Flying with baby solo

LoLo'sMama · #1 August 12th, 2011, 05:51 AM

For those of you who have done this, I am in need of some serious help. I am flying the beginning of October to NE by myself, Harlow will be 9.5 months. It is going to be a long day, due to the at least one layover. I am getting scared!! I was planning on putting her in the Moby and using a backpack for the diaper bag/carry on-but yesterday at the library, she was totally getting out of it and wouldn't stay put, so I don't think that is going to work, especially in a few months when she is older and stronger. Then, I'll have to have some sort of diaper bag, but how do I manage that while having to hold her too?? I was thinking my backpack? I will check my suitcase at curbside. And I am not going to bring a car seat or stroller. And I have to pack my pump in the suitcase, which leaves little to no room left for all our clothes. AHHH, I'm already stressed.

What seat would you get? Inside seat or aisle?
What carrier would you use?
Would you use the stroller or would it be just another thing you have to handle?
I guess I will pack bottles?? I am not comfortable BFing by myself on an airplane....at the airport yes, but not in front of a bunch of strangers that will be staring at me for 3 hours. I'm worried about her ears. The last time we flew, she refused to eat so we gave her the paci and it didn't seem to be enough to equalize the pressure so she was screaming off and on during the decent. So, this time it will be a total of 4 takeoff and landings. I'm so excited.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated ladies. I know I can do this, I just to have a good plan.

austinmommy3 · #2 August 12th, 2011, 06:09 AM

Take a stroller, if yours is too bulky, get a "nicer" umbrella stroller, you can gate check it. I have a Skip Hop bag that has carrier clips so it attaches to the stroller. I always take our regular stroller as it isn't bulky and I throw the carrier in the basket when I fold it up at the gate. If you aren't carrying on except your diaper bag you can use another bag for extra clothes, diapers, and bottles, and possibly your pump. I always have the diaper bag and an extra baby bag, my older kids always take a back pack with all their fave things in it. I always fly southwest for the simple fact they have always been accommodating when I am by myself with the three kiddos, and they always have my stroller unfolded and waiting at the door of the plane. :-D

Jamiesquared · #3 August 12th, 2011, 06:19 AM

Do you have an Ergo or any type of carrier that is similar...Bjorn etc? Brendan likes his and you can put them on your back as they get older which makes it easier. It doesnt face forward though like a Bjorn.

You can gate check the stroller so bring that to the gate and each time you deplane/reboard you will have it to push her in. I have a Skip Hop messenger diaper bag so that helps in terms of shoulder/hands free. You are also allowed your carry on and a diaper bag for her. I flew with Brendan and I had my own carry on, my purse, his diaper bag and a laptop

Try feeding her during takeoff/landing with either the boob or a bottle for the pressure? I fed Brendan and that helped a lot. Maybe she will eat easier this time. I think for older babies there are some sort of ear plug you can put in that helps but I couldnt use it at the time because he was too little. Call your pedi and ask for some advice too, thats why they get paid the big bucks

I would do window, just another thing to possibly occupy her. I think the aisle would be difficult because she will want to reach potentially for people walking by, the food/bev cart etc. Who cares if you have to say excuse me to the people there so you can get out

Are you going to visit family? Ship your bottles/pump two days before or overnight so it is less for you carry in your suitcase. It may be a little extra in cost but it will help you out in terms of weight/carrying!

LoLo'sMama · #4 August 12th, 2011, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by austinmommy3

Take a stroller, if yours is too bulky, get a "nicer" umbrella stroller, you can gate check it. I have a Skip Hop bag that has carrier clips so it attaches to the stroller. I always take our regular stroller as it isn't bulky and I throw the carrier in the basket when I fold it up at the gate. If you aren't carrying on except your diaper bag you can use another bag for extra clothes, diapers, and bottles, and possibly your pump. I always have the diaper bag and an extra baby bag, my older kids always take a back pack with all their fave things in it. I always fly southwest for the simple fact they have always been accommodating when I am by myself with the three kiddos, and they always have my stroller unfolded and waiting at the door of the plane. :-D

Like this one?
Skip Hop: Bento ultimate diaper bag

Will that work on an umbrella stroller?

#5 August 12th, 2011, 07:40 AM

Any bag should be able to clip onto a stroller... you can buy stroller clips that will let any bag do this. There's a bunch of different types if you search for stroller clips on Amazon. Know that if you have an umbrella and a packed bag on the back of it, when you take Harlow out, it will probably flip backwards. I tend to use a backpack and a messenger style bag I can wear cross body.
We have an Ergo and love it BUT in an airport setting I can see C getting over it REALLY quick. When he is ready to be out, he's ready to be out! For me, I wouldnt bother with the carrier and just do a comfy umbrella (like a Maclaren Triumph or Quest) - I did this when I would be on my own with L and it wasn't that bad. He liked sitting in it and looking at everyone. Also doubled as a highchair for feeding time at the airport.
If she has problems swallowing at take-off/landing you can blow in her face - this triggers a swallow reflex. We also do this to the kids when we give them medicine... less likely to spit it back up at us!

KDD · #6 August 12th, 2011, 07:45 AM

I've flown with Nathan twice by myself so far. It truly isn't as bad as you're imagining it will be (trust me). Definitely bring a stroller. I gate-checked mine both times and it was so handy. On our first trip I wore him in the wrap on the plane, for the second he was too busy so I just held him.

What seat would you get? Inside seat or aisle? I got the window seat each flight so it would make nursing easier. I wanted to nurse him for take offs and landing so his ears wouldn't hurt.
What carrier would you use? At this age I would use either my wrap or my Ergo.
Would you use the stroller or would it be just another thing you have to handle? Bring a stroller. It's a pain going through security but once you're past that it will be so much easier. Then you can put your bag in it and not have to worry about carrying anything. And if LoLo gets tired you can rest your arms too. We're looking at getting an inexpensive one to bring to Mexico if we go this winter.

melrose09 · #7 August 12th, 2011, 09:41 AM

I'm flying solo to Japan next month and I"m totally bringing his umbrella stroller. When we flew in April, I think it was easier when we had the aisle seat, that way we could get up and walk around when he got antsy, which luckily wasn't much. I was sneaky and put my diaper bag INSIDE a larger carry on and then had my purse, which was full of baby stuff and may as well have been a second diaper bag

Pack plenty of snacks (mum mum and arrowroot cookies are good ones) that she can self feed and keep herself busy for a while. Ugh! flying is not fun for anyone, but solo with a baby is near torture.

Oh and DEFINITELY don't do a wrap or whatever going through security. they will make you take her out and take the whole thing off and then you feel like a jerk for holding up the line. So if you do go that route, I'd hold her until you go through security and then put her in.

Good luck! You can do it!