10 TIPS ON TRAVELING WITH A TODDLER ON A LONG-HAUL FLIGHT BY YOURSELF

The first flight I did with my 22 months old daughter was from Australia to Germany. The trip took around 24 hours and I traveled by myself as I was going to introduce my daughter to my family overseas. Being nervous weeks and days in advance is an understatement. I was stressing out — big time! However, this feeling helped me to prepare myself well for this long trip.

Here are some tips which helped me survive the journey:

WRITE A LIST WITH THINGS YOU WANT TO TAKE

About a month before the flight, I started writing 3 different lists. One for all the things I wanted to pack in each of our suitcases, one for all the things I wanted to put in my hand luggage and one for the things I needed to prepare or buy to take with us.

Even though I didn’t end up needing everything I packed, I felt prepared for every possible scenario and that was a good feeling. However, I realized I didn’t have to pack all those things for the return flight again such as medical stuff (I took heaps!) or a blanket which they have on the plane.

I would recommend to check the airline’s website or give them a call to see what things they have on the plane so you don’t take too much.

BUY A SEAT FOR YOUR TODDLER

If your toddler is younger than 2 years of age at the time of booking your ticket, you’ll get asked if you want to buy a seat/ticket for them as well. I highly suggest to do so.

I know it’s more money you have to pay but it’s worth it. Children are happy to have their own space and so are you on such a long flight. And if they fall asleep on your lap, they have room to stretch their legs. Also, you have more room across the two seats for all your things.

PHYSICALLY PREPARE YOUR TODDLER FOR THE FLIGHT

As our flight was in the late afternoon, I thought it would be a good idea if my daughter went to the playground in the morning so she wouldn’t feel too restless on the plane.

I handed that task over to my partner which had the great side effect of me having enough time to pack the final things and calm down a bit.

Once we had gone through the passport and security control at the airport, I walked my daughter to an empty gate and let her look at all the planes. She loved that and at the same time she had some more exercise before getting on the plane.

Again, on our stop-over in Singapore, I’ve let my daughter walk around rather than let her sit in the travel stroller too much.

I also gave my daughter one of those lollypops to help prevent travel sickness once the plane started moving. That also helped with the air pressure.

Another advice is to put your child in warm clothes which you can take off if it gets too warm on the plane. Usually it’s rather cold, that’s why I’ve put a turtleneck jumper on her and she didn’t end up getting sick. Unlike me, I had no voice for days after the flight… so don’t forget to take care after yourself too!

KEEP THEM ENTERTAINED

I bought a few new toys for my daughter which she hasn’t seen before so she would be excited to play with them. Take a few light books with you and yes I know you don’t want your child to have too much screen time but that tablet/I-pad is going to save your life. I downloaded a few series on Netflix so she was able to watch them offline.

Let them show/tell you what they want to do. If they want to look at the security instructions, let them do it and explain to them what it means. If they want to walk up and down the aisle, let them do it. Every minute counts!

NIGHTTIME ROUTINE

Even though my daughter didn’t fall asleep for hours after taking off, I think it helped her settle by having a certain routine like we have at home.

After having dinner, I asked the flight attendant to heat up some milk in the milk bottle I brought with me (I asked for full cream milk which they have on the plane so I didn’t have to bring that either), then we went to the bathroom to brush her teeth and after that I put her PJ’s on. Don’t forget to bring that favorite teddy.

Bonus: You can kill some time with those activities 😊

Just an FYI, if you want to bring your own milk, there are no restrictions on how many ml’s you are allowed to bring.

BRING PLENTY OF SNACKS

My daughter snacked a lot on the plane — especially since the airline only served two meals on each flight. On the second part of the flight which took around 13 hours, that really wasn’t much.

Snacks I took were:

• Raisins
• Cut up fruit
• Bananas
• Muesli bars
• Biscuits and crackers
• Yoghurt pouches

RELAX

Easier said than done, let me tell you! If you can, get a glass of wine (or two) on the plane, sit back and breathe.

If you’re at ease, your child is too and you can attend better to their needs. The airline staff is so helpful and friendly, even more so when they realize you are traveling on your own.

People with children are the first ones to enter the plane which gives you enough time to settle in. Children also get their meals served first which is very helpful.

Pray for nice neighbors 😊 On the first trip I had the best neighbors sitting behind us I could have asked for. My daughter stood up so many times to play peek-a-boo with them and they were so patient and genuinely happy to play with her.

ASK FOR HELP

Don’t let yourself get to the point of sitting in your seat and tearing up because you don’t know what to do anymore.

Ask the flight attendant to watch your toddler so you can go to the toilet in peace or ask them to walk your little one up and down the aisle a few times (if your child is happy to stay with someone else — mine wasn’t…).

Ask them or other passengers to help with your luggage when you get off the plane (if they don’t already offer it to you).

The neighbors I mentioned above were happy to help me with my luggage as my daughter was asleep when we landed in Singapore. Therefore I had to carry her and couldn’t carry much else. What a blessing!

One more thing — before you pick up your suitcase/s from the baggage claim at your destination, get yourself a trolley so you can put everything on it.

DON’T CARE ABOUT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK

If your child screams or cries on the flight, don’t be bothered about what other people may think. Most people wear headphones anyway to watch movies or listen to music and it’s so loud on the plane, they will hardly hear your toddler.

If they don’t intend to help you and just look at you, they are probably amazed at how the heck you’re doing this all by yourself 😉 don’t be too hard on yourself. You just have to somehow survive this trip and most likely you won’t see any of those people ever again.

THE RIGHT MINDSET

When we finally landed in Frankfurt, I thought this trip was worse than giving birth.

It sounds harsh and this was only my initial feeling as I was so exhausted. It was hard, I’m not going to lie but it could have been much worse. My daughter could have thrown up or she could have had earache all the time. Or she could have… no, I’m not going to focus on what could have happened.

I focus on the fact that she didn’t get sick, that she didn’t scream the whole flight, that she slept for a little bit, that she was happy for most of the time and so on.

When you’re on the plane, focus on why you are doing this trip.

Are you flying to see your family, partner or friends? Vision your loved ones.

Are you flying to go on a holiday? Vison that city or beach.

Are you flying to relocate? Vision your new life.

Count down the hours you have left to go and eventually you will arrive at your destination.

Good luck. You’ve got this!