tips for airplane travel with 1 year old

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What It’s Like To Fly With a 1-Year-Old [Our Top 5 Tips for Success!]

Ashley Onadele

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Flying With a Baby Under 1 Year Old

Flying with a toddler older than 1-year-old, economy vs. business class seats, ordering kids’ and baby meals, traveling with breast milk or formula, umbrella stroller, diaper bags: backpack vs. purse, lounge access with babies, 1. snacks, snacks, and more snacks, 2. schedule the flight around nap time, 3. bring new toys and activities, 4. pack smart, 5. go with the flow, final thoughts.

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My kids have been on countless planes, trains, and automobiles and have stayed in hotels, Airbnbs, and even an RV. They’re now 3 and 5 years old, carrying their own backpacks and attempting to pull their own carry-ons, but this wasn’t always the case.

If you’re new to traveling with small children, it might seem overwhelming or outright impossible. Sure, there’s a lot of stuff to pack and juggling to do while taking care of a tiny human, yourself, and all of your things. But it’s probably simpler than you think, especially if you follow some of the tips outlined below .

When kids are especially small — think a few months old to about a year old — it’s downright easy to travel with them. The plane provides white noise and lulls them almost straight to sleep as soon as you’re in the air, barring any pressure change discomfort, of course. They aren’t moving too much, nor are they requesting (demanding) to get out of your arms or the seat and walk the plane.

You can wear your tiny human on your chest or back and they pretty much go wherever you take them without protest. Their schedule and eating habits are predictable and they’ve yet to have their first meltdown.

The early days are almost blissful.

And then they turn 1.

The older your child gets, the more curious they become . The 1-year-old stage is a fun time because they’re walking, or just on the cusp of it, suggesting that they’re ready for more independence, have a sense of humor, and are generally well-tempered. This is a sweet spot right before their inability to communicate leads to temper tantrums and frustration.

Hot Tip: The biggest difference between flying with a 1-year-old and a younger child is how alert they will be.

Your 1-year-old might want to stand in your lap, or in the seat, and wave at, smile at, and talk to other passengers. For more active toddlers, you may have to walk around the cabin with them . And if they’re walking, they’ll likely want to walk on the ground themselves.

They’re hopefully eating solid foods so you’ll have to remember to pack food that you know they’ll like. Don’t rely on getting something at the airport or even the food provided on the plane. They’re also larger, so that tiny, inaccessible plane bathroom won’t be fun for either of you when it comes time to change a diaper at 30,000 feet.

But the biggest difference of all might be whether or not you buy your ever-growing infant their own seat.

Should You Buy a Seat for Your Toddler?

When my kids were young enough for it, I was of the mind that as long as my kids could fly for free, we wouldn’t buy them a seat. Plus, they’re only small for so long and I always loved holding onto them when they slept. Add to that the increasing costs of airline tickets, both in cash and miles, and I’m glad that we were able to save the money with a lap infant when we could.

To make having a lap infant easier, either my husband or I would wear the baby in an Ergobaby carrier when they slept so that we had full use of our arms . We could even sleep ourselves without fearing that the baby would fall out of our arms.

I know a lot of parents who prefer for each member of their family to have their own seat, mostly for the sake of space. But in addition to that, some children just don’t sleep well being held — not to mention the adult holding them might be pretty uncomfortable, too.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends that children fly in a child restraint system (CRS) , which is essentially a car seat . There are specific requirements for CRS devices, so be sure and check out the website before you fly to make sure you’ve got the right type.

You’ll get a baggage allowance for your 1-year-old when you purchase a seat no matter how old they are. This would allow you to pack more freely instead of packing your child’s items together with the items in your carry-on … something I’ve done many times.

If you’re lucky, you’ll be seated in a row that has an empty seat next to you and your child can sit there free of charge when the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign is off.

Baby bassinets are detachable bassinets available on some planes in the bulkhead seat. These bassinets generally have age, weight, and/or height restrictions for use, and with a 1-year-old, your options to use a bassinet may be getting limited .

If you’re inclined to use a bassinet for your baby — particularly on a long-haul flight where you want to ensure the best rest possible — you’ll need to call the airline right after making your reservation to reserve your seat and bassinet.

Hot Tip: Not all airlines offer bassinets. Before you book, check out our ultimate guide to baby bassinet seats on over 50 airlines to find out if your preferred airline offers a bassinet or not.

The debate about whether or not kids and babies should be in premium cabins is one we won’t settle here. Still, parents traveling with young children may want to know some of the pros and cons of flying business class with a baby .

In business class, you’re guaranteed to get more legroom and larger seats. When traveling with a lap infant especially, it never hurts to have as much room as possible. In economy, you cannot sit in the exit row where you’d normally expect to have the most room in the back of the plane. That means that you’ll be jammed in a row, potentially with strangers.

With fewer passengers to take care of in business class, the flight attendants should have more time to help you when you need assistance. For example, you may need water to make a bottle or you forgot your child’s juice. In business class, you can expect to be taken care of a little more often.

Unfortunately, just by the sheer volume of folks in the economy compared to the number of attendants, you won’t receive the same service.

In premium cabins, depending on the airline, you may be able to reserve an infant or child meal in advance to be served during your flight. If flying domestic economy, you won’t have this option.

And lastly, flying in business could be cost-prohibitive to many. Even with points, business class seats often cost a significant amount more than economy class tickets. It’s easy to feel that the pros listed above don’t outweigh the dollar amount you’ll have to pay for those conveniences.

International airlines shine when it comes to their meal services (even in economy). As such, you can expect to be able to order a kids’ meal in advance of your flight or when you get on board.

The makeup of the meals and offerings varies depending on the airline, of course. Some airlines, usually depending on the length of the flight, will offer hot meals like pasta and even hamburgers. Others might only offer a kids’ snack box.

Whether or not these amenities are included in the price of your ticket depends on the airline as well. For example, United brought back kids’ meals that can be ordered at least 24 hours before your flight for flights over 2,000 miles and where a complimentary meal will be served.

According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), breast milk , formula, and toddler drinks are considered medically necessary. Breast milk, formula, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (including puree pouches) can exceed 3.4 ounces and do not need to fit in quart-size bags.

You are recommended to let the TSA agent know that you’re traveling with these items at the beginning of the screening and to take it out of your carry-on.  It is also recommended that these items travel in clear containers for the sake of expediting the screening process.

Though the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorizes breast pumps as a medical device and as such should be allowed in addition to your carry-on and personal item, this depends on the airline. It’s a good idea to call the airline you’ll be flying with before you check in for your flight to ensure that you can bring your breast pump onboard.

Helpful Travel Accessories

As your children get older, they’ll likely want to help carry their backpacks or pull their own luggage . Eventually, you won’t need to carry or push them in a stroller everywhere because they’ll want to walk on their own, too. In the meantime, however, when traveling with a 1-year-old, all of that still falls on you. Luckily, there are plenty of travel gadgets and accessories to help make it easier.

Umbrella strollers are lightweight, foldable strollers for babies old enough to hold their heads up. An infant stroller most likely works together with your car seat, which can be bulky and hard to maneuver through the airport. If your child is big enough, an umbrella stroller is the way to go.

Whether or not you go with the convenience of an umbrella stroller or elect for your larger stroller, you can gate-check your stroller and keep it with you right up until you board the plane. Your stroller will either be waiting for you at the gate when you land or will have made its way to the baggage carousel.

Car seat requirements are not the same for cars and airplanes, and to use your car seat on the plane the car seat must be FAA-approved .

It’s important to note that the EU has different requirements for car seats than the U.S., so you’ll want to be aware of this if that’s where you’re traveling. One major difference between EU and U.S. car seats is that EU-approved car seats do not have chest clips. EU regulation states that a child must be able to be removed from the seat in a single motion.

I think that baby backpacks are better for travel than baby purses (one-shoulder baby bags) for a few reasons.

First, you have a full range of motion when wearing a backpack with weight evenly distributed through your back instead of on one shoulder.

Second, a backpack tends to have more pockets for all the things you’ll be carrying for your baby. It doesn’t hurt that it’s probably easier to convince your partner to share the responsibility of carrying a backpack vs. a purse.

Speaking of all the things you’ll be carrying, here are a few items that should make traveling with a 1-year-old a little easier:

• Bottles, bottle liners, tops
• Extra clothes for you and baby
• Extra socks (and maybe shoes)
• Foldable changing pad for changes in public restrooms
• Formula dispenser
• Hand sanitizer
• Plastic bags for dirty clothes, diapers, etc.
• Spill-proof and independent snack dispenser
• Spill-proof sippy cup

Hot Tip: Check out our in-depth buyer’s guide to the best travel diaper bags , featuring both backpack-style and purse-style options.

There seems to be an ongoing debate on social media about babies in premium cabins (more on that a little later) and whether or not they should be allowed in lounges.

Lounges don’t typically have age restrictions (kids under 2 are even generally free!), though most don’t have amenities geared toward children. But what you get at a lounge is more space to spread out, with time away from the gate to relax and gather yourself before you fly.

Centurion Lounges , however, do a great job of welcoming and catering to young travelers with family rooms decked out with toys, games, TVs, and kid-size furniture. But even without that family-specific amenities, lounges are a great place to chill out before or after a flight with your baby.

At the lounge, you can also get warm water for formula, warm-up milk and kids’ food, and grab some fruit or other snacks for later.

Tips for Flying With a 1-Year-Old

Whether or not you choose to purchase a seat for your 1-year-old, we have some tips for making flying easier.

I used to think people were exaggerating when they said to bring more snacks than you think you need. But I underestimated just how important a well-timed handful of Cheerios would be.

It’s not so much that your child will be hungry, but that snacking tends to quell a fussy toddler. I cannot explain it any further than that.

Pack the snacks you know they love and maybe even a few surprises. There’s an endless list of snacks you could bring. Fruit, Cheerios, Goldfish, pureed food packs … anything that your child can safely consume will work.

Don’t forget that TSA allows water and food for toddlers in reasonable quantities above the standard 3.4 ounces allowed for all passengers. A standard sippy cup is probably enough to get you through your whole travel day.

This is one of my favorite tips, but I think whether or not a flight is timed well will depend on your child .

For some toddlers, the sound of the airplane in flight works like white noise and helps them sleep. But as they get older and are more alert for longer periods of time, the excitement of a new adventure might energize them enough to try and stay awake for longer than you expect.

In this case, scheduling a flight around nap time won’t matter. But for a first flight with a 1-year-old, it’s worth a try. If you find that your child didn’t stick to the schedule, you won’t have to worry about it next time. We live and we learn.

For long-haul flights, I recommend scheduling a red-eye flight to your destination and skipping the last nap before the flight . The reason for this is that the cabin is dimmed along with the white noise of the plane. I’ve never met a traveling child that could resist the urge to fall asleep under those conditions. Hopefully, they’ll be tired enough to sleep through the entire flight.

At 1 year old, your toddler will likely be awake for at least part of your flight, so you’ll want to have something to occupy them. Tablets are an easy go-to, but understandably, some parents won’t want to introduce screen time at this age, or at all. But if you do decide to go with a tablet loaded with movies, TV shows, or games, be sure and bring along child-safe and cordless Bluetooth headphones . Child-safe headphones should remain at lower decibels to preserve their tiny eardrums.

Avoid toys that make any type of noise so as not to disturb other passengers on your flight.

Hot Tip: Keep in mind that at a year old, your child may not be able to stay engaged by 1 toy or activity for very long, so it’s a good idea to have several options.

Luckily, there are a lot of other activities that are appropriate for this age. Here are a few of my favorite ways to entertain a 1-year-old on a flight:

• Window Clings : Your toddler can stick these on the window themselves, pull them off, and repeat to their heart’s content. Another alternative is circle stickers, like what you’d find at a garage sale. Really, any sticker will work, just test out how easy they are for tiny fingers to peel off.
• Flash Cards : Even if your toddler isn’t talking yet, flash cards can be a great way to practice learning their shapes and colors. Animals and objects flash cards are also a great way to increase your child’s vocabulary.
• Books : Bring along your toddler’s favorite picture book. Pop-up books are always a hit as well. If you can, bring a book that’s age-appropriate and talks about where you’re going, what you’ll be doing, or flying on a plane.
• Play-Doh : Play-Doh is a tactile activity that lets your toddler use their hands. You can even bring plastic cookie cutters to make different shapes out of them. Clay, an alternative to Play-Doh, is a little more difficult to mold but also a worthy activity for a 1-year-old and even helps to strengthen their grip.
• Coloring Books : Again, coloring books are something that your child can do with their hands. Get the jumbo crayons that are easier to hold and choose a coloring book that has characters they recognize. You can color, too! This is a great activity to do together.
• Water Wow! Books : Water Wow! books by Melissa and Doug are awesome and were an instant hit for my kids. You fill the paintbrush with some water and let your toddler “paint” the pages of the cardboard book. There are several designs to choose from, including construction, numbers, alphabet, and animals. The best part about these is that when they dry, the color disappears so you can use them over and over again.

In addition to the activities above, be sure to include items that are brand new to your child . In fact, all of the items listed could be brand new and you could gift wrap them . It’s the novelty of the surprise that gets them excited and wanting to play with whatever the new toy is. Who doesn’t love unwrapping a gift?

I wish that I could tell you that packing gets easier as your kids get older, but I can’t say that.

Yes, you can probably leave their 10 favorite blankets, nappies, and toys at home, but you’ll still need to pack a considerable number of items when you’re away from home. For example, I always packed 2 outfits per day that we would be away, plus a couple of extra. I didn’t plan to change my child’s clothes more than once per day, but we all know that stuff happens .

I would also bring an extra top for myself on travel days in case that stuff happened on me.

Your 1-year-old likely has at least 1 pair of shoes and might need a coat (and sweaters depending on the weather at your destination), gloves, and beanies. Clothes only get bigger along with your child and consequently take up more room in your luggage.

Packing cubes have been a dream for both packing compactly as well as organizing my family’s bags. We each have our own set of cubes in different colors and I roll whole outfits together to save time when we’re getting dressed in the morning .

Rolling outfits works best for the kids’ clothes since my and my husband’s clothes are too big to roll together like this. This trick also helps me avoid over- or underpacking because I always know what’s meant to go with what.

Once we arrive at our accommodations, I leave the clothes in the packing cubes and just put them into the dresser drawers. Packing cubes have immensely simplified the way I organize and pack for my family.

I wish I had a dollar for everything that didn’t go according to plan since I started to travel with my family.

Flight delays and cancellations , lost items, cranky kids, and more, will inevitably happen to you. One of my children almost always catches a cold 2 weeks before a long-haul flight. We even ended up in a clinic in Amsterdam on our first family trip to Europe and returned home with ear infections (yes, the whole family).

When you go with the flow of each day, it allows you to take each inconvenience in stride instead of letting it ruin or make you regret your whole trip. Traveling with children requires patience and grace with them as well as yourself, especially when it comes to how you plan your days.

You can’t pack each day with museum visits, tours, and other activities when traveling with small children. They simply don’t have the stamina to keep up and will let you know when they’ve had enough.

Schedule your activities around their nap times to maximize your experience together and to better ensure a good mood from your little one.

We can only plan so much and the rest is out of our control. Temper your expectations and you’ll be able to enjoy your vacation with your 1-year-old.

Traveling with a 1-year-old is different than traveling with a younger baby, but not always in a bad way. It’s true that traveling with babies younger than a year old is easier because they sleep more often, are easier to transport, and are overall more amenable to most situations. But traveling with an older toddler can also be more fun for you.

If you plan accordingly — while saving room for things you can’t control — and follow at least some of the tips outlined above, I trust that you’ll have a great travel experience when flying with a 1-year-old.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you keep a 1-year-old calm on a plane.

If your child is particularly anxious or energetic at any point during the flight, give them their favorite toy that usually calms them down. A pacifier or a bottle is great during takeoff and landing, especially for helping with inner ear pressure. Their favorite stuffed animals, blanket, or book are additional comfort items you could try.

What can you do if your baby cries on a plane?

You know your child best and what usually calms them down, so start with what you know.

Some other tips to try: shushing while rocking, walking the aisle when the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign is off, and good old-fashioned distractions usually help. Alternatively, ask yourself the classic question: is my baby tired, hungry, or wet?

How can you relieve ear pressure for a baby when flying?

During takeoff and landing, you want to make sure that your child is swallowing to avoid or alleviate ear pressure. The best way to do this is to give them a pacifier or bottle. Snacking may also work.

Where do you change diapers on a plane?

There are changing tables in the lavatory located on airplanes. Unfortunately, not every plane has changing tables in the lavatories.

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About Ashley Onadele

Ashley discovered a love for travel in college that’s continued as her family has grown. She loves showing parents how they can take their families on trips using points and has contributed to numerous publications and podcasts.

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26 pro tips for flying with a 1 year old – family travel guide 2024.

Table of Contents

Flying with a 1 year old is one of the most challenging aspects of family travel. If you are looking for top tips and advice then you’ve come to the right place. As a full time travel family we have flown with a 1 year old both short and long haul flights. We are super excited to share these top tips, hacks and secrets with you.

Flying with a one-year-old does present some unique and unexpected challenges. In this article we will help you get to grips with some of the challenges and prepare as well as possible.

If you are reading this article you are already doing the first thing right. You’re taking time to plan and prepare for flying with a 1 year-old.  Being fully prepared for your flight can reduce anxiety and help you and your baby have a smooth flight.

Don’t miss our FULL baby travel checklist . EVERYTHING you need to know to plan and prepare your trip.

You may also be interested in our guide on Booking Cheap Flights with Kids

Flying with a 1 year old – unique challenges

Why have we done an article just for flying with a 1 year old? Because it’s hard! Flying with a 1 year old is probably one of the most challenging ages to fly. Not trying to put you off. Just help you understand some of the challenges and get prepared. With a 1 year old you will need to consider more toys and activities. You will also need to consider a range of snacks and drinks for a 1 year old baby. Another challenge is that your 1 year old will be more aware of their environment and therefore can be harder to settle. 

What are your seating options flying with a 1 year old?

Bassinet seats 

If you’re on a long haul flight your airline may have special bassinet seats. A bassinet is an airplane cot for a baby. The airline staff should help you set the bassinet up, and this is a great place for your baby to sit, play, rest and sleep during the flight. Bassinet seats are sometimes available for FREE on request on a first come first served basis. 

Bassinet restrictions

It is worth being aware that some airlines may have weight, size or age restrictions for bassinets. It is normally required that your baby can comfortably fit in the bassinet and normally no more than 10kg – 15kg. Check your airline’s specific policy. Most small 1 year olds should be able to use a bassinet on a flight. Your baby will not be able to use a bassinet at take off, landing and when the seatbelt sign is on. 

What about car seats ?

It is also possible to book an additional seat for your infant. Normally, when you add an infant to your booking they will not be assigned a seat. It is normally expected that your baby will sit on your lap throughout the flight with an infant lap belt. However, it is possible to book an additional seat for your infant. This will normally cost a similar price to an adult seat. If you book an additional seat for your 1 year old you can then use an approved car seat. Traveling with a car seat may be awkward at times but it can be very helpful at your destination.

TOP TIPS for flying with a 1 year old – summary 

• Help them connect with the experience
• Get things organized early
• Book a good place to rest – check Agoda and Booking.com
• Find a flight at a good time
• Get a seat with a bassinet
• Use the space under the seats 
• Pack more than you need
• Bring some ziplock bags
• Bring some sensory toys
• Pre-prep some bottles
• Bring a baby milk bottle through security
• Request an infant meal
• Bring plenty of snacks
• Get some baby ear muffs
• Talk to people sitting near you 
• Prevent baby ear pain
• Get a travel baby changing mat
• Use your all of your baggage allowance
• Pad out your bags with nappies
• Bring a change of clothes
• Pack a small blanket
• Bring creams and medications
• Try to keep some normal routines
• Bring a pram through the airport
• Use a special assistance lanes in the airport
• Team work is dream work

Flying with a 1 year old – full guide

1 help them to connect with the experience.

Before you fly with a 1 year-old, take time to help them connect with the experience.  Babies are very good at picking up on our emotions and reflecting them. If you are positive and excited about the flight your baby will perceive and reflect these emotions. Introduce toys and books that have an airplane theme. Talk to them about the flight and about your trip. Try to find ways to make the experience unique and special for them. The flight is also a good opportunity to introduce an exciting new toy or book and make the experience feel special for them. This is a particularly helpful tip to create a good long-term mindset in your child. 

2 Get things organized early

If you are flying with a 1 year old, try to get organized nice and early. Get things booked as early as possible. Generally flights are cheaper if you book them early. Book your hotel early too – on Agoda and Booking.com you can often get great FREE cancellation policies. If you need to get a passport for your infant this can take several months. Applying for an e-visa (where relevant) often takes a few weeks. Things like travel vaccination can take a while to organize because they rely on appointments and immunity may take a few weeks to kick in. Getting organized early is one of the most important things if you are flying with a 1 year old.

3 Book a great place to rest 

Finding a good hotel To rest after your flight is very important. You will all need to rest and recover from the flight and adjust to the new time zone. Try to get a quiet location (or sound proof room), good black out blinds, air conditioning and baby friendly facilities (e.g. fridge, cot, bath etc…) 

LOOK for a hotel on Agoda

LOOK for a hotel on Booking.com

TOP TIP: Once you know where you are going, get your hotel booked early. One of the great things about using Agoda and booking.com is that you can often find places with very good free cancellation policies. You need to check this when you book.  Agoda and booking.com often have cancellation policies that allow you to cancel for FREE for any reason until close to your check in date. So if you don’t have time to look for the best hotel, just get something good booked early and then look more carefully when you have more time. 

4 Find a flight at a good time

If possible try to find a flight that works well with your baby’s routines. Of course you may not be able to choose the time of your flight, however it is worth considering flight times and layovers when you are booking tickets. It can be good if you can find a flight that departs a couple of hours before your 1 year old is due to nap. Their nap can be a nice way to break up the flight. Another good time to fly is a few hours before your baby’s normal bedtime. Also consider layover times and locations. The best layovers are either relatively short or very long. 1-2 hours is ideal so you have time to get to your connecting flight. Alternatively, 12 hours or more can actually work very well. With a 12 hour layover you may be able to leave the airport and check in to some accommodation to get some rest. You may also have time to see some attractions in your layover country. Also flights with a long layover tend to be cheaper than flights with shorter layovers.

TOP TIP: If you have a long layover check whether your bags go all the way to the destination. If so pack for your layover (clothes and toiletries)

5 Request a bassinet early

Okay this is one of the most important tips for flying with a 1 year old. We mentioned that on some flights you can get special bassinet seats for an infant. However these are generally available on a first-come first-serve basis.  Therefore, if you are on a long-haul flight with a one-year-old we recommend turning up as early as possible to request a bassinet seat. In some cases, a bassinet seat may be automatically assigned to you. However we do not recommend relying on this. 

6 Use the space under the seats 

Airlines normally allow you to put small bags underneath the seat in front of you or underneath your own seat. The only exception is if you’re on an emergency exit row – BUT this won’t happen when you are flying with a 1 year old (infants are not allowed on this row). When you are flying with a 1 year old you need to be able to access things quickly. If all your baby stuff is in the overhead storage it can be really awkward to get things. Pack your special baby carry on in a small flexible bag that can fit under an airplane seat. 

7 Pack more than you need

This feels more like a tip for life! Pack plenty – more than you think you need. Before your flight you will need to work out how much you need. Consider nappies, wet wipes, snacks and milk. Remember you also need to consider journey time to and from the airport, flight times, layover times AND potential delays. If you are stuck in the airport it may be tricky to find extra nappies and milk in the airport. So remember to pack more than you need. 

Don’t miss our full packing list for flying with a baby

8 Bring some ziplock bags

Pack ziplock bags or small plastic bags. These can be used for so many things. For example if your baby drops their dummy on the ground you can stick it in a ziplock bag and pop it in your bags. Or when clothing is inevitably covered in drinks and bodily fluid – stuff them in a ziplock pack and pack them away to clean later. 

9 Bring some sensory toys

Pack some small compact toys for your baby. Flying with a 1 year old may be a great time to introduce a new toy. Find things that are sensory, multi-purpose and stimulating. Bring along a few familiar toys and books. Consider toys that can be used for simple games like blocks, stacking cups and toys with moving parts and magnets. On the flight PACE yourself and your baby. Mix up activities. Keep some of your higher impact activities for later in the flight when everyone is more tired and worn out. 

10 Pre-prep some bottles

Before the flight, pre-prepare some milk bottles. If the milk bottle is clean, dry and sterilized you can add the correct amount of formula powder to the bottle in advance. Later all you need to do is add some warm water and give it a shake. Alternatively, portion up some formula in small plastic bags. You can then make up the bottle on the flight. Almost all airlines will be willing to provide water for formula bottles. If they only have boiling water available, just add a little clean cold water first (e.g. from a water bottle). 

11 Bring a baby milk bottle through security

Security checks usually have 100ml restriction on fluids. However, parents traveling with an infant should be allowed to take a baby drink through security. You will probably need to pop it in a plastic bag for security and they may also want to check it. But it is useful to have an extra drink for your baby. 

12 Request and infant meal

If you book a flight with a 1 year old you should automatically be assigned an infant meal (assuming there is a meal service on your flight). However, this is definitely worth checking. We recommend contacting the airline in advance to check that your child will be given an infant meal – especially if your infant has special dietary requirements. You may also want to bring along some of your baby’s normal food. 

13 Bring plenty of snacks

As every parent knows, snacks are essential to your baby’s happiness and a parent’s sanity. Airplanes normally offer snacks but these can be odd, sporadic and unreliable. See the airplane snacks as an additional bonus. Snacks with complex carbs will help fill your baby’s tum tum and hopefully make them more sleepy. Baby pouches can also provide a healthy and comforting energy hit for your baby. AND don’t forget to bring along a treat or two for yourself. You deserve it if you’re flying with a 1 year old. 

14 Get some baby ear muffs

Get hold of some special baby aeroplane ear muffs (yes – these really are a thing!). These earmuffs are designed to protect your baby’s ears from the loud noise of the airplane. If your 1 year old is comfortable wearing ear muffs they should help protect their ears and they may also help your baby sleep better on the airplane. Get your baby used to the earmuffs before the flight. At first wait till your baby is asleep before you put them on your baby so they get used to them. Eventually you may be able to put them on before your baby is asleep because they will be used to wearing them. 

15 Talk to people sitting near you 

When you get on the airplane, talk to the people sitting near you. If you’re flying with a 1 year old it is natural to feel anxious about the other passengers sitting near you. A short conversation is a great way to humanize you to the people around you. Showing that you are aware of other people’s experience and peace will encourage them to be more sympathetic and understanding. 

16 Prevent baby ear pain

The change in cabin pressure can be very painful for a baby’s ears. The best way to reduce ear pain is for your 1 year old to suck something. This could be a dummy. It could be feeding from a milk bottle. Or even breastfeeding. You baby will need to sit on your lap in a lap belt at take off and landing. If this is loosened it is possible to breastfeed a baby. 

17 Get a travel changing mat

Consider purchasing a travel changing mat. Baby travel changing mats for compact, small and provide a hygienic surface for carrying out nappy changes anyway. A good travel changing mat may also have additional pockets and pouches for things like hand sanitizer, baby wipes and nappies. You can put your own baby travel changing mat on top of baby changing tables in toilets for comfort and hygiene. Most airplanes have small baby changing tables in some of the toilets.

18 Use your all of your baggage allowance

Your baggage allowance will depend on the airline you’re flying with a ticket. You can generally find out your baggage allowance when you purchase your ticket. A good free allowance should be at least 20kg check in. Flying with a 1 year old you should be given some free additional allowance. Many good airlines will let you bring a pram or baby carrier for FREE. You should also be allowed an additional carry on bag for your baby. 

19 Pad out your bags with nappies

If you’re flying with a 1 year old make sure you bring mountains of nappies with you. In many countries you can buy nappies but they may be expensive, hard to find and not your preferred brand. Nappies are a great way to pad out your bags. Filling your bag with lots of nappies will not add much weight but will provide protection to your belongings. As you use the nappies on your trip the extra space in your bags can be filled with gifts and goodies. 

20 Bring a change of clothes

When you are packing your carry on, remember to pack a change of clothes for your baby and for yourself. When you are flying with a 1 year old it is only a matter of time before you will be covered in crumbs, spillages and bodily fluids. Having some clean clothes can really help you feel human again. 

21 Pack a small blanket

You may be given a blanket on a long haul flight but this is not guaranteed. Bring along a small comfortable blanket for you and or your one year old. This can be a familiar comfort to your baby and you can also use it in the airport during layovers or waiting time. A small blanket shouldn’t add too much extra size and weight to your carry on luggage. 

22 Bring creams and medications

You should be allowed to bring creams and meds in your carry-on luggage (as long as fluids don’t exceed 100ml). Make sure creams and medicines are in labeled containers and wrapped in plastic bags for security. Be aware that a long flight can exacerbate nappy rash. So even if your baby is not normally prone to red cheeks – it is probably worth having a good cream. 

23 Try to keep some normal routines

Stay as close as possible to your baby’s normal routines. This should help your 1 year old feel settled and increase their chances of getting some sleep. Consider small familiar comforts like their normal night time clothing, giving them a bottle of warm milk at bedtime or bedtime stories that you may read to your baby at bedtime.

24 Bring a pram through the airport

If you’re traveling with a pram, take it through the airport all the way to the boarding gate. Having your 1 year old in a pram is really helpful when you need your hands-free. When you get to the gate the airport staff should take your pram and store it on the aircraft so that it is available to you when you arrive at your destination. 

TOP TIP If you are not planning to travel with a pram, there are some other great options for you. Consider a sling. There are plenty of small, light, travel friendly sling options. Alternatively, many airlines will also let you switch out for a baby carrier backpack (FREE with an infant). This is a backpack with a baby seat built in. You can also stuff a baby carrier with some extra things like nappies, clothes or toys. 

25 Use a special assistance lanes in the airport

Most airports around the world have special assistance lanes. You can normally find special assistance lanes at immigration checkpoints, security checkpoints and also when you are boarding the aircraft. Make yourself known to staff and ask for help if you need it. This can save valuable time and reduce waiting time in queues. 

26 Team work is dream work

If you are flying with another adult, find ways to team up. Take shifts and switch out to give each other rest. When you are at stress points (e.g. security) try to divide tasks up. One person looking after your baby whilst the other focuses on bags. If you are not flying with another adult – then seriously respect to you. We do have a special article on flying solo with a baby . 

Tips for flying with a 1 year old – SUMMARY 

If you are flying with a 1 year old preparation and planning is everything. Whether it is organizing travel vaccinations, buying clothes and kit, packing or sorting flights and accommodation It’s going to be busy. SO keep your eyes on the prize. It will be worth it. Hopefully our articles will help you think through and plan all of the essentials. 

DON’T MISS our full guide on Booking Cheap Flights with Kids

Looking for a place to stay?

We always recommend that you use a good booking platform to sort out your hotel. This creates accountability and gives you a way to contact your hotel. You can also get other perks such as free cancellations policies.

Life loving, adventure chasing, Mum of 3 who loves travel. Over 10 years of travel writing experience. Emma now loves to give the best tips to help other travel loving parents plan adventures with their kids. Whether you need to find the best accommodation or just need to know how to pack your bag Emma is that travelling mum who love to help you.

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16 Tips for Flying With Toddlers and Young Kids

Traveling with toddlers can be hard, at least if you're not properly prepared. Here, experienced flight attendants share their secrets for flying with young kids.

FLY VIEW PRODUCTIONS/GETTY IMAGES

With long security lines, cramped airplane seating, and busy waiting areas, flying isn't the most pleasant experience—and all of the frustration increases exponentially when you add a toddler into the mix. Some young children simply don't have the patience for airport security. They might despise sitting quietly for hours on end, and they might be uneasy during turbulence or get upset with the ear-popping changes in air pressure.

Thankfully, though, you can have a worry-free travel day with proper preparation and planning. Whether you're jetting off to your relative's house or Disney World, check out these stress-reducing strategies for flying (and traveling) with toddlers—some of which came straight from flight attendants.

Book an Early Morning Departure

If you're traveling with toddlers or young children, you should book an early morning departure. These give you the best chance of avoiding delays at takeoff and landing, a flight attendant named Patrick explains. "They are usually less crowded, too," he says. "Plus, everyone is tired and just wants to nap—kids especially."

Save Your Upgrades for Toddler-Free Travel

Traveling in first class with kids can be more stressful than it's worth. Mom Joanna recounts the story of traveling with her loud, lively toddler and incurring the vocal wrath of her first-class seatmates for the entirety of the flight. "It's not fair, but you're just going to get more empathy and support with kids in economy," says a flight attendant.

Talk to Your Kids About What to Expect

"My experience is kids do so much better when they know what to expect," says Shireen, a mom of three from Australia who's traveled to the U.S. several times with her kids. She recommends watching a Let's Go Play video on YouTube , which goes over the entire flight experience, from baggage check-in and ticketing to onboard etiquette and safety.

Dress in Layers and Skip Shoes With Laces

Whether you are changing climates or simply dealing with in-flight heat and/or air conditioning, you can and should be ready for drastically changing temperatures when traveling with a toddler. Wendy, a flight attendant and mom, suggests you dress your kids in comfortable layers—preferably without buttons, zippers, or anything that could prevent them from getting to the bathroom in time.

The same principle applies to shoes: Avoid laces and opt for slip-ons. "There's the added benefit of getting through airport screening that much faster," she says.

Bring Surprises

When flying with a toddler, a wrapped new plaything has two advantages: Kids love to unwrap stuff, and a new toy has more attention-grabbing pull.

Consider Using a Smaller Stroller

Getting through an airport without a stroller is unthinkable for some parents, so consider switching out your regular-size stroller for a small, compact umbrella stroller or travel stroller. Also, check your stroller at the gate before boarding; the crew will have it waiting for you when you get off the plane.

If you've got more than one little traveler with you, consider a kid harness (aka leash), Wendy suggests. "I was so against them until I saw a woman with three young boys using them in baggage claim. It made so much sense," she says, "with the exit doors to outside right there. Look, flying is stressful enough. Do what you need to do to protect your kids and your sanity."

Pack Just Enough

Flight attendants urge parents to pack enough essentials for the flight. "Unfortunately, you can expect there to be zero food on a plane that would interest a kid," says Lynn. "And we are so limited in what we can offer in terms of comfort items as well."

On the flip side, parents will struggle if they zealously overpack. "Usually, when it's one parent traveling with one or more kids, they'll bring way too much stuff in an attempt to keep their kids happy," Wendy says. "They forget they have to carry all that stuff off the plane with them, along with their kids."

Plan Your Packing List

To guard against over-packing while ensuring you don't forget anything critical, consider writing out a full packing list. Star or highlight those items that will need to be packed last minute (like the lovey your kiddo sleeps with or the tablet that's currently charging) so you have a checklist to consult one last time before heading out the door.

Sample Airplane Packing List for Toddlers

When packing your carry-on for the plane ride, use this list as a starting point:

• Comfort item: Consider packing one of your toddler's favorite comfort items in your carry-on for mid-flight snuggles. If the comfort item is a pacifier, be sure to pack more than one, lest it gets flung down the aisle or on the floor.
• Sanitizer, wipes, pull-ups, and diapers: You'll want these critical items within reach at all times during your travels. Not sure how many diapers to throw in the carry-on? One diaper per hour of travel is recommended.
• Electronic devices: If there is any time to let up on strict screen time rules, it's when you're traveling. Make sure that whatever device you're bringing is fully charged and ready to go—and don't forget the chargers for the flight back. Consider pre-loading the tablet or phone with your kids' favorite movies or shows for offline viewing.
• Kid-size headphones: Be sure to follow the basic rules of travel etiquette and pack comfy headphones your little one can wear while enjoying their favorite games or shows. Have more than one kid in tow? Consider investing in a splitter so both can enjoy the show with their own set of headphones.
• Art supplies: A small box of crayons and blank paper can go a long way when it comes to entertaining your toddler on a plane. Mix things up and pack some fun stickers or even plain sticky notes to add to the excitement.
• Plastic bags: You never know when you'll need an extra bag for wet clothes, a dirty diaper, or even just for trash, so pack a few extras.
• Water bottle: Toss an empty clean water bottle into your bag to fill after you get through security. Just make sure that it's leakproof!
• Healthy and fun mess-free snacks: While you don't necessarily want to load your kid up with sugar just before take-off, consider packing a mix of healthy and fun snacks that are relatively mess-free to keep their bellies full and happy. Cheerios, pretzels, crackers, string cheese, and granola bars are good options.

Be Prepared for Security

When you pack, make sure items that need to be removed during security are easily reached. Keep in mind that traveling with snacks may mean extra scrutiny during the screening process.

Prepare for Air Pressure Changes

If your child has recently had an ear infection or a cold, get your doctor's approval before flying. The change in cabin air pressure may cause pain for your toddler. After passing through security, stock up on enough water for everyone to get through a possible delay and have enough left for the descent, which is often the most bothersome time for ear pressure discomfort. Have your kids drink some right after takeoff and during the last 30 to 45 minutes of the descent. The swallowing helps with the pressure changes and gives an added hydrating benefit.

By All Means, Use Pull-Ups

Your little one may have moved beyond Pull-Ups into big kid underwear, but pull-up diapers are a great resource when flying with a recently potty-trained toddler or young child. "I even use them on my 6-year-old," says Wendy, who adds that it's much less stressful than having to race to the bathroom or deal with an in-seat accident.

Show Some Appreciation

Flight attendants love to receive a certain gratuity for dealing with toddlers. "Any kind of chocolate found in an airport, handed over at boarding, does wonders," says Patrick. Of course, it will have zero effect on the random bad-tempered, unprofessional cabin crew member. But it's a nice gesture nonetheless, particularly when flying during the holidays when most flight attendants will be working and away from their families.

"It will be so appreciated," he says. "And we will remember you and look out for you. And not only that, you'll probably score a free drink out of it."

Seat Kids Away From the Aisle

Aisle seats can be dangerous for toddlers and potentially give them a little too much freedom of movement. For example, little hands and feet can be bumped as people walk by and hot coffee and water may be just within reach as the food and beverage cart passes by. If you can, consider the window seat, which offers the benefit of a view and puts you between your toddler and any other passengers in your row.

Beware of Germs

Toddlers tend to get sit a lot, but you can try to avoid any travel-related illness by keeping your little one's hands clean. When flying with a toddler, wipe everything from hands to tray tables down with sanitizing wipes when you're getting settled in your seats—and above all else, do not send your kids to the bathroom without shoes. "The floor is a Petri dish," a flight attendant confides. "You're in the air, things jostle. That's not just water on the bathroom floor."

Keep Your Composure

There's not much you can do to assuage that passenger who complains the moment your child sneezes or giggles. Here's what you need to remember: As long as you're trying (and what parent isn't?), you've got almost everyone on your side. "An adult having an issue with a screaming child is acting like a child as well," offers a flight attendant and mother named Patience. "Don't engage. Just worry about your own child."

Choose an Airline With Kid-Friendly Perks

There's nothing a family-friendly airline wants more than happy, occupied kiddos. As such, many leading carriers have all kinds of kid perks to offer their littlest travelers from a wide array of their favorite TV shows and movies to kid-approved headphones and snacks.

Before boarding, be sure to check in with the gate agent about whether the airline offers priority boarding for families with young children. Often airlines call special boarding for families so they can board a little early so you'll have time to settle in. Other great perks to look for are family lounges or airports with areas for kids to burn off some steam during layovers or before boarding.

Related Articles

Long Haul Flight with a 1-Year-Old (A-Z Guide for Parents)

I have a one-year-old son who has been on 14 flights so far (domestic and international) with another long haul flight coming up next week. And just one week ago, we flew across North America with him to visit family — this isn’t the easiest age to travel with a baby but it doesn’t have to be terrible either, trust me!

This is a comprehensive guide with all of the information you need to make your long haul flight with your budding toddler smooth and more enjoyable. There are no guarantees when traveling with a baby/toddler but we can do the very best to increase the likelihood that we’ll have a great flight! Let’s do this!

In this guide, you’ll find the following topics covered:

One-year-old babies fly free (unless you want your car seat on board), where to sit on the plane with your one-year-old, documents you need for your one-year-old to travel, how to pack for you and your one-year-old for the flight, gate check your stroller and car seat for free, how to navigate the airport with your one-year-old, tips for boarding the plane with your one-year-old, how to keep your one-year-old baby entertained on the flight, how to get your one-year-old to sleep on the flight, how to spend your layover with a one-year-old.

First, you’ll have to decide whether you’re going to buy a seat for your baby or if you’re going to have them sit in your lap for free (or for a fraction of the regular price). Until babies are 2 years old, they count as a “lap infant” and you don’t have to buy them their own seat.

If you’ll be buying a seat for your baby, you can either have them sit in the seat or bring their car seat on board for free. *Car seats also get checked for free on most major airlines.*

If you’re going to bring your baby on board as a lap child, the obvious advantage is that it’s cost-effective, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

First of all, you won’t be able to bring your car seat on board. You can ask if there are any empty seats on your flight, in which case the flight crew might accommodate your car seat, but there’s no guarantee. You’ll have to be prepared to have your baby in your lap the whole flight — which can be challenging for a long haul! But doable!

For take off and landing: On many international airlines, you’ll be asked to put a baby lap belt on, which is a seat belt extension that loops around the adult seat belt and then around your baby’s waist. Babies have to be seated in your lap facing forward and wearing this lap belt for takeoff and landing.

On US carriers, they don’t do infant lap seat belts– Instead, you’re asked to hold your baby facing toward you for takeoff and landing.

There is great debate between travel moms about where is the best place to sit on an airplane with a baby or toddler, which I wrote about and highly recommend you check out to figure out which seat and part of the plane are best for your family specifically.

However, the consensus seems to be that the window seat, the bulkhead row, and the back of the plane are the best places to sit when flying with babies or toddlers. These areas offer the most privacy, space, and safety, according to many moms who travel with their littles ones.

The bulkhead row is the row usually located in the first row (or the first row after a separator), faces a wall and has a bit more legroom. This row is great to choose for babies because you can request a bassinet if you want.

There is an age/weight limit for some airlines so check with them first. Our son was 22 pounds and over a year old when he last used one.

I’m not sure how much I love the bassinet to be honest. I’m sure some other babies sleep very well in them (especially younger babies), but my son lasted about one hour out of our entire long haul flight. The rest of the time, the bassinet was just kind of awkwardly in our way — although it was useful for holding a bunch of our stuff!

I do like the bulkhead row for the extra room and not having anyone in front of us to disturb. The cons of the bulkhead row are that you can’t put the arm rests up, and there is no underseat storage in front of you. All bags need to go in the overhead bins for takeoff and landing.

The window seat with a baby is obviously great for using as a distraction and to have something to lean against, especially if you’re breastfeeding. The big con is having to ask the person/people sitting next to you to move every time you need to change a diaper, walk up and down the aisle with your baby, etc.

The back of the plane is a popular place to sit as well, because it tends to be quieter, darker, and if the flight isn’t full — less populated. It’s also usually closer to the bathrooms.

On my most recent long haul flight with my one-year-old, we opted for the bulkhead row with the bassinet. But in hindsight, I think I would have rather had a row near the back instead. Here’s why:

Our flight wasn’t full so we could have had a whole row in the back to ourselves to put the arm rests up and stretch out. It was much quieter and darker back there. Sitting in the bulkhead, there was so much noise and activity with the flight attendants preparing food and coffee and assisting other passengers. Our baby had a tough time sleeping through all the noise and light.

If your child is a lap infant, the options for sleep are:

• They sleep in your arms
• They sleep attached to you in a baby carrier (but it can’t be used for takeoff and landing)
• They sleep in the baby bassinet in the bulkhead row
• They sleep lying across you and your partner’s laps
• You are lucky and have an empty seat next to you so you can lay them there or use your car seat!

Domestic flights

To fly domestically within the United States, you officially don’t need to bring ID for your baby but I would recommend bringing your baby’s birth certificate anyway just in case, for two reasons:

• You may need to prove your baby’s age for them to qualify as a lap infant (under 2 years old)
• You may need to prove that you are the legal parent (not likely but I have heard of rare cases)

You may also be asked for a physician’s note with a clean bill of health if your child is a newborn. Many airlines don’t allow you to travel with a baby under 7 days or 14 days without a note from a doctor.

You may need a boarding pass for your child — or at least to make sure that your child is connected to your boarding pass (basically, the airline needs to know that a baby will be coming on board, even if they are a lap baby).

International flights

We started traveling with our son when he was 3 months old and the same documentation that we needed then is needed for him at one-year-old. It will depend on your exact circumstances, but here is a list of the 6 documents that you may need for traveling with your baby:

• Birth certificate
• Boarding Pass
• Vaccination record
• Physician’s note
• Notarized parental consent letter

Not every document will be necessary on every flight. To find out the details and exceptions for each item, please read the article I wrote all about baby flight documentation . This all applies to infants who are US citizens, but much of it is relevant to babies from around the world.

We have to bring so much more stuff with us than we used to now that we have a baby. But I have to say that we’ve gotten MUCH better at packing with a baby than we were when we first started traveling with him at 3 months old.

We’ve streamlined things for sure, and this process takes some trial and error just because every family and baby’s needs are a little bit different. We’ve personally become better at leaving a lot of stuff behind and then hitting up Facebook marketplace for items that we need in our destination (or going without).

There are also rental companies that you can just rent baby items from (like high chairs, toys, etc.) if you don’t want to lug everything with you.

In total, we usually pack (TO CHECK):

• Our car seat (to gate check)
• Our stroller (to gate check)
• A larger suitcase with mom and baby’s clothes/stuff (to check)
• A large backpack with dad’s clothes/stuff (to check)

And we usually pack (TO CARRY ON):

• A diaper bag (usually doesn’t count as one of our carry-ons, but depends on the airline )
• A carry-on backpack for mom
• A carry-on backpack for dad
• A baby carrier to use while navigating the airports (our son has always really liked being “worn” and still does at one year — much more than the stroller)

I’ll go a bit more in depth for what to pack in your carry-on bags below.

As far as checked luggage , this will probably depend on your destination (will it be hot, cold, rainy, etc.) and how long you’re staying (how many pairs of pants, shirts, etc. will you need).

My recommendation would be to pack as light as possible where you can still be comfortable and happy with the clothes you’ll have (easier said than done, for sure!).

Carry-on Packing Checklist for Your One-Year-Old

For a PDF version of this checklist and a detailed explanation, please take a look at my complete guide to packing for you and your baby .

Make sure the activities you pack for your baby are something new (can be dollar store objects). I also have a list of 20+ cheap and easy activities for one-year-olds on an airplane that you should definitely read before you go!

Here is what I pack for my one-year-old in his carry-on bag/diaper bag (after many flights of trial and error!):

• Diapers (x8)
• Wipes (1-2 packs)
• Changing pad
• Diaper rash cream
• Pajamas (x2)
• Light hoodie/sweater
• Baby blanket
• Light, breathable muslin blanket (to cover up for breastfeeding)
• Pacifier (x2)
• Pacifier/toy leashes
• Portable sound machine + extra batteries
• Water bottle
• 1 sippy cup/bottles
• Formula/milk
• Baby Tylenol
• Hand sanitizer
• Baby nail clippers
• Snack catcher
• Lots of dry snacks
• Mini first aid kit
• Ziploc/wet bag for soiled or wet clothes
• Activities for the plane
• Basic mini travel size toiletries (baby soap, toothpaste, toothbrush)
• If walking, soft stretchy shoes

Carry-on Packing Checklist for You

It’s equally important what you pack for yourself on the plane. This list is what I always pack in my carry-on bag when flying with my baby.

You probably won’t have much time to sleep on the plane, if any, so make sure you’re packed days in advance so that the nights before traveling you can just concentrate on getting some REST before the big day.

• An extra outfit (including underwear)
• Headphones/ear pods
• Phone charger
• Adult Tylenol
• Plug converters for your destination
• Lap top/tablet
• Camera + batteries
• Snacks for you
• A folder with all of your  important documents  (passport, visas, birth certificate, copy of your travel insurance, etc.)
• Ziploc bags
• Baby monitor
• Breast pump (handheld)
• Basic mini toiletries (soap/shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, glasses/contacts, etc.)
• Fanny pack (to wear in the airport)

As I mentioned above, most major airlines will check your stroller and car seat for free . If you absolutely know that you don’t want your car seat or stroller on the plane, you can plan to check them right away when you arrive at the airport.

If you want to try to bring your car seat on the plane for your lap baby (in hopes that there will be an empty seat next to you), you can carry it to your gate and then gate check it if it doesn’t work out.

Remember that if you’re going to be carrying your car seat through security and through the airport all the way to your gate, I recommend having a plan for carrying it along with all your stuff and your baby. It can be overwhelming trying to juggle a bunch of stuff, and trolleys aren’t allowed starting at the security line up.

We usually use our stroller as a trolley! And then we simply gate check it before we get on the plane.

Think about how you’ll be carrying your baby through the airport (stroller, carrier, etc.) and how you’re going to carry/move your carry-on bags as well. This is especially important when you’re traveling solo with your baby.

I made the mistake of not thinking this all through beforehand exactly ONCE — the time I first flew solo with my son. I ended up having to carry way too much stuff on my own through the airport and it was tough. It’s much more manageable of course if you’re flying with another adult who can help.

Here’s what we usually do:

• Check our car seat right away (we don’t bother trying to use it on the plane because our son has never liked sitting in a car seat anyway)
• Carry our baby in our wearable front baby carrier (we’ve always loved our Lillebaby carrier)
• Put all of our carry-on bags that will fit into the stroller and push it through security to our gate!
• Gate check our stroller

We’ve tried boarding a couple of different ways and the best way to board has ended up being this: Split up! Usually my husband boards early when they ask for families traveling with young kids to board. He takes all of our bags, stows everything away, and sets up our seat.

I try to get my baby tired out until the very last minute and board with the final group — the plane door shutting behind us!

This usually works out really well for us, as we can avoid our baby being stuck in a small contained space for too long. Also, if the timing is right, he falls asleep just in time for takeoff.

While you’re waiting for your flight, it’s so helpful to find an airport playground area for kids and get your toddler’s energy out as much as possible before boarding!

Keeping our one-year-old baby entertained on the flight has become more challenging as he’s gotten older. A newborn baby is actually easy peasy on the plane in comparison! But you also don’t have to overthink it.

I’m going to make some recommendations below for what to bring, based on my own experiences (and the advice of many other travel moms I surveyed). But please rely heavily on your gut when packing, because you know your child best as to what is likely to keep them entertained.

Some great activities for a one-year-old on the plane:

• Sticker books
• Masking/painter’s tape
• Dollar store (cheapy) toys
• Pill boxes filled with snacks
• Sensory/busy boards
• Buckle pillow
• Downloaded videos on a tablet or phone + toddler headphones
• Coloring book and crayons
• Empty spice containers + pipe cleaners to pull through the holes
• Old wallet or travel wallet filled with plastic “credit cards” (old memberships cards, bus passes, etc.)
• Pipe cleaners and uncooked pasta to string
• A small empty water bottle with the bottom cut off + colorful pom pom balls to put through the hole
• Anything with zippers or strings
• Window cling stickers
• Window suction spinners
• Magnet toys
• Water Wow books
• Mobi Zippee Silicone Pull Toy
• Pop it or fidget toys

Ah, sleep. It’s hard enough to come by on normal, non-travel days with a baby so how are we supposed to get our one-year-olds to sleep on a plane?

Again, I’ll offer some advice but your baby is their own special little person so remember that different tricks work for different kids, of course!

Some tips for getting your one-year-old baby to sleep on a flight include:

• Bring your car seat on board if they’re used to sleeping in it.
• Ask to be seated in the bulkhead row and request a baby bassinet
• Bring an inflatable baby travel bed on board and place it in the seat next to you
• Bring a light muslin blanket to block out light
• Bring a portable sound machine to block out announcements and other passengers
• Walk the aisles to put your baby to sleep (with your baby in a carrier if you use one)
• Tire them out before boarding and try to fly at their nap/bedtime
• Bring their comfort items (stuffed animal, blanket, pacifier, etc.)

Every baby is different. We’ve walked the aisles with our son, put him to sleep in his carrier, and more recently he falls asleep while breastfeeding only (when on the plane). And I find that a comfort item (his blanket) and playing lullabies very quietly on my phone has helped a lot to put him to sleep.

I would say mimic as closely as you can what you might do at home to put your baby to sleep — as far as sounds, light, motion, and comfort items.

A direct flight, however long, is probably ideal for most people traveling with a baby. But that isn’t always an option, unfortunately. If you have a long-ish layover ahead of you, I have two recommendations for making it more enjoyable for you.

The first one is a bit fancy. We’ve done this twice with our baby and that’s to use one of the priority lounges . You can basically go hang out in a nicer part of the airport with comfy seats and “free” food and drinks. It’s awesome.

We have a certain number of passes that come with our credit cards every year. Or you can just buy a pass for the day. If you can swing it, it makes your layover experience with a baby MUCH more enjoyable, especially after a long flight… on your way to another long flight!

My second recommendation is to bring items in your carry-on bag to camp out . Bring a couple of blow up camping mats, lightweight blankets, snacks, and “camp out” in a dim area on the floor of the airport. When you’re prepared for this, it can actually be kind of cozy and fun to hang out in your little “spot” for a few hours.

Choose a spot near a kids area/playground or plan activities for your airport time for your baby as well (not just for the plane).

If you can, take this time to trade off getting some lay down rest — Or try to get your baby to sleep and ALL of you get some rest before your second flight.

Good luck! YOU GOT THIS! 🙂

Brittany is a Wayfaring Human who loves to adventure with her husband and son. When she's not having adventures, she's taking pictures of them and writing about them.

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