A few quick tips for travelling on planes with babies and toddlers
When to fly with babies
Every age has its challenge, but if you’re planning a long trip with a baby, the best time to fly with a baby is probably before 6 months, when they get a lot more mobile. So if you’re travelling far and are able to plan your trip, do it while they’re still small, immobile and sleep a lot!
Deal with ear problems
Babies and little kids can get problems with their ears during takeoff and landing. With babies, give them the dummy or bottle, or breastfeed during takeoff and landing. With toddlers, it’s a good idea to bring some little snack for them to chew on and some water. Raisins, an apple or gummy bears are good options!
Dummies
Maybe this goes without saying, but if you child uses a dummy, make sure to bring spare ones. In your hand luggage.
Finger puppets
Great entertainment for both babies and toddlers, that doesn’t take up a lot of space.
Stacking cups
Simple stacking cups don’t take up a lot of space but are versatile and fun for both babies and toddlers. They can be played with in the bath, on the beach and used as building blocks on tr floor. A good toy for a trip!
A blanket / scarf
For both babies and toddlers it might be a good idea to bring a little security blanket to help them sleep well in a new environment. A scarf can also help in shutting out light or making a more cosy environment.
Toys on a lanyard
A good tip I got from someone was to attach several toys onto a lanyard to make sure they don’t get lost. (Maybe mostly applicable to baby toys.)
Inflatable balls
Inflatable balls are great to bring along when you travel. Not to use on the plane of course, but at the airport when waiting for the next connecting flight, in a park etc. Another trick I’ve used, is to inflate the ball in a bag on the plane to make a foot rest for the child! 🙂
Balloons
Small and simple. Also a good toy to bring when you travel. A balloon can make that extra hour in the hotel room a little bit more entertaining.
Soap bubbles
Again, a small and simple toy that can keep babies and kids entertained during a stopover, in the hotel room or in a park. (Less so in the actual plane.)
Stickers and sticker books
Stickers are great fun for toddlers. Get a little sticker book, or just a variety of stickers and a little notepad. There are great sticker books with reusable stickers that can be used over and over again.
Drawing material
Sometimes just some simple pens and paper is all that is needed to keep a child occupied for half an hour or so.
Activity books
Activity books are good for little older kids.
Wrap old favourite toys
A great tip I heard was to hide away some of their favourite toys about a month before you go. Then wrap them and let the child unwrap it on the plane. The unwrapping is a fun activity on its own, and finding their favourite toys again is a pleasant surprise.
Wrap some surprise gifts
It’s always good to have a few tricks up your sleeve. Buy some small toys and wrap them to keep in your bag for those moments when you just need some distraction or something new to save you from a meltdown at the end of a long day.
Head phones
For toddlers on long-haul flights, it might be a good idea to buy some kids size head phones that stay on their heads so they can listen to kids songs on your phone or watch the inflight entertainment without annoying your fellow travellers. (For some airlines you might also need the 1-to-2-pin adaptors so you can connect them to the entertainment system.)
Prepare them!
For toddlers it can make a huge difference if you prepare them for what’s going to happen. Involve them, let them pack something, talk about the trip and prepare them for what’s about to happen. That can make all the difference between a happy, cooperative child and a cranky, stubborn one that ends up having a tantrum.
Nappies and clothes
While you want to try to pack efficiently when you travel, make sure to bring enough nappies and a change of clothes for the baby as well as a clean top/shirt for yourself. Oh, and it goes without saying, a patterned or dark top might be smarter to wear than a white. 🙂
Baby food
Even if you’re someone who prefers to cook yourself, having some baby food with you when you travel is always a good idea. There are great squeezy packs available nowadays that don’t take up a lot of space and are practical when you travel! Even with the liquids restrictions on plane travel, they normally do let you bring baby food.
Food / snacks
Some basic snacks can make a big difference when travelling with hungry and tired kids. Chewy snacks or chewing gums can help aching ears during take-off and landing, although I find that apples are far better. (Taking big bites help pop those ears.)
Strollers
Some airlines will allow you to take the stroller all the way up to the gate. This can be very practical, especially if you’re travelling with several kids. Check with the airline and airport!
Rent at stroller
Renting a stroller locally can be a good option if you don’t want to have to check one in. In Stockholm you can rent one at Hyra barnvagn in Gamla stan.
Use that transit hotel
Maybe you were happy to sleep in the departure lounge before you had kids, but make sure to use that transit hotel for the stopover on long trips, even if it’s just for a few hours. If the kids sleep and you can stretch out, you will cope with the next leg a lot better!
Clothes
Don’t forget to bring spare clothes. A plastic bag can be good too if your child has an accident. If you’re travelling with little kids it might be a good idea to bring an extra top for yourself. A patterned one is more practical as it doesn’t show stains as clearly. A scarf and a cardigan can also be a good way of covering stains on those long trips. 🙂
(Photo from the Fotografiska museum’s website.)
Stockholm Baby 
