Flying Solo.

Last month, I flew back to Michigan with Mia. This was our first flying adventure without James, and as tough as it was at times, it was honestly so much fun and I enjoyed the bonding time with her. As a new parent, doing pretty much anything by yourself with your baby sounds exhausting and a bit scary. Every time I've lugged her around in her car seat, I swear I felt like I had just run five miles, so the thought of carrying her around an airport and maneuvering her around an airplane by myself sounded like running a marathon, but I was up for the challenge. 

Luckily we had already flown with Mia multiple times as a team, so I didn't feel like I was going into this adventure totally blind. I had also started following another mom on Instagram (@whereisbriggs) who travels all the time with her toddler and shares amazing tips and tricks, which was really helpful in my preparation. The reason I'm writing a blog post on this topic is to empower other parents to solo travel with their baby (not let having a baby stop you from adventuring) and give advice from my experience to help make the trip a bit easier.

Bag Checking and Security

What you might not know about traveling with an infant is that a lot of things are FREE to check. Strollers and car seats can be checked for free, and your diaper bag, breast milk cooler, and breast pump do not count as a carry-on bag! Do your due diligence and check the airline's policies (they should have a designated page for traveling with children), but this was the case when I traveled with both Delta and United. 

Another thing to note is that you can bring formula, breast milk, and baby food through security—you just have to let them know ahead of time because they may have to screen it separately depending on how much you bring through. On this last trip, I was able to bring fruit pouches and other snacks, in addition to baby formula, with no issues.

When James and I traveled together, we brought the stroller because one of us could pack it up for gate check while the other held Mia. Traveling solo, I decided not to bring the stroller (my sister had one I could use when I got to Michigan) and carried Mia through the airport in our soft, front carrier—diaper bag on my back. You do not have to remove your baby from the carrier when you go through security, just make sure everything is out of the pockets.

I checked the car seat when I checked my suitcase because I wanted one less thing to bring through the airport with me, and she was going to be sitting on my lap during the flight anyways. If you do book a ticket for your baby to sit in their car seat on the plane, I highly recommend getting a car seat bag that has wheels. Then you can put your diaper bag on your back, baby in front, and wheel your car seat through the airport with you. Here's a link to the carrier we have for ours. 

Getting an Extra Seat

One hack I've learned about, but haven't tried yet, is to ask the gate agent if there is an extra seat available for your child to sit in their car seat on the plane instead of in your lap. If there's an extra seat, there's a good chance you can get them a ticket for free!

Another strategy for flying solo with a child is to choose the window or aisle seat (whichever you prefer) in a row where someone has already chosen the window or aisle seat but no one is in the middle seat. There's a really good chance the middle seat won't get chosen (unless the plane is full) so you'll have some extra room! Sometimes gate agents will also move people around so you have an open seat next to you. Don't be afraid to ask!

Boarding the Plane

Some people choose to pre-board with their little one and others like to wait so it's less time spent on the plane. I prefer pre-boarding because it gives me plenty of time to set Mia down, put the diaper bag under the seat, and get situated. I would also take a quick peek at the bathrooms or ask a flight attendant if there's a changing table in the bathroom so you're prepared if you have to use it mid-flight.

Entertainment and Comfort

If you are on a plane with the screen in the back of the seat, there's usually a touch screen game. Delta has a tick-tack-toe game with fish and turtles that I let Mia play while we wait for everyone else to board. Having a couple of shows or movies downloaded to your phone is great too if they need a little distraction. I also bought this suction toy that spins and is brightly colored for her to play with and other smaller toys to keep her occupied. 

Keep in mind that during take-off and landing, their ears might plug or pop with the elevation change. Try giving them a bottle, water, or a pacifier to help ease the pain and discomfort.

I like to keep a blanket with me in the diaper bag so that if she takes a nap on the plane she can rest her head on it against the wall (I'm usually in the window seat). It's also nice to have in the airport if you don't have your stroller so they can sit on it and play during layovers and you don't have to hold them the whole time. 

Flying solo with an infant doesn't have to be terrible. It's quite an adventure and if you're choosing to do it, good for you!! Seriously, you are a rock star. I hope this is helpful and as we travel more with Mia, I'll be back to share more insight with you all!

Happy travels!

xo, Stef