How to get through airport with a toddler?

[jle323]

Just wanted some advice on bringing a 20 month old through an airport.

We're leaving on Saturday (yay!) and I'm trying to think of ways to make our time at the airport as easy as possible. We'll have our Maclaren, which ideally he would be in, but unless we're in a really interesting place, he really doesn't like to be in it. But we'll already be pulling our carseat (on our Samsonite micro mover), our main suitcase, pushing the stroller, and either pulling my carry on or have my backpack as a carry on. I'll also have my diaper bag as a carry on, my DH will have his 2 carry ons. Oh, and we'll have at least one carry on for DS. Ugh.

So I was thinking about trying to put him in my beco backpack carrier. But then I won't be able bring a backpack carry on. And what if he doesn't want to be carried - then I'll just have yet another item to try to stuff into my carry on. And if I want to sit down, I'll have to take him off my back. It's such a pain. Oh, and did I mention I have a dislocated wrist in a splint, so I'll have only one arm to pull/push everything? So if I try to carry him through security and they don't let me, DH will have to get him off my back for me. Any advice? What worked for you? We do have teddybear backpack harness, but I think that might be more difficult.

 

[hcmommy]

Can't you hip carry with a Beco? That might make it easier to pop him on and off so you can sit, or maybe you could even sit down with him in the hip carry position. Then maybe you could sling your backpack over the other shoulder when getting on the plane and carry a bag with your free hand? You could put the backpack on the stroller until then and stack up the other carryons onto the stroller seat until you gate check it with your DS on your hip. I don't know. You have a lot of stuff to carry and your making me wonder what WE are going to do at the airport!

 

[Ariel8676]

I had My DD in some sort of Ring sling, or Mei Tei or Beco or Connecta (lol i have a few carriers) the last few times i flew, and there was never an issue with taking her off of me to go through security.
What i would do is put him in the stroller until you get on line for security, then put him in the Beco.. that way you will have your hands free to get everything on that belt and through security easier.

 

[marenian]

I would say cut back on the carry-ons if possible. I know it is nice to have your luggage with you but with a toddler, I think you have to make things as easy as possible for yourself. We are flying in 2 weeks with a 35mo and 9mo and we are not taking any carry-ons for DH or me. We will have the Joovy sit-n-stand stroller, the carseat (which if DS2 walks can carry the carseat), the diaper backpack, a small backpack for activities for DS2 and my purse. At least that is my plan I may have to take one more small bag for necessities if it all can't fit in the backpack.

I am taking just the necessities...diapers, wipes, change of clothes for kids, extra shirt for me and DH, snacks, sippy cups, cameras, toys for DD9mo. Everything else will be checked. We have early morning flights so I'm not worried too much about delays lasting over night. I think with the carseat, stroller and 2 kids, we will have enough to drag around much less any extra luggage!

Good luck!

 

[Manda]

I would say cut back on the carry-ons if possible. I know it is nice to have your luggage with you but with a toddler, I think you have to make things as easy as possible for yourself. We are flying in 2 weeks with a 35mo and 9mo and we are not taking any carry-ons for DH or me. We will have the Joovy sit-n-stand stroller, the carseat (which if DS2 walks can carry the carseat), the diaper backpack, a small backpack for activities for DS2 and my purse. At least that is my plan I may have to take one more small bag for necessities if it all can't fit in the backpack.

I am taking just the necessities...diapers, wipes, change of clothes for kids, extra shirt for me and DH, snacks, sippy cups, cameras, toys for DD9mo. Everything else will be checked. We have early morning flights so I'm not worried too much about delays lasting over night. I think with the carseat, stroller and 2 kids, we will have enough to drag around much less any extra luggage!

Good luck!

I agree. When my son was still toddler-sized, we only carried on absolute necessities. We basically had one small backpack as the carry-on for the 3 of us. Toddler was on my hip in a hip sling, car seat on the stroller, suitcases pulled behind. Once we got checked in, I kept the child strapped to me, and DH pushed the stroller and car seat. Basically, all hands kept free for dealing with the child.

 

[GoinToDisney]

What we have done is put her in the stroller, and we have always had a pretty quick and easy time with security, thankfully. But we gave her a few toys in the stroller to keep her busy (dinosaurs from the $ store) crayons and a notebook, etc.. Then we let her walk around after security. Once it is time to board, I put her in the Ergo on my back when she was 17 months old. It worked out OK, but I have to admit that it was easier to hold her hand and let her walk when we went again when she was 29 months old. It was just a pain to get her out in the plane because it was tight quarters and we were trying to hurry and get the car seat installed and everything. I would do the back carry again with a little one who I couldn't depend on to stay right with me. Oh, I did like that I was able to use the bag that attaches to the Ergo as my dd's carry-on.

 

[jle323]

That's an interesting idea to cut back on the carry ons, but I'm not sure if it is possible. We need a carry on to hold a few diapers and wipes, our laptop and dvds for the plane ride, some toys to entertain DS (this is his first airplane ride, so I'm really anxious about how he's going to act). Plus, our plane is scheduled to land at 10 am. I figured we won't be able to get into our room at WL until later that afternoon, so we would have to pack anything we might need (ie bathing suits) in our carry ons, because we won't be able to get into our checked luggage that easily. Hmmm, I'll have to think about this. Although now that I think about it, DH did tell me we would be doing curbside check in, so that does eliminate our main suitcase. I just wish we could do a dry run. I fear the unknown.

 

[dis-happy]

It's do-able, you just won't realize until you DO IT! Forge on....

Not sure about the size of your stroller and car seat, but I've had good luck wedging the car seat into the stroller and then strapping my child in (you have to keep a good grip on things though, not sure if it's possible with your wrist). Place the carryons into the stroller basket or hang off the handles. You may have a problem w/ your rolling cart; I believe they count as a carryon as well, but maybe you can gate check it. Maybe your little one can carry his own little backpack with toys??? Do a test run at home. Other than that, good luck! Curbside checkin can be a lifesaver btw.

 

[cookies]

I took my son when he was 16 months and I was 7 months pregnant and prepared for the worst. Just pack lots of snacks and juice for the plane. We had tons of kids on the planes that amused him

 

[Minniemouse07]

When we traveled w/ dd at that age...

Dh and I each had a backpack, mine was also a diaper bag (land's end).
Dd had a small kid's backpack w/ only her toys in it.
We had one stroller (peg aria), and pulled the car seat on a samsonite micro mover (make sure you have practiced using it w/ your car seat).

While traveling through the airport dd's backpack was under the stroller, dh and I carried ours.

At ~20mo dd's backpack had a plastic cup, Little People, Sesame Street figures, board books and a travel magnadoodle (now called a doodle pro). I overpacked toys because she slept the whole flight... both there and back!

There were any affordable portable dvd players when dd was younger... so we didn't have one w/ us. We are traveling in December to WDW w/ dd (now 6yo) and ds (turning 2yo on trip) and we are leaving the dvd player at home. I don't think it is worth dragging w/ us for the length of time we will use it.

When you are boarding have your dh board first and let your son burn off more steam in the airport. That way when you board the car seat is all installed and ready for him.

I hope this helps!

Have fun!

 

[SalandJeff]

I agree....skip all that carry on luggage. Do curbside checkin for as much as possible and get a cart at MCO to hold everything (unless you are doing ME).

I wouldn't go crazy with toys for ds either. I found that my dd is so interested in everything going on because it is all new, that she wanted no part of toys. Definitely need the snacks and drinks though. You can fit a lot if you roll the bathing suits/clothes and large zip lock bags are your friends!

The backpacks work really well as carry ons because your hands are free. I would definitely put your ds in the stroller whether he likes to be in there or not. The airport is crowded and there is too much to distract him. You can move much quicker with him in the stroller. Once you get to the gate and you are waiting, you can take him out and let him run around.

First rule...don't stress! It will work out fine.

 

[jle323]

Thanks everyone for your great advice! I probably wouldn't be stressing quite as much if I could share my anxiety with DH, but he's been away on a business trip since Sunday and won't be back until late Thursday night. And, he has to go to work on Friday, with us leaving early Sat morning.

I'm hoping that DS will be entertained enough by all the excitement around him, but I'm nervous because he hates sitting still for very long. He hates riding in his carseat in the car.

I think I'll have to buy a small kid's backpack for him. I was thinking he was still too small for one, so he has a kid's pull along suitcase. But now that I'm thinking about the logistics of it, a small backpack would be easier to stuff under the stroller. The Maclaren stroller basket is very small, so not much is going to fit under there.

Minniemouse07 - thanks for mentioning to practice with our carseat and the micromover. Never thought about it. Will we need bungee cords to help hold it?

Can I pack snacks on my carry on, or will I need to buy some after we go thru security?

Thanks again everyone!

 

[snubie]

You can pack snacks, just not drinks. You must buy all liquids after security. Although, some people tell of being allowed drinks for toddlers/babies, when we traveled with DD last year (she was 15 mo) we were not allowed any drinks for her through security. The flight attendants were very helpful and got her some apple juice before takeoff.

Remember to pack all liquids in your carry-on in 3 oz or less bottles (with labels) and they must fit in a quart zip top bag.

Have fun!

 

[Minniemouse07]

Minniemouse07 - thanks for mentioning to practice with our carseat and the micromover. Never thought about it. Will we need bungee cords to help hold it?

We used it w/ a smaller Britax seat (about the size of a Roundabout) and a Graco combination seat...no problem w/ either, and didn't need additional bungee cords.

Sometimes the seat would stop being centered on the micromover and we would have to adjust it but as long as you don't bump it...it works just fine, especially for less that $30!

I picked up a small Thomas backpack for ds at Target...and I still see them there so you could try there.

Dry snacks are fine through security...it is the liquid stuff they are worried about.

 

[NotUrsula]

We'll have our Maclaren, which ideally he would be in, but unless we're in a really interesting place, he really doesn't like to be in it. But we'll already be pulling our carseat (on our Samsonite micro mover), our main suitcase, pushing the stroller, and either pulling my carry on or have my backpack as a carry on. I'll also have my diaper bag as a carry on, my DH will have his 2 carry ons. Oh, and we'll have at least one carry on for DS.

Disaster waiting to happen. That is WAY too many wheels. DH & I have what we call the "hand rule" when travelling with small kids, and it applies to ALL luggage, even what will be checked. Each child is allotted one adult hand (for holding the child's hand or pushing the stroller), then however many free adult hands you have left is how many non-backpack bags you can have. Interpreting our rule in your case, since one hand is out of commission, you have three adult hands and one child, so you would get two bags. After checking the large suitcase, you would then have 4 large items left to transport: the child, the stroller, the carseat, and one largish carryon bag.

Don't put the carseat on the micromover. If you don't have a backpack satchel for it, then bungy it to a rolling carryon. Put DS in the stroller whether he likes it or not: containment is for his own safety. Also put the harness on him and leave it on him (yes, even when in the stroller) until you are through security, it will help immensely while the stroller has to be folded to go through the scanner. Put the electronics inside the carryons in sleeves, right on top for security -- don't take them as separate bags. Everyone should wear slip-on shoes, and all pockets should be emptied of everything except your BP and ID *before* you enter the security line. Oh, and when you go through security, send one parent through with the stroller first, then let a few strangers go through before the second parent goes through with DS. That way, if there is a need for wanding, there won't be any issue about separating DS from his adult.

I REALLY recommend a backpack satchel for the carseat (tip when carrying it, flip the straps forward around the zipper side, so that you carry it with the upholstered side against your back.) You can get them at Target or BRUS, it's worth the money. There is space inside for a smaller bag in the seat area of the carseat, so you can put your diaper bag/purse in there until you reach the gate. I don't really recommend giving a child his own backpack until age 3; younger than that they tend to get upset about giving it up at security.

 

[deezeealum]

MY DH and I have traveled with my DD since she was 5 weeks old. We had her on 2 plane trips this past summer and she has just turned 2. we have carried on her dipaer bag and a weekend carry on Vera Bradley size and gate checked her stroller. We have always checked her car seat as at 17 months they are allowed to sit in the seat w/o a carseat. This might help with the hating to sit in his seat even in the car. I always put the diaper bag on the strollwe handles and my DH handles the other carry on. Plenty of room for toys, dvd players, mags etc. We went through airport security in Newark,NJ San antonio, and Jacksonville, Fl and were able to carry on a filled juice cup and an extra bottle of juice for DD. But when my husband tried to carry on a bottle of H2O for himself, they took that. Don't stress. Get to the airport early and often security will pull you aside and let you go through the line designated for pace maker recipients, airline emps, etc. Allow you DS to run around before you board. You might be pleasantly surprised. Just remember to leave extra juice (or get it from the flight attendant) to help w/ his ears while you're descending.
Have a great time.

 

[slo]

SNACKS!!!

LOTS AND LOTS OF SNACKS!!!!!


My DD's first time at the airport was at 13 months.
I had a carryon that had nothing but things for her to do and eat.
We also kept her in a stroller the whole time, which helped quite a bit.
If you're lucky, your toddler will fall asleep, and you won't have to worry about it

 

[eliza61]

Just wanted some advice on bringing a 20 month old through an airport.

We're leaving on Saturday (yay!) and I'm trying to think of ways to make our time at the airport as easy as possible. We'll have our Maclaren, which ideally he would be in, but unless we're in a really interesting place, he really doesn't like to be in it. But we'll already be pulling our carseat (on our Samsonite micro mover), our main suitcase, pushing the stroller, and either pulling my carry on or have my backpack as a carry on. I'll also have my diaper bag as a carry on, my DH will have his 2 carry ons. Oh, and we'll have at least one carry on for DS. Ugh.

So I was thinking about trying to put him in my beco backpack carrier. But then I won't be able bring a backpack carry on. And what if he doesn't want to be carried - then I'll just have yet another item to try to stuff into my carry on. And if I want to sit down, I'll have to take him off my back. It's such a pain. Oh, and did I mention I have a dislocated wrist in a splint, so I'll have only one arm to pull/push everything? So if I try to carry him through security and they don't let me, DH will have to get him off my back for me. Any advice? What worked for you? We do have teddybear backpack harness, but I think that might be more difficult.

Ok, I'm going to be cruel in order to save you from yourself!!
Let me get this straight, you are going to try and get through security with 5 carry on bags, a stroller, a car seat, a regular suitcase and a child. Honey, you are asking for a real nice headache to go along with that sprained wrist.

1. You want every thing to be easy for you. Why do you have so many carryon's. Can't you combine some stuff?

2. Check your main suit case at the curb and give the bell man $10 tip. the tip alone is worth your sanity.

3. What will you do, if security decides to be a prick and make you open those carry ons? Which they have the right to do.

4. Start talking with your toddler now!! Don't know if you've read all the newspaper reports but nowadays airlines have been really non tolerant with children having meltdowns. Haven't you heard the "I was kicked off the plane stories" lately. Try as best you can to get him to understand he may have to stay in his stroller.

Good luck

 

[jle323]

We actually don't have as many carry ons as I originally thought. I'll have a backpack, DH will have one, and I bought DS a little kid's backpack (which can fit in the stroller basket). I'll also have my Overland Donner bag. Unfortunately, I see no way of cutting back any further. My bag will hold a change of clothes for me and DS, makeup (I'm not risking putting my Bare Minerals in my checked luggage), snacks, diapers and wipes, my beco, and DS's harness. DS will have his toys and sippy cups. DH will have his laptop, change of clothes, and whatever else he's carrying on. I might be able to combine DH and my carry on, but as he is away right now, we haven't been able to talk about what he's planning on bringing. And I seriously doubt both of our stuff will fit into one bag. We won't have the regular suitcase b/c we're gate checking it.

I've tried talking to DS about the airplane and Disney, but he's still too young to really get it.

 

[brodyjen]

I agree - too much stuff (especially with one hand being out of commision, so to speak).

When we went two years ago, my DD's were 5.5 and 14 mo (not walking). We checked our luggage at the curb, then went in with the carseat, the stroller (with DD14mo), a backpack for me (diaper bag, extra clothes, snacks, drinks), a smaller backpack for each girl (toys, books, etc), and my DH had the bags with the DVD player/camera/videocamera. It was way too much stuff, especially when we realized that we'd have to run the stroller and the carseat through the xray machines - yet they didn't want me to have DD14mo in the Hip Hammock. Stressful!

This time we are:
checking the luggage and carseats at the curb
putting DD3yo in the stroller
each girl still has her own small backpack
DH and I each have a backpack (his will have the laptop)

Basically, each person has one bag and that is it. DD7 is old enough to be responsible for her own bag, and I can help DD3 with hers, leaving DH to do the stroller and his own bag. We'll gate-check the stroller.