Flying Cross Country with 6 Month Old by Myself - Need Advice!!

They let you bring the stroller onto the airplane so you'll have it if you are switching planes. Don't worry, you'll be fine. Just make a list and be prepared.

I traveled with my 1st daughter when she was 6 mo's old alone.

I also traveled with my 2 older daughters when they were 3&4 years old.

S.

Hi P.-
We just moved to HB from the Bay area in Nov (San Jose). I flew quite a bit on my own w/ my first one, and the best advice I can give you is check as much as you can (suitcase, toys, bed, etc). but keep her is her carseat & stroller all the way through to the gate & gate check the stroller. Keep the carseat w/ you for her to ride in, if there is room, or if you purchased a seat for her. Otherwise, gate check the seat too--if you check it through regular baggage check, supposedly it invalidates the warranty. I never looked into that, someone just told me that, so I've followed that advice as well.

If you are breastfeeding & she's awake during takeoff & landing, try to breastfeed her, it will help w/ her ears. Otherwise, have a bottle for her, or a pacifier (if you use one). Bring some "new" toys or books for her on the plane, and hopefully you'll be flying during some naptime for her? Good luck! We're taking our 1st flight w/ our 2nd one (4 1/2 months) this week (older sis is roadtripping it--he gets to fly for free).

Also, since you're new to the area, come check out our local MOMS club chapter:
http://playgroup.meetup.com/974/

-Jenny

If your child likes a slings or the "Snugli/Babby B'jorn" type carrier, this is the time to use it. I've survived several flights with a child snapped on to me. Bottles or a pacifier on take-off and landing are also critical, to help alleviate pressure on the infat's eardrums. Check ahead for any airline restrictions on bottles. Breastfeeding may not always be practical when flying, since you can't always control the situation. My experience is that as long as the baby isn't screaming, there are plenty of people to smile at her on the trip. Also, when traveling cross-country, I try to stay at places that have a crib (many hotels do) and ask the person I'm visiting if she knows anyone with an extra carseat/stroller/etc. that I can borrow while in town. If not, I've been known to stop at Target and pick up a $15 stroller while on the trip. I like to travel light. For other parenting tips, check out my ____@____.com.

Been there, done that. Does she have her own seat, or is she sitting in your lap? I suggest packing only her favorite toys and enough diapers to get you to your destination. Buy diapers when you arrive. If you are visiting family, there will be plenty of toys when you get there!! I recommend taking the stroller for ease in the airport and gate check it. That way it will be there for you when you get off the plane and you can use it to lug the diaper bag around. Try to pack her and you in one big diaper bag so you have less to carry on, then check everything else. If she has her own seat, definitely use her car seat.
Where in HB do you live? I am at PCH and Admiralty across from Sunset Beach. Are we neighbors?
Hope this helped!

Hi P.,
I used to fly all the time by myself with my son when he was that age. He is now almost 3 and we have a 4.5 month old daughter now:)
Flying alone with a baby is sooo stressful. One thing that my son loved were those toys that have a suction cup on the bottom. I would put the eating tray down on the plane and stick the toys on it and he would play with them and I wouldn't have to worry about the toys falling. The best one is plastic, sticks on the table and the top spins around kind of like a ferris wheel and it has lots of colors. That toy was great! I did not put my son in his carseat on the plane, but our flights were much shorter.
I always breastfed him during take off so his ears would not pop. Pacifiers and bottles will do the same thing.
I also used a large rolling luggage and then I would lean his carseat against the handle of the luggage so I could pull it all together and then I would carry him in the baby bjorn. I have also taken him all the way to the plane in the stroller and then I checked the stroller at the gate. Sometimes they need to nap while waiting for the plane.
I also always used a backpack instead of a diaper bag because that way I didn't have a heavy bag hanging on my shoulder and I could fit MUCH more in the backpack (all my my stuff and the babies). It's also better because you don't have to worry about stuff falling out when you are on the plane.
I am trying to think of what else I used to do! Well, don't forget a couple changes of clothes for the baby in case of messy diapers!
Good luck! I LOVE your daughters name! I wanted that for our baby London's middle name!
We also used to live in the bay area (campbell.)
Have a nice trip!

I know exactly how you feel! I have flown across the country numerous times with my two children. If Benedril makes your child sleepy and you don't have any lay-overs, use it. If you do have a lay-over, make sure you take a stroller and stretch your legs. That way she gets a change of scenery too. Also, don't forget to pack either a bottle or a binky so she will have something to suck on when the plain is landing. We live in Huntington Beach too and I can't stand it when I have to fly to Florida.

The best advice I can give you is something that was passed along to me, and I GUARANTEE it cannot fail!! I have twin girls myself, and even though when they flew as infants I always had my husband with me, the kids-plus-their-junk to parent ratio was trying. What you need to do is enlist extra help... how do you do this you ask? Seriously suck up to the flight attendants! Every time we flew with our little ones we would bring a large, lavishly wrapped box of chocolates or goodies of some sort. After we were settled and figured out who was assigned to our section, we'd present the box to our flight attendant and say something like " We know you have a totally demanding and thankless job, and we realize that us bringing our babies on board makes it that much harder! We just want to thank you in advance for all you do, and let you know we appreciate you and your fellow staff." Believe me, my baby girls were constantly entertained for the entire flight! As they got a little older they were offered crayons and pilot wings and an escort to the potty... The friend who told me of this trick has been upgraded to first class, received complimentary champagne, and even had a connecting flight held for her when her flight was delayed. It's like my grandma always says "you catch more flies with honey than vinegar!" Best of luck to you!
S.