Airplane Rides with 2 Under 2
Tips For Traveling With 2 Under 2
At first the idea of traveling with 2 under 2 on an airplane was frightening. Did I seriously just become that person – you know the one – with a kid kicking your seat while screaming the entire 5 hour plane ride? I loathed those people, and now, I was about to become them. Ugh.
If you belong to a moms’ group on Facebook I’m sure you’ve seen other mamas asking for traveling advice. But I’m here to tell you, traveling with kids isn’t as hard as some make it out to be. I’ve done it twice and survived and actually would do it again at the drop of a hat, because, well you know, I love to travel!
You don’t need to be overwhelmed by strollers, car seats, luggage, dock-a-tots and pack-and-plays, unless you want to be. My parenting style has always been go with the flow, my kids nap when and where they want and we live our life, for the most part (because if I’m 100% honest it’s not entirely the same as pre-kids), how we normally would.
So if you find yourself booking a trip with the kids in the near future here’s my advice.
Children Tickets- Airlines offer lap kids 2 and under free tickets. But the kids must sit on your lap the entire time. The first time we traveled Graham was 6 months and Hudson was 2 years 3 months. So, I bought Hudson a ticket. However, I was never asked for either kids’ birth certificates to prove age, maybe because I bought the ticket for my questionable age child – but to me it’s not worth the risk.
Disneyland, the Zoo, an Aquarium, sure I’ll chance the age question, but for the airline I did not want to risk them asking for proof of age and then saying I needed to buy a ticket. Have you ever checked the price of a same day ticket, it’s usually tripled and totally out of my budget. So for me it wasn’t a risk I wanted to take. I’ve heard from other mamas they’ve gotten away with their 3 year olds and not having a ticket, but I guess I’m not a gambling woman.
Takeaway Tip: Take advantage of Lap Seats only if your kid is really 2 or under. If they are 3 buy a ticket, you’ll both be more comfortable anyway.
Seat Selection- I always book a window ticket. The window seat gives you something to occupy the kids with when the get board. My Husband and I also always book window and aisle, because chances are the middle seat will stay open. If it’s a sold out flight and someone does have the middle seat one of us trades (because what passenger would deny your request to sit middle so they can sit aisle). It never hurts to ask the gate agent if there happen to be any open seats on the plane for your kid, usually they can slide the person in the middle into another middle seat in a different row if there is room, but I wouldn’t count on this. And if you can get the upgrade to exit row or the bulk head seats, it will give you a little extra room for the kids to stand and stretch and especially if you have one sitting on your lap.
Baby Gear– Decide what is absolutely necessary for your trip.
Do you really need a car seat? A Stroller? A Pack-and-Play? The less you bring the less you get stuck dragging through the airport, man those bulky car seats can be a pain! Most airlines let you check car seats free of charge and you can gate check strollers free of charge as well, so while cutting back on the gear doesn’t really save you money, it will leave you juggling less stuff through the airport.
Call ahead to your hotel, they may provide car seats in their shuttles or have things like baby shampoo, bassinets and humidifiers upon request (hello Hyatt). Uber even has carseats in select locations.
There are also gear rental companies like BabyQuip where local mamas provide some of the creature comforts of home without having to jam it all in your suitcase.
But if you do choose to bring your own carseat/stroller consider a travel friendly option. All car seats have to pass the same US safety tests in order to be sold, so you can find a cheaper option like the Cosco Scenera which is a lightweight, no frills, car seat for about $59. If your child is within the weight/height limits for a booster consider Hiccapop Uberboost Inflatable Booster Seat
Carry On Must Haves – A carry-on bag is an absolute necessity when traveling with kids. I pack backpacks for myself, each of the kids, and sometimes even a rollaboard suitcase.
In the kids bags I pack a sweatshirt and change of clothes inside a wet bag (wet bags are seriously my favorite baby products that I never knew I needed until I bought one and needed it- now I never leave home without it). Neither of my kids have ever gotten sick on the plane, but I am prepared if they do. I also bring water bottles and snacks – like when you think you’ve packed enough snacks throw some more in, and a few small toys.
Hudson has an ipad (we use this case) with headphones and we just download several different shows/movies on Netflix and Amazon TV. For Graham, I’ve been packing the Melissa and Doug Water Wow coloring books and a few small cars, squeezy toys and little things he likes to play with.
Pack for the Stage of Your Kid- Depending on the age of your kid you might have other necessities you need to bring on the plane or in your suitcase. Is your baby breastfeeding – grab a nursing scarf or nursing clothing, and don’t forget your pump! You can also include in your carryon bag as many water bottles for formula, bottles of breastmilk and baby food jars as you need. (my tip is however, keep the breastmilk frozen. If it is over 3 ounces and in a liquid state they may need to open it and test it, if it is frozen it is completely fine). Small enough to be worn in a carrier – bring it, without a doubt. Baby wearing through the airport gave me the extra hands I needed, and while on the plane allowed my lap infant feel safe and secure enough to nap. These are the types of things that might not be required for all people, so based on the age of your kids and the stage they are in bring whatever necessities you need.
My last takeaway tip is, don’t forget about you mama! In packing everything for the kids, make sure you adequately pack for yourself. Grab that book, binge some tv, or catch up on all the sleep you’ve been deprived of because of the kids. Bring yourself a pillow, a comfy sweater, thick cozy socks, or a scarf. Whatever you might need or find comfort in, make sure to pack it.
Traveling with kids doesn’t have to be stressful. Give yourself enough time to pack so that you aren’t rushing and end up forgetting things, pack emergency supplies like Tylenol and Benadryl and most importantly, don’t stress. There are stores everywhere to buy anything you might have forgotten. Run out of diapers – buy them there (in fact, if you are running out of suitcase room skip packing the diapers, bring enough for the plane ride and then buy when you get there.) Give yourself a little extra time at the airport, those little feet need a bit of extra time to get to the gate, and depending on how much stuff your are bringing through security (stroller, breastmilk, carryon bags) it might take you just a bit longer.
Travel is one of the best gifts you can give your children. Taking them to new locations they’ve never been before, exposing them to the sights, foods and different cultures of new cities is such a great experience. Do it as often as you can, even if its not a long vacation requiring a plane ride, instill the sense of wanderlust in your kids as early and often as possible.
Not All Who Wander Are Lost