Best Travel Hacks for Flying With A 1-Year-Old
Are you about to embark on your first flight journey with your newly active, teething, and restless child? Did reading that first sentence send you in to a borderline panic attack? Fear not, I have everything you need. Presenting, the Best Travel Hacks For Flying With A 1-Year-Old. I’m not sure why I thought that my daughters first flight should be when I’m going on a solo work trip right as she was cutting 3 top teeth at the same time… But it was Disney, so can you blame me?
I will say, I stressed myself out way more than needed. I had no idea where to start and completely overwhelmed myself. With thought-out planning, research, and trial/error, I have collected everything I know and squeezed it in to one blog post just for you! After reading, you will feel like you finally know what to expect and can travel with ease.
But first… Calling all pregnant mamas! Have you checked out my Labor Hospital Bag Checklist? Don’t forget to give that post a read for guidance on what you MUST HAVE when giving birth to your littlest blessing.
Okay, now let’s get to planning!
1. Plan Ahead
Of course this one has to be first. Welcome to parenthood! Where the last minute packing/prepping for just yourself is officially out the window. Planning ahead is crucial for stress-free flying. Make sure you’re two steps ahead of everything. Don’t wait until the night before unless you want to accidentally leave things behind! First—
- Read this blog post – check✔️
- Be sure you write or print out a packing checklist
- Think about how you’re going to organize and consolidate your things in your bags
- Get caught up on laundry
- Pack and use your diaper bag as your personal item— fill it with toddler essentials for the flight
- Set all bags/Stroller in the trunk of the car the night before
First things first when you get past security, you need to wear them out while waiting to board. Let them crawl, run, poop, whatever to exert energy(then wash those hands)!
Essentially, you’re aiming to have a very tired and hungry child entering the plane. You might be thinking that sounds insane, why would anyone want that? Well, babies and children have a hard time regulating ear pressure. So having them drink that last bottle before a nap during take off, will help regulate their ears and allow them to pop as they need to for comfort. Then by the time they’re done, they have passed through that initial pressure change and now exhausted and ready for a nap. That’s the dream situation.
However, It’s not always that easy, and that’s okay! Just aim to have a hungry baby. Don’t worry, we have toys and other tips/tricks for a ready-to-party toddler. We will talk about that more later on in the blog under “What You’ll Need In Your Diaper Bag”.
2. Pack Smart
TSA Rules: Carry-on
If your 1-year-old is still drinking formula/breastmilk or you’re wanting to bring puree pouches on the airplane, As of April 2024, This is exactly what you’re going to want to refer to regarding bringing those through security. This will help you understand what you will need to include in your personal bag/carry-on.
Storing Formula
For shorter flights, I stored my daughters formula in this. It gives me 3 servings of formula so that I would not have to haul the entire formula container on the carry-on and will last me the entire flight. If you plan to travel longer hours, you may want to get a couple of those dispensers. Better to be over-prepared than run out.
Ways To Consolidate/Organize
Prepping outfits by day inside your suitcase not only helps to minimize thinking when you get to your destination (don’t you just love to NOT think and just do?), but it also keeps everything separated so that you know what’s yours and your toddlers. I like to use packing cubes. You can get these on Amazon for a very affordable price and quick delivery. When you’re flying with a 1-year-old, You always want to do the hard work at home so that it’s effortless from the moment you arrive at the airport!
3. Bringing A Stroller & Carseat As You Travel
I always find it best to use the stroller the entire way through airport up until I hop on the plane, It’s simple to keep baby on one spot. I can even use the bottom section as storage for the carry-on so I can remain hands-free throughout the airport. It is treated like a wheelchair so when you board at the gate you will drop it to the side just right before you board the plane and they will handle it from there! Then they will bring it back to you right as you exit the plane… Easy as that!
But did you know that you will need a car seat bag?
If you haven’t already, make sure you have a car seat bag if you are choosing to bring that along as you travel.. Your car seat will be put in the bottom of a plane, so you will want to make sure yours is staying in good shape and won’t get ruined. They have great affordable bags on Amazon that can be delivered in a short amount of time, so be sure to check those out!
Rental car services do offer car seat rentals with a charge per day, however, checking a car seat in is free! The only hassle about it is that it’s heavy. I always say… Once you’ve made it to bag check, so much weight is lifted off your hands (literally). But you don’t carry it for long and I always prefer to have my own. Plus, I know how it works already so I can trust the safety of it.
4. Family Boarding/Seat Selection
Depending on your airline, this can be an easy task. If you have seat selection, you are going to want to sit closest to the front of the plane if possible. This gives you and your baby more room to wiggle and move.
Not all airlines have family boarding, so if that is something that is a priority do your research prior to booking your trip. I know that American Airlines does not provide family boarding. Most airlines do have family boarding, but they may let first class go first. Just do your research on your own airline to help get specific answers to know what to be prepared for.
Ever since having a baby, Southwest has been my go-to for traveling. They have always been so family friendly and very accommodating. They have family boarding to help get on the plane first and it is open seating. In my opinion, I love the unassigned seating so that passengers can “avoid the baby”. You may even have an extra seat next to you if it is not a full flight.
5. What You Need To Have In Your Diaper Bag
This is where our bag of snacks, drinks, and toys come in to play. First, I’m going to link some of my favorite fidget toys here to keep your little one occupied. These have all been great success for times in need. If your child is anything like mine, one toy is never enough. We need one for every 5 minutes of attention span, so I try to invest in the smaller packable toys in order to fit different options in my bag.
In Your Diaper Bag: Here’s exactly what you need for travel!
- Diapers/Wipes
- Favorite Snacks/Babyfood pouches
- Formula/Breastmilk if applicable
- Water Bottles (buy after security) for formula if applicable
- Toys
- Ipad or tablet
- Comfort Item of choice (Blanket, stuffed animal, lovey, etc.)
6. Use of Electronics During Travel
Toys not working? ELECTRONICS. Sorry, controversial maybe? No shame in the Tull house. Desperate times call for desperate measures and this my friend, is considered a desperate time. Pre-download all the Ms. Rachel, Bluey, Cocomelon episodes prior to your flight and thank me later!
Youtube Premium lets you download episodes to watch offline, you can always do a free trial and cancel it right after! However, I’d suggest going ahead and investing if you travel frequently! I’m not affiliated with Youtube, however, I’ve provided a link for you if you wanted to check that out!
7. Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is crucial when you travel on a plane, especially with a one-year-old. The dry cabin air at high altitudes can quickly lead to dehydration. For a one-year-old, who may not be able to communicate their discomfort as clearly, staying hydrated is even more critical. Proper hydration helps maintain their delicate balance of fluids, aids digestion, and supports overall well-being during the journey!
Don’t forget about yourself either! How can you take care of others when you haven’t taken care of yourself? It is just as important.
8. Take off/Landing Travel Tips
Essentially, you’re aiming to have a very tired and hungry child entering the plane. You might be thinking that sounds insane, why would anyone want that? Well, babies and children have a hard time regulating ear pressure. So having them drink that last bottle before a nap during take off, will help regulate their ears and allow them to pop as they need to for comfort. Then by the time they’re done, they have passed through that initial pressure change and now exhausted and ready for a nap. That’s the ultimate dream situation!
However, It’s not always that easy to get your curious child to sleep on a plane, and that’s okay! If you’ve aimed to have a hungry baby, that’s a win. Don’t worry, as discussed before we have toys and other tips/tricks for a ready-to-party toddler. If it is a longer flight, it’s encouraged to let your little one walk up and down the aisle to get some movement. Do what you need to do, might have to get creative!
Conclusion
Above all, be patient and understanding. Flying with a 1-year-old can be unpredictable, and it’s normal for them to become fussy and restless. Stay flexible, that’s my ultimate travel hack! Patience allows parents to adapt to these circumstances calmly and find solutions without becoming overwhelmed. No one is perfect by any means, but by demonstrating patience it sets a positive example for children. As I always say, because it’s important to hear often, you’re doing amazing!
Good Luck Mamas!