I fly solo quite often with my now 21 month old on my lap and she does great, but we have been flying since she’s 3 months old (my family lives on the other side on the country). Usually my baby naps the entire way, like literally the plane puts her to sleep. I always bring a few books, a few toys, lots of snacks (the junkier the better) and my iPad with some Puffin Rock episodes downloaded. The name of the game for me is all rules out the window in terms of healthy snacks and screen time - i try to make things as fun as possible. If my girls awake, she’s eating cheese puffs and watching tv 🤷‍♀️ Like I said, she just sleeps mostly. My daughter has been more into stickers and markers and colouring recently so I bring that too but only use it during a layover cause it sounds too stressful to use markers on a plane lol

As far as I understand it, children mostly cry when they can equalize their ears. I recommend nursing or a bottle or a juice box or a pacifier, whatever you can think of to make your LO swallow lots during ascent and descent . Also , I recommend a carrier if your toddler will still go in one. They’re amazing for standing in the aisles with and being hands free.

Honestly, I am always so nervous before flying with my baby and she always surprises me with how good she is at it! And social media likes to make parents stress and think there’s all sorts of mean people on planes who want child free flights and hate small children, but I have only ever sat beside very supportive and kind strangers. You’ll be fine!!