Flying with a toddler or preschooler: practical tips

Booking: seats and timing

Children 2 and older need their own seat. For kids aged 3 to 6, a window seat gives them something to look at and keeps them away from the aisle cart. Seat families together; most US airlines have policies on seating young children with an adult, but check yours and pick seats when you book.

Choose flight times around your child's rhythm. Many parents prefer early morning flights, when kids are fresh and delays are less common, or flights that overlap nap time. Nonstop flights avoid the hardest part of air travel with small kids: connections.

Car seats and the CARES harness

The FAA recommends that children ride in an approved child restraint, not just on the plane's lap belt. A car seat is approved if it has a label saying it is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft. The CARES harness is an FAA-approved restraint for children who weigh roughly 22 to 44 pounds, and it is much lighter to carry than a car seat.

If you will need a car seat at your destination, bringing your own often makes sense. Most airlines let you check car seats and strollers free of charge, but check your airline's rules.

Getting through security

TSA allows formula, breast milk, and juice for young children in quantities greater than the usual liquids limit, as long as you tell the officer at the start of screening. Children under 18 do not need ID on US domestic flights when they travel with an adult. Strollers go through the X-ray, so be ready to fold yours. Allow extra time; everything takes longer with small kids.

Rules can change, so check the TSA website before you fly. International flights have different rules.

Ear pressure

Changes in cabin pressure, especially during descent, can hurt small ears. Swallowing helps, so offer a drink, a snack, or a lollipop during takeoff and particularly as the plane begins its descent. If your child has a cold or ear infection, ask your pediatrician whether it is OK to fly.

What to pack in the carry-on

• More snacks than you think you need, in small portions.
• An empty water bottle to fill after security.
• A few small new toys or activity books, revealed one at a time.
• A tablet with downloaded shows and kid headphones with volume limits.
• A full change of clothes for your child, and a spare shirt for you.
• Wipes, hand sanitizer, and a few zip bags for messes.
• Pull-ups or a travel potty seat cover if your child is newly potty trained.
• A small comfort item from home, like a blanket or stuffed animal.

On board

Let kids walk the jet bridge and burn energy at the gate before boarding. On board, take bathroom trips early, before the aisle is blocked by the service cart. Rotate activities every 20 minutes or so. Be kind to yourself: most other passengers have been there, and a few tears are normal.