Tips for flying with a baby and a toddler
The thought of taking a baby or a toddler on a plane can be nerve-wracking…. But taking both at the same time?! Terrifying, for some 😅
If you are newer to flying with young children, let me tell you that while yes, it’s a lot, it also can be manageable with the right preparation AND mindset.
Here are my top tips for flying with a baby AND a toddler:
Consider how you will move through the airport. Your baby will obviously need to be carried in some way, and your toddler will also need some sort of transportation. I generally recommend baby-wearing the baby in a carrier (my FAVORITE carrier, especially for an older baby, is this one) and pushing your toddler in a stroller (regular or travel stroller). However, some families prefer to use a double stroller to push both kids, so that’s an option, too. You can use the side-by-side layout or front and back (with baby in a car seat, if it clicks into the stroller - especially if you plan to bring the car seat onto the plane!, or just a regular baby stroller seat). Most airlines will let you gate-check these items for free, so that’s a great way to have the stroller available for the airport and then get rid of it at the gate.
If your baby drinks formula or pumped breast milk, pack a designated “baby feeding bag” and bring more supplies than you think you’ll need. You don’t want to be stuck with a delay and not have enough food to feed your baby. If all goes as planned, you simply have extra for when you get to your destination!
I recommend you pre-measure out your formula (you can keep it in a portable formula container like this one) for your baby’s typical bottle needs so that you’re not having to bring the entire can and scoop it out while on the plane. For water, you can use bottled water or another option is to ask the flight attendant for hot water (will take a few minutes to cool down) if your baby likes their bottles warm.
Also, remember that a bag with formula, breast milk, and/or other baby feeding products DO NOT COUNT as a carry-on item for airline regulations and you can bring (reasonable) unlimited amounts through security. They may take an extra look and test it, so it can take a few extra minutes, but you are allowed to bring these types of liquids through TSA security. Because of this, I recommend you pack all of your baby’s feeding supplies and gear into a separate carry-on bag (again, this won’t “count” as one of your carry-ons per airline regulations!) so that you can essentially hand them this one bag at security, knowing they will look through it, but they won’t have to then look through ALL of your stuff.
Pack extra food and snacks. Like, 50x more snacks than you thought. This should probably be number one on the list of best travel tips for a toddler 😝 Depending on the age of your baby, they may or may not eat food yet, but your toddler will definitely need snacks. I like to essentially let go of any food or snack “rules” on a typical day and let them have access to unlimited snacks. Of course, you can decide which snacks to bring so that they aren’t eating junk all day long.
Some of my favorite toddler travel-day snacks are: bananas, clementines, apples, Skout bars and cookies (code ROUTINE gets your 20% off!), string cheese, pouches (fruit, veggie, or yogurt-based), cheerios or other cereal, freeze-dried fruit, raisins or dried fruit (if age-appropriate).
Also - don’t forget to pack snacks for yourself!
Try to plan for naps, especially for your baby, but mentally prepare yourself for a no-nap day (or crappy-nap day 😅). If you are flying during your baby’s nap time, try to do a mini version of their nap routine as best you can. Bring their sleep sack and any other sleep-related items (pacifier, lovey, blanket, portable white noise machine, etc) and then try your best to help them to sleep in any way that you can - nursing, bottle-feeding, holding them, patting their butt, etc.
If they do fall asleep, be prepared for a shorter nap than usual - that’s okay! Any sleep is better than none. Expect that their naps will be “off” that day. And always use an early bedtime, if possible, when you arrive at your destination to catch up on missed sleep!
Organize your carry-ons intentionally so that you have certain items easily accessible. Diapers (for each child), wipes, extra clothes, etc. If you are traveling with your spouse or another adult(s), it can be helpful to have certain items (like diapers and wipes) in BOTH of your carry-ons so that you’re not constantly asking each other for things (or having to disturb a sleeping baby to reach into another bag or something).
Lower your expectations, especially for your toddler. While I don’t love this advice on a normal, run-of-the-mill day (because I believe we should hold high, but age-appropriate, expectations for our children), on travel days it’s okay to set the bar low. Expect that they may cry on the plane. Expect that your baby won’t nap well. Expect that your toddler may throw a tantrum in the airport. Then, if these things do happen, they will be less stressful because you expected them to happen. And if they don’t happen, then great! Consider that a win 👏
Similarly to the above, it’s helpful to go into your travel day and flight with an appropriate mindset. Prepare yourself that your travel day will be difficult and will feel physically and mentally-draining. Remember that airports and planes are challenging spaces for young children to be. You will likely want the day to be over faster than it is. You will likely feel very tired at the end of the day. All of this is expected. This is not the day where you will feel like your best self…. And that’s okay!
However, it’s important to remember that your energy and mood rubs off on your kids. Take on the role as the confident, calm leader of your family. You CAN and WILL get through it, I promise!
I hope this list of tips for flying with a baby and toddler was helpful to you as you prepare for your flight. Remember - travel days can be tough, but I do firmly believe that traveling with young children gives them SO many positive opportunities for new life experiences that are worth it!
Click HERE for my FREE one-page packing guide for traveling with babies and toddlers.
Click HERE for my favorite Amazon travel picks for babies and toddlers.