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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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your go-to mom friend 🙌
Here's what works best for me and my family. Share ⬇️ what works best for you + yours!
❤️ Wyatt, Noah, Moses🐾 Monroe🐾
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Kari Skelton | Motherhood Community
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➡️ Give yourself a break this year and just order your Easter dinner from @fresonbros!

📍These delicious chef-prepared Easter Dinner Boxes are totally customizable. Your main course  is mouth-watering, tender Mountain Park ham, with a delicious ham glaze, roasted garlic parmesan baby potatoes and honey dill carrots.

Customizable add-ons include:

- Granny’s Stuffing
- macaroni salad
- Alberta sourdough
- iconic sourdough hot cross buns
-choice of desserts like
coconut macaroon cookies, sourdough cinnamon buns, and sweet coconut cream pie!

➡️ Order online (link in my bio) from now until April 16 and pick up at your nearest Freson Bros. location. Save this idea and make sure to share with your friends!

{partner}

#cateredeasterdinner #easydinner #easyEasterdinner #yegfood #easterbox #ordereaster
Disney photos! Having a blast! ❤️ Noah got to Disney photos! Having a blast! ❤️ Noah got to go on a lot of the rides too. 🤗 

What's your favourite food to get at Disney? A must-try. Share ⬇️
We surprised our seven-year-old with a trip to Dis We surprised our seven-year-old with a trip to Disneyland! I highly recommend surprising your kids with adventures - no matter how big or small. ❤️ This was so much fun! What he said at the end was the best. :) 

#disneyland #disneysurprise #disneyparks
Choose the one you can't live without. That cares Choose the one you can't live without. That cares enough to put in the work every day - especially when it 'aint so pretty. That fights for the life you've built together. The one that's willing to grow in new ways together and open their mind and heart to new possibilities.

You're the one I want to go through all the times with - the good and the tough, the happy and sad. Thank you for being the guy that folds all of our laundry and respects that I don't want you to wash mine. 😄 Thank you for changing the garbages - cause you know I hate it. Thank you for building us epic fires in the summer and making THE BEST popcorn ever. ❤️ Thanks for watching The Bachelor with me (and providing hilarious commentary throughout). Thanks for being a gentle parent with our kiddos. ❤️❤️❤️

To the love of my life, my partner in life, and greatest Daddy - Happy 14th!
@ryanjespersen
Load More… Follow on Instagram

kariskelton

your go-to mom friend 🙌
Here's what works best for me and my family. Share ⬇️ what works best for you + yours!
❤️ Wyatt, Noah, Moses🐾 Monroe🐾
❤️ Ry

Kari Skelton | Motherhood Community
Easiest Easter Dinner! ➡️ Give yourself a bre Easiest Easter Dinner!

➡️ Give yourself a break this year and just order your Easter dinner from @fresonbros!

📍These delicious chef-prepared Easter Dinner Boxes are totally customizable. Your main course  is mouth-watering, tender Mountain Park ham, with a delicious ham glaze, roasted garlic parmesan baby potatoes and honey dill carrots.

Customizable add-ons include:

- Granny’s Stuffing
- macaroni salad
- Alberta sourdough
- iconic sourdough hot cross buns
-choice of desserts like
coconut macaroon cookies, sourdough cinnamon buns, and sweet coconut cream pie!

➡️ Order online (link in my bio) from now until April 16 and pick up at your nearest Freson Bros. location. Save this idea and make sure to share with your friends!

{partner}

#cateredeasterdinner #easydinner #easyEasterdinner #yegfood #easterbox #ordereaster
Disney photos! Having a blast! ❤️ Noah got to Disney photos! Having a blast! ❤️ Noah got to go on a lot of the rides too. 🤗 

What's your favourite food to get at Disney? A must-try. Share ⬇️
We surprised our seven-year-old with a trip to Dis We surprised our seven-year-old with a trip to Disneyland! I highly recommend surprising your kids with adventures - no matter how big or small. ❤️ This was so much fun! What he said at the end was the best. :) 

#disneyland #disneysurprise #disneyparks
Choose the one you can't live without. That cares Choose the one you can't live without. That cares enough to put in the work every day - especially when it 'aint so pretty. That fights for the life you've built together. The one that's willing to grow in new ways together and open their mind and heart to new possibilities.

You're the one I want to go through all the times with - the good and the tough, the happy and sad. Thank you for being the guy that folds all of our laundry and respects that I don't want you to wash mine. 😄 Thank you for changing the garbages - cause you know I hate it. Thank you for building us epic fires in the summer and making THE BEST popcorn ever. ❤️ Thanks for watching The Bachelor with me (and providing hilarious commentary throughout). Thanks for being a gentle parent with our kiddos. ❤️❤️❤️

To the love of my life, my partner in life, and greatest Daddy - Happy 14th!
@ryanjespersen
Load More… Follow on Instagram

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