What’s in my carry-on when travelling with a toddler

Everything I packed to take on board a long-haul flight

When I first had my child, my experience of travel completely changed. I was usually so focused on getting through the actual flight, I tended to forget that we had a wonderful trip awaiting us on the other side. I’m now more accustomed to travelling with him but, for the sake of my nerves, I like to be super prepared. We are flying from London to Atlanta to take our almost-three-year-old son around my husband’s home state of Georgia and the nine hour flight ahead of us is intimidating but totally do-able. We’ll have suitcases in the hold but this is everything I’m taking on board for the flight for the two of us (but I should note that my husband will be sharing some of our son’s load). Through experience, my new mantra for travelling with a toddler is: it’s never as bad as you think it’s going to be. Here’s hoping!

Tote bag & wallet

I usually steal my husband’s sturdy canvas tote bag from Strand bookstore to use on flights, it’s just very roomy. But, having decided I wouldn’t mind looking a little more put-together when flying these days, I have been searching for a new tote bag. The criteria I set: proper leather, lots of space for all the stuff I love to bring onto a flight, a separate, zippable side pocket for keys, wallet and passport, so I’m not constantly digging around for them, and nothing too fancy or expensive because I don’t want to be worried about the bag getting a bit battered when squishing it under a seat or becoming upset when some milk inevitably gets thrown over it. I’ve found my ideal travel bag in Mango’s leather shopper bag. It’s £100, roomy, sturdy and real leather. Dreamy.

I’ve all but stopped taking a wallet out with me at home as I just use my phone. But I always take my Loewe cardholder when travelling as I’m likely to use cash more often and it’s a neat, handy size and has a zipped pocket. This is the same one I have but in a slightly different colour palette.

Books

OK, I am aware that reading Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil on a flight to Atlanta, after which I will be heading to Savannah, is a bit like reading Oliver Twist on a flight to London. The 1994 Southern Gothic non-fiction book is subtitled ‘A Savannah Story’ and it follows Jim Williams, an eccentric antiques dealer on trial for murder. I started reading it in anticipation of the trip and I have already bookmarked at least half a dozen places I simply must see in Savannah because of it (the journalist who wrote it, John Berendt, finds himself completely enamoured with the city so it becomes a sort of travelogue as well). It’s filled with oddball characters and intrigue. Tbh if I get to read 20 pages of this on the flight with a toddler, I will consider that an achievement. I’ve only been to beautiful Savannah for 48 hours before, so if anyone has suggestions of places I simply must visit, drop me a comment!

The other book I’m bringing along with me is Jessica Stanley’s Consider Yourself Kissed, a modern day romantic fiction, a genre I never usually read but I became intrigued when I was sent an early proof and it was billed as a love story that takes place over ten years around east London, where I live. This has been fun to get into because in the opening few chapters, which is all I’ve read so far, the couple Coralie, an Australian, and Adam, a Brit, romance each other in every place that has marked my life in Hackney for the last 15 years: the Cat and Mutton, Climpsons & Sons coffee, the Dove, Wilton Way, Violet cakes and Bella Vita (a terrible Italian that my friends and I used to meet up in basically every Saturday in our early thirties). It’s out on 8th May and looks set to be a huge book this summer.

Toiletries

I won’t bring my full makeup bag on board with me but I will take a few hard-working toiletries. I love Weleda skin food for a flight, as it’s so thick and nourishing (especially when I get a dry chin and forehead mid-air). I enjoy a spritz of Mario Badescu facial spray with aloe, herbs and rosewater, which smells lovely and is supposedly doing something about the dehydration but really I just enjoy the refreshing aspect of spritzing (they do a 59ml version that you can bring on board). My hands are still pretty worn from winter so will be bringing my favourite Aesop’s Resurrection Aromatique hand balm, which also smells heavenly. And then a lip balm is a must; I’ll take my Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, even though I likely won’t be sleeping. I’ll pack a concealer, mascara and eyebrow pencil for a quick touch up before I get off the flight.

SURI toothbrush (AD)

Brushing my teeth before disembarking the plane is non-negotiable and I will be taking my SURI toothbrush with me onboard, which conveniently comes with a chargeable and UVC clean travel case (it also has a magnetic mount, for a mess-free sink in my bathroom at home). My last toothbrush was so clunky with gimmicky apps I never used but SURI is beautifully lightweight with a slim, sleek design that makes brushing my teeth, with its powerful and gentle clean, feel truly pleasant and less like a chore. It comes in a stylish colour selection (I have ‘Sunset Bloom’), and has a 40+ day battery life (ideal for travel). And the best part? It uses innovative plant based heads—recycled for free by SURI. It’s honestly the chicest toothbrush out there, sure to elevate your bathroom whether at home or in a hotel.
You can use my code GILLIAN for 20% off your SURI toothbrush here.

Sunglasses

Essential for arrival in sunny Georgia! I’m taking my classic Celine ones.

Hairbrush and bands

I am forever loyal to Mason Pearson brushes and will be bringing my beloved Junior Bristle & Nylon hairbrush, which has been going strong for 15 years now. I’ll also pack some hair bands.

Headphones & ear plugs

At the risk of misplacing them on the flight, I’ll also take my AirPods to try and squeeze in a podcast. I’ve downloaded a few episodes of Lost Notes: Groupies, which came out at the end of last year but I haven’t been able to listen to yet, which tells the story of the late 1960s and ‘70s Sunset Strip scene through the eyes of Lori Mattix, Pamela Des Barres, the Whisky a Go Go’s Dee Dee Keel and Morgana Welch, and was co-written by the brilliant music journalist Jessica Hopper.

I very much doubt I’ll be given the chance to use my earplugs to try and have a quick nap but just in case… I like these Loop earplugs which I also use at home if my husband snores.

Socks

Alright, hear me out. Even Vanessa Friedman, the fashion director of The New York Times, thinks it’s acceptable to take your shoes off during a flight (although I obviously wouldn’t go to the bathroom without shoes on). I’ll bring an extra pair to wear on board and these alpaca bed socks from Pairs Scotland are about the cosiest things you can put on your feet.

Laptop, iPad, phone charger & travel adapter

Tech for onboard: my laptop to maybe, possibly, hopefully do a bit of writing? And because I don’t want it in the hold, obviously. I’ll bring the iPad along loaded up with some shows for my son, as I’m not sure what the on-flight entertainment system will be but he can definitely use his toddler headphones with this to watch some cartoons. Phone charger and adapter for easy access on arrival.

Water bottles

I’ll fill my Ocean Bottle up at the airport after going through security to have fresh water onboard. It holds up to 500ml and never leaks. I’ll pack my son’s Sesame Street one in his dinosaur backpack.

Toddler toys

I saw an Instagram post about it being a good idea to present your child with a new toy when you get onboard to keep them occupied so I’ve given it a go. My son has become obsessed with doctors recently (when I ask him what he’d like to do on weekends, he always replies that he wants to go to the doctors) so I bought this Fisher Price medical kit in the hope it buys us an hour or two (and that it secures his future entry into the medical professions). I’ve also bought a new sticker book with a bunch of stickers which I can’t wait to be covered in on the flight. I’m also packing crayons and some of Richard Scarry’s Busytown books because, with their charming but chaotic scenes, you can really spend a serious amount of time with them.

Toddler snack spinner

This is another thing that I saw on Instagram. Apparently this snack spinner keeps kids occupied as it’s essentially two of their favourite things combined: a toy with snacks. I’ll fill the compartments with raisins, cereal, fruit and crackers, and he can spin away.

Change of toddler clothes

At least two changes of clothes for the boy is a must.

Baby wipes and Calpol

And I’ll take Water Wipes and some decanted Calpol with me for any onboard emergencies. If anything else should come up, we have the doctor’s kit.

And that’s it! The nine hour flight will hopefully fly by.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Gillian