Sheridan IngallsJanuary 23, 2017

Travelling with a toddler.

Sheridan IngallsJanuary 23, 2017

DON’T. (kidddddddddinnnnggggg….. sort of).

K, you know those Moms that you see travelling in the airport that you just feel bad for? That’s me. Every time. I want to pretend like it’s not the worst thing of all and that it doesn’t give me major anxiety but it does and I think that it’s best that I talk to ya’ll and let you know how to tackle this whole flying with a baby thing straight on. I also want you to know that you are NOT ALONE and that I think almost all Mamas go through the whole flying anxiety thing even if your child is a total angel, which mine of course, is not.

I remember the very first time I flew with Kaia, she would have been about 3 months old and I was freaking out. Of course, it was for nothing. As soon as she ate and heard that white noise on the plane she was out like a light for the entire trip (WHAT A DREAM.)

Fast forward to Kaia being 11 months old and on the same flight back to Ottawa. At this point, she did not appreciate the fact that she couldn’t crawl down the aisles. She thought it was ridiculous that she didn’t know how to walk yet and nothing kept her attention for more than 3 minutes at a time. I also had a man beside me that although a total sweetheart and claimed he didn’t mind because he had four of his own, was probably secretly wishing time away as fast as humanly possible.

Fast forward again to a few days ago when my year and a half toddler had to make this same stinkin’ flight, which by the way was at 7 in the morning. It was not awesome. I guess we could also add in the fact that I am almost 30 weeks pregnant and can barely fit in the seat myself. She was up and down and all around and performing her yoga poses in the aisles. Eating so much muffin and dropping crumbs like it was confetti, touching every single friggen button imaginable and all the while having a few too many “tantrums.”

So here is the deal, this flight is two hours long and it feels like an eternity. One thing that I have realized and constantly tell myself during the moment is that it will eventually be over, AND I probably won’t ever see these people again so it is what it is. However, I am heading back tomorrow morning and I think that I have officially figured out how to master Kaia and her sassy self on planes.

And let me just clarify, this post is not for all babies and please do not let me freak you out to the point of anxiety, this is just my personal experience with my extra saucy little toddler. Trust me, I see many Mamas and babies having just a grand old time on the plane, it just sadly isn’t my case.

OKAY – what to bring.

Snacks. All kinds of snacks. So many snacks that she will never go hungry even if the plane crashed and we lived on an island for a month. My personal snack go to’s are – cheerios, goldfish, grapes, pear, muffin, granola bar, frozen yogurt tube and a very full sippy cup.
Pacifier(s). If your child likes them of course. I have been working pretty hard on limiting Kaia’s soother intake to naptime and bedtime but planetime is something that MUST be included here. Last flight I forgot I had two others in my diaper bag excluding the one she was already enjoying and as soon as I brought those bad boys out she actually managed to fall asleep for half an hour.
Ipad/Iphone. Netflix took way too long to figure this out but I’m glad they finally did – you can now download your favourite episodes to watch when you do not have Wifi. This is a dream come true for plane rides. Peppa Pig to the rescue. I’ve downloaded an episode from all of her favourite shows and even a few baby game apps that I came across.
Their favourite book. When all else fails, Dora comes out to talk to Kaia about her colours. She has been obsessed with this book forever and will happily look through it for 5 minutes. Yep, 5 whole minutes! How exciting.
Treats. For you and for the person sitting next to you. You can’t be too mad at a lady that offers you donuts am I right?
Gravol/Motrin. I did my research, I asked my paediatrician and my very faithful group of Mamas and they all told me to give Kaia baby Gravol. I think it is what finally put her to sleep, I didn’t buy it until we got to the airport and I’m pretty sure I gave it to her too late. This should be taken 1-2 hours before take off so she’s extra sleepy the whole time.
A bottle. Kaia still drinks a bottle before bedtime. I didn’t think to pack one last flight but I’m almost positive that this will make her sleepy and think it’s nap time when I bring it out.
Let that child run around as much as they possible can before it’s time to board the flight. Kaia was racing up and down the airport like she was trying out for the Olympics. Better there then on the plane I say!