Flying alone with 6 months old

[Anonymous]

If you can afford it, definitely buy two seats. I understand why people do lap children but if you don't have to, don't. Especially solo.

[Anonymous]

Why do people drop articles in front of baby? It is so odd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can not imagine any scenario where I would not buy the baby a seat.

You can't imagine some people don't have enough money to go for that? I was in grad school when I had my DS, definitely was a lap baby for the first two years.

If you can't afford a safe seat for your baby, you couldn't afford to travel. You had two valid choices; give up the travel, or give up the baby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a trip planned when baby is 6 mths and DH wants us to drive 16 hours split between two days. That sounds like a nightmare to me. I'm suggesting baby and I fly down with essentials and he can drive the dogs and big stuff if he really wants to. He wants freedom and flexibility of driving and having the dogs and car with us. Once we get to where we are going we can stay for 2-4 weeks.

For flying - do I need to bring the car seat? Or can I just have someone pick us up that has one? Or use a car service with infant car seat? Can I get by with her as a lap baby for a 3.5hr flight?

This is how I'm imagining it but pls tell me if I'm delusional?

Pack carry-on with essentials for the flight only (change of clothes, diapers, toys, pump, bottles)

Check a small bag with our stuff for a few days

Bring travel stroller? Or not? I plan to wear baby but would it be helpful in the airport? It's just one more thing for me to carry but if it's will be helpful I can bring it. Ours folds down and can go in cabin.

Get through security - find out gate- pump/feed baby before the flight in the mamava pod. Get on flight - sit near the back? Or front? Bring extra food and plan to have baby nap in the carrier? Walk around while we can. Land- pump in the mamava pod again, call a car or get picked up.

I feel like even if she screams the whole flight and I miss one or two pumps still better than driving so long with her in the car?

What's the easiest way to do this? And best way to pack

Why not just feed the baby and forgo the pumping during the trip?

Bring more outfits and at least 2x the number of diapers you think you could possibly use. Delays happen. Plus an extra shirt for you.

[Anonymous]

I flew with both of my kids solo at that age. You’ll be fine! With just one kid, I would skip the stroller and just use a baby carrier. I would also just have the baby as a lap child. If you’re nursing, you’ll want to nurse during takeoff and landing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is your stroller one of those car seat/stroller combos? If so, use that until you get thru security. Then put the baby in a baby carrier when boarding and carry the seat, install it, then put the baby in the seat. Gate check the stroller frame.

Have multiple changes of clothes and make a few diaper changing kits with disposable changing pads (puppy pad), two diapers and some wipes. Just take that into the bathroom to change the baby.

I did a few solo flights with an infant and it’s much better than with a toddler! But I was nervous until I did it. She slept the whole time and the person across the aisle didn’t even realize I had a baby with me until we deplaned.

Thank you! Yes we have the cybex libelle that has adapters for the nuna pipa lite. The libelle folds to fit under the plane seat or in the overhead with the adapters. I just worry about carrying the car seat but I guess I won't be carrying car seat and baby. She will be in the carrier while I set up the seat. Is it hard to install to the plane seat? Also I'm bigger since giving birth and haven't lost any weight. I'm 210 so I already feel obese sitting next to someone. Let alone with a baby strapped to me. Now that I think we will be most comfortable with the extra seat even if she doesn't use it. I can toss our stuff there and have it in case. She does fall asleep in the car seat and likes to sleep there in the car when moving. But imagining I can feed her until drowsy then Buckle her in and finish feeding. I might be lucky to get a break on the flight

It’s not hard to install. Just make sure you know the basics of how to do it before you board. You will also be able to pre board on most airlines. Also, 2 months is a long time in the life of a baby. Everything will be easier than in is today.

There is no chance I’d personally do a 2 day drive if I could fly.

[Anonymous]

I've been having bad luck with flights with 24 hour delays. How would you cope if this happens?

At the moment your flight day will be travel to the airport (one hour?), maybe get to the airport two hours early, fly 3.5 hours, wait another hour to deplane and collect bags and then drive to destination. That's about the same time as one day of driving.

In addition you may face the stress of your kid screaming on the plane and being exposed to every virus going around. The baby won't have received some important vaccinations at that age. The baby will scream when their ears hurt from the air pressure.

I'd be tempted to go with your husband's idea. You can stop whenever the baby is fussy which you can't do on the plane.

[Anonymous]

I always brought the car seat and I always bought my baby a seat. It’s the safest option. You don’t want your baby flying around the cabin if there is turbulence. Yes, I’ve seen it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can not imagine any scenario where I would not buy the baby a seat.

You can't imagine some people don't have enough money to go for that? I was in grad school when I had my DS, definitely was a lap baby for the first two years.

If you can't afford a safe seat for your baby, you couldn't afford to travel. You had two valid choices; give up the travel, or give up the baby.

Baby is all grown up now and has traveled the world. Giving up a baby is not a valid choice - you're nuts and just like to feel superior to the poors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can not imagine any scenario where I would not buy the baby a seat.

You can't imagine some people don't have enough money to go for that? I was in grad school when I had my DS, definitely was a lap baby for the first two years.

If you can't afford a safe seat for your baby, you couldn't afford to travel. You had two valid choices; give up the travel, or give up the baby.

Baby is all grown up now and has traveled the world. Giving up a baby is not a valid choice - you're nuts and just like to feel superior to the poors.

I was too poor to afford grad school, so you’re richer than me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One more thing. In your carryon make sure you have a ziplock bag to contain clothes if there is a blowout or spit up mess. Also, have at least a change of shirt for yourself.

+1. I travelled several times on by own with a baby, longest flight was 16 h, which I don’t recommend. Six months is a good age, actually. The worst was 8-11 months, when they could crawl, but not walk. For 6 months, I had a single seat and kept him as a lap baby. I used a front carrier as PP suggested, and put the stroller in checked luggage, not gate checked.

Keep a couple of diapers and a small case of wipes in a slim wallet or ziplock in case you have to change the baby on the plane.

For your sanity, divide the flight into sections of time in your mind so you can have a sense of accomplishment - airport arrival to boarding, first half of flight, second half of flight, disembarking and meeting your husband and handing over the baby. This was the only thing that kept me from not going completely crazy flying Hong Kong to ny with a 3 month old.

Don’t worry too much about your baby crying and disturbing passengers. Everyone just puts on their headphones now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a trip planned when baby is 6 mths and DH wants us to drive 16 hours split between two days. That sounds like a nightmare to me. I'm suggesting baby and I fly down with essentials and he can drive the dogs and big stuff if he really wants to. He wants freedom and flexibility of driving and having the dogs and car with us. Once we get to where we are going we can stay for 2-4 weeks.

For flying - do I need to bring the car seat? Or can I just have someone pick us up that has one? Or use a car service with infant car seat? Can I get by with her as a lap baby for a 3.5hr flight?

This is how I'm imagining it but pls tell me if I'm delusional?

Pack carry-on with essentials for the flight only (change of clothes, diapers, toys, pump, bottles)

Check a small bag with our stuff for a few days

Bring travel stroller? Or not? I plan to wear baby but would it be helpful in the airport? It's just one more thing for me to carry but if it's will be helpful I can bring it. Ours folds down and can go in cabin.

Get through security - find out gate- pump/feed baby before the flight in the mamava pod. Get on flight - sit near the back? Or front? Bring extra food and plan to have baby nap in the carrier? Walk around while we can. Land- pump in the mamava pod again, call a car or get picked up.

I feel like even if she screams the whole flight and I miss one or two pumps still better than driving so long with her in the car?

What's the easiest way to do this? And best way to pack

Why not just feed the baby and forgo the pumping during the trip?

Bring more outfits and at least 2x the number of diapers you think you could possibly use. Delays happen. Plus an extra shirt for you.

She doesn't transfer well. We usually nurse/latch in the am and before bed but I'm sure mostly comfort not nutrition. I still pump and feed bottles. Also she's so easily distracted now I can't imagine in two months..

Good call on delays

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is your stroller one of those car seat/stroller combos? If so, use that until you get thru security. Then put the baby in a baby carrier when boarding and carry the seat, install it, then put the baby in the seat. Gate check the stroller frame.

Have multiple changes of clothes and make a few diaper changing kits with disposable changing pads (puppy pad), two diapers and some wipes. Just take that into the bathroom to change the baby.

I did a few solo flights with an infant and it’s much better than with a toddler! But I was nervous until I did it. She slept the whole time and the person across the aisle didn’t even realize I had a baby with me until we deplaned.

Thank you! Yes we have the cybex libelle that has adapters for the nuna pipa lite. The libelle folds to fit under the plane seat or in the overhead with the adapters. I just worry about carrying the car seat but I guess I won't be carrying car seat and baby. She will be in the carrier while I set up the seat. Is it hard to install to the plane seat? Also I'm bigger since giving birth and haven't lost any weight. I'm 210 so I already feel obese sitting next to someone. Let alone with a baby strapped to me. Now that I think we will be most comfortable with the extra seat even if she doesn't use it. I can toss our stuff there and have it in case. She does fall asleep in the car seat and likes to sleep there in the car when moving. But imagining I can feed her until drowsy then Buckle her in and finish feeding. I might be lucky to get a break on the flight

It’s not hard to install. Just make sure you know the basics of how to do it before you board. You will also be able to pre board on most airlines. Also, 2 months is a long time in the life of a baby. Everything will be easier than in is today.

There is no chance I’d personally do a 2 day drive if I could fly. [/quote


Thank you for the encouragement! Even in the last two weeks she's become much happier and playful during the day

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been having bad luck with flights with 24 hour delays. How would you cope if this happens?

At the moment your flight day will be travel to the airport (one hour?), maybe get to the airport two hours early, fly 3.5 hours, wait another hour to deplane and collect bags and then drive to destination. That's about the same time as one day of driving.

In addition you may face the stress of your kid screaming on the plane and being exposed to every virus going around. The baby won't have received some important vaccinations at that age. The baby will scream when their ears hurt from the air pressure.

I'd be tempted to go with your husband's idea. You can stop whenever the baby is fussy which you can't do on the plane.

Yes good point!

We live about 15-20 min from the airport. And DH would leave the day after we left or once we are in the air at least. So he could come back and grab us if delayed. Once we get to FL my sister in law would pick us up. We just have to make it 2 days on whatever I pack/pick up there.

She will have had her 6 month vaccines by the time we fly. Trying to figure out if we can do them a full two weeks before the flight but she will have her 6 mths well visit beforehand. She will tech be almost 7 mths when we fly.

I worry about her being in the car seat for so long on the drive. Essentially stopping for gas and a few minutes of stretching and then stopping just to get a few hours of sleep. If DH could drive through the night like in our 20s I think it would be better. Also I can't drive (lived in the city my whole life) so he can't switch out with someone.

DD screaming on the whole flight is stressful inducing right now. I'm thinking I could bring extra food even a 1oz snack calms her if shes going bananas. And she usually loves the carrier and falls asleep quickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been having bad luck with flights with 24 hour delays. How would you cope if this happens?

At the moment your flight day will be travel to the airport (one hour?), maybe get to the airport two hours early, fly 3.5 hours, wait another hour to deplane and collect bags and then drive to destination. That's about the same time as one day of driving.

In addition you may face the stress of your kid screaming on the plane and being exposed to every virus going around. The baby won't have received some important vaccinations at that age. The baby will scream when their ears hurt from the air pressure.

I'd be tempted to go with your husband's idea. You can stop whenever the baby is fussy which you can't do on the plane.

Yes good point!

We live about 15-20 min from the airport. And DH would leave the day after we left or once we are in the air at least. So he could come back and grab us if delayed. Once we get to FL my sister in law would pick us up. We just have to make it 2 days on whatever I pack/pick up there.

She will have had her 6 month vaccines by the time we fly. Trying to figure out if we can do them a full two weeks before the flight but she will have her 6 mths well visit beforehand. She will tech be almost 7 mths when we fly.

I worry about her being in the car seat for so long on the drive. Essentially stopping for gas and a few minutes of stretching and then stopping just to get a few hours of sleep. If DH could drive through the night like in our 20s I think it would be better. Also I can't drive (lived in the city my whole life) so he can't switch out with someone.

DD screaming on the whole flight is stressful inducing right now. I'm thinking I could bring extra food even a 1oz snack calms her if shes going bananas. And she usually loves the carrier and falls asleep quickly.

So you are visiting family? How long will you be there?
Honestly, you should just board or get a pet sitter for the dogs, and all three of you (you, your dh, your baby) should fly down. Driving down with dogs sounds so difficult. Does your SIL even want the dogs coming to her house?