Flying With a Toddler: What I’ve Learned After 19 Flights

At this point, my daughter is about to take her 20th flight before turning two. I’d love to say that I’m a pro, but the truth is every single flight has been a different experience. What I can say is that each trip feels a little bit easier, and I’ve learned something new every time.

We’ve flown to visit family, stayed at Finest Playa Mujeres, an all-inclusive resort in Cancun, Mexico and even traveled internationally with our toddler (12 hours with an 18-month-old from Los Angeles to London!). I’ve realized that while babies and toddlers bring their own unique challenges, traveling with a toddler comes with big emotions, lots of movement and the need for more creative ways to keep them engaged.

Here’s what has helped us the most.

Airport Days

Airport days can feel daunting, but they don’t have to be stressful. A little planning goes a long way.

• Arrive early. I used to cut it close, but now we treat the airport as part of the trip. Arriving at least 2.5 hours before gives us space to check in, get food and go through security without rushing.
  
  
• Consider lounge access. A credit card with lounge benefits has been a lifesaver. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is my go-to since both Los Angeles and Miami are American Airlines hubs. Having access to Admirals Clubs gives us a quiet space with food and seating before flights. One of our biggest goals was to use points for international travel, and we were able to book our flights to London entirely on points.
  
  
• Invest in the right carrier. My daughter outgrew her baby carrier before her first birthday, so I researched alternatives. The Senarah Toddler Carrier folds up small in my bag and makes it easy to get through security or carry her to the gate when she’s tired.
  
  
• Pack smart.
  
  
  • Check in your main luggage if it makes you more comfortable moving through the airport.
    
    
  • Remember that under-two toddlers can still have a diaper bag, which means you can carry three bags: your carry-on, their diaper bag and your own small bag.
    
    
  • Use a lightweight travel stroller that fits in the overhead bin. We love the MAMAZING travel stroller & of course, the fan favorite: Stokke Yoyo3 are fan favorites
    
    
  • Check your car seat and even tuck a pack of diapers inside the car seat bag.
    
    

Inside the diaper bag, I always bring:

• A small “bathroom pouch” with wipes, two diapers, and a change of clothes so I don’t have to carry the whole diaper bag into the plane bathroom.
  
  
• Snacks and baby food pouches (they’re more calorie-dense than applesauce and help with picky eating).
  
  
• Two bottles for milk, plus extra packets of Voyager toddler milk, which we always buy on Amazon before our trips. The packets weigh almost nothing and I always bring more than she’d normally drink in a day. Better safe than sorry, especially on long flights or international trips.
  
  
• Entertainment: an iPad with downloaded shows, a small writing pad, coloring books with clear markers, a few mini toys, and window stickers (favorites linked below).
  
  
• Comfort items: favorite stuffed animal, blanket, or pacifier.
  
  
• Essentials: medicine, toiletries, water bottle.
  

Flight and seat tips:

• When choosing flights, we preferred lap infant tickets while she was under two. In Europe, airlines even give an extra infant seatbelt for safety.
  
  
• If possible, book a bulkhead row with extra space and the wall in front of you. Toddlers move and kick, so not having someone directly in front of you helps.
  
  
• Book aisle and window with the middle open. Many airlines use “infant block” and hold the middle seat until the flight is full. Nine times out of ten, we’ve had an extra seat for long flights.
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Extra tips:

• On international flights, I carry an additional duffel with two days of clothing for everyone in case luggage gets lost.
  
  
• DON’T MAKE THIS MISTAKE: bring a portable bottle cleaner. On one trip we wasted hours searching for soap and sponges, and one day I even had to use a toothbrush. Never again. Even after bottles, it’s so useful for cups and utensils.
  
  
• In our checked bag, we always bring a set of toddler utensils and a straw cup for restaurants.
  

Visiting Family

When you’re visiting family or a familiar place, you don’t need to pack as heavily. I’ll place a pickup order for diapers or groceries at Target or another store near our destination so we’re not carrying everything with us. It’s a small step that saves space and stress.

All-Inclusive Resorts

Resorts can be a dream with toddlers if you prepare a little.

• Call ahead to see what they provide, like pack-and-plays. If you’re using one, bring your own crib sheet.
  
  
• Bring a portable fan if you’re going somewhere hot.
  

International Travel

International trips with toddlers are memorable but come with unique challenges.

• Plan Big City first. On our Europe trip we went to Bellagio, Lake Como before Milan. When we needed supplies, we ended up driving three hours back to the city. Next time, I’ll stay in the main city first to buy essentials and settle in.
  
  
• Board strategically. I don’t like to board last because I want overhead space for my bags. Sometimes my husband boards early to get settled while I let my daughter walk around. If I’m traveling solo, I’ll board early and then let her stand and play until the cabin doors close.
  
  
• Adjust expectations. I’m a Type A traveler who loves a packed itinerary, but traveling with a toddler means slowing down. Build in play stops and don’t expect to see everything. Some of our best memories were from small changes, like our daughter napping at the Louvre while my husband and I explored together.
  
  

Why it’s worth it

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that travel with a toddler will never go exactly as planned. And that’s ok. The missed naps, the forgotten snacks, the unexpected delays are not the memories that last. What you’ll remember is the little moments of connection, the new places you explored together, and how much closer it brought your family.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jaclyn Hidalgo Llorens blends her background in PR and marketing with her passion for content creation, sharing insights on parenting, family travel, fashion, and everyday lifestyle. She has flown with her toddler nearly 20 times before age two and brings that same honest, hands-on approach to all of her content. Follow along on Instagram @mrsjaclynhidalgo or connect at jaclynisishll@gmail.com for tips, collabs, and her go-to favorites [here].

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