Traveling with a toddler is an adventure, not just because you’re heading to a fun destination. Between the sprinting, snack crises, and the occasional water bottle explosion, we’ve learned a thing or two the hard way. We’ve taken our 18 month old toddler on 10 flights so far, including 16-hour flights between Boston and Hong Kong, some shorter flights from Hong Kong to Thailand, and survived a few layovers. Along the way, we made some mistakes so you don’t have to!
Here are the 5 mistakes we made… and what we’ll do differently the next time.
Mistake #1: Overpacking
I’ve have always been chronically overprepared and it got worse once we added a toddler into the mix. I packed multiple sets of extra clothes, a wide variety of toys, and books galore, to my husband’s chagrin.
Technically, we were within our bag limit. But between our two carry-ons, diaper bag, travel stroller, and two (overpacked) personal bags, we were those people struggling down the narrow aisle. Managing all of it while carrying a toddler quickly became overwhelming. Then, once we got to our seats, we realized there wasn’t enough overhead space. Our bags ended up scattered across different compartments, making it a hassle to access what we needed mid-flight and delaying our deplaning significantly.
In the end, the only things my toddler cared about were her tiny board books, a drawing pad, and her snacks. That’s it.
What We’d Do Instead
- Minimize carry-ons by combining items into fewer bags.
- Prioritize easy access by packing essentials into a smaller bag.
- Be strategic about boarding early, if your airline allows it, to ensure space for your bags. If you are traveling with a child under 2, early boarding is usually offered at no extra charge.
- Pack just a few small, well-loved toys.
- Opt for a busy board backpack which doubles as both entertainment and storage. It held her snacks, water bottle, favorite toy, two to three diapers, and a small pack of wipes.
Mistake #2: Ditching the Travel Stroller
I know I just talked about overpacking, but hear me out.
We were going to Thailand where we would only spend one whole day in the city, and spend the rest of the week relaxing in a resort. So why not try traveling light this time? We figured bringing just the baby carrier and ditching the stroller would be the perfect solution after our previous overpacking fiasco. After all, we used the baby carrier when our daughter was 2 months old and it felt so FREE to not have to push a stroller around.
But then…
We had a 2-hour layover at the airport in Bangkok and the terminal seemed endless. Having no stroller meant we were speed-walking with a wiggly toddler strapped to our chests, diaper bag on our backs, sweat pouring, and desperately searching for the elusive play area that apparently no one had heard about. (Spoiler: It did exist and we repeated this process at 2 other airports.)
The exhaustion was real. Who knew that flying with a 2 month old baby would be so different from a 18 month old toddler? By the time we found the play area, my thighs were burning, I was SWEATING profusely, and I was just glad to get our toddler off me. I couldn’t stop thinking about how much easier everything would have been if we had brought our trusty travel stroller.
What We’d Do Instead
- Bring a lightweight travel stroller that fits in the overhead bin and doesn’t need to be gate-checked.
- Even if you think you won’t be using it much, you’ll be grateful for it at the airport. Trust me.
- Strollers make long walks, terminal changes, and nap time easier on both you and your little one.
Mistake #3: Not Checking the Water Bottle
My toddler has a weighted straw water bottle.
Picture this: she took a sip of water, then spat it out dramatically. Then she kept putting the straw up to her mouth and pushing it away while making a funny face, so I just assumed she was being goofy. Turns out, the water bottle built up pressure during takeoff. When I tried to test it myself… POW — I got a face full of water. It also kept spraying after I stopped testing it. It stopped after a quick twist of the top.
Lesson learned.
It’s easy to forget that the cabin’s air pressure can cause sealed baby water bottles to act like mini water guns. Next time, I’ll be ready.
What We’d Do Instead
- After takeoff, unscrew the water bottle slightly to release pressure before handing it to your toddler.
Mistake #4: Booking a Midnight Flight Thinking She’d Sleep
In theory, a midnight flight would mean she’d sleep through most of the night. In reality, the plane took off late, and the cabin lights stayed on for hours during meal service. Our toddler, now overtired and overstimulated, was not impressed and made sure we knew it. She finally fell asleep at 3 AM.
Even if the flight had been on time, we later learned that the lights would have stayed on for around two hours after takeoff for meal service. There was simply no way she could settle down in that bright, bustling environment. Meanwhile, we were running on fumes and wishing we had a better plan.
What We’d Do Instead
- Sometimes there’s just no better flight available. Whenever possible, consider an earlier evening flight to avoid overtired meltdowns.
- Try to stick to bedtime routines (PJs, stories, milk, whatever it may be) even on a plane.
Mistake #5: When You Think You Have Time, Think Again.
Parenting Rule #1: Things take up double the time when you have a toddler in tow.
We’d thought we’d have plenty of time to grab fresh snacks and milk at the airport after going through security. By the time we navigated through check-in, security, and a surprise diaper change, we were already rushing to the gate.
Some airports don’t have great snack options once you’re through security and relying on airline milk is tricky. The cabin crew can (usually) provide milk, but onboard milk runs are often delayed while they serve the whole cabin.
During our long-haul flight, there were moments when my toddler absolutely refused the airline food. Dry snacks only went so far. As I watched our child gobble up what little fruit that came with our meals, I couldn’t help but wish I’d brought a banana or some blueberries. Next time, I’m coming prepared.
What We’d Do Instead
- Don’t assume you’ll have time to shop at the airport. Have everything ready before arriving.
- Bring easy fresh snacks like blueberries, bananas, or mandarins.
- Pack shelf-stable milk to avoid waiting on flight attendants. Most airports allow parents to bring baby food, breast milk, formula, and toddler-friendly liquids in reasonable quantities, even if they exceed the 3.4 oz (100 ml) liquid limit.
- Keep everything (at least the liquids) in a separate bag and let security know it’s baby food.
- Get TSA Precheck/Global Entry. It would only be valid in US airports, but it’s better than nothing.
3 Things We Did Right
Our flights weren’t all disasters and regret. Here are 3 things that we nailed and a few tips that we highly recommend.
1. Pack an Extra Set of Clothes & Diapers
Airplane changing tables are notoriously small — just a fold-down platform above the toilet. By the time our daughter was 16 months, she would barely fit on the changing table. Only a few stalls had these tiny tables, meaning sometimes you have to wait in line for that one stall.
Because of that (along with the extra water consumption), her diaper tends to get quite full on flights. Also, accidents happen as any parent will tell you, especially when Daddy is on diaper duty. She managed to pee on Dad – TWICE! Having extra clothes saved us from hours of holding a wet, unhappy baby.
*PRO tip! As our toddler got older and could stand on her own, pull-up diapers made changing her in the tight airplane restrooms much, MUCH easier.
2. Pre-Boarding Diaper Changes
Knowing the cramped quarters of airplane bathrooms, we always changed her diaper right before boarding. This reduced the need for in-flight changes and kept her comfortable during takeoff. It’s nice to have more space for your wiggly one.
3. Ear Pressure Management
Our daughter is still young, so having her pacifier helped relieve ear pressure during takeoff and landing. Offering water or snacks right as the plane began its ascent and descent also helped prevent ear pain.
There were times when our toddler was already cranky from sitting still for too long and we had to resort to snacks before takeoff. It happens – we just saved the extra yummy treats for takeoff.
Final Thoughts
Even with the hiccups, we made it! We’ve learned that traveling with a toddler means embracing the chaos and celebrating the small wins—like finding that elusive airport play area. For every mistake we made, there was a lesson and a solution that made the next leg of the journey a little smoother. Just remember that even if things go wrong, you’ll get through it. We did!
Have you ever had a toddler travel mishap? Share your funniest or most helpful tips in the comments!
