Tips for Flying Solo With Two Kids 2 and Under

I was recently feeling very brave and went flying solo to Seattle from Charleston with two children two and under. Now that I’ve survived it, I think it would be beneficial to pass on some tips to anyone facing the challenge in the future. Here are five big tips and a whole lot of smaller ones.

5 Big Tips for Flying Solo With Kids

1. Get a seat for everyone. It may cost more, but you’ll be happier in the long run. Everyone has their own space . . . sort of.

2. Pack ALL the food. Seriously, bring enough food for five people, and you might have enough. It’s so much cheaper than buying food at the airport, and you don’t have to wait for the flight attendants to get to you on the plane.

3. Wear all the babies. This only works if you have children small enough, but if possible, it really consolidates things nicely. Plus, YOU CAN WEAR THEM THROUGH SECURITY!!! Anytime I don’t have to let my munchkins loose is a plus to me.

4. Use a backpack as your diaper bag or carry-on. It’s so much easier to wear it than carry it.

5. Bring car seats on the plane. Or do what I did: one car seat and the CARES harness. The children are so much more likely to fall asleep if they’re in their car seats. FYI, you don’t need the car seat base for the infant seat to secure it in the airplane seat. If you have a base on the other side then you have less to pack.

For additional ideas: I brought my jogging stroller and the adapter so I could just put the car seat on the stroller and place my bags in the car seat. It worked like a charm for getting to the gate. Also, you can use a travel car seat cart for a larger car seat. With your child strapped into the car seat, it’s super easy to roll along with you.

Those were the major points that I had anxiety about, but there are a number of other smaller lessons I learned that are useful to know when flying solo with young kids:

• Invest in toddler headphones and an iPad. They can’t watch anything without headphones as a courtesy to other passengers.
• Be careful opening sippy cups after you get in the air. That liquid just shoots right out of there!
• Pack your diaper bag in the order you’ll need things so you don’t have to dig.
• Get there early enough to board early, but not much earlier than that. It’s nice to be the first on the plane.
• Car seats can’t go in the aisle seat, FYI.
• Bring a lovey or familiar blanket.
• Pack spare clothes for you and the kids. It’s always good to have spares.
• Puke bags; just do it.
• Melatonin can be helpful if your kids are old enough for that, and if you’re comfortable using it. Dramamine is good too, if they get motion sickness. Consult your pediatrician about these ahead of time!
• Do not underestimate your baby’s ability to unhook their seatbelt.
• Drink wine, but don’t pass out on the flight.
• Have someone park and walk you to baggage check and security. I promise it will make your life so much easier.
• Realize that plastic beverage cups are so much better than any toys you bring for the baby. You can also try putting them over your toddler’s ears if they hurt.
• Pack touchy-feely board books.
• Don’t be afraid to let the baby tear up a beverage napkin, it will occupy them for at least five minutes.
• Tuck something between the car seat and the window to keep from losing things when your baby throws them.
• Pray. A lot.
• Let others be kind to you. If someone offers to help, take them up on it! Relying on the kindness of strangers is okay as long as they aren’t creepy.

And lastly, know that it’s normal to wake up at 3:00 a.m. and agonize over whether or not the plane might crash and your kids won’t keep the oxygen masks on.

You can always put them on once they’ve passed out.