Adventures of Traveling with a Toddler and an Infant

Summer travels are around the corner! Here is my long overdue updated traveling with a toddler and infant post.

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In December 2023 I shared a blog on how I traveled solo with my infant/toddler. I included information about TSA, packing, carseats, diaper bag, changing a diaper, and a few other details. But after a year, I have continued to learn, and I have now traveled with a toddler, who won't sit still and is getting a bit heavy to wear through the airport, an infant, and my 11.5 year old kitten.

There are no fancy photos. No whimsical story's. No easy-peasy facade. We did this in December and again in March. Let's be clear, traveling during the holiday rush, or any time, with toddlers and babies is a challenge. Adding a cat made it even more challenging. For those who want the details on how to travel with a cat, scroll to the bottom.

I'll be honest, there was zero chance I was flying on my own with two kids and a cat. So for these trips, I had my dad’s help; That was a blessing.

We managed two kids, two car seats, a stroller, cat, diaper bag, backpack, an activity duffel bag with toys, and one singular carry-on. We checked one additional carry-on before security to make it easier, but we realized after, we could have pulled off keeping it with us.

I will say, I learned a lot.

Prior to this trip, I've flown 11 times with Laila and her carseat; Using her infant seat, that is now Ian's, her heavy convertible toddler seat, and a portable travel seat for kids over 2. So I knew all the ins and outs of the carseat setup with security and installation.

Here is what worked best for me for the flight back to Denver after learning all the no's in December. I finally used a travel stroller for the first time. I gave in and got the bugaboo butterfly, infant carseat adapter, and toddler ride along board. This was absolutely the best thing! I managed through the airport pretty smoothly, but it was absolutely a challenge with security. I had to disassemble the entire thing and put it through the X-ray at DIA, per TSA guidelines.

The easiest way to get through TSA was for my dad to wear Ian in the baby carrier until we got through security. I used a bungee cord to attach the carseat to the carry-on luggage, put Laila into the stroller, and the toddler board stored the undercarriage.

(Throwback photo to fall 2022. You can see the infant carseat it hung over the carry-on luggage and I loop a bungee cord through the underside bar and hook it to the handlebar of the luggage.)

There are lots of different rules for kids items for security. I always bring an ice pack with pre-made bottles for my flight and extra formula in a ziplock bag for easy access, and a full can in my carry-on. There are always airport differences, so stay flexible. at DIA TSA pre-check doesn't have bins, I ask for one so I can remove the formula cans and lunch box with an ice pack. It saves time since they will swab/check them. DIA also made me put th stroller though the x-ray machine. In FLL there are bins and the security agent brought the stroller through the metal detector for me.

There are very few airline options for direct from DIA to FLL, so we generally only flight United at this point. We pre-board since I have kids who are 2 and under. While we have a lot that we are taking on, we only have two carry on bags and the stroller, which is smaller than a suitcase, that go in the overhead storage. We have four tickets, and therefor, we could store more overhead, but we put everything else under our seats. My point being, don't feel guilty for looking like you're bringing your entire house with you onto the plane. Instead, be proud of yourself for making the trip/flight work!

To make it so we don't need to access anything overhead, unless necessary, we have a diaper bag with four total outfits (2 per kid), 8 diapers (4 of each size), a package of wipes, spit up cloth, and a ziplock bag for dirty diapers. Very important to note, they will not take your dirty diapers and throw them away for you, and the bin in the bathroom is way too small. I pull all of the airplane activites out of the carry-on back once at our seat. I do keep one extra outfit for myself in case of a super duper poop explosion that finds its way on to me, which has happened.

In the cooler are two lunch/bento boxes that have different foods in each spot. I never know what Laila will be in the mood for, but I almost always include her favorites (French toast, pre-cut cuties, strawberries, blueberries, grapes, blackberries, cheese sticks, cucumbers, egg whites). Then I have three pre-made milk bottles for Ian. I fill up Laila's water bottle before we board. I try to bring some extra French toast or a sandwich for myself (and my dad).

Ian is simple and doesn't need anything else yet. Laila needs to be entertained so we have: a charged up iPad with toddler headphones and lots of toys. This time I filled up a toiletries travel bag with multiple zipper sections with toys. It included a doodle board, no mess markers and paper, fidget toy, wikky stix, a learning zip up activity board. She spends most of her time watching shows, ideally takes a nap, and sometimes needs some extra activities.

The most frustrating/disappointing part of the travel was the stroller is advertised to fit through the isle on the plane. While that is true, the crew made me disassembled at the door. I understand, it just was not part of the plan and my dad had already gotten to our seats to set up Laila's carseat, and I was struggling with two kids, multiples bags, a car seat, and the cat carrier. I'll plan better next time. Thankfully a crew member and another passenger were extremely kind and helped get everything to the seat.

When I de-board I always wait until everyone else has gotten off so there's no kvetching from other passengers waiting on us.

No matter how many times I do this, it is exhausting. When I get to my destination it is worth it, and I am ready to shower and get some rest. All normal and expected.

Calling all Cat Parents:

For those cat parent's who are here for that: I have flown with Annabelle (the cat), now, officially 71 times. While she's not the main portion of the blog, I will touch on it. Everything is pretty simple for her. I go on to the airline website, I search for the pet information, I register her and purchase her a ticket. While I find it annoying to be basically paying an exorbitant amount for my "personal item," it's worth it for me/us. She does fine and is happier to be with me than to be left home with a sitter. The challenge is having to put her carrier through the scanner. I take her out and hold her as I go through. I will say that having TSA pre-check/global makes my portion easier. There is the option to go into a private room where you will take the pet out and they will take the carrier to be scanned and then bring it back to you. I hope this helps! Oh! And be sure to book their ticket (non-refundable) as soon as you book yours because airlines limit the number of pets allowed and holiday travel has an uptick in furry friends. Lastly, give yourself extra time to check in. You can't check-in online because the pet needs a special ticket. FLL has the worst process for United. EIther no agent is at the special desk, or, there is a really long line.

Safe Travels!

xoxo,

Shana Bryn