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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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Lifestylist + Blogger: KariSkelton.com
Mom to Wyatt, Moses🐾 + Monroe🐾
Babe on the way! (06/22)
❤ @ryanjespersen
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Kari Skelton | Motherhood Community
Favourite features of the Bugaboo Fox Three! (chec Favourite features of the Bugaboo Fox Three! (check my stories for a few places to shop this on sale today).

We love this new and improved all-terrain stroller. We're out for walks a few times a day - with the dogs, school runs, shopping, etc. This one fits the bill for all of it!

- so easy to maneuver. It's seriously the smoothest ride ever. 
- 4-wheel spring suspension and large puncture-proof wheels let you glide over bumps and tight turns without disturbing babe.
- customizable colours 
- the bassinet has a great ventilation system to help babe regulate their natural body temperature.

📍 Save this reel, share with a friend or to your stories to help someone else out & follow @kariskelton for more everything motherhood.

#bugaboousa_partner

@bugaboousa 
 

#stroller #strollerreview #strollers #babymusthaves #newbornmusthaves
#beststroller
the litte things are truly the big things. 😭 F the litte things are truly the big things. 😭

Feeling so grateful today. So much love to you and yours. ❤️🙏

Merry Christmas!
@ryanjespersen 
#siblinglove
Everyone is looking! I cannot believe it! 🤣 @bl Everyone is looking! I cannot believe it! 🤣 @blakeloates working her special magic again. ❄️

Last one is a video of Noah and SC - totally adorable. 🎅

Two weeks until the big day! 🎅❤️
#santapics
#firstsantapic #familychristmasphoto #familypjs
took a second, and a little reassurance from his b took a second, and a little reassurance from his big bro, but it looks like Noah enjoyed his first time meeting Santa. 🎅

Thank you to our friend, @blakeloates for another memorable Santa session! I'll share more this evening 🤗

@ryanjespersen ❤️❤️
Load More… Follow on Instagram

kariskelton

Lifestylist + Blogger: KariSkelton.com
Mom to Wyatt, Moses🐾 + Monroe🐾
Babe on the way! (06/22)
❤ @ryanjespersen
motherhood | style | recipes 👇

Kari Skelton | Motherhood Community
Favourite features of the Bugaboo Fox Three! (chec Favourite features of the Bugaboo Fox Three! (check my stories for a few places to shop this on sale today).

We love this new and improved all-terrain stroller. We're out for walks a few times a day - with the dogs, school runs, shopping, etc. This one fits the bill for all of it!

- so easy to maneuver. It's seriously the smoothest ride ever. 
- 4-wheel spring suspension and large puncture-proof wheels let you glide over bumps and tight turns without disturbing babe.
- customizable colours 
- the bassinet has a great ventilation system to help babe regulate their natural body temperature.

📍 Save this reel, share with a friend or to your stories to help someone else out & follow @kariskelton for more everything motherhood.

#bugaboousa_partner

@bugaboousa 
 

#stroller #strollerreview #strollers #babymusthaves #newbornmusthaves
#beststroller
the litte things are truly the big things. 😭 F the litte things are truly the big things. 😭

Feeling so grateful today. So much love to you and yours. ❤️🙏

Merry Christmas!
@ryanjespersen 
#siblinglove
Everyone is looking! I cannot believe it! 🤣 @bl Everyone is looking! I cannot believe it! 🤣 @blakeloates working her special magic again. ❄️

Last one is a video of Noah and SC - totally adorable. 🎅

Two weeks until the big day! 🎅❤️
#santapics
#firstsantapic #familychristmasphoto #familypjs
took a second, and a little reassurance from his b took a second, and a little reassurance from his big bro, but it looks like Noah enjoyed his first time meeting Santa. 🎅

Thank you to our friend, @blakeloates for another memorable Santa session! I'll share more this evening 🤗

@ryanjespersen ❤️❤️
Load More… Follow on Instagram

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