Tips for Traveling on a Plane with a Toddler (or Baby)

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Tips for Traveling on a Plane with a Toddler

Hi moms. You must be taking your baby or toddler on a flight soon and stumbled upon my site. Look no further. I will give you all of my tips and tricks for a successful trip in a plane with your toddler.

First, remember, you are human. You can’t control everything that will happen, but you can plan ahead. Do yourself a favor and start with a checklist. I’ve even provided one for you. Enter your email below for my complimentary checklist.

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Diapers

The rule of thumb for diapers per our pediatrician is 1 1/2 times as many as you will need for the trip. It’s better to pack more than not enough. Don’t worry, you can buy diapers at your destination. Just bring enough for the full day of travel and then some. I’ve attached diapers here.

Diaper Rash Cream

Diaper rash cream-travel size. I love Boudreaux Butt Paste 2 oz travel size.

Baby Wipes

Baby Wipes-I would bring a pack.

Antibacterial Wipes

No one wants their toddler to catch a virus that could ultimately put a damper on your entire trip. We obviously, don’t want our toddler to be sick.

Bring Wet Ones. They make an antibacterial wipe for sensitive skin. I wipe down anything that could possibly go in Harper’s mouth or anything she will touch. Wipe down your tray table, armrests, and seatbelt buckle.

Wipe down the window. Have you ever fallen asleep with their head pressed against the wall? Do you know how many people have sneezed, drooled, coughed against the glass when they have dozed off?

The potentially grimiest place on an airplane unfolds right into your lap. Wipe it down!! Flights these days are always overly booked and running late. Think about it. The high amount of bacteria is probably linked to the cleaning crews not having enough time to wipe down table trays in between flights. And, they may even use some general cleaners instead of disinfectants. Use those disinfectant wipes mamas.

Keep in mind, you need to stay sanitary too, not just you’re a babe. Did you know the overhead air vents have the second dirtiest surface second to the tray table? Clean your hands or you are contaminating your toddler.

Protect Ears

Protect her ears during takeoff. In order to protect her ears, you can nurse, feed her a bottle, allow her to suck on a pacifier, or inhale Gerber Graduates melts like my toddler. The banana flavor is white and least messy.

Dirty Diaper Bag

Dirty diaper bags. We brought our dog’s poopy bags. You want to be able to take the stink with you and dispose of it properly.

Infant Tylenol

Infant Tylenol. Make sure it is travel-sized (2 oz) like the one I linked so it can get through security. Tylenol is our saving grace with Harper gets a fever. My mom always says a fever is your body’s way of saying warning, warning!

Nail Clippers

Nail clippers. I always keep a mini size in my purse. No one likes scratches all over their face or their toddlers.

Wear Your Baby

Wear her as you walk on the plane. I repeat, WEAR your child through security and on to the plane. If you don’t, you will need to take them out of the stroller and hold them through security along with all of the rest of your items, while you are taking off your shoes. Make your life easier. It is so much simpler than a stroller. You can navigate stairs and be faster and she loves being close to me. Often, the bouncing gets her right to sleep, I love the Ergo Omni 360 carrier. I have used it since she was born.

Snacks

Gerber fruit and veggie melts. I can’t say enough about these things. They are mess-free, light-weight, and my child loves them.

Squeeze pouches. We love the Mott’s or GoGo Squeeze applesauce no sugar added and the Happy Tot or Sprout pouches, It’s a good way for me to get in all those yummy vegetables.

Cheerios, crackers etc. if you think you packed enough snacks, bring a few more. You can bribe your child with food the entire flight. Hey, no one is judging you.

Bottles & Sippy Cups

Sippy cups. Keep that child hydrated. It will not only help ward off sickness, she will feel better when you arrive at your destination.

Bottles-We love the Comotomo baby bottle. Keep in mind, you can get through TSA with milk or formula, even if it is more than 3 ounces. You just have to have it tested with a scanner and that may hold you up. Have all of your liquids-breast milk, formula, etc. out of the diaper bag so the TSA agent knows exactly what you are carrying.

Milk

Pre–fill your bottles with powder. make your life easier and mess-free. Then when you get on a plane, a flight attendant will graciously give you hot or warm water. Breastfeed if you can. Harper and I had a beautiful 10-month breastfeeding journey so I was naturally a little more anxious for a flight as a toddler. She was perfectly fine taking a warm bottle as the flight took off.

Change of Clothes

Change of clothes for the baby. Pajamas work great. Accidents happen. be prepared.

Toys & Books

Pacifier and clips. If you can, clip all of your toys, do it. That way, they will not touch the dirty floor of the airplane.

Small toys-Sophie the giraffe, music toys, etc.

A few books. My daughter loves books. We also pack a few paper copy Mercer Mayer books to get her through the flight.

Travel Time if Possible

Try to travel during babies nap time or bedtime. Maybe that works well with your schedule. Maybe it doesn’t. That’s okay too. You will survive.

Optional

Stroller-optional

I didn’t know this until our most recent flight when we hit traffic and were running late for the flight. Ask a TSA worker if there is a designated line for strollers. We didn’t even have a stroller but a baby in a carrier. Even if there is not, they may let you go through TSA Pre. It was a lifesaver.

Car seat-optional.

If you are renting a car, you can rent a car seat at your destination. If you are traveling to Chicago, New York, or other large cities, travel on a train or subway. It is safer and easier that way.

Adjust Your Expectations

Always pack enough of everything for one extra day. If you think you have enough diapers, enough snacks…pack more The most important thing of them all is your mindset. Adjust your expectations. Things could go wrong. We were recently traveling back from Chicago and our flight was not only delayed, but it was also canceled. Travel delays are common. Just breathe.