I flew 21 hours with my 4-year-old. Here are the 9 things I packed in my carry-on that helped us make it through the trip.

Jordi Lippe-McGrawDec 1, 2022, 21:12 IST

My carry-on had to fit my own items and my son's items.Jordi Lippe-McGraw

I recently flew 21 hours from New York to Zambia with my 4-year-old son and husband.
I made room in my carry-on for essential items, like medications and a zip-up passport holder.

To get from the US to Zambia, my family took four flights across four continents, a journey that totaled 21 hours.

Flying with my young son required a lot of planning and preparation.Getty Images

My carry-on had to fit my own items and my son's items.Jordi Lippe-McGraw

I keep all my important documents in one place.Jordi Lippe-McGraw

My family drinks plenty of water when we travel.Jordi Lippe-McGraw

The sketchpad and crayons kept my son entertained during the plane ride.Jordi Lippe-McGraw

I brought plenty of snacks to keep my son full between meals.Jordi Lippe-McGraw

To make sure my devices stayed charged, I packed numerous chargers and headphones.Jordi Lippe-McGraw

I always store my medication in my carry-on.Jordi Lippe-McGraw

I stuffed extra clothes and wipes into my bag for my son.Jordi Lippe-McGraw

I brought the sweater solely for the plane ride and the airport.Jordi Lippe-McGraw