Any experience of flying alone with baby??
By mermaidivy
@mermaidivy (15395)
United States
March 7, 2011 8:23am CST
I'm going to fly alone with our baby in the summer. He will be 10 months by then and the flight is going to be almost 20 hours plus there will be 1 stop. I wonder if anybody has experience with this??
I don't think we will buy an extra seat for him. I am doing some research online. It appears that some airline provide bassinets for babies; and we can request the bulkhead seat in advance for no extra fee charged; some people says it 's better to get the stroller withyou as well...
I don't know what I'm gonna do. It's gonna be a very very long flight and he is not even 1 year old. I'm thinking I might get one of those umbrealla stroller and a "harness"(I know to what's that call, youknow the infantino thingy) so I won't have to hold him in my arm the whole entire time...
And I'm concern about where I can change his diaper as well, and what cna I do when I go to the lady's room...
Iwould appreciate if somebody can give me some ideas with experiences on this issue.. thank you!!!
6 responses
@maximax8 (31047)
• United Kingdom
7 Mar 11
I am very keen on traveling to different countries in the world. I have a disabled son aged 3 and 3/4 years old and a daughter aged 21 months old. Since they were born I have taken them on several trips. We have traveled short haul on low cost airlines and long haul on scheduled airlines. When I was pregnant with my daughter my disabled son was 20 months old. We got a 5 hour delay and then a 12 hour flight from London to Cape Town. He was 3 years old and my daughter was 11 months old when we flew from London to Vancouver.
On our latest trip we flew from London, England to Cartagena De Indias, Colombia via Madrid and Bogota. We took a Phil and Ted's buggy, a harness for my daughter, three cabin bags, two holdall bags for the hold and one backpack for the hold. With our hold luggage going out there some of it got lost and most of it got delayed. We also had a delayed flight leading to a missed connection. We were given a hotel due to the missed connection. The airports were excellent for changing the diapers but the washroom on board the planes had too tiny fold down change table. In my experience a baby likes being held by mom and hates being in the bassinet. It is best to take the stroller with you. In my case with my son not walking the airline keeps the buggy on the plane and gets it off for me to use it as soon as the plane lands. Good luck with your flight.
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
7 Mar 11
But I can onyl use the stroller in the airport and it has to be checked, is that correct?
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
8 Mar 11
Do you mean like those seat for the kids in the cart at the grocery store, something like that? (soryr, I don't fly enough to know a lot of things
)
From all I know, I will have to wait at SFO airport for up to 5 hours before aboarding to the next plane so it makes bring a storller a good idea? I wonder if he can sit in the umbrella stroller when he will be 10 months by then.
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@zralte (4178)
• India
8 Mar 11
You can use the stroller right up to the door of the plane (depends on airport), unless it is an airport in which you have to walk up/down the stairs with no lift nearby.
When you get to the door of the plane, the airlines will take it and put it in the baggage area. You can get it back along with your luggage.
Dubai airport has complimentary stroller, which I find it very convenient. Seeing as how big the airport is, it is very useful. You may want to check if the airport that you are having a layover has complimentary stroller. If it is a big airport, walking from one gate to the other with your cabin baggage and a baby is tiring and well, difficult.
Try to carry as little as possible for cabin. Remember that you have a baby to carry as well. Only bare necessities is the key.![](/Content/images/emotes/lol.gif)
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@zralte (4178)
• India
7 Mar 11
Hi mermaidivy, it is very stressful. I can say that much. I have never flown alone with a baby though. I usually have someone to fly with me. I have taken 12 hours flight with my first daughter when she was just 2 and half months old. My mother-in-law flew with me that time.
Oh Wait, I just realise I did fly alone with my older daughter when she was 3 and half months to go to Dubai. That was a very short flight though, only 2 and half hours.
I think I can qualify as frequent flyer when it comes to flying with babies - I did take International flight a few times with my daughters.
First thing first, you don't need to buy an extra seat for your son, though you need to buy a ticket. Infant below 2 years old are not given a seat. Most of the international airlines will have bassinet seat and they will provide bassinet as well. If nothing is not written on their website, you can ask them by phone at the time of booking and also remind them when checking in.
If your baby likes to sit in a stroller, yes, it is good to take a lightweight along with you. If he does not like it very much or is going to fret seeing strangers, it might just be a burden for you to lug around stroller. What with having to carry a baby and pushing a stroller...lol...
There usually is changing table provided on the aeroplane's toilet. If there is not, don't hesitate to ask the stewards/stewardesses where you can do nappy change. They are used to people travelling with baby. In the airport, there usually is changing room provided in the ladies toilet. Of course, if you are travelling alone, it would be a bit of a problem when you need to go to the toilet. You can always ask the people sitting next to you to watch him or ask the stewards/stewardesses in the plane, though you will have to take him with you in the airport. I would not feel comfortable leaving my baby with strangers.
Finally, make sure that you have small cans of things for him to eat during journey. Remember that security is very tight and they will not let you take liquids, including baby food. They will let you take a small quantity - opened. They once asked me to taste one of the baby food in front of them. Best to take a small quantity. You can always buy something and the airlines will have food for the baby anyway.
Anything else I can help you with, just let me know. I'd be happy to share my experiences.
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
7 Mar 11
Thank you for sharing!!
I think most of the airline charges 10% of the adult plane ticket for the infant because I will be flying internationally.
I have seen some comments said it is not dafe to put the baby in the bassinet on theplane, do you know anything about this?
By the way, how did you deal with the jetlag with your daughter after that 12 hours flight?
@zralte (4178)
• India
8 Mar 11
Hm....I think it is usually taxes and fuel surcharge that we pay for baby ticket - that usually comes to about 10%, I think. There is no fare as such. I could be wrong, but I think that's it.
I have put both my babies in the bassinet in the plane. They are quite safe. Watch when the steward fix it. If it is fixed properly, there should not be any problem. It can be tiring to carry a baby the whole time. It is very convenient for me. You don't have to put him in the bassinet the whole time, only if it is suitable for you.
Jet-lag: my children are never good sleeper
, wherever we are. There has not been much of a problem with the jet-lag so far. It does take a bit for them to adjust the time difference, one or two days, more in getting up early morning rather than late bedtime.
To adjust to it, I guess same as adults. Try to keep him active - that will tire him out and fall asleep.
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@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
8 Mar 11
ok good good, that was part of the thing I was concerning, I was happy to hear the have bassinet on the plane, I wonder if all the airlines provide it
Did you take him with you to the lady's room or ask help from the flight attendant?
I'm flying to Hong Kong from Boston, there will be 12 hours time differentce so the night and day will be "switched"(you know what I mean
)
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@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
10 Mar 11
I think my son was a little over a year old when I took him for a 17-hour flight. There was no seat for him, so I had to carry him all the way. Good thing the flight stewardess took pity on me and moved me up to the front of coach. Just behind the wall separating first class. And there was a folding table there where I could put my baby on top once in a while if my arms got tired.
He slept most of the way which was a relief. And I only had to change his diaper once, which was an adventure to say the least, inside the cramped airplane washrooms.
Where are you going? Goodluck!
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
10 Mar 11
That sounds so easy and you werelucky that the flight attendant moved you... I hope I will get that hospitality when I fly with him...
I will be flying to Hong Kong from Boston.
Did you have to stop at all?
@shattered (1728)
• Philippines
8 Mar 11
I've travelled several times with my son but never alone and never on a 12 hour flight!
I suggest you get the bulkhead seats, we always reserve the front row seats when we travel. So we are near the restrooms/lavatories.
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
8 Mar 11
It is what I read on the internet, they request the bulkhead seat, is it because there is more leg room and closer to the restrooms? Do I have to book a lot earlier for that?
1 person likes this
@shattered (1728)
• Philippines
9 Mar 11
I think you would have to book early, as it is available under the online seat reservation when you book your flight. Some airlines have additional fees for bulkhead seats other don't. Best to ask you the airline your using. But I would really suggest booking early if you are certain you would be making the flight.
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@asianjabba (158)
• United States
7 Mar 11
I've never flown alone with a baby, but I am actually curious how you are able to fly on your own. You must be an amazing mother, to be able to fly online with a baby. Did you wait a few months before flying with the baby? I would think it is easier after the baby is at least 6 months older because it is easier to handle.-
@zralte (4178)
• India
8 Mar 11
@asianjabba,
In my experience, it is easier to fly with newborn to 6 months old. After 6 months, they can be a bit handful and aware of changes and strangers, but not quite understanding the situation.
It does get easier when they are about 18 months, in my opinion, though a bit tight on the seat as below 2 years are not given separate seat. I find they understand what's going on much better and they can be entertained with in-flight movies and books.
@ctabirao (70)
• Philippines
8 Mar 11
none but definitely love to have the same experience soon. i know theres a lot of hassle but what is a hassle just to have a baby with you. specially if its your own child.
happy trip
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