Flying with Isamu: what works, what changes and when it goes wrong
Flying with a baby or toddler is very different from flying with a bigger kid whose interests and needs keep changing. We have had calm flights, uncomfortable flights and one spectacularly messy landing. Our routine keeps evolving with Isamu.
What works changes as he grows
Baby and toddler travel by air is its own thing. Size changes, interests change, and the setup that worked on one trip may feel completely wrong later. Aging out of lap sitting was probably the best thing that ever happened to us. Having his own seat gave us a much better arrangement than trying to fit both of us into one little space.
Waiting is the hardest part
Waiting around will always be hardest for Isamu, so we cut the time from arriving to boarding as close as we can. That is our personal balancing act, rather than an arrival-time recommendation: airport procedures and boarding deadlines still need room in the plan. If we do have time to kill, we treat the airport like the mall and explore until it is time to board. Anything to keep him stimulated and wear him out a little before getting on the plane.
A little tired is better than raring to go
Booking a flight when he might be a little tired has worked better for us than a midmorning flight when he is at his freshest and ready for action. Falling asleep on the plane is the goal. If that is not happening, I need him watching a show, calm and entertained. We take relatively short flights, which is the scale of flying we are talking about here.
Hours of downloads, familiar shows and headphones
The iPad comes loaded with HOURS of Super Simple downloads, plus ASMR marble runs and Edubuzz bouncy balls. Those still capture his attention. We have also used the Bandou wireless headband, which has worked well for him and keeps the sound down for the people around us. Familiar entertainment is a big part of how we make the flight manageable.
Our own little two-seat area
When the plane has a two-seat side, we book those seats so we have our own little area. Sitting beside an unsympathetic stranger was soooo uncomfortable with a child who cannot follow simple one-step commands. Having the two seats together removes that extra pressure of someone sitting inches away while I am trying to help Isamu through the flight.
And then there was the flight with the vomit
Another time that two-seat row came in handy: Isamu puked all over me in the last 15 minutes of the flight. A situation that would have been made so much worse, if that is even possible, with another person sitting five inches away. A good seat arrangement cannot stop something like that from happening, but I was very glad we had our own little space when it did.
Snacks, drinks, chewies—and boarding last
Lots of snacks, drinks and chewies are essential for us. We ALWAYS pack light and board last. Keeping him moving in the airport for as long as we can works better for us than adding extra sitting time on the plane. That is the routine that has evolved around his needs, and it is one we will keep adjusting as he gets older.
Flying can work for us. It can also be uncomfortable, exhausting or wildly messy, even when we have planned around Isamu’s needs. Short flights, the right seats, familiar entertainment and less waiting help. We keep learning what works for him at each stage.