new mom flying alone with infant

[Anonymous]

i am a new mom of a 2month old planning to fly alone from DC to chicago in september. i'm nervous about making the journey without DH, even though it's a short flight, and have a few ?s about traveling with a baby:

-- i am breastfeeding and plan to take a couple of bottles of breastmilk with me, though on the return flight i won't have any bottles. i have heard of people having to taste the milk at security. is this still the protocol? has anyone had to breastfeed on a plane with a stranger next to you? what seat is best (window--but then you can't get up easily if needed) vs aisle (more open to public view)

-- i have a carseat stroller but i am not buying a separate seat for DS. i assume then i check the car seat and stroller at the gate?

--are there changing tables in any of the plane bathrooms (i never looked or noticed before)? if not, where do you change the baby if needed?

--is there anything else that would be helpful on the flight? i've seen people mention bringing a boppy but i don't think i could manage that with my purse, a diaper bag, the baby etc.

any suggestions/tips to make this trip seem doable would be greatly appreciated!

[Anonymous]

You'll be fine - it's a short flight, and your baby is young enough to be happy in your arms for the trip.
- When I traveled alone, I tried both aisle and window and much preferred the window for the privacy, having the wall to lean against, and distracting the baby with the view. It's helpful to breastfeed the baby on both takeoff and landing (or use a pacifier if your baby takes that)- the sucking is supposed to be helpful with the change in cabin pressure.
- Checking the stroller and car seat at the gate is pretty simple. If you've got some sort of baby carrier, though, (like a bjorn or an ergo), I found it much easier to check it curbside because then I had less to get through security.
- I don't think there have been changing tables in the planes I've taken. I've changed the baby on the seat, or just on the ground (on a changing pad or blanket) outside the restrooms - wherever there seems to be enough room that is out of the way. The flight attendants should be helpful in figuring out a good place if it's not obvious.

enjoy your trip!

[Anonymous]

Some airplanes have changing tables, others don't. I used to fly between DC and Phoenix on AmericaWest (now US Air) when my son was a baby, and if I remember correctly, the Airbus aircraft had changing tables, and the Boeing aircraft didn't. So it's hit or miss.

Flying was the one time I wore the one nursing top I owned, usually with a cardigan over it, for a little more discretion. My husband was much more freaked out about that than I was.

[Anonymous]

Agree with the PP about the window seat--it's better for privacy purposes--and about feeding on takeoff and landing.

As far as taking BM through security, I printed out the information from the TSA website when I flew in March just in case anyone hassled me, but nobody did. Basically, you are allowed to carry on a "reasonable amount." I think I had maybe ten or twelve ounces for a cross-country flight. I put the bottles into a ziploc bag and put it through the metal detectors separately, just like you're required to do with liquid/gel toiletries. Nobody even looked twice at us, and I was never asked to taste it.

I did not travel with a carseat/stroller, but highly recommend carrying your baby in a bjorn or ergo through the airport. It's so much better to have two hands free for the all the other stuff you're hauling. I asked at the security checkpoints coming and going and was told that I did not have to take DS out of the bjorn to go through the metal detectors. But, I know others who have been told the opposite. So, just ask before you go through and the TSA people will tell you.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Make sure your baby is sucking on something at take-off and landing, whether it's a pacifier, a bottle, or you can breastfeed him. Avoids the discomfort/pain that babies feel during these times, otherwise, he/she can be crying the whole flight.

[Anonymous]

I am really really suggesting that you rethink the no buying baby a seat. I am sorry turbulence has been up for planes--not sure if it's changing weather patterns but your baby is really really little little and should be safely locked in a carseat. Think--would I have a baby in a car without a carseat?? It't only a few hundred dollars for the extra seat--sorry but a child is worth it. If you absolutely can't spend that money, bring a car seat with you in case your flight is not full in order to use the seat. If flight is full, you can gatecheck.


Regarding bottles--I have never had a problem--I have also only experienced kind steward/esses to help me on travel. Ditto with the kindness of strangers.

[Anonymous]

Bring extra diapers and wipes and change of clothes for the baby and a extra shirt for you. Also pack some extra ziploc bags for containing the soiled clothes or other messes.

[Anonymous]

I'd skip the seat - at this age, my baby didn't want to be anywhere but in my lap. It was much easier than trying to maneuver a carseat on the plane by myself.

[Anonymous]

I've flown alone with and without the carseat with a small infant. One time she slept the whole time in the seat (3 hours) and another time she refused to be in the seat. If the flight coincides with a naptime, that certainly helps favor the car seat.

[Anonymous]

You can do it! It's a really short flight and I agree with the suggestions to bring changes of clothes, etc. Also, I really wouldn't bother buying another seat. At 2 months, your baby is going to want to be in your arms and will be sleeping/nursing/looking around most of the time anyway. Check your carseat, get yourself a bjorn, and you'll be fine!