Likely one of the most anxiety-inducing experiences of motherhood, flying solo with baby is always a challenge. Now having endured the strain of solo travel a handful of times with Brooks, never again will I roll my eyes at a screaming toddler on a plane. Just last weekend I found myself wedged between an overly inquisitive grandpa and a timid frat boy who continued to place his phone and earbuds within grabbing distance (he was asking for it…). While I wouldn’t say travelling solo with baby now is any easier than it was the first time (in fact… older babies are harder…), I do now feel more prepared. But I remember the first time I took on the challenge – how anxious, nervous, stressed I was. So today I bring you a tool – a “what to expect†guide – filled with my tips for Flying solo with baby so that you can get a little extra sleep the night before you take off! (Tip #1 – do that. You’ll need it.)
The best way I could think to communicate this is in “Obstacle/Overcome it†format. So, below I am going to list the various “obstacles†you can expect to face while flying solo with baby followed by my best suggestion – based on experience – for overcoming the obstacle! Also, I typically do my best to write in an eloquent voice, but in an effort to make this an easy and informative read, I wrote it as if I were saying it. Alright folks, prepare for takeoff…
Tips for Flying Solo with Baby
Obstacle 1: So Much Crap. Only 2 Arms. And a Baby.
Overcome it: Check everything except the diaper bag and stroller. When I am first dropped off at the airport, I put Brooks in the stroller and the diaper bag on my back. Then I attach the car seat & base together so that becomes one unit to carry. I then balance that unit over the top of my roller suitcase as I simultaneously push the baby stroller with the other hand and slowly make my way to the check in counter. Sometimes someone will ask to help, and if that’s the case, SAY YES! Getting all the crap to the counter is one of the most challenging parts. You may also get lucky and have the person who dropped you off help with this, but I’m going to assume you are completely alone like I have been so that you know IT IS POSSIBLE.
Obstacle 2: Security (stroller? Breastmilk? Other important liquids?)
Overcome it: Strollers: Most strollers will fit through the security checkpoint when fully collapsed so this has not been an issue for me. Breastmilk: you can bring as much breastmilk – liquid form or not – as you need through security. I’ve brought a few liquid pouches in the diaper bag as well as an entire backpack cooler full of 40+ frozen milk bags. They will test them, but they can not confiscate them so don’t let them try! A security agent once tried to tell me I couldn’t bring 2 5-oz bottles of liquid breastmilk through security. I’m pretty sure she feared for her life by the time our short conversation ended. Side note: you ARE allowed to bring water through security if it’s in the diaper bag and for baby! Just say it’s for making bottles or for them to drink.
That little smirk… he knows he’s a handful…
Obstacle 3: Baby is antsy while waiting
Overcome it: Run laps. I would stroll with Brooks up and down the terminal because he was so engaged with all the people watching and it allowed me to avoid feeding him for a while. This is crucial because food is one of the only ways you will be able to get through the actual flight with an ounce of sanity. My strategy? Don’t starve them, but time it so that they are hungry on the plane!
Obstacle 4: Pumping & Nursing every 2-3 hours.
Overcome it: If you are pumping exclusively, pump in the family bathroom OR the mother’s room (all airports should have them) shortly before boarding and reserve the bottle for take-off. Depending on the length of the flight, you should be ready for another session as soon as you land! If you are nursing, time it so that you are full and ready to nurse a litter during take-off. Really, load that baby up with the gold stuff and let them drift off into a sleepy mile high wonderland. Then, if you’re lucky, your dreamy little sleeper will eagerly awake ready to eat again just in time for landing! Bottom line, there are plenty of places to pump and nursing should be shameless – to get through this day you’ve just got to do what you’ve got to do! For more on breastfeeding, y9ou can read my Breastfeeding Journey FAQ’s here!
Obstacle 5: Boarding the plane with the baby and all the stuff.
Overcome it: Go up to the ticket counter before boarding and they will inform you when you should board (usually first). They will set you up with a gate check tag for your stroller and all you need to do is drop it off right before you hop on board! When you board the plane, you should only have your baby and the diaper bag. Anything else will turn you into a crazy person. “But what about my purse?†… you mean diaper bag? For this trip, your diaper bag is your purse (if you haven’t already adopted this switch in real life).
Obstacle 6: Restless baby on board
Overcome it: The worse part – in my experience – is waiting to move. Since you board first and with all the taxying that comes after, there is a lot of motionless waiting that is just asking for a squirmy tantrum. This is where the food is helpful. Don’t exhaust your toys quite yet… and don’t pull out everything all at once. You’ll want to slowly introduce new fun things to baby over the course of the flight. And that’s also a good point – grab some new toys for this. They will spend some time figuring it out before playing with it and, when you’re in the air, any occupied – non-screaming – time is gold. Pro tip that I’m sure you’ve heard: be sure to nurse/feed baby a bottle during take off AND landing to help them pop their ears! Snacks we love: puffs, teething wafers, yogi melts. Brooks probably ate an entire box of these. I’m not proud of it… but while he was eating those, he wasn’t screaming…
So much easier with dad. Still possible without!
Obstacle 7: People who act annoyed
Overcome it: DGAFudge.
Obstacle 8: Mile high dirty diaper
Overcome it: CHANGE THE BABY!! I actually LOVE when this happens, because it breaks up the flight time! Take baby to the laboratory and you will find a little pull down changing table (SUPER tiny) above the toilet. It is probably cleaner than the safety information card in the seatback pocket that your baby already tried to eat, so don’t stress about the germs. Take your sweet time in that quiet, isolated room and change your baby in peace. Then spend a few minutes washing hands, looking in the mirror, dancing in there, just take your time. Then it’s back to the dreaded seat.
Obstacle 9: Baggage claim and getting to your car
Overcome it: Ask for help. Stand next to someone who looks nice, and ask them if they would grab your car seat and bag for you so that you don’t need to leave your stroller and go wrestle your bag off the belt. Then, struggle-bus your way to the doors the same way you came in – but make it even more miserable-looking so that all the good Samaritans come running. Seriously, this part is fun. I time it. Last time it took me less than 30 seconds to have 2 people run to my assistance. Everyone loves to help a lonely mother with a baby in distress.
Obstacle 10: Random things you didn’t think about until you got there
Overcome it: Here’s a few random things I’ve learned:
- bring a picture of your baby’s birth certificate. Most airlines require it for check in for lap infants.
- Pack the diaper bag with more entertainment stuff than you think you’ll need. I’ve never needed more diapers in my diaper bag, I have however run out of exciting toys, snacks, and books. Brings multiple books. Several toys of different kinds. Toys that aren’t asking to be chucked. Laminate paper cards. Remotes without batteries. All the guilty pleasure toys that babies love.
- If your baby won’t sleep upright on you, try and let them nuzzle up face down on your lap. Brooks will never fall asleep upright on me but twice he has drifted off curled up in the fetal position face down on my lap (after much fussing).
- If doing formula, prep the bottle right BEFORE boarding the flight.
- Babies love the drop-down trays. This is a good last-ditch effort occupier.
If there’s one big piece of advice I can give you, it would be to ask for and accept help. With getting your luggage to the counter, getting your stroller on the security belt, getting any bags in the overhead compartment, folding up your stroller at the gate, handing you your water off the floor when you’ve got your hands full… there’s an endless list of things you could use help with, so don’t be shy! People want to help and it is easy help that they are happy to do!
I’ll leave you with this. Travelling with baby with a team is tough. Travelling with baby by yourself is REALLY tough. But it’s a few hours – a day at most – and you and baby will both learn to be more flexible. You and baby may both be drained when you arrive, but that makes for a quiet ride to your destination. And whenever you get where you’re going, hand that baby off and pour yourself a glass!
Safe Travels!
Kelsie
