help...need tips for traveling alone with 2 month old

norcal

I'm planning on flying home to see my family. However, DH will not be able to join us. So I will be going solo with our son who will be 2 months old. Here's a couple of questions...

Should I get a window seat or aisle seat?

Breastfeed or bottle feed on the plane if needed?

Carry him in the beco or moby wrap? 

Any other tips that you think would be helpful? 

TIA! 

ETA: We will not be buying him his own seat, he'll be sitting in my lap. 

Lesley423

Should I get a window seat or aisle seat?  I'd get an aisle seat.  That way you can get up easier and walk around with him if you need to.

Breastfeed or bottle feed on the plane if needed? Breastfeed - less stuff to bring.

Carry him in the beco or moby wrap? Moby wrap

Any other tips that you think would be helpful? Good luck!  I don't have any other tips as the first time we flew with L he was older. 

drlewis326

Flying with a baby at this age is a piece of cake.  You will do great!  Just feed as the plane is taking off.  I like to sit near the window, it offers more privacy, especially when BFing.  Keep that baby fed and warm and you will have a nice flight. 

If Moby is what works for you, definitely use that.  When I travel alone, I tend to use the carseat/stroller combo.

 

Good luck!

Mrs.BoomBoom

Should I get a window seat or aisle seat? I like windows because it's more private and you get a little extra room with the dent of the window.  I also always seem to get whacked by the cart when I'm on the aisle.

Breastfeed or bottle feed on the plane if needed? I breastfed but I think it depends on how comfortable you are NIP.  That person next to you is REALLY close.  Try to feed on take off and landing to help baby's ears adjust to the pressure

Carry him in the beco or moby wrap? which are you more comfortable in and more comfortable sitting in and nursing in?  Good news, TSA recently changed their regs and you no longer have to remove baby from the carrier/wrap through security (but I believe they do a hand swab) at least that's what I saw at SJC.  More info from TSA https://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm

Any other tips that you think would be helpful? I thought it was really easy at that age (Q was 3 months when we first flew and I went solo.)  Q just snuggled in and was a happy little clam.  Check at the curb so you can get more help and check EVERYTHING except what you'll need on the flight.  Make sure you have baby's birth certificate and check with your airline if they need anything else for a lap child.  If you're going home a few times, it would be great if your parents would buy and install a carseat...one less thing to travel with and it was such a relief not to have to install once we got there.  Also, my mom has a pnp and highchair and even a jumper (CL) so he had lots to do there and I wasn't carrying a bunch of extra stuff.  Oh, and make sure to take a picture on the plane to commemorate this momentous event (1st plane ride)

sewhappy

I traveled alone with DS at 2.5 months and many other ages, too...

If you have a Snap n Go for your infant car seat, those make it super easy to get to the gate.  If there are empty seats on the plane, you may be able to get one and having your car seat with you to put in the other seat is great.  Otherwise you check the seat and frame.

I preferred not to have the Moby for travel.  Too much fabric to deal with in tight quarters.  I much preferred using my Ergo (so Becco for you).

For little ones, the Boppy is actually very handy on the plane.  It gives your arms a rest of you are lucky enough to have a sleeping baby.

I breastfed for all flights.  Takeoff for sure (it put DS to sleep) and landing if he was fussy (ears may be bothered by the pressure change).

An aisle seat will be easier if you need to walk around or change diapers.  There are changing tables above the toilet that pull down.  Ask a flight attendant which lavatories have them.  Oh, and if you need to use the restroom yourself, I find that flight attendants love to hold babies.  

 

norcal

Thanks everyone for the tips. I'm just a little anxious about the whole thing. 

 

fjaril

2 months is a dream age!

I'd do beco. bf, and if it's a short flight window, otherwise aisle if it's longer so I can get up easier and walk around.

bring 2 changes of clothes for baby and at least a fresh shirt for you just in case and in your hand luggage. bring more diapers than you think you need and usually the flight attendants will hold baby while you go to the bathroom if you are comfortable with that.

 

jsugrin

norcal:

.

Should I get a window seat or aisle seat? - you bought him a seat you will be require to sit, or he will anyway, in the window.  If you did not and are lucky enough to have an empty seat available and get to bring his carseat on the plane the carseat must be placed at the window because it is an impediment to others trying to exit the row.

      ***when you add him as a lap child do it over the phone and ask if they can block the seat next to you.  It wont' happen if you do it online but over the phone most reps will automatically block the seat to give you extra room for a seat if possible.  Even if they do the blocking it automatically overrides it if they need to space so it doesn't hurt to ask***

Breastfeed or bottle feed on the plane if needed? - Whatever works best you and child.  If he's not hungry a paci or even your finger will help with the ear thing.  Also on a cross country trip at 5 months with 4 take offs/landings each way DS #1 eat for 1 and was asleep the other 3 and he was just fine so if kiddo rejects everything don't worry.

Carry him in the beco or moby wrap? - Yes!  Unless you are taking his carseat and then make sure you have some way to transport his seat and do not have to carry it around the airport. Be prepared that some agents won't let you wear him through security and you can not wear him on take off or landing.

Any other tips that you think would be helpful? He should be easy peasy at 2 months, I bet the noise puts him right to sleep. If he's a high needs baby then I would pack his favorite books, some of those with textures, bright pictures or color contrasts would be perfect! I bet you can even download apps or little movies on your phone to keep him entertained should need be.

TIA! 

ETA: We will not be buying him his own seat, he'll be sitting in my lap. - Will you need his carseat when you get there?  If so, and you are planning on checking it then it's a good idea to ask at check how full the flight, they can also block a seat for you at that point so you know whether you should check it, gate check it or it looks like you've got a 99% chance of being able to bring it on board.  Unless the flight is short take his seat if given the chance!

maryh01

We just got back from a flight to San Diego and I carried J in the Ergo through security.  They did not make me take him out, but I did have to walk over to the place where they search everyone for them to do a hand swab.  That was kind of a PITA because apparently most lotions will set off the alarm resulting in a search of you and your bags.  So...word to the wise...don't put lotion on if you plan to wear a baby through security.  

Also, not sure if your are fling Southwest or not, but the family pre-boarding isn't before everyone anymore.  It's between groups A and B.  We didn't know that on our first flight so we didn't check in online.  I would still check in online just so you can have an A group boarding pass because that will let you board before the family boarding.