TRAVEL: Flying with a toddler checklist

1.Begin by making a list of things to do, about a week before the trip, and make special headings for things to buy and things to pack.
Take care of things like refilling prescriptions, laundering and pressing the clothes you will take with you and photocopying and organizing passports (if needed) and other documents. Make an effort to pack only what you really need, especially when it comes to the carry-on luggage. Remember that you will have a little one to care for as you make your way through the airport, and carrying an over-loaded bag will make it more difficult. Try to have everything ready two days before the flight so that on the last day you will be free from the hassle of last-minute chores.
2.Pack an outfit or two for your child in your carry-on bag, because luggage gets lost and accidents happen. When packing clothes for your child, more is better. Consider the weather at your destination, but pack for the unexpected. Usually do two outfits for each day, plus extra pieces just in case. When it comes to underwear and socks, take more than you think you may need. Always pack a blanket, wet wipes, and a pair of slippers.
3.Spend a few minutes with your child packing some favorite toys to take along. Put some in the checked luggage and some in the carry-on bag.
4.Pack a small toy as a surprise in your handbag, and hand it to your child as a distraction when things get noisy.
5.Take some dry, low-sugar cereal as a snack. Crackers or raisins are also a good choice. A boiled egg is a meal by itself, it’s easy to make (always a plus while getting ready for travel), and it fits into a small container or a zipper bag. Consult the airline if you can request a child meal. Dishes that have a lot of sauce are more likely to be spilled, and a meal made especially for children will be easier to handle in the confined space of an airplane. If you have a picky eater, bring a home-made meal your child is sure to eat. Liquids are under tight restrictions so don’t bring any drinks from home, as they may be confiscated.
6.Sugary juices and carbonated drinks will make your child go to the bathroom frequently so they should be avoided, or you will spend a lot of time in airplane lavatories. When thirsty drink water, other drinks are treats to be taken occasionally.
7.If your child is still wearing diapers, it makes sense to buy the premium, extra absorbent kind to use during the flight. It will save you a lot of trouble and inconvenience. Take the time for a diaper change just before boarding. Don’t forget a plastic bag to put away the soiled diaper, and take a cloth nappy or something similar to cover the baby-changing tray that sits over the toilet in the lavatory. If you use cloth diapers at home, consider using the disposable kind while you’re traveling. Do not create more work for yourself unnecessarily.
8.Pack a washcloth to clean sticky hands, or get a small packet of wet wipes.
9.If you have the choice, and your flying time is short, avoid flying too late at night or too early in the morning. If it’s not possible, it’s especially important to make sure your child is well-rested before flying. A tired toddler is more prone to tantrums and irritability. For transatlantic flights, flying through the night is the best option: children will sleep and you’ll be on the ground before you know it. Some airplanes are equipped with sky cots or baby bassinets that can hold children under a certain weight, usually 24 pounds (11 kgs). Ask the staff at the ticket counter to assign you one when you check-in if your child meets the required weight limit. Being able to lay your child down for sleeping can make all the difference during a long journey, for you and your little one.
10.Always book a separate seat for your toddler if you can afford it, even if the airline allows you to share a seat. Carrying your child on your lap may be feasible during a short flight, but if you have several hours of flying time, it is far too tiring and uncomfortable. I’ve done it, and it was a dreadful 14-hour flight. Don’t count on empty seats; chances are there won’t be any. This is an instance in which the money spent will be well worth it, so make adjustments somewhere else if you must.
11.Consult the airline if you’d like to take your car seat onboard, and make sure your car seat is fit for use on an airplane. The information should be listed on the back of the seat. Airlines usually do not require special restraints for children (other than the seat belt that loops around yours if you carry your child on your lap), so the use of the car seat is up to you. Before making a decision, consider whether you are traveling alone with your child, or you have a companion who can help you carry the extra load, an important point if you have a layover. Car seats are bulky and heavy, but they are an added safety measure you can take, and they are the perfect way to restrain an energetic toddler who won’t sit still. If you would like to check-in your car seat with the luggage, consider having it wrapped in plastic for protection. Luggage handling can cause real damage to the fabric and the safety buckles. Ask the airline if the seat will be treated as a piece of luggage for allowance purposes.
12.Dress your child in an outfit suitable for the flight. Nothing too fancy, constricting or uncomfortable for the pressurized, air-conditioned cabin of an airplane. Pants and longer shirts are best. A shirt that leaves the tummy exposed may make your child feel cold. Bodysuit-style undershirts in this case are key because they do not ride up. Layers that can be removed or put on according to the temperature in the cabin are a good idea, and comfortable shoes that won’t pinch little feet after a long day are a must.
13.Carry a stick of lip balm in your handbag. Airplanes are notorious for causing dry skin. Air travel regulations do not allow liquids or gels to be carried on board or to pass through security checkpoints, so consult the rules if you’d like to carry moisturizing lotion in your hand luggage
14.Get there early. Give yourself enough time to reach the airport even if you find yourself dealing with unexpected delays, like traffic jams or road construction. Remember that security screening takes time, and gates close well before departure times
15.Have something ready to give your child to chew during take-off and landing, as it will help relieve pressure in the ears. Chewing gum is the obvious choice, and even if you do not approve of it, consider making an exception and allowing its use on this occasion, as nothing else serves the purpose half so well.
16.Take along a couple of crayons (not too many or it can be a mess if they roll away), and a small, blank notebook, or a light-weight coloring book.
17.If your child likes to throw toys on the floor, consider taking only a soft stuffed animal. You don’t want to have an irate neighbor who just got a plastic toy thrown at his head.
18.Request a window seat for the child. The two-seater row is best, as you’ll be without a neighbor.
19.Take a funny, entertaining picture book to combat boredom. At home, try to keep the book away from your child for a few days so it becomes new again the day of the flight.
20.Don’t forget to pack your child’s feeding bowl and spoon and fork in the checked luggage. Children get attached to their own things, and familiar items will help calm any feelings of unease upon arriving at a new place.

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