Flying with baby alone?

Question

I have a family emergency(my grandmother is in the ICU)and I have to fly from NY to GA, just me and my baby. I have only flown on a plane once before, a few years ago and Im not sure how things work. I have to bring my son with me, he is 11 months old. I dont know what I can bring with me as far as carseat, stroller, how many carryons and duffle bags. Is the powdered formula allowed? Has anyone flown with a baby, how do they react, what can I expect? I'm freaking out, Its so much to take in so quickly. I dont want to forget anything important. On top of it all, he is teething AGAIN and its his molars comming in this time! Ahhh!

Answer 1

sorry you're going through such a rough time...your best bet would be to go to both the airline and the airport's websites...they have very extensive/detailed lists on what is and is not allowed.  I believe the last time we flew with a young one we got her settled then the stewardess took the stroller and took it down when they took the wheelchairs and people's extra luggage, but she was a little older than your son.  Most airlines board the families with younger children first, so you can get in and settle down before you feel like you are in the way.  But again, check your airline to be sure...good luck!

Answer 2

Sorry to hear about your grandmother! I'm a former Flight Attendant and I fly a lot alone with my own three children since each was 4 months old. One trip was a rush home because of a family emergency so I know the stress!

Here are some tips;

First, you need to get a hold of a certified copy of your child's birth certificate. Most airlines require this as identification. You will need some form of photo id. Check the airline's website for more information.

What carry-ons you are allowed depends again, on the airline. Most (not all) airlines don't count the car seat and stroller against your baggage allowance. Some allow a baby who doesn't have a seat to have a carry-on in addition to the parents'. Some airlines are more generous than others and be especially careful if you're on a "low cost" carrier. Go to their website and read up.

First of all, I really recommend bringing a car seat and using it onboard. Make sure your car seat is approved for use on aircraft. See the below link for information. Most car seats, including infant buckets, sold in the U.S. are.

http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_childr...

This way, the seat will get to your destination without risking it being damaged or lost in luggage. On my last transatlantic with my kids, three of our four bags didn't make it but since we had the car seat with us, my daughter was safe for the 2 hour drive home (the bags arrived 2 days later). I saw at least two other seats in lost baggage while looking for our luggage. Wonder how they got home?

If you don't have a seat for him, request it at check-in. Ask if the flight is full, and if not, they can "block" the seat next to you, only using it if they really need it. They often do this for families.

Bring the seat to the gate, even if they are unsure that you'll get a seat. This way, if you don't manage it, they will "gate check" your seat, sending it down with the strollers and wheelchairs. This is gentlier than checking it in at the desk.

I also recommend trying to sit at the bulkhead. These are the seats with the wall in front, located in different places depending on the aircraft. Bulkheads are easier with children since no one is leaning in front of you and there's probably room to crawl on the floor.

If you have a travel system, you can use the stroller until you get to the door of the aircraft and then it'll be "gate checked". If not, use a stroller frame for a infant seat. You'll have it again, by the door of the aircraft when you arrive. If you have a convertible car seat (going to 40lbs), there are a number of contraptions you can use to wheel it around. Here are just a few (only examples, not promoting either this site or the products);

http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_k...

http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Toddler-...

http://www.onestepahead.com/product/osa/...

I simply strap mine to a small metal luggage cart and that works great.

If you do have a stroller, bring a bungee cord and double secure it before leaving it at the door of the plane. They can get damaged if they pop open en route. Make sure the claim ticket can be seen and isn't squished or hidden. Be sure to ask when disembarking where the stroller is.

Bring at least 1/3 more diapers than you think you'll need. I saw so many parents run out on flights when I was working! Wrap them in plastic bags and throw a bunch of rubber bands around them to save room in your carry-on.

Powdered formula is allowed. Here is the TSA (security) page that explains. Basically, you only have to show security what you have. You don't have to put any of it in a baggie;

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/c...



I really recommend using the bottles with plastic liners. Hopefully, you already have some. Traditional bottles are too difficult to wash onboard because of the kind of sinks on airplanes. I premeasured the powder and rolled them up, placing the rolls in a ziplock bag. Then I threw the liners away as I used them and only had the ring and nipple to clean.

If you use bottled water, be sure to give yourself enough time to buy some once you're past security. Make sure you have enough! The water on the aircraft is filtered tap so decide if you're comfortable using that for your baby. Bottled water runs out fast on flights and we never had any extra for baby bottles.

Be sure you baby does not need the bottle warmed. Get him used to a room-temperature bottle before leaving. This is unnecessary health-wise and a real pain to do while travelling. I warmed many bottles on my flights but I wasn't there in the check-in line, the security line or the waiting area! Babies do great with room-temperature bottles.

Make sure you have at least one change of clothes. I would bring two. At that age, I simply dressed mine in sleep suits for flying. No one will care so keep him comfortable. Bring extra socks if he crawls so that he doesn't pick up anything nasty on the floor and to keep his hands clean.

Hopefully you have a good baby carrier. They're so useful for flying, especially at this age. I had a sling but other parents swear by their wraps and pouches. The Ergo and Beccos are other popular carriers for travel that go on the back.

I liked the sling because I could slide my babies from into and out of a stroller or car seat without waking them. It also doubled as a blanket, baby changer, breastfeeding cover-up and sunshade! My sling was magic for calming my babies during the flight. Other parents wanted one when they saw how easy it made my travels. Avoid front packs like the Bjorn since they're so bad for both the parents' and child's back. A good carrier should go to at least age 2.

For teething pain, you may not do this routinely but bring him some sort of baby tylenol or other pain med that you've used at home. I hated to over medicate my babies but for flying, I wanted them as comfortable as possible, especially when teething. In the link above, gel filled teething rings are allowed.

Many flying tips say to make the child suck on something or drink during take-off and landing. This isn't accurate. ENT specialists say to have the child awake about an hour before landing (top of descent, landing or touch-down is too late).

http://www.entcda.com/AAOHNSF/earsandalt...

So does the AAP;

http://www.aap.org/patiented/flyingbaby....

If he's awake and will take a bottle at the top of descent, great but there's no need to wake him up for take-off. So many parents panick over this...

I can confirm that is when I saw problems at work. Take your child to the doctor, if you have time, before you fly to make sure his ears are clear and infection-free. Heathy ears can handle pressurization changes.

About 8 years ago, I wrote an article on flying with children for an expat newsletter. Over the years many parents have contributed. I later put it on a blog so that parents had access to non-commercial information from someone with both practical and professional experience on the web. There is a lot written on the subject but rarely from anyone with direct experience working for the airlines.

Feel free to visit;

http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com

My contact info is at the end.

Good luck and hope your grandma is better soon!

Answer 3

Its okay...Calm down first of all. My god mother had to fly by herself with her 4 month old baby boy. You can bring a carseat on the plane if you pay for another seat for the carseat. Or you can check it in. You can check in the stroller or take it on the plane. You can have one personal bag, and one carry on. Formula IS allowed...It doesn't have to be under 3 oz. He slept pretty well. Since he's older, he'll probably want to look out the window. Pack a few bottles for the ride. Give him half of one or one during take off so his won't pop...If you need to, get up and walk around with him if its no too crowded. Good luck!!