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You are here: Home / Momlife / Flying Solo With A Toddler – You Can Do It!

Flying Solo With A Toddler – You Can Do It!

February 21, 2017 By Kari 2 Comments

Flying Solo With a Toddler-1

I’ve flown solo with my son Wyatt several times. Each experience has been completely different, depending on his age and what he was going through at the time. Flying solo with a toddler is all about survival. Toss out your normal rules of parenting.  Your only goal is to make it to your destination intact, annoying as few people as possible along the way.

These tips aren’t the be all and end all of flying solo with a toddler; more so a few tried, tested, and true strategies that work well for us.

A few tips:

  • Keep your kid confined. Be hands-free to deal with the security process, be able to find snacks, and fish out your boarding pass ten different times. Wyatt is always in a carrier or his stroller. Remember, you will likely have to take your babe out at security no matter what.
  • We check his car seat and Pack’n Play (if we even need to bring those items) and gate-check the stroller.
  • Carry-on: I have a cross-body diaper bag and small roller suitcase (which I pack with his diapers and wipes for the trip along with an emergency change of clothes for both of us). When Wyatt was forward-facing in the front, I packed a backpack instead of the diaper bag.
  • Your diaper bag is your bag of tricks – your arsenal of items to keep your little one happy. Snacks, toys, movies, and stickers are life savers. The key is to unveil the items throughout the travel time. If you bring everything out right away, you’ll run out of options quickly!
  • To avoid discomfort and pain from ear popping, bring something for your little one to suck on for both take-off and landing. Use your boob, a bottle, or a squeezy pack.
  • Avoid overpacking! My biggest mistake when flying with Wyatt was packing more than I actually need. Having too many things can be stressful, especially when you’re parenting alone in the air.
  • Dress comfortably. You don’t have to rock your gym clothes, but wear something you can move around in. I like to wear my hair up and out of the way.
  • Book your seats either at the back of the plane and be the first ones to board, or at the front of the plane and be the last ones to board. Either way, you’re disturbing as few people as possible, and you have room to unload and reload. (You’re also likely close to a washroom.)

 

 

Keep your toddler occupied during the flight:

  • Bathroom visits. I know…odd suggestion, right? Trust me. Don’t rush the diaper changes. We make faces in the mirror, take our time washing hands, etc. Look for anything to help pass the time and change the environment for your kid, while being respectful of others in line waiting to go.
  • Don’t let him run the aisle. I know it’s tempting, but once he knows it’s an option it’s all he’ll want to do. I walk with Wyatt in my arms through the aisle for short periods of time, but he’s never allowed to run free.
  • Accept help! The woman who wants to load your carry-on in the overhead compartment? Let her! The flight attendant who wants to hold your baby while you get settled? Absolutely! The man in front of you who is playing peek-a-boo with your kid? Bring it on. Any opportunity you have to take a break…accept it!

Flying Solo With a Toddler-3

Squeeze Pack | Favourite Book | Heys Roller Carry-on | Stokke MyCarrier | Skip Hop Change Pad | Crossbody Diaper Bag

More than anything, try not to stress if your little one is losing it. I’ve found the majority of people I share the plane with are kind and sympathetic to my situation. Whatever challenge arises, remember: this too shall pass. You’ve got this!

What are your survival techniques to flying solo with a toddler?

xx

Related

Filed Under: Adventure, Momlife, Parenting

Comments

  1. Colette says

    February 21, 2017 at 10:03 am

    I actually to board last no matter where I am sitting that way that’s less time on the plane. Also when choosing snacks check the sugar info. We took things like cheese and fruit, nothing worse then sitting with a hyped up on sugar kid. And we had a small suitcase that was things that our daughter hasn’t seen, new book new movies !!! Also as they get around 2-3 search and find books are amazing and can entertain over and over. Happy travelling

    Reply
    • Kari says

      February 21, 2017 at 10:57 am

      Great ideas! Especially the no sugar rule. I’m going to keep that in mind for next time. Thanks Colette!

      Reply

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Life with our three cuties 👦🐶🐶 in our 1913 home 🇨🇦
Cocktail + food recipes
Home + life tips, tricks, + DIY's!
#shoplocal
Watch + read ⬇️

Kari Skelton
Before + After! Under the Kitchen Sink organizatio Before + After! Under the Kitchen Sink organization ✔! Feels SO freakin good! Do you want more organization posts? Let me know! ⬇️⬇️

At KariSkelton.com I've shared my how-to, a few tips, some amazing products to maximize your space, and a whole bunch of photo inspiration for you to Pin! Head to the link under my bio @kariskelton to check it all out. Happy Saturday!
#showmeyourdiy
A peek into our master bedroom! Where the magic ha A peek into our master bedroom! Where the magic happens.😅 Typically covered with piles of laundry, two dogs, and likely a few Hot Wheels, but here she is in all her glory looking fine.

There are five unique decor features of our room that I’ve shared at KariSkelton.com, including a trick I used to elevate (and make portable) our bedside tables. Click the link under my bio @kariskelton to read!

I organized our Master this week and next up - my closet! I’ll be sharing that process on stories later this week. Are you on an organizing mission this month too?
2020. Thank you for the gift of quality time. (scr 2020. Thank you for the gift of quality time. (screw you for the rest of it). 😜

Not sure about my 'best nine' according to The Gram but these were some of my faves from 2020.❤

I'm grateful for my family and grateful for all of you for supporting us in our ventures. We hope you have a fabulous new year and here's to 2021! 🥂🥂
Contest Closed! Congrats to our winner @cdk04! Gi Contest Closed! Congrats to our winner @cdk04!

Giveaway! Help support Edmonton businesses on Boxing Day! 

Proceeds from these cool #ExploreEdmonton shirts as part of the #Hereforgood campaign will be divided evenly and distributed to participating small businesses who are recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. So great! *partner

To enter to win:

Two 'Explore Edmonton' T-Shirts by @print_machine (choice of either #ExploreEdmonton logo or Bison Tee & sizes).

Westmount Soap Co. variety pack + soap dish (@westmountsoapcompany ).

Mod Pots Ceramics Edmonton Mug (@modpotsceramics).

Alberta Pin Co. YEG pin (black) (@albertapinco).

All you have to is:

1. Follow @ExploreEdmonton and @kariskelton.
2. Comment and tag a friend + your fav local businesses. Comment as many times as you like, each comment counts as a separate entry.
3. Like this photo.

This giveaway is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram, Inc. By entering, entrants confirm they are 18+ years of age, release Instagram of responsibility, and agree to Instagram's terms of use. Contest is open from Dec 26 and  closes at 12pm MST on Dec 31, 2020.
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