Are you planning a trip with your baby?
There was once a time when I traveled alone from North Carolina to Massachusetts with four children under six. My oldest daughter was six, my middle daughter was four, my son was a barely walking (but wanting to do it all himself) 18 months, and my daughter was still a baby. I don't know what I was thinking. Well, actually, I do. I was thinking that it was my Dad's 60th birthday, and my siblings and I were all coming home to surprise him. Not being there was not an option. Hugh couldn't miss work, so I decided to go alone.
I'm going to be honest. It was so hard, it actually broke me. I cried. When we finally arrived, and I managed to schlep all my kids and their 4 giant carseats and suitcases and double stroller onto the shuttle, and my teething, tired, overstimulated baby wouldn't stop crying (for what felt like hours), my 1 year old was crying because I wouldn't let him eat various debris on the shuttle floor, and my tired 4 year old was in tired 4 year old meltdown mode, I put my head down and started crying myself, right there on the shuttle. It was a traveling fiasco. I do not recommend traveling alone with 2 babies, a 4 year old and a 6 year old. It's crazy. Absolutely looney tunes. It can be done, but it is likely that you will suffer some sort of emotional breakdown.
Good news! Traveling with one baby is totally doable. Yes, you need to be super prepared, and anticipate everything that you and your baby may need, but with some good planning, your travels can go as smoothly as possible. Here are some tips to save you from a public breakdown like mine.
I'm going to be honest. It was so hard, it actually broke me. I cried. When we finally arrived, and I managed to schlep all my kids and their 4 giant carseats and suitcases and double stroller onto the shuttle, and my teething, tired, overstimulated baby wouldn't stop crying (for what felt like hours), my 1 year old was crying because I wouldn't let him eat various debris on the shuttle floor, and my tired 4 year old was in tired 4 year old meltdown mode, I put my head down and started crying myself, right there on the shuttle. It was a traveling fiasco. I do not recommend traveling alone with 2 babies, a 4 year old and a 6 year old. It's crazy. Absolutely looney tunes. It can be done, but it is likely that you will suffer some sort of emotional breakdown.
Good news! Traveling with one baby is totally doable. Yes, you need to be super prepared, and anticipate everything that you and your baby may need, but with some good planning, your travels can go as smoothly as possible. Here are some tips to save you from a public breakdown like mine.
1. Plan your seat ahead of time.
Get a window seat. When you make reservations, let the agent know that you are traveling an infant in arms, or a baby who will have a car seat. There are restrictions about where you can sit with a baby or a car seat. The window seat is most convenient for breastfeeding a baby. You can slightly angle yourself and have some semblance of privacy. A seat towards the front of the plane is more convenient and quicker to get off after the plane lands.
Consider if boarding early is a good option for your baby. Some families feel like boarding the plane early is less stressful, and allows time to get settled in the space without being crowded by other passengers. Other families find that the extra 30 minutes on the plane is simply an extra 30 minutes to have to deal with a baby's needs in a small, confined and stuffy area. Play it by ear, and decide what option will most likely work best when the time comes.
Consider if boarding early is a good option for your baby. Some families feel like boarding the plane early is less stressful, and allows time to get settled in the space without being crowded by other passengers. Other families find that the extra 30 minutes on the plane is simply an extra 30 minutes to have to deal with a baby's needs in a small, confined and stuffy area. Play it by ear, and decide what option will most likely work best when the time comes.
2. Be Prepared.
Bring a record of your child's age and name. If you do not have a passport, shot records or an insurance card work. If you are traveling with a infant in arms under 2 and you do not have proof of child's age, TSA can technically charge you for a seat. You can get refunded later if you send in proof of age, but it's all a hassle.
Pack extra supplies. Assume that your flight is going to be way longer than it is. Be prepared for an unexpected delay, a cancelled flight, lost bags, or a major diaper blow out that leaks all over you and the baby.
Know the rules surrounding traveling with formula or breastmilk. Check with your airline and print out a copy of the policy to have on hand. Occasionally, it seems like the people working the security check point are unclear about what is allowed. If you have the policy printed out, it is easy to expedite the confusion and get through with all your food, breastmilk and formula. Take all of your liquids out of the diaper bag when you go through security. Store them in a clear plastic bag within your diaper bag so that it is easy to pull them out, explain to the agent what they are, and quickly get through security. If your baby is eating food, the baby food packets and snacks are good, relatively mess free, and easy on the plane.
Changing diapers can be a bit of a hassle, and a few factors can go into figuring out where to change your baby. If there is no one sitting next to you, and it's not a crazy blowout and you think you can change it pretty quickly and neatly, the seat next to you is an easy option. If there is someone next to you, and they can handle it without gagging, you can change your baby on your lap. If those options don't work, you can change the baby on your lap in the plane's bathroom. Make sure your diaper bag contains extra clothes. Blow outs happen. A change of clothes for both of you is good to have on hand.
Pack extra supplies. Assume that your flight is going to be way longer than it is. Be prepared for an unexpected delay, a cancelled flight, lost bags, or a major diaper blow out that leaks all over you and the baby.
Know the rules surrounding traveling with formula or breastmilk. Check with your airline and print out a copy of the policy to have on hand. Occasionally, it seems like the people working the security check point are unclear about what is allowed. If you have the policy printed out, it is easy to expedite the confusion and get through with all your food, breastmilk and formula. Take all of your liquids out of the diaper bag when you go through security. Store them in a clear plastic bag within your diaper bag so that it is easy to pull them out, explain to the agent what they are, and quickly get through security. If your baby is eating food, the baby food packets and snacks are good, relatively mess free, and easy on the plane.
Changing diapers can be a bit of a hassle, and a few factors can go into figuring out where to change your baby. If there is no one sitting next to you, and it's not a crazy blowout and you think you can change it pretty quickly and neatly, the seat next to you is an easy option. If there is someone next to you, and they can handle it without gagging, you can change your baby on your lap. If those options don't work, you can change the baby on your lap in the plane's bathroom. Make sure your diaper bag contains extra clothes. Blow outs happen. A change of clothes for both of you is good to have on hand.
3. Bring your stroller and your soft baby carrier.
Even if you are wearing your baby, the stroller is super convenient to carry your carseat and all your gear through the airport, especially if you are traveling alone, or have a long layover. For no extra fee, you can check it plane side as you board, and they will have it waiting for you plane side when you get off. Most airlines will allow you to check your car seat for free at the counter. A car seat travel bag is nice, but you can also use a regular trash bag to keep it clean through all the handling.
4. Breastfeed or bottle feed your baby, or give them a pacifier, during take off and landing.
The sudden change in air pressure can bother babies as they do not know how to pop their ears. Breastfeeding or bottle feeding during this time can help relieve the pressure in their Eustachian tubes.
5. Relax
At some point during your travels, your baby will probably cry. Try not to stress out about it. Sometimes, even if all needs are met, babies will cry, and there is nothing else that you can do. Staying calm will help your baby stay calm. Ignore any dirty looks, and know the other parents on the plane are sending you lots of empathy and understanding. You are doing the best you can.
Happy Travels!
 Carrie Hike is a mother of 4, and a birth and postpartum doula at Labor With Love. She took a cross country flight with her baby niece this past week, just to research this blog ;). |
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