MAKING A FLIGHT WITH BABIES & TODDLERS EASIER
I have traveled via plane with a baby and toddler numerous times alone so I wanted to share my advice for parents to make it hopefully easier.
Booking your flight
When booking flights with a child; I try to find flights with layovers that are short enough where we will not have to hang out at the airport too long but long enough to make the layover connecting flight if there is one. Sometimes I have had flights arrive late to the terminal so a short layover would have caused us to miss a flight. Some airports have a long walk to and from gates so be prepared. If your child will sit in a stroller; you may want to bring that so you do not get tied hauling children and a carry-on.
It had always been free to travel with my infant/toddler before their second birthday as long as they sat in my lap. You can also check in twenty-four hours before your flight and generally pay for your luggage then as well. I always make sure to keep a screen shot of my confirmation number and receipts. Your boarding pass and updated flight info can usually be accessed easily by downloading your airline’s app.
I have heard booking early morning flights can help with shorter lines (I do agree) and cheaper price tickets so keep that in mind. I also love arriving at my destination in the morning or after noon. When I do fly in the evenings; my little one still ends up sleeping too and there are perks for me such as not having to get up and out too early in the morning.
Luggage costs for United have been $25 for the first bag and it costs more for additional checked-in luggage. A tip to save time is to go ahead and label your luggage with your name,address,email and telephone number with a luggage tag. Usually at the luggage area; it can be busy and pens usually are nowhere to be found. You then have to wait on an attendant and that can be awhile if the lines are long. When we fly with United luggage can not be more than 50 lbs. so if you want to check your luggage’s weight before leaving the house; it can save you time and stress if you happen to have too much weight in your luggage. I usually have the person who drops me off at the airport wait in case I need help before security. It also helps if you have small children.
What to pack: Plenty of meds(Advil, Tylenol, allergy meds, etc.) you may need just in case, diapers, wipes, extra clothes, formula (if you are not breastfeeding) and snacks because being out-of-town to purchase items you may already own at home can be a hassle.
Arrival
Check your flight status before heading to the airport and the night before if you have time because sometimes I have had flights cancel or delay last-minute. You can usually check easily on your airline’s app or logging into your airline’s website.
Security
Arrive early enough to have time for security;especially during holiday season. If your child is having a tantrum during the long security wait; ask for an escort. Once my child was throwing a huge fit (terrible twos totally suck sometimes) and everyone was miserable hearing the screaming yet no one offered to let us move in front of them. I totally understand and we should wait our turn but one nice attendant was kind enough to ask us can she assist us and move us past the long line (It probably saved us thirty minutes at least) and right to security. Of course I would not utilize this in case of an emergency or major tantrum like this but it really helped me out so much. If you are unsure of whom to ask; look for the people assisting those in wheelchairs or with disabilities. They are usually helpful!
Make sure to check your items after going through security and leaving the plane and boarding areas. I have left baby food, a teddy bear…the list goes on. I have also heard announcements of people asking if someone left a baby bottle or phone at security and trust me; it sucks running back to security with a baby when you notice you forget something important. This is another reason I try to travel with as little stuff to keep up with as possible.
For my carry-on; I bring a diaper bag that is easy to find things inside. I pack extra diapers, an extra set of clothes, snacks, my cellphone, photo IDs, a debit or card(extra cash, birth certificate for my child(just in case but never needed it),phone charger, a tablet for my little one and a light weight toy or two. I never have heard of a flight allowing more than 3.2 ounces of liquids in carry-ons so I leave things such as cosmetics in my actual check-in luggage. Plus it is never fun holding up the security line while they explain their rules on liquids.
I keep my ID handy since they need that right before security; it also saves times fumbling holding a baby and bag(s). This is usually the time to say good-bye to anyone who is waiting on you to board or who dropped you off at the airport.
During security I always ask to opt out of certain walk-through machines that have radiation I am sure is not so safe; especially for little ones. I have never had an airport attendant be rude or opposed to me asking and I have seen signs suggesting it at some airports.
Shoes worn by adults need to be taken off during security so I love getting easy slip-on shoes and flats that are comfortable. Plus it is hard tying up shoes and keeping an eye out on running toddlers for me. I have always been told shoes for little ones can be left on and have never had to remove my child’s shoes. Not sure how that works with school-age children.
During the security walk-through; you will need to place your shoes and electronics such as laptop outside of your carry-on and personal item you decide to bring. Some people bring a handbag as a personal item. I prefer to just bring my diaper bag as my carry-on instead of adding another item to carry around a busy airport. If you want to bring a car seat or stroller; it still goes through security so make sure nothing is in the stroller that could fall out for example. Once I left a water bottle in the stroller.
You will get a tag usually for items around boarding time to leave near the gate for it to be picked up after you get off your flight. Since I am always worried about missing my connecting flight; I opt for leaving strollers and car seats at home since our destination usually has them. We usually visit family and keep extra car seats and strollers since we travel so much. I did not notice it to be a hassle bringing these items; I just prefer not to. My child never wants to sit in a stroller anyhow.
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Finding your gate is often easily found by looking for the screens throughout the airport. You can search for the city you are looking for. Once I find my gate; I double-check I am at the correct place because trust me; sometimes pregnancy or mom-brain can distract you and I have stood waiting at the wrong gate. Twice. Once I was so stressed out I realized last minute I had just missed my flight. Once I had realized I was standing at the gate for the wrong city; it was just a city I was so used to always going. Yeah. Long story.
Boarding
Take advantage of early on-boarding usually offered to those with small children to beat the crowd entering the plane and be super careful getting on the ramp with your little ones from the gate to the plane. Once my phone fell from my pocket down to the ground; landing under the plane when I was entering the plane with my hands full holding a 27 pound toddler. I like to make sure my phone and other objects are secure and where I want them before taking off. I organize my bottles or entertainment for my child such as a book or tablet so when we take off I am not fumbling around in case of tantrums.
Flight attendants usually always have those flying with children sit in certain areas due to safety issues with life vests and such. If you need to use the restroom; usually a flight attendant can help with holding your little one if that makes it easier for you.
Since we usually have limited space I try to wear a coat that is not too big and puffy. I usually will just wear a long-sleeved blouse and a light coat. The planes have always been warmer when I travel but it is cold during layovers sometimes exiting planes so I like putting a light weight blanket in my carry-on to cover the little ones faces. Of course I bring a coat for them, hat, gloves…pending on weather.
Take-off
Ear popping usually happens so I like to feed my child during take off or let them suck on something like a pacifier or bottle. Adults can try chewing gym.
You will be instructed to buckle up and the flight attendants will go over a brief safety demonstration. I use this time to also hide the brochures located behind the headrests since my little one usually loves to try to rip them or touch them and I am sure they are full of germs.
Mom Tips
When it is time for complimentary snacks some airlines provide; usually an empty cup or the noise of a cookie or peanut wrapper can entertain your little one. Just keep a good eye out on them. I learned that trick during one of my first flights with my then infant.
Airports are filled with so many people so I like to wipe my child and my hands off with baby wipes in between restrooms visits. We always do a restroom break during a layover since I do not like the tiny restrooms in the airplanes; even though some have changing tables in case of emergencies. I always carry an extra grocery sack or diaper sack to toss smelly diapers inside before disposing of them. This is super handy if your little one pooped. And of course extra clothes are very helpful in case of spills or leaking diapers. Trust me; the time you forget them or think it will not happen…it usually can. I have plenty of funny stories about those cases.
I try to skip bringing many liquids in bottles since it takes longer through security and airports always have restaurants usually open and complimentary drinks or snacks once the flight takes off. When my little one was an infant I would bring three or four bottles already made with at least water inside to save time if I get a cranky child. Once my child was older we took less liquids each time to get through security faster.
If you happen to miss a flight have extra clothes and snacks such as granola bars in your carry on. Sometimes the airport attendants are great and helpful and can get you on another flight instead of waiting so long. Once we missed a flight and one customer service rep mentioned we would have to wait until later that evening but another desk was able to get us on a flight right away out of another city but that worked for me because I was eager to get home with an infant and being by myself and tired.
Faves
Some of my favorite air lines have been Southwest and United Airlines. Southwest because there is usually open seating on the plane and I have never had a baggage fee with them. and United since usually the staff is very helpful with me there since I hate flying. Regardless; go ahead and sign up for the rewards or mileage program your airline offers. You may end up using them in the future.
P.S. I skip water (unless its bottled) or tea on flights since I heard some flights use the same water filters as the restroom on the flight.
This is just my experience and personal suggestions, tips and reviews.
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