and then of course a couple of special items (hello, candy) just in case we need to bring out all the stops! My only snack advice is to skip anything with chocolate. I grabbed a protein bar once, that of course my toddler had to have, and there wasn’t a chocolate-free surface by the end of it. Lesson. Learned. For bottle fed babies, I totally recommend a formula dispenser so you’re able to have a few bottles worth of formula on hand. You breast feeding Mama’s, you already got what you need 😉
In-Flight Entertainment
Toys. Books. iPad. Our three essentials. I always grab a few of my toddler’s favorite little toys and about 3-5 books (depending on flight length). I realize the iPad can be a topic of contention with parents, but if there were any time to whip out this technology, it’s on a long flight. We have noted that in-flight Wifi typically isn’t strong enough to stream videos, so we downloaded a few of my little man’s favorite shows (e.g., Blippi, downloaded a movie that he still won’t watch, Mickey cartoons) and a few apps (e.g., Kids Doodle, Smart Shapes). On an extra long flight (like to Disneyland), I also packed a limited number of crayons and a coloring book. But you know your child best, so bring along what most interests them!
Naptime Gear
I didn’t stumble upon this golden secret until my son was about 1-1/2 years old, but bringing his little pillow and blanket…hallelujah! I can’t tell you how many times these two essentials have ushered my baby into nap time, which ultimately means less entertaining time on your end. Rest for your little, free time for you. Win, win!
Travel Day Outfit
This might sound ridiculous but parents, I really think it helps! It probably looks like the above pictures are all from the same trip or two, but I love a good travel day outfit. I have an outfit set for each of my kids (my fave are from Miki Miette) that takes a lot of worry out of the picture. Think two less days of outfits you need to put together because a set has you covered. I’m obsessed with Miki Miette because they use the softest fabrics for the comfiest ensembles, yet their designs are incredibly stylish!
Remember that my tips and tricks are by no means researched, just the random things that have worked for our little family. As we well know, every child is unique and requires a different amount of attention. I’m sharing the things that have helped us along the way in hopes that even one or two points ease a little of your travel stress. But if all else fails: let go and let God. I promise you will get through the day and you’ll eventually laugh about your experience…in a couple years 🤪
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