I know that one plane trip with an infant doesn’t make me an expert, but I wanted to share the things that went well on my recent trip with Miles.
#1: Travel with someone if you can. I went solo on the trip to Yuma, but my parents flew back with me. Having an extra hand was invaluable.
All my other tips are in no particular order and were helpful when traveling by myself.
- Don’t forget a copy of you child’s birth certificate. If you are flying with a lap baby you don’t need a ticket, but you must have a copy of the birth certificate. You’ll only need it when you check in, not to get through security. I decided to just keep it in my diaper bag from now on.
-Do take your car seat/stroller. Many people don’t realize that they will allow you to take these items through security and gate check them right before you get on the plane for free. This was a life saver because it provided a place to set the baby instead of carrying him all day.
-Bring a baby carrier (baby bjorn, moby wrap, ect) to put your baby in as you board the plane.
-If you use powdered formula: a) mix the bottles before security or b) buy a bottle of water once you’re through. They will let you take mixed formula through, but not bottles of water.
-Try to time your flight so that your baby can be taking a bottle during take off/landing to help clear their ears. Although I found that sucking on a pacifier worked as well.
- Slightly loosen the lids on bottles and keep them in an upright position. My diaper bag worked great for this. It has two insulated pockets for bottles on the side that keep them upright so they didn’t spill with the lids loosened. The pressure change will make bottles leak if they are sealed too tightly. (Found this out the hard way)
-If you carry a plastic snap-close wipes case, put it in a ziplock bag because the pressure change can also cause the moisture to be pulled out and get everything wet in your bag! (Also discovered the hard way)
-Last, but not least: look pitiful. Most people are really helpful when you’ve got an infant by yourself and look like you need it! I got offers to carry my stroller, set it back up for me, and put away my carry on several times.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
fun to read, i have been traveling with my babes for the past 10 years, mostly on my own, the most recent though with husband and our 1 year old plus 4 a bit older kids. LA-ZRH by now, the kids are pros when it gets to the topic of flying half way across the world.
ha ha, look pitiful! I travel all the time with 3 kids and just me and it is exhausting (especially for just one night away). I find most people to be sooo helpful! And you know what? 99% of the time it is moms who have been there, done that, and now what you are going through!