24 hrs of flying with a 10 month old

[Anonymous]

Wish me luck -- I'm embarking today on what's sure to be a disaster. I've done the flight before and it went alright, but that was when my husband was there too. Me and the kiddo alone? Nightmare. Any last minute advice?

[Anonymous]

pack lots and lots and lots of snacks.

[Anonymous]

oh my god

[Anonymous]

One carry on bag -- the diaper bag -- put your stuff in there, too.
A stroller for layovers and a place for the baby to sleep.
Pack one diaper per hour of travel, so 24.
Extra formula if you are not nursing.
Lots of wipes and plastic bags for diapers, soiled clothes, etc.
A change of clothes for both of you.

Patience and be ready for changes in your plans. Flight delays, sick baby, sick you. I've done it twice. It's doable.

Sleep when you get there. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I just did this with a 9-month old. Don't be afraid to ask the flight attendants for help. I flew an international carrier and the attendants LOVED the babies on board.

I also flew with her as a lap infant so we got a free bassinet. That allowed me to get sleep throughout the flight. Whatever your set-up (lap infant, DC has own seat, etc), try to get some rest.

My kid was totally cool the whole flight. So it's not necessarily going to be a bad trip! Just relax and go with the flow, and give yourself lots of time.

[Anonymous]

you can do it! Just don't stress. I go into every flight worried about how it will go and I am always amazed at how well my son does.

my MIL somehow flew to China with my 2 nieces (10 months and 2yrs) all by herself. I still have no idea how she did it.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Do you have some valium (for you, not the kid?)

j/k. I wish you luck, really. I did a 9 hour flight with a non napping, ear infected 10 month old and it was pretty bad, but the flight attendants were helpful and there was a very grandmotherly woman nearby who offered to hold DC. After 3 hours of me unsuccessfully trying to get him to fall asleep, he was asleep on her chest in 10 minutes. I was both relieved and embarrassed. anyway--do whatever you can to make it through and find the nice attendants who will help you out!

[Anonymous]

Just relax. Baby will pick up on your stress.

Be prepared. If you can get through security smoothly you will be off to a good start.
Shoes that are easy to take and off for you. No shoes for baby.
Have huge plastic bag and put into it - baby's blanket, toys, your sweater, etc.... any loose stuff so nothing gets left at security and you can be a little less flustered. We use one of those giant hefty bags with zipper and handles. This was my solution when we traveled this winter and we all had hats, gloves, coats, blankets, etc. Then at secturyt we have one big plastic bag, one little bag with toiletries, one diaper bag, one stroller, one carseat - easier than also having one blacket, one bear, one paci, one sippy cups, one snack trap, etc. etc. etc.

Ignore the people behind you. If they did not want to be behnind someone with a kid, there is almost always more than one x-ray machine and they usually have a choice.


Have a spare shirt and pants for you, if you have a baby that tends to spit up etc.

Relax.... you will be fine.

[Anonymous]

We have no screen time for DC at home, but when traveling, different rules apply. 10 mos is probably too young to interact with an app, but photos of family or animals are likely to be a hit. Load some up on your phone or laptop if you can.

Oh, and Post-Its. Buy a bunch of the small ones in different colors. Peeling them off and then sticking them places was fascinating to DC. Cheaper and easier to clean up than stickers.

I always keep ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and benadryl in the travel bag. Better to have the options than to face a sudden fever or allergic reaction unprepared.

[Anonymous]

Where are you going? Sydney? Southeast Asia?

I did DCA-PER which is 30h airtime with my kid at 13 months--although not solo.

Google layouts of your layover airports and check to see if they have playgrounds where the kid can crawl around.
Learn to do a kanga carry with a sarong--best wrap carry for walking up and down the aisles, as the kids arms are pinned in and they can't grab at things:
http://www.slingbabies.co.nz/Cache/Pictures/1665097/6_-1094957288_Kanga_carry_with_Sarong.jpg