Last summer we took our first family trip to New York with our 5 month old. And it was absolute hell.
Crying, screaming, fussing – you name it, she did it. For 3 long hours! There were looks, whispers and rolling of the eyes as the other passengers on the plane watched me and my husband struggle to calm her down. It scarred me from traveling with her for almost a year. I finally decided to bite the bullet and visit my sister in Boston. This meant traveling ALONE with a toddler.
Stricken with fear of repeating the past trip, I made sure to ask pretty much every one I came across with a child what they do on planes. Now that summer is here and family vacations will be in abundance, I thought I’d compile a list of helpful tips when traveling with a toddler. Let me know if you have any tips or secrets that I am missing! Us new parents could use all the damn help we can get.
Tip #1: Food. Lots of it.
Pack as many snacks as you can. Goldfish, cookies, crackers, fruit – TSA is extremely understanding when you are traveling with children (or at least the ones I have encountered!). I packed about 8 different snacks, water, juice and milk. It kept my girl content as we were waiting to take off and sporadically through the flight.
Tip #2: Toys.
I met a mom at our swimming class and we started discussing the whole traveling thing. She suggested bringing toys that your child has never played with. So go out and get a couple new, shiny toys or bring some of their older toys that your child hasn’t played with in a while. I break up my daughters toys and keep half in a bin in one of our closets and the rest down in her play area. I switch them out occasionally so it’s like discovering a new toy. I brought some of those with me along with a bunch of books. She was quite happy.
Tip #3: Electronics.
We are an Apple family. We have a Mac Book, Apple TV, 2 iPad’s, 2 iPhone’s and 3 iPods. Yes, it is pretty obvious that we have a slight addiction to Apple products. It made life extremely easy when it came to flying though. It was my secret weapon. After the snacks, milk and toys failed to hold her interest, I broke out the iPad that was loaded with her favorite shows. She was an absolute angel after that! Sat there and watched Bubble Guppies then actually passed the eff out. Awesomeness. If you don’t have an iPad or iPhone, take your computer with you and some DVDs. I know what you are thinking, one MORE thing for you to carry, but it will help! I promise. No laptop? Target/Walmart has some inexpensive portable DVD players. Then after the trip, you can use them in the car! Double bonus.
Tip #4: Get an umbrella stroller.
Since it was just me and the baby traveling, and she is way too big for the BabyBjorn, I went and got a $19 umbrella stroller from Babies R’ Us to use while going through security and helping me to the gate. Best 20 bucks I’ve spent in a while. A lot better than trekking her giant stroller and worrying about if it will get damaged when they throw it under the plane. Again, I know its one more thing to bring, but it makes life a lot easier so you don’t have to carry or chase around your little one. Plus, if it gets scratched or anything, who cares, it was only $19!
Tip #5: Strategic Seat Planning.
For me, I can do anywhere in the cabin of the plane. But I spoke with a few different moms and even the flight attendant and got their opinions on where to sit. Most mom’s prefer the back of the plane for a couple reasons. It is not only close to the bathroom but it could give you some extra space if you need to get up and walk them around.
The aisle seats are ideal for babies too. They don’t feel like they are cramped and smushed, plus if you do need to get up and change some diapers numerous times, you don’t have to keep bugging the people you are sitting with. Next trip I am doing aisle + back. See how it goes…
I can officially say these tips helped me have a successful flight alone with my toddler. Not scared anymore, so I foresee more trips in my future! Hopefully when you are planning your summer trips these 5 tips can come in handy while flying.
Do you have any other tips that I a missing?? Tell me tell me tell me!
– Amanda
