Traveling Abroad with a Toddler and Baby: Tips to Make Your Trip Smoother

Traveling abroad with a toddler and baby requires more preparation and contingency plans than traveling domestically. Long flights, availability of your go-to products, different foods and languages, and cultural expectations for children are just a few things to prepare for.

International flights can feel like forever with a baby and toddler, especially if your little ones are restless and refuse to sleep. Breaking up your flights into shorter legs helps get "wiggle and run" breaks. Specifically, walking, riding escalators, and playing in the airports will help your toddler rest on the flights.

Tips for Managing Your Baby on a Long Flight

On all my trips, I found the baby stage far easier to handle than the toddler stage. Babies are not interested in walking, running, climbing, or jumping around, and they sleep longer. So, as long as they are fed, changed, and held, babies tend to be oblivious to other noises, neighboring screens, and turbulence.

Tips for Managing Your Toddler on a Long Flight

Toddlers struggle the most on long flights. Honestly, you can't blame them because they need to move to develop. Toddlers are just not wired to sit still for long periods! So, having little activities, snacks, and walking breaks will make the flight more manageable.

Tantrums are just a part of doing anything complicated with toddlers. If you struggle with handling these already or want to get some ideas for handling tantrums away from home, check out this guide: The Ultimate Guide to Toddler Tantrums: How to Handle Them Like a Pro.

Other Tips for Taking a Baby and Toddler on a Long Flight

Tell your little ones about the trip in detail before you go, especially in the days leading up to the flight. Talk excitedly about airports, planes, where you will go, and things they can expect to see along the way.

Of course, your baby won't understand much, but your toddler will likely have tons of questions. The more you talk about the trip and what to expect, the more excited your toddler will be. Each of my kids traveled fairly well as toddlers because they were ecstatic about planes and airports and knew something when they saw it.

We all know flights can be challenging, especially when babies start to fuss. Keep your little one entertained and comfortable with Moonkie's On-the-Go Gift Set! The sensory spinner is cute, easy to grip, and safe for teething. Stick it to an airplane window and let your little one spin away! A few comforting toys or snacks can make all the difference, helping everyone enjoy a smoother journey.

Finally, put miles in the airports. Escalators, play areas, luggage buggies, super long hallways, signs, planes, and all the hubbub are new and exciting to most toddlers, so let them walk around and explore. Generally speaking, the more they move at the airport, the more content they will be on the plane.