Do you have an upcoming weekend getaway with your young toddler? Here, I detail how to fly carry on only with a toddler. We’re off to attend a wedding out of town for the weekend. Spending a total of 3 days and 2 nights away from home. I don’t want any of the clothes etc that we needed for the wedding to disappear into the world of lost luggage.
As the only parent, I really need as much as possible to be within my control. I also know that I need to take as little as possible. That way I will be able to transport everything easily. Flying with my now 17 month old for an out-of-town wedding this past weekend seemed overwhelming – but also a fun challenge! I was determined to do it seamlessly. Here is how I did it.
determining what to pack in your carry on
We had a very tight budget to work with. Even though a 17 month old is a very tricky lap infant – that was my only choice. Buying food and drinks at the airport also wasn’t an option. It took me probably about a week or more to think through what I needed to bring along for the trip.
I discovered that a preset packing list, was not necessarily what I needed because this situation was unique. I needed to make sure my toddler had everything she needed.
Also, I had to make sure I had everything that I needed. Not to mention, a few emergency items as well. I did not want to be frantically looking for a Walmart – with a screaming toddler – at the last minute, after a day of traveling.
So, I decided to detail our itinerary, go through the various activities we would have each day and write down what we would need. I factored in mealtimes, play time and snacks to gauge the amount of food to bring along. My packing list started from the various ways to get to the airport and what I would need depending on that.
For instance, if I drive myself to the airport I need a car seat and stroller. However, if I get a ride to the airport, I could probably opt for the baby carrier and leave the bulky gear behind. I also had to take into account what kind of luggage to bring along.
Prioritizing ease of movement
A roller bag can be wheeled around easily, but mine had been damaged on our last international trip. My only choice was to bring a duffle bag. So because of that, I would need to carry the duffle bag AND my baby onto the plane.
I realized, that would be a lot of weight to carry around the airport. So bringing along a stroller was going to be a life saver. Originally, I had assumed that taking a stroller on a journey was primarily for walking around your destination. Let me tell you, I am now a firm believer of traveling with a stroller no matter what! Especially at the 17 month range.
It made my life so easy.
Even when my active toddler didn’t want to sit in the stroller – it held our duffle bag and lunch bag nicely. The cup holders were also perfect for our water bottles when strolling through the airport.
Car rental at destination
We had to rent a car at the destination. So, I had a choice of whether to take the car seat or not. The car rental offered a car seat that could be rented daily. Read how you can handle the carseat in the following section.
I read from a seasoned mom traveler that car seat rentals were not always guaranteed. Imagine that! (Side note: Funny enough, when we got to our destination, I quickly found out that the RENTAL CAR was also not guaranteed!) Since there was an additional daily fee for the car seat rental, I chose to bring our seat along.
That also meant that we had to bring the stroller because I certainly could not lug a carseat, carseat base (and mirror), a duffle bag, lunch bag and a 29 pound (last time I checked) toddler into the airport alone. Ha! Well, I don’t have wheels on my car seat bag.
what to do with extra gear
Luckily, most airlines allow you to check in baby gear for free. Because I didn’t buy my little girl a seat on the plane and she was considered a lap infant, I opted to check in the car seat at ticketing.
So, I took that risk because firstly, I had too much to carry on and secondly, fingers crossed – I could rent one at the destination. Guess who had to roll the dice and let the chips fall where they may on this one!
I was using our regular everyday car seat, so I needed the carseat base and mirror for the rental car. This was too much to bring along through security. Remember, my luggage was a duffle bag. If I had rolling luggage I think it may have opted for gate check. There are travel car seats that don’t require a base, but we don’t have one. I’m here to tell you that you can make the best of any situation. You can make it work!
In the event that I did not check in the car seat at ticketing, I could also gate check the car seat. I’d put the car seat base with the mirror together in a travel car seat bag, and put all the contents in the basket of my travel stroller. Then at the jet bridge, I’d wear my toddler (put my toddler into her carrier), unclip the carseat from the travel stroller and placed the carseat into the travel car seat bag with its base and mirror. Fold up the stroller and leave the travel car seat bag and stroller to be gate checked.
Boarding the plane would consist of rolling luggage and lunch bag while wearing baby girl on me.
Getting through security
Although there is the option of TSA pre, I did not have the time or finances to go that route. It sure looks like it could be absolutely amazing. Regular security is now surprisingly easy though.
As of April 2023, I was not required to remove the pouch of liquids from my luggage. I was just required to remove my shoes and scarf. Everything had to be removed from the stroller basket. At our local airport, we were able to just wheel the empty stroller through. I simply wore my toddler in her carrier to walk through security.
Making the most of the journey
Have a solid plan and focus on interacting and engaging your toddler with the journey. Make it fun! It’s important that you account for the things that can be controlled (detailed planning of the trip). Let go of the uncertain. Don’t be anxious about the “what-if’s”. Things that you cannot do anything about may include:
- aircraft delays
- not having all your snacks clear security (little containers of peanut butter and hummus, who knew)
- your child possibly being unable to nap/sleep appropriately depending on flight times
- …and the overtired melt down that may ensue
This trip made me realize all over again that: you need a special grace for yourself and also for your toddler. Different situations may make them act in ways that are unfamiliar to you.
Our flight was the last flight (the only flight that day) and it was severely delayed.
She screamed – inconsolable for what felt like eternity on the plane before she finally fell asleep. Well after midnight!
I was so embarrassed at first, but then I realized – wait, she is just extremely tired. This is such a different situation for her. In that moment, I see what she is going through, calm down and take it in stride. Did I mention this episode was on the plane?
Everyone around us was thankfully accommodating. Several passengers even shared their personal stories!
What are some of your travel experiences or tips? Please leave a comment, I would love know!