Flying alone with a non-walking toddler

[mummamilk]

I have flown many times before just never had to say goodbye at the curb and manage it all myself.

Would love all tips and hints. We are flying a non stop domestic. Southwest. I'm not good at packing light. Will be staying two weeks, bringing 2 suitcases.

Can't decide bring stroller, carseat etc. I don't "need them" at my destination. I left my travel system there last summer. DS is little. He is still in an infant carrier.
He is used to a sling and will still nurse in it. Doesn't really liked to be carried too much. Because he is active and wants to explore.

We will be flying about 5pm each flight.

Any tips on what to wear/bring on the plane to keep it to a minimal appreciated.

[Boot]

I flew on my own to the UK (10 hours) with my 12 month old a couple of years ago. I totally overpacked! I didn't need all the extra food and clothes that I brought in my carry on. What was useful were the small new toys I got. I didn't have my ergo in the cabin on the way there and I wish I had. I did on the way back. In my case, I was able to bring a small stroller into the cabin and that was really useful, otherwise I would have been carrying him and my carry on for miles through Heathrow T5. But I wouldn't say it would be worth it in your case.

I would say bring the sling and a carry on that you can carry at the same time. Pack one change of clothes for him, 3 diapers (disposable), wipes, snacks (keep anything liquid in a separate bag that you can easily access), about 3 small new toys or snacks and something for yourself (book, magazine). He will probably fall asleep nursing after take-off. Mine did. Then you can sit back and relax! I have to say that the BA flight I took alone with my toddler was the best transatlantic flight I've ever taken. I had a great seat, the flight attendants were really nice to me and DS slept the whole way in his own little bouncy seat type thing.

At the airport, you will probably be able to put him in the seat of a luggage cart. Maybe bring something to strap him in (a belt?) just in case.

Good luck!

[justKate]

OP, I've got 2 trips in the next two months where I'll be in the same situation, so I'll be taking notes! DD is 14 mos and we flew alone when she was tiny, but not since. I have to take a carseat, so here's my plan:

Check one BIG suitcase. I'll have help with baggage on both ends.
DD in convertible seat on gogo kidz rolly cart thingie (got one for $50 on ebay!)
Diaper bag on my shouler, ergo around my waist.

Remember Southwest is going to require documentation of your LO's age if your he doesn't have a seat. A copy of a birth certificate is accepted.

Good luck! I'm anxious to hear others' suggestions.

[mommariffic]

If you don't NEED a car seat/stroller at your destination, I wouldn't bring them...especially if your DS doesn't mind the sling and would rather explore when you're waiting to board planes etc. All that extra stuff can be a pain in the butt to lug around, and I've personally never used a car seat on a plane.

I'd personally try to just bring one big suitcase and one carry on. The suitcase can have clothes, toiletries and whatever you won't be using on the flight. The carry on can have diapers, wipes, change of clothes, magazines for you and stuff you'll need at the moment. Whenever we travel we bring enough pull ups/whatever else for the plane only. Why lug extra stuff around when you can just buy them when you arrive?

[lyra2007]

We fly ALL the time. My daughter didn't walk until 18 months, so I know where you're coming from.

If he has his own seat, you will need a carseat for him. If he's on your lap, I wouldn't bother since you have one waiting for you.

I personally prefer to bring the stroller because I can loop the diaper bag over it, and put more stuff in the basket. But again, you don't need one when you get there, so if you can skip it, do so. The flight attendants probably won't let you use your sling during take off and landing, but of course you can hold the baby.

A couple of new toys or books make a big difference in keeping the baby occupied. You didn't say how long your flight was or your son's sleep schedule, but if you can get him to sleep, so much the better. Though if you are changing time zones, you may regret that.

Get up and walk around if you can.

And finally, two words: veggie booty. The vilest, most disgusting product known to mankind (seriously--puffed corn and rice covered in spinach and kale powder?), but my daughter LOVED it. Big treat for her because she ONLY got it on the airplane. Kept her busy for up to 15 minutes at a stretch.

[simcon]

For another perspective...I fly quite a bit and just about always bring the carseat on the plane, and with SW, you can see if the flight is full, and if not, it's easy to install the seat right next to you, and you will both likely be more comfy for the duration of the flight. You can read and move without worrying about waking the baby, and an active baby might be more inclined to sleep in the familiar space of the carseat. Beyond comfort, I have definitely experienced turbulence where I wouldn't want my lo unsecured, and so whenever I can, the carseat comes along. It's a pain to deal with through the airport, especially by yourself, but I sometimes sling it over my shoulder, and sometimes put it on the stroller while lo is in the ergo or sling, and then gate-check the stroller.

Otherwise, I second the veggie booty, new small toys, checking as much as you can--maybe 2 outfits for baby instead of one, and a small blanket (planes can be chilly). Maybe I'm overly concerned, but I wouldn't bring less than 5-6 disposable diapers--they're small, and it's worth it to me not to worry about running out! My babies have always been big on in-air blowouts, even when they don't otherwise have them.

You might want to pay the $10 for a better position in the boarding line if you're feeling like you have a bunch of stuff to schlep onto the plane, and don't want to whack everyone who was in the A line with it as you go by them to seats further back in the plane.

Good luck! Though I have flown solo with kids and babies a fair amount, I am flying 20+ hours solo with my very active 16-month old next week, so I'm in a similar spot having some concerns about an upcoming trip!

[ellemenope]

I have about 20 solo plane trips with baby (3mos-21mos) under my belt.

Be ready at the security checkpoint. Liquids need to be out and declared. Stroller needs to go through the machine no matter what. Even the baby has to take shoes off. Baby cannot stay in sling.

Stroller pro: You can use it to carry diaper bag and carry on if not baby and leisurely stroll down to check it at the gate.

Stroller con: It is always a drag to get it through the machine all by yourself. Sometimes they make you wait a long time to get it back from under the plane.

I personaly prefer to travel alone with the back carrier for toddler, a diaper bag on my shoulder, and one roller carry-on. I have learned to pack light and squeeze it all in.

I grab special snack in the terminal for the plane ride. My baby was always more interested in snacks than anything else. I pack some fave snacks and water bottle.

Pack a change of clothes for babe and a top for YOURSELF. It hasn't happened to me yet, but I watched a mom get covered in toddler vomit on the plane.

You know your baby best. Bring what they are interested in. My DD likes to read. I brought a couple of her books that had a lot of open endedness to them. We spent many hours reading sky mall, pointing out the cats and dogs and babies.

I have had very little success with buying/wrapping a bunch of little toys for a trip. That bought me maybe a minute. However, DD could spend a half hour taking the cap off of a water bottle.

Everything is interesting. Everything. Follow their lead. They can spend hours playing with the buckle, the shade, the plastic cup, the puke bag, the air blower, looking back at all the passengers, making a trip to the bathroom, etc.

Make a game or song out of everything. Run through your entire repetoir. It is exhausting. Just remember every minute that goes by is one less minute left.

Bring their fave blankie/lovey and just pray that they fall asleep. Jiggle, pat, sing, (nurse if you can). Then you can relax.

Remember noone is more annoyed at your screaming child than you are. They can put headphones on. As long as your trying your best noone has any right to be mad at you are baby. I have never had a problem (but I do have an angel.)

As far as Southwest. You will get to boared after A group, (unless you are A group) and will get a good choice of seats. Hopefully your plane is not full. I am guilty of trying to make my toddler look worse than she really is during those few minutes of boarding. I have gotten whole rows to myself. Nobody wants to sit next to a toddler.

As far as other airlines with asigned seating. make freinds with the gate agent right away. Just go up as soon as they get to your gate and ask if the flight is full. They usually take the hint to move you around so you get an empty seat by you.


I know I am missing something. Good luck!

[karmamamaa]

As a flight attendant and mum of a 19 month old I can assure you that the hardest part of flying is usually getting through TSA.

Obviously, as I myself (while 8 months preggers!eek!) have gotten quite injured during clear air turbulence I always buy my little one a seat for transatlantic or international flights, but usually take my luck with domestic ones (little ones under two are free but bring a car seat to the gate and you might get lucky!).

I know this is a really dorky flight attendant thing to add, but most pilots and fa's purchase these for our safety paranoias:

http://www.kidsflysafe.com/

Little ones as young as one can use them (they only really need it during any time the seat belt sign is on so if they really just can't get comfortable they can lay on your lap) and I carry mine for domestic flights as sometimes, for example if I am visiting my mother in law, I don't "need" my car seat. It fits in the diaper bag! Much less hassle than trying to lug a traditional car seat behind me while pushing my stroller.
For longer flights or international I do make sure I have a car seat due to the fact that if she will be sleeping for 6 or 7+ hours she will probably be more comfotable.

Its hard on the way into the airport (you might have to get a cart to get to checkin) so hopefully perhaps whomever is driving you can park and give you a hand. If not, just get a cart or a baggage attendant.

I like to bring the stroller just because the diaper bag gets heavy on my shoulder after a while and I can stick it underneath just in case.

You cannot bring enough food. I swear I brought broccolli last week (she hates it with a passion!) and she ate like a horse, hehe.

Do your TSA bags before hand, all your three ounce things in one bag, babies "liquids" to declare (over three ounces) in another, and 3 oz baby stuff in another. TSA can be tricky but most staff at most airports are ever so helpful when you are by yourself.

Stickers and crayons for that age set are usually frowned upon (it ends up all over the windows unfortunately, my child included) but I don't know what I'd do without an etch-a-sketch. You can buy a "travel" size one at Target, I believe, for $3. Maybe that Crayola stuff that only writes on the special paper as well? Both good for these special occasions.
Books, books, books!

We flight attendants,at least at my airline , pride ourselves on customer service and my friends at Southwest do just as wonderful a job as we do. If you need to use the restroom, just ask. We're all mothers and grandmothers and we looove the babies and toddlers. As long as the seatbelt sign is off, and we're not doing drink service, please walk up and down all you need. We will sing and tickle and distract just in case.

You'll be fine, I promise. Enjoy this time with just the two of you!

[ASusan]

helpful posts by experienced travelers, so I have only one thing to add - bring dollar bills for tips. I used to pride myself on dealing with my bags myself. No longer. I let someone else handle it and tip them.

That said, I did a solo-parent trip when DS was 6 mos., and I could carry everything myself. Carseat flipped over rested neatly on the roller suitcase; DS in the front Ergo, backpack diaperbag on my back.

[QuestionGal]

Tips on flying southwest with a child:

assuming your child is a lap child
-make sure you have proof of age (you will need it as often as your driver's license)
-check in early (24 hours before flight) or pay the extra $10 to get early bird boarding. This will ensure you are able to board in the A group. SWA no longer has families board before everyone else (traditional pre-board). Instead they now have families board after the A group (approx 60 pple). If you can, try to get in the A group so you have more seat options.
- you can gate check your stroller (will need to speak w/ the agent at the gate to get it tagged) and you leave it right before you get on the plane. It will be set up and waiting for you when you arrive.
- If you take your carseat on the plane (can also be gate checked if there are no seats available), it will need to be in a window seat.
- there are only changing tables in SOME of the front bathrooms, none of the rear ones (might have that reversed).
- you can't have baby in the sling/carrier for take-off, landing, or walking through security.
- most airports have a separate "family" line at security (so you don't have to wait in the super long line).
- I prefer to have a carseat on the plane. Keeps DS comfortably contained and we have less issues with him wanting to get up/down explore. To that end we have a carseat bag (has wheels and can be pulled).
-curbside check-in and have the person picking you up meet you in baggage claim. It'll be NICE to have those extra hands. Check as much as you can, just carry on stuff for the flight & diaper bag.

[Baby_Cakes]

Originally Posted by karmamamaa

Stickers and crayons for that age set are usually frowned upon (it ends up all over the windows unfortunately, my child included) but I don't know what I'd do without an etch-a-sketch. You can buy a "travel" size one at Target, I believe, for $3. Maybe that Crayola stuff that only writes on the special paper as well? Both good for these special occasions.
Books, books, books!

We got DD (18 mo) a travel magna doodle from Target and it SAVED our flight. Mostly I drew an animal or shape and she loved it.

I've never flown alone, but our last trip DH and I brought the stroller just to push stuff around the airport. DD was in a Boba on my back, and the two carry ons and the carseat went in the stroller. Gate check the stroller (and the carseat if you aren't using it on the plane) and with the kid on your person you can manage two carry ons.

[NicaG]

A couple more quick tips: buy yourself a bottle of water or soda in the airport, or bring a sippy cup for yourself. It's always hard to juggle a baby and an open, spillable cup served to you on the plane. A friend of mine spilled hot coffee on her toddler on a plane (why would you order hot coffee with a toddler sitting next to you?).

And pack a large ziploc bag inside your diaper bag with a couple diapers, some wipes, a changing mat. Then you can pull out this small pack when you need to change a diaper on the plane, instead of lugging your whole diaper bag.

I like to pack everything in the diaper bag in large ziploc bags--one for toys, one for snacks, one for extra clothing, etc. Makes it easier when you're searching for something.

Have fun!

[justKate]

Originally Posted by simcon

Otherwise, I second the veggie booty, new small toys, checking as much as you can--maybe 2 outfits for baby instead of one, and a small blanket (planes can be chilly). Maybe I'm overly concerned, but I wouldn't bring less than 5-6 disposable diapers--they're small, and it's worth it to me not to worry about running out! My babies have always been big on in-air blowouts, even when they don't otherwise have them.

Yep, what IS UP WITH THAT? DD ALWAYS has a blowout mid-flight. I bring extra diapers now, having heard horror stories about people sitting trapped in airplanes for hours on runways.... The last thing I want is a poopsplosion in the last diaper I have!

I wanted to second that the SW flights I've taken to date have a changing table in the forward restroom but not the rear. 727's, if I'm not mistaken? However there is more room in the attendants' area in the back, and if your LO is fussy they may be kind enough to let you stand in that area if you need to.

As for the CARES harness, I've heard/read that it doesn't fit small toddlers well--anyone know if this is true? (thinking of my 19 lb. 15 month old)

[starling&diesel]

We're traveling to Costa Rica on May 8th with our fifteen month old daughter, so I'm reading all of this with rapt attention. We're not planning on taking a car seat on board, but have purchased a seat for DD, so that we have the space to spread out a bit.
I'm thinking we'll put the car seat in the cargo hold.
Not sure about bringing a stroller at all, as we don't have one. DD is usually in the Ergo. But we're wondering if we'll want one in CR. Still debating that one.
Thanks for everyone's BTDT tips! I'm taking notes!

Originally Posted by ellemenope

I have about 20 solo plane trips with baby (3mos-21mos) under my belt.

Your advice is so helpful! Thank you!

Originally Posted by Baby_Cakes

We got DD (18 mo) a travel magna doodle from Target and it SAVED our flight. Mostly I drew an animal or shape and she loved it.

We purchased one of those yesterday for our flight. I think it will be very popular. We also got a 6-sided puzzled which fits into a small box as a frame. I think that will be popular too.
As far as wrapping the new toys, we were advised to not tape them, in case security wants to have a peek.
Also, set aside a couple of new ones for the trip home.

Originally Posted by justKate

As for the CARES harness, I've heard/read that it doesn't fit small toddlers well--anyone know if this is true? (thinking of my 19 lb. 15 month old)

Anyone know if this is true? We're considering purchasing one. I'm hoping to 'rent' it out via craigslist after and earn back the cost.

[jorona]

I'm a mom who got puked on by her infant mid-flight. Pants and top both got hit pretty badly - so I'd definitely recommend at minimum an extra top for yourself in the carry on. I also say 5-6 diapers because my LO is also one who poops more while traveling. I'm loving the comments others have made!