![\"rollerbag\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/rollerbag.jpg?resize=524%2C882&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Recently, I flew\u00a0cross-country with my three-year-old<\/strong><\/a>. She’s at the age where she can carry a small backpack, but not strong (or fast) enough to use a roller bag. I have to buy a ticket for her, which means we get her carry-on and suitcase allowance, but that’s not very helpful when I travel alone.<\/p>\n Therefore, the (additional) baggage allowance for my kid’s ticket doesn’t help me unless I have more arms.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n This is how we packed\u00a0for our recent trip to Washington, D.C., flying on United:<\/strong><\/p>\n I own\u00a0the\u00a0Samsonite Silhouette Sphere 2 Softside 21 Inch Spinner<\/a><\/span><\/strong>, which was a wedding gift from my parents. Even though it’s plain (basic) black, I trust the Samsonite<\/strong><\/a> Brand because it’s durable, reliable, and served us well. This bag has an expandable zipper, which gives a little bit of wiggle room when packing. It’s my go-to for traveling. I used it as a carry-on for the flight there, but it was heavier on the way back so I checked it in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n What qualifies as carry-on luggage for one airline may not be suitable for another. Be sure to check your airline’s size and weight restrictions (most international flights have weight restrictions for carry-ons) before traveling. Most airlines have a baggage sizer to fit your bag into before boarding the flight. The information below is current (from the published date of this post), so please double check your\u00a0airline’s website for up-to-date information.<\/p>\n Here are links to a few major airlines’ carry-on policies and current <\/strong>maximum carry-on dimensions:<\/strong><\/p>\n We got this really cute backpack from my niece. We used it on the flight back and inside it fit the smaller backpack we used on the way there. This bag is super roomy. We stuffed a lot of toys<\/strong><\/a> in it, and the side pocket fit her Sesame Street toy phone<\/strong><\/a> perfectly. There are plenty of cute backpack options for little kids<\/strong><\/a> and bigger kids<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Here are some cute ones I found online:<\/strong><\/p>\n ArcEnCiel Kid’s Backpack<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Skip Hop Zoo Pack Little Kid Backpack, Dog<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n NOHOO Toddler Kids Cute Cartoon Backpack Shoulder Bag-Cute Dinosaur Backpacks<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n I never travel without my laptop, so a backpack is essential. The Columbia brand backpacking\/laptop backpack I use is not available online, but I love it’s features, which include:<\/p>\n Here backpacks with similar features: I like to bring an insulated bag<\/strong><\/a> for snacks and a travel mug<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0of milk. I’ve never had trouble going through security with\u00a0a thermos of milk (or when my daughter was younger, pre-mixed formula) and a few small juice boxes for my kid. A small, reusable\u00a0ice pack<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0also helps keep fruits cool.<\/p>\n Easy fruits to pack:<\/p>\n TSA rules and procedures for traveling with infants and children can be found here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Recently, I discovered packing cubes. I received a complimentary Mumi Design travel cube in my swag bag from the Parasol diaper launch party<\/a>\u00a0and it fit all of\u00a0my daughter’s clothes!<\/p>\n Packing cubes<\/strong><\/a> come in different sizes, and make packing so easy!Expandable Roller Bag that fits in overhead compartment<\/h2>\n
![\"Samsonite\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Samsonite.jpg?resize=560%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\nWhat to look for in\u00a0carry-on luggage<\/a>:<\/h3>\n
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Make sure it is the right size<\/h3>\n
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\nKid’s backpack<\/a>, filled with toys<\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"Kidsbackpack\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Kidsbackpack.jpg?resize=522%2C540&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"kidsbackpack2\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/kidsbackpack2.jpg?resize=222%2C300&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"kidsbackpack3\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/kidsbackpack3.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"NOHOO](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/dinosaur.jpg?resize=580%2C578&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nLaptop Backpack<\/a><\/h2>\n
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\n<\/strong>(links open to Amazon product page)
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
![\"NorthFace_Recon\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/NorthFace_Recon.jpg?resize=580%2C995&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe North Face Recon Backpack<\/a><\/h3>\n
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![\"SwissGear\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/SwissGear.jpg?resize=580%2C580&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\nSwissGear Travel Gear ScanSmart Backpack<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Ogio\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Ogio.jpg?resize=580%2C927&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\nOGIO International Bandit Laptop Backpack<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n
\nInsulated Bag<\/a> for snacks and\u00a0Travel Mug<\/a><\/h2>\n
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![\"lunchtote2\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/lunchtote2.jpg?resize=640%2C640&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\nFit & Fresh Signature Collection Ladies’ Brisbane Insulated Tote<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"thermos\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/thermos.jpg?resize=189%2C679&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\nZojirushi Stainless Steel Travel Mug<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"icepack\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/icepack.jpg?resize=580%2C634&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\nIce Pack for Lunch Boxes by Bentology<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n
\nEfficient Packing<\/h2>\n
Packing Cubes<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"packing](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Screen-Shot-2016-08-05-at-4.51.39-PM.png?resize=599%2C482&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
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