Your Proven Guide for Flying with a Baby and/or Toddler
Here it is.
The battle tested formula for flying with a baby and/or a toddler (with a partner or solo).
By the time my oldest was one, he had been on 17 flights. He started at ten weeks old when my husband and I took him to my work conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. Together we also took him to the Wisconsin Dells, Orlando, Florida, College Station, Texas (twice) and Gatlinburg, TN.
Then by myself, I flew with him to Salt Lake City, Utah. Bangor, Maine. And Orlando, Florida (again).
I felt incredibly comfortable flying solo with my son because I was a very experienced flier. I’d had Platinum Status on airlines for more than a decade due to my work travel. There wasn’t a whole lot I hadn’t experienced in air travel, so I felt comfortable adding in the wild card… my son. And while flying with babies and toddlers is not easy, with some preparation, it is 100% doable (and shall I even say, enjoyable?)
When my son was 1.5 years old, we had our second son and by the time he was six months old I decided to take both my kiddos to Florida to visit my folks and give my husband a well deserved break. (I mentioned I travel a lot for work so guess who gets to solo parent while I’m gone? The hubby definitely needed the time off!)
Given the 20+ flights we’ve taken with our boys, some of which have been solo, we thought we would pass along our knowledge and tips. From the initial booking of the flight to when your feet are back on the ground, we hope this guide provides the insight and comfort you need to take that trip with your littles!
What does this Guide Include?
Booking the Flight
Arriving at the Airport
Time at the Airport
The Airplane Ride
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Booking the Flight
The top things I would consider when booking your flight are the following:
1) Get a direct flight - This might not always be possible. But if you can get a direct flight at a reasonable price, DO IT. There are too many variables when traveling with kids. You don’t want to worry about flights getting delayed/cancelled/etc and affecting your layover and arrival.
2) Fly early in the morning or during naptime - In the 20+ flights that our babies have been on, there has only been one where they haven’t fallen asleep. As they move from babies to toddlers, the amount they sleep goes down BUT if you fly in the morning or over their normal naptime, you have a better shot that they’ll nap.
You could fly at night as well… but I have found that this strategy includes more crabby, exhausted kiddos. Not to mention YOU are more exhausted as well.
3) Consider the cost of “extras” - Most airlines find multiple ways to nickel and dime you. This can be through baggage fees, choosing your seats, wifi, etc. Before you book a flight, make sure you know what the extra costs might be. When it comes to babies and toddlers, almost all airlines will let you check your stroller and car seats for free. On all of our flights we have also checked our Pack n’ Play for free as well (we’ve flown United, Southwest and Delta with babies). Check the policy though so you’re not surprised when you get to the airport.
4) Book an aisle seat - When I travel on business, I ALWAYS book a window seat. I don’t want to have to get up during the flight for others. But with a baby, have the aisle seat. This allows you to get in and out whenever you need. Now… with a toddler, it’s better to have a window. So you’ll have to determine what makes the most sense given your seat configuration and what age of kiddos you have. But in general. For a toddler, pick a window seat. For a baby (in lap) have an aisle seat.
Should you get a separate seat for your Baby/Toddler?
Now you know which flight you’re going to purchase but the question is how many seats do you buy?
If you’re flying solo with both a baby and a toddler you HAVE to get two seats. There can only be one lap child per adult.
If you have two laps and two children (we call this man-to-man defense) read below for our suggestions.
If your child is under two, they can sit on your lap for free if you’re flying domestically. However, at least for my kids, once they got to be 1.5 years old, I started getting them their own seats. It’s tempting to eek out that last half a year of free flights for your toddler, but an almost two year old is just too big and squirmy to sit on a lap for a couple hours. At least that’s my opinion. But feel free to give it a shot. After all, it’s only a flight.
If your baby/toddler does have their own seat, then you get to choose whether you want to utilize a certified child restraint (aka: car seat). These are required to be allowed on all domestic flights by the FAA and I have seen parents use these. However, I never have.
First, we have never brought our own car seat on vacation. If we fly and rent a car, we rent the car seat as well (and have always been more than fine with this decision). But if you know you want to bring your car seat on vacation, it’s not a bad idea to also utilize it to keep your baby/toddler restrained on the plane as well.
Bonus Airline Insight:
Should you choose your seats? (And possibly pay to do so??)
When I was drafting this post, I had a long explanation about the difference between Southwest and other airlines in terms of seating. BUT… that is changing as Southwest is moving to assigned seating in 2025. Given this… here is my high level insight into assigned seating.
Even if it costs you a little more, I would pick your seats at the time of booking. You DO NOT want to worry about ensuring your toddler is sitting next to you when you’re standing at the boarding gate. You don’t need that added stress.
5) Consider getting TSA Precheck - If you are going to fly once a year or more, I would consider getting TSA Precheck for yourself and the other adults in your party. If the adults have TSA Precheck, so do the kiddos (as long as they are on the same reservation as you and under 18).
What is TSA Precheck? - It’s this magical security screening process where you don’t have to remove your shoes, liquids or electronics. It costs only $78 for FIVE years. (Hence why if you’re going to fly at least once a year, the cost of roughly $15 a year is totally worth it.) And if you’re flying with babies and toddlers the last thing you want to do is remove your shoes/etc while having to wrangle them and get everyone through security.
AND… many credit cards reimburse you for the cost of TSA Precheck! This is how my husband got his five year membership for free. So before you start the process, check and see if a credit card you already have, has this reimbursement perk. If not, might not hurt to get yourself one that does. Then schedule your interview and your set for five years!
And the most important part: After you get your TSA Precheck number, also known as your Known Traveler Number (KTN)… ADD IT TO YOUR FLIGHT RESERVATION! This gives you TSA Precheck.
Arriving at the Airport
If you’re traveling with a baby and a toddler (or heck, even just one or the other) you’ve probably got a lot of stuff. If you have a partner, perhaps the two of you can handle all the luggage and the little ones. If you’re traveling solo… you probably can’t handle the kiddo(s) and all the luggage.
In most airports, they have curbside check-in! For our home airport, Milwaukee Mitchell International, they do for many airlines. So what does this mean?
You can drive your car to the “departures” area and right next to the curb is a check-in/luggage drop off for select airlines. This means you can keep your kiddos in the car as you check in your luggage and then park your car (or if someone is dropping you off, then you don’t have kiddos and luggage to worry about.)
The only time I’ve used this was when I was flying solo with my boys. But it worked like a charm. Highly recommend!
Another tidbit for arriving at the airport, specifically parking. If your budget can swing it, try not to park in a location that utilizes a shuttle. We don’t do remote parking on family travel because I really don’t want to tear down the stroller after we have it loaded up (not to mention the kids locked in it). You could consider dropping an adult off at the terminal with the kids (and the luggage) and having the other adult park in remote. You’ll do a lot of waiting, but maybe that’s okay. And then remember, you also have to wait when you arrive back home.
The Airport Experience
First and foremost: GO RIGHT TO YOUR GATE.
I can’t emphasize this enough. Get to the airport. Check your luggage. Get through security. Find your gate. Get the tags to gate check your stroller, car seat, etc.
Then do whatever you want to kill time around the airport.
I recommend getting to the airport two hours early, but this honestly depends on your preference and your airport. For reference, I leave my house, which is 30min away from the airport, 1.5hrs before my flight leaves when I’m on a business trip.
For family travel, we get to the airport two hours before our flight leaves (big difference).
And with littles, the airport is a super fun experience all by itself!
Killing Time
My number one tip here is to run your kids till they’re exhausted.
If your airport has long hallways and fast walkways, etc, use those to get those kiddos tired. If you didn’t bring lots of snacks (or milk and/or water for formula) buy those now. Many airports have play areas for kids, so look those up and utilize them.
Did I mention to stock up on snacks???
Whatever you do, try not to sit around. You’re going to be doing SO much of that on the plane.
Boarding the Plane
Most airlines have family boarding after the initial boarding sections (aka: probably significantly before your boarding section if you don’t have status). In general, do NOT to board at this time.
Why, you might ask?
In short, do you really want to have your baby and/or toddler trapped on a metal tube, strapped in a seat longer than they have to be??
Probably not.
The only time I would recommend boarding before the very last moment is if you have luggage you have to fit in the overhead bins that you don’t want to check. Then board at the early time they give you when traveling with a baby/toddler/stroller.
Otherwise. Wait. Wait as long as you possibly can. Your children will thank you.
You’re on the Plane. Now What?
My number one tip for the most successful plane ride? Make friends with the flight attendants. And those seated around you. They are all so vital to the success of your flight (especially if you are flying solo).
Real Life: Two children, One Adult
I flew solo with my five month old and two year old. My two year old fell asleep. My five month old needed to be changed. (Of course).
Since my toddler was asleep, I snuck out to change my baby (changing tables are over the toilets in most airplane bathrooms). I notified the flight attendant (who I had made friends with) that I had left my two year old sleeping in our seats.
Well… he woke up while I was gone. And there were tears, since I was missing, but the flight attendant carried him to the bathroom and also presented him with a toy airplane. Oh my gosh, he was so excited to see both me (and probably even more, that airplane).
Flight attendants are THE BEST.
The #1 Secret for Babies to Sleep on Planes
Like I mentioned earlier, our babies have slept on all our flights (20+) except for one. Now, I’m sure this varies depending on the baby, but what worked for us is having that bottle ready. DO NOT give that bottle to the baby until the flight is in the process of taking off. There are too many cases where the pilot says you’re leaving, only to then announce that you have to wait another few minutes. Pull the bottle out when the airplane is in the act of taking off (speeding down the runway, in the process of taking off). Then give the baby the bottle. This will help their ears, and put them to sleep.
If they do not fall asleep during takeoff… wait until the seatbelt sign comes off, and then stand up and rock them in the aisle. This worked so well for us during a number of flights. Just do it. No one will judge you. And if they do… oh well. They will appreciate your baby sleeping too.
Entertainment on the Plane
The first big secret for happy children on planes? Snacks
Bring ALL the snacks. For babies, toddlers, etc. Food is king on vacation. Bring it (or buy it) all.
For other entertainment: There is no shame in the utilization of screen time. It’s vacation. A special time. The toddlers can have their screens.
For babies (and toddlers) I love the Dollar Store run to pick up a bunch of new things that you bring out during the flight. Again. No judgement. No shame. Everyone will thank you for keeping your baby/toddler entertained.
Also, don’t underestimate the power of the “normal” things. Like airplane cups. And airplane snacks. And the window shade that goes up, and down, and up.
We have found that these Squigz have been AMAZING for the airplane windows. We’ve also gotten our kids (once they’ve reach toddler stage) just the normal Amazon Kindle Tablet, which is exactly what they need at this age. And also doesn’t break the bank.
In Summary
A little upfront prep work will ensure a smoother flying experience.
Get a direct flight (if possible)
Get an aisle seat (with a baby) and/or window seat for your toddler
Consider all the “extra costs” when booking your flight
If in the budget, consider TSA PreCheck
Utilize curbside check-in, especially if flying solo
Go RIGHT TO YOUR GATE when you get to the airport
Run your kids ragged before your flight
If you don’t have luggage you have to get in the overhead bin, board LAST
Befriend your neighbors and flight attendants on the plane
Have that bottle ready for babies to give you the best chance of sleep
Have ALL the snacks, and tablets/toys, ready for the plane
We fully appreciate that all babies/toddlers are different, so these tips may or may not work for everyone. But with our two boys, this tips and tricks have WORKED WONDERS.
Hopefully they help you and your family to travel a little easier when you take those flights to those amazing destinations!
