Flying with a Baby or Toddler: Travel Tips for New Parents
Flying with a baby or toddler can be daunting, especially solo travel without another adult for support and even more so during the busy holiday season.
Here are some tips to help you navigate the skies with your little one. Although no matter how prepared and organised you also keep in mind you can’t control everything and if it’s your first time flying with your baby or toddler you can’t predict how they might handle the experience.
I’d suggest setting your expectations low, prepare for the worst, but hope for the best. You never know. It might go better than you expected. (It may also be a waking nightmare. Who knows)
Before I get into my advice based on flying solo with my little ones several times I’ll skip straight to what you’re most likely reading this for:
Do you actually need a travel stroller?
Pros: you keep your stroller with you through the airport and for any transfers. Ideal for long stopovers or if there’s a flight delay you have somewhere to contain your little one and also use it as a trolley for all your things.
Also you have the confidence of knowing your stroller is definitely on the same flight as you (from someone who has travelled alone with a 3 month old, waited for nearly an hour at the oversized luggage collection, to be told my pram was put on the wrong flight)
Cons: Actually carrying a stroller onto a plane. Before you consider this option I want you to pick up your baby, your handbag, your nappy bag containing everything you’ll need for a flight, as well as a travel stroller slung over your shoulder and now imagine walking down the narrow aisle of a plane.
To be very clear – you cannot wheel your stroller onto the plane. You will need to have it packed into a bag at the gate prior to boarding.
Also be aware that no matter the size of the stroller or airlines carry on requirements, you may not necessarily be able to carry your stroller on board on the day.
My number one tip to ensure you get your stroller on board as carry on luggage is board as early as allowed. If they call for parents travelling with young children be lined up, ready to go, with your stroller already in it’s carry bag.
Alternative options:
- Gate check your stroller. Check with your airline if this is an option to bring your stroller to the gate and then hand it off to the flight crew. They should then be able to hand it back to you as you disembark.
- Check your pram as luggage. My experience of my pram being lost by the airline was exceptionally unlucky. If you check your pram in as luggage you can also bring your full sized every day pram which might be more suitable for use at your destination.
- Don’t bring a pram. Look at hiring or borrowing a pram/stroller at your destination. Or skip it entirely and bring a baby carrier instead.
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Now onto some more general advice for travelling with baby or toddler(s)
Before the Flight
- Choosing a time.
If your little one naps in their pram, car seat or if your lap it might be a good idea to book a flight that coincides with your child’s usual nap time. Hoping that they sleep through at least some of the flight.
Alternatively aim for off- peak travel times to reduce crowds and potential stress. Also by flying in the middle of the day although their naps might be completely thrown out, avoiding the need to get them up early for a morning flight or risk missing their bedtime with a later flight.
- Consider carry on only
Controversial advice but I typically try to aim for carry on luggage only when travelling with my children. For a number of reasons – we don’t have to line up for bag drop or at the carousel when we land, and also all our essentials are on board with us in the overhead luggage if needed.
Although I’ve only ever travelled interstate to stay with family when I’ve travelled with young children or babies, so I’ve been able to plan to wash our clothes every other day and confident I can purchase bulky items like nappies at the destination.
- What to bring on board
Essentials: like nappies, wipes, formula, and snacks. Pack at least 50% more than what you’d reasonably expect to need during the flight and at least 2 hours either side of the flight.
Comfort Items: Bring your child’s favorite toys, books, and a comfort blanket. For toddlers allow them to help choose what they want to bring on board (within reason) for a sense of control.
Entertainment: Pack coloring books, stickers, and small toys to keep your child occupied. Also download their favourite TV shows and movies onto a well charged device the day before you flight because you may not have internet access after you leave the house.
Medicine: Pack any necessary medications, including over-the-counter pain relievers for teething or ear pain.
Something to suck/chew. Dummy/pacifiers, lollipops, teethers, squeezy yoghurts etc The action of sucking, chewing, and swallowing can help with ear pain due to cabin pressure.
- Seat Selection:
Window Seat vs Aisle Seat – I personally take the window seat when travelling with children because I try to minimise the number of times we get up and down, so easy access to the aisle isn’t necessarily a benefit in my mind. Unless of course you’re travelling with a little one out of nappies, so you need quick access to the bathroom.
Front VS Back of plane – While back of the plane might experience a bit more turbulence and also can be delayed for disembarking if you’re not able to exit from the rear of the plane, but the benefit of the back of the plane is proximity to the toilet and also the flight crew if you need anything.
