FLYING WITH A TODDLER – 5 HELPFUL TIPS

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means we receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, but this is at no additional cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

I can hear some of you holding your breath, flying with a toddler?? We know, it sounds like no fun, and when unprepared, it absolutely is not which is why we have 5 helpful tips!

When we moved to Los Angeles, it was the first time Trudie flew and we really didn’t put too much into the planning of it all. We are pretty “fly by the seat of your pants” and we just go with the flow.

Not the best idea with a baby. Want to know why? Keeping reading 🙂

Here are some great tips for flying with a baby/toddler!

1. ENOUGH TIME BETWEEN TRANSFERS

It is hard enough on your own to run from one gate to the next – now imagine doing that with a baby…and a stroller, and a diaper bag, and your carry ons, and get a snack if need be, and go to the bathroom.

It’s a process! 

So, when you book those tickets make sure you give yourself enough time to get from Point A to Point B. And if not, make sure you get on a nonstop flight that gets you there without having to get on and off. 

2. BRING PLENTY OF SNACKS

Snacks, snacks and snacks! With a toddler, snacks cure all. I can’t tell you how many times a day our daughter says “Mama, can I have a snack?” She asks when she’s hungry, she asks when she’s bored and she asks when it’s movie time.

For a toddler who has to sit for an extended amount of time, snacks is a means to keep them in their seat, to give them something to do and let’s be honest – it’s boring for a toddler to sit there with not much to do. 

And when it comes to snacks, it’s okay if it doesn’t scream health food because as long as it keeps them happy, you’ll be happy. We use travel as a “special treat” kind of day.

So…Food, food, food. Make sure you’re equipped with all the little goodies they enjoy.

3. BRING TOYS & SOMETHING FAMILIAR

Everyone loves comfort, whether it be food or a blankie or something else. Your toddler is no different. And bringing something familiar will definitely help to make the new environment a little easier to be in. 

When we flew to LA for the big move, Trudie was still nursing so for her the comfort was “baba” and her “baba” blankie. We made sure to keep that blankie handy and close to her.

We also brought some toys she LOVED to play with and some little books that kept her busy.

It was VERY helpful!

4. FLY DURING NAPTIME

The best time to fly – naptime! Pick a flight time that is close to your child’s sleep patterns as it will definitely help to make the travel go faster.

It also kills a couple hours, leaving you with a break from trying to entertain. 

Sitting in a seat is always hard for little ones for extended amounts of time.

But a sleeping baby is always easy to entertain.

5. TRAVEL SIZE STROLLER

When we moved to LA, we of course had to bring our stroller. And we didn’t have a little stroller, we had a serious walking stroller, and we used it ALL THE TIME!

As easy as it is to fold up and break down our stroller, it’s not easy when you’re being rushed and you have to take everything out of the bottom and get prepared to board. 

Buying an umbrella stroller definitely would have been helpful! (Lessons learned as a new parent and first time flyer with a baby)

There’s lots of things you can do to make the flight more comfortable for you, your child and the others on board as well. Secretly, many travelers dread having a baby on board as it lends itself to possible crying and tantrums – it’s stressful enough to fly. 

So try these simple tricks to help flying with a toddler a better experience. And good luck!