Tips for flying with a toddler!

So as some of you may know, I have flown a decent amount with my little one already, and she's only 14 months old.  So far, Addie and I have gone to Chicago (when she was 3 months old,) Italy (5 months,) Las Vegas (9 months,) Chicago again (11 months,) and now Boston (14 months.)  This trip, however, is not only going to be alone (as hubby needs to stay home for work,) but is also across the country!  We did Vegas alone, but that's a quick flight from Seattle, and Addie wasn't walking yet.  I have a feeling a toddler is a whole new ball game. Boston is 5.5 hours non-stop there, but broken up on the way home because we're going to Syracuse to see my little sis's college, which makes it a 10 hour travel day home with a layover in Atlanta.

So, after pinteresting and googling and facebooking for suggestions, I have come up with a variety of ideas for our trip.  Of course, post-trip, I will update how all or none of these worked haha!  

So here is my carry-on packing list for flying cross-country with a 14 month old: 

• Baby backpack with tether (yes, some may call it a leash but Addie loves to walk/run and the exercise is great for her before we're stuck on the plane all day.) This is the perfect solution for a hands-full walk through the airport alone with a toddler!  Thank you SKIP HOP!  (I filled her backpack with the really light toys-the bigger/heavier ones I'll put in the diaper bag.) 

​Toys: ideally- light toys that don't take up too much room

• Organic Farm Buddy (LOVE these- soft, light, adorable and Organic!) 
• Small baby doll
• Baby Einstein Mini books-she loves these!  
• Finger puppets 
• Teething necklace
• A handful of uno cards in a ziploc bag 
• And a binkie with a clip so it doesn't keep falling on the ground-side note: I bring lots of extra binkie clips and tie them on all her toys that I can.  When she's playing with them, I clip them onto her, me, the chair... It helps me not have to keep finding them on the floor of the plane and helps with germs. 

Backup tin of goodies in case the regular toys have gotten old: 

• Cotton balls
• Straws
• Band-aids (designed, of course...she loves to unwrap them and stick them on her like stickers.  This can consume quite a bit of time.)
• Ice-breakers container filled with Happy Baby Creamies-rattle and snack dispenser, all in one!
• Random stuff around the house! Anthropologie wish bone on a string, floss (be careful of the sharp part- you can pop that off beforehand)- I'm told it's fun for the little one to pull on the floss until it's all out and that it could give you about 3 minutes of peace on the plane, ha!

Activities: 

• ​Sesame Street coloring/sticker book
• Crayons-jumbo
• Crayola Color Wonder Travel Pack- A friend told me about this- ummm...the markers only show up on this special color wonder paper so they won't make a mess all over the plane!  Genius!  And it comes in a handy travel case!

Technology:
Ok, so I'm a mom that doesn't allow my daughter to use devices/watch tv.  No judgement if your kid does, I promise!  However, I'm caving for the purpose of travel.  Not at home, but when traveling, it's a special treat.  So, that said...

• Ipad mini (I purchased a kid friendly case that should come in very handy.
• Kid headphones (I purchased these bc they have a built-in splitter so I don't need to worry about losing one and I can listen to what she's watching, they come in pink!! and because they have a noise level limit on them so they won't be too loud for her little ears.  
• We downloaded Moana- she LOVES the main song as well as 3 toddler apps: 

Tip: start getting your little one used to headphones before the trip.  A friend recommended this and it's so helpful.  Addie is not a fan of headphones but I'm trying to get her to see you can "only hear the ipad if you're wearing the headphones."  Of course, that's not entirely true, but when we get on the plane, it will be. ​

Now as for snacks...we should buy stock in Happy Baby!  I absolutely love this company and Addie LOVES their food!  You can not beat the convenience of these snacks for travel, and they're all organic!

• Happy Baby organic Rice Cakes (blueberry & beet)
• Happy Baby organic creamies
• Happy Tot Love My Veggies Chickpea Straws (come in small travel packages)
• Happy Tot Super Morning Food Pouch
• Happy Tot Fiber & Protein Food Pouch
• Happy Baby Teething Crackers
• Happy Baby Superfood Puffs
• Larabar Fruits & Greens Strawberry & Spinach Cashew bar- no added sugar and tastes like a fruit roll up!

Finally, these are my typical diaper bag items: 
Note: when traveling...and all the time, really, I find it tremendously easier to use a diaper bag backpack than an over the shoulder diaper bag.  It leaves my hands free to carry Addie, grab toys, sippie cups, etc without the bag falling off.  And it's gentler on my back as well.  I LOVE my Timbuktu diaper bag!! Can't say enough about it: comfortable, great sleek look, looks brand new after a year of taking it everywhere everyday...!

• wipies- Water Wipes
• plenty of diapers- Bambo Nature Diapers
• Diaper bags -to wrap the stinky diapers in
• an extra outfit for baby
• an extra shirt for me
• extra binkies
• baby tylenol
• adult tylenol
• sippy cup
• lip balm (the plane gets so dry,)
• lotion (we use lush for lip balm and hand lotion)
• diaper rash cream- Natural Butt Paste
• Mom headphones- Beats by Dre, wireless= easier when baby is squirming
• Wallet

Travel gear: I almost forgot to include our trusty travel gear!  

• We take our Beco Gemini Carrier everywhere!  I tried on so many carriers, but this one fit the most comfortably for my body.  This frees my hands up and allows me to get us on and off the plane so much easier, and without chasing a toddler this time!  
• We also just changed strollers.  We took a friend's recommendation and got the Zoe XL1 Deluxe stroller and LOVE it!  It's only 10 lbs and folds up so easily!  Haven't travelled with it yet, but I'm sure it will be a breeze.  It even has a travel backpack option and can fit in the overhead bin!  This is a family-owned small company and I love their products!

So, off we go this weekend!  I'll keep you posted about our results!

  Feel free to comment with what tips and tricks work for you when flying with a toddler!