Flying with a baby can feel overwhelming. The idea of keeping a one-year-old entertained, well-fed, and comfortable on a long-haul flight might sound like an impossible task. However, after successfully completing an 18-hour round-trip flight from San Francisco to Madrid with my little one, I can confidently say—it’s absolutely doable!
With the right preparation, mindset, and a few key strategies, you can make flying with your baby much smoother than you might expect. In this post, I’ll share everything that worked for us, from booking the right seats to packing smart, navigating layovers, and keeping a little one happy at 30,000 feet.
1. Book the Right Seats: Bulkhead is a Lifesaver!
One of the best decisions we made was booking bulkhead seats. These seats, usually located at the front of a section, have more legroom and often accommodate bassinets provided by airlines on long-haul flights. Even if you don’t use the bassinet, the extra space makes a world of difference when traveling with a toddler.
- More room means your baby can stretch and move around a bit without feeling confined.
- No seat in front of you = no worries about your child kicking a fellow passenger’s seat.
- Some airlines provide baby bassinets, which can be a lifesaver if your little one naps well in them. Check with your airline beforehand to reserve one!
If bulkhead seats aren’t available, try to book an aisle seat for easier access to move around when needed. If you’re traveling with a partner, booking an aisle and a window might leave the middle seat empty, giving you extra space.
2. Prepping for Entertainment: No Screens? No Problem!
We don’t do screen time, so I was especially concerned about keeping my baby entertained on a long flight. However, a combination of new toys, interactive books, and engaging activities worked wonders.
Toys & Activities That Kept My One-Year-Old Happy:
✅ New Toys: I bought small, inexpensive toys she hadn’t seen before and introduced them one by one. Teething toys, pop-it fidget toys, and stacking cups were favorites.
✅ Interactive Books: Books with flaps, textures, or buttons kept her engaged for a surprisingly long time. I picked up a few new ones just for the trip.
✅ Reusable Stickers & Post-It Notes: Simple but effective! She loved sticking them on the seat, tray table, and even my hands.
✅ Snack Time as an Activity: More on this below, but offering snacks slowly, one piece at a time, doubled as entertainment.
✅ Engaging with Fellow Passengers: One-year-olds love social interaction. A few smiles and waves to friendly passengers helped keep her happy.
The key was introducing one item at a time and rotating through them as needed.
3. Pack Smart: Essentials for a Smooth Flight
Packing efficiently makes a huge difference when flying with a baby. Here’s what I had in my carry-on bag:
Diaper Bag Must-Haves:
✔ Diapers & Wipes – Pack extra in case of delays.
✔ Changing Pad – Airplane bathrooms aren’t the cleanest.
✔ Extra Clothes for Baby & Parents – Accidents happen! I packed a spare outfit for both of us.
✔ Plastic Ziplock Bags – Great for storing dirty clothes or used wipes.
✔ Small Blanket – Useful for warmth, a makeshift pillow, or even a clean play area.
✔ Pacifiers/Bottle for Takeoff & Landing – Helps relieve ear pressure.
Having everything easily accessible (instead of buried at the bottom of a bag) was crucial.
4. The Power of Snacks: Keep Hunger and Boredom at Bay
Never underestimate the power of snacks on a long flight! Offering different textures and flavors not only keeps a baby full but also serves as entertainment.
Best Travel Snacks for a One-Year-Old:
✅ Teething Biscuits – Long-lasting and mess-free.
✅ Puffs or Cheerios – Easy to grab and eat. SJ loves these gluten & dairy free puffs.
✅ Fruit & Veggie Pouches – Convenient and nutritious.
✅ Cut-Up Fruit – I packed small pieces of strawberries and grapes (pre-cut to avoid choking hazards). You can also pack a banana.
✅ Cheese Sticks – Great for protein. Unfortunately, my baby has milk allergy so I use these organic creamies instead (not as much protein as cheese sticks, but they do have some veggies and iron).
I brought a mix of these in small containers like this spill-proof container or this spin snack container and offered them one at a time to keep my baby engaged.
5. Takeoff & Landing: Easing Ear Pressure
One common concern for flying with a baby is ear pressure during takeoff and landing. Babies can’t pop their ears easily, so they might experience discomfort.
How to Help:
✔ Nursing or Bottle-Feeding – The sucking motion helps regulate ear pressure.
✔ Pacifier – If your baby takes one, this can also help.
✔ Sippy Cup or Straw Cup – Encourages swallowing.
I timed nursing during ascent and descent, and it worked perfectly—no fussing or crying!
6. Stretching & Movement: Burn Off Energy
A confined baby = a cranky baby. When the seatbelt sign was off, I let my baby move around a bit.
- Walking up and down the aisle (when possible) helped burn off energy.
- Letting her stand in the bulkhead space for a few minutes made a big difference.
- Even simple leg stretches in the seat helped!
Movement, even if limited, helps prevent restlessness.
7. Navigating Layovers: Airport Lounges Are a Game-Changer
If you have a layover, airport lounges can be a lifesaver when traveling with a baby. Many lounges offer quiet spaces, family-friendly seating, and cleaner restrooms with changing tables.
Why Lounges Are Worth It:
✅ Comfortable Seating – More space for your baby to move around.
✅ Cleaner Bathrooms – Changing a diaper in a lounge is way better than in a crowded terminal!
✅ Free Food & Drinks – A great way to refuel and keep your little one happy.
✅ Less Crowded & Noisy – Babies (and parents) can relax before the next flight.
Many credit cards offer lounge access, or you can purchase a day pass through apps like Priority Pass.
Final Thoughts: It’s Easier Than You Think!
I was so nervous before our trip, but with the right preparation, it turned out to be much smoother than I expected! Here are my final key takeaways:
✨ Book bulkhead seats if possible—extra space makes a difference.
✨ Pack smart—keep essentials easily accessible.
✨ Have a variety of entertainment options—new toys, books, and snacks.
✨ Plan for takeoff and landing—sucking helps with ear pressure.
✨ Take advantage of layovers—airport lounges can be a game-changer.
✨ Let your baby move when possible to avoid fussiness.
Traveling with a one-year-old requires patience and flexibility, but it’s 100% doable! If you’re planning a trip soon, I hope these tips help make your journey as smooth as possible.
Have you traveled with a little one before? What worked for you? Let me know in the comments!
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MonyClaire 
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