Guys, or gals I should say... I am terrified of flying alone with my child. 😫 any tips would be much…
Guys, or gals I should say... I am terrified of flying alone with my child. 😫 any tips would be much appreciated. I also have a layover that’s only an hour long. I will be checking my car seat. And bringing my umbrella stroller on the plane along with a carry on and then checking 2 suitcases. How I will fit everything in 2 I do not know 😨
jenna tess·
I’ve flown so many times with my daughter. Your son has his own seat, so that means he also gets a free checked bag (if you’re flying an airline that does that.) as well as a carry on just like you! Each seat, each perk. So, pack your purse, an over head bag, a diaper bag for you, and then him an extra bag if you can manage to carry it all.
I went and bought a $60.00 old school DVD player from Best Buy: WORTH EVERY DIME! It runs for 2 hours (charge during your layover.) and that will kill so much time.
This may seem a little weird to some, but what works for us is skipping nap time (depending on flight time) and then giving a dose of melatonin AND baby dramamine right as you get in line to board the plane. This way it will be kicking in right at take off. Our favorite brand is Wink Naturals. They have toddler sleep melts. 1mg of melatonin and they taste delicious and melt within seconds.
Everyone says to pack toys that have never been seen before, and that’s great for some, but if I can get her to nap over playing loudly then I choose that! Haha.
jenna tess··
Bring his birth certificate with you just in case, but they’ve only actually asked to see my daughters one time. 🤷🏼♀️
You’re right about the stroller - super handy. Especially during security. That way your little one isn’t running around and you can focus on just getting through security.
Once you get to your gate, just tell the staff member that you’d like a tag to check your stroller (free of cost), and they will print one out to stick on your stroller. You’ll leave it right outside the actual plane when you go to get on. You’ll have to decide if you want the stroller to arrive at the end or during your layover. I’ve found I like to have it during my layover also.
Jess··
Our flight is early! Like first thing In the am. So he very well may pass out or might not. I could give him snacks but that will only work for so long lol. I’m trying to get his birth certificate and idk if it’s going to be here in time 😶 the airline said I may not need it but just Incase. All I have is a like proof copy if I don’t get it on time :/ and I know he’s not going to want to sit on the plane so idk how I’m going to get him to do that. I have stopped the pacifier during the day but I may have to give it to him during the flight just for take off and if he’s being loud and screaming lol and I’d rather him not have super loud toys either. I’m going to bring crayons and coloring book and regular books. And I definitely need his stroller during the layover
jenna tess··
yes, the paci will be a saving grace.
Since it’s so early, I highly recommend a mix of Dramamine + melatonin. He will more than likely just fall right asleep. Bring a small blanket and even a travel pillow if you can find. (I found a great tiny toddler size one at Walmart for $2.00 that fits in a backpack with room to spare). Once you buckle him in, be firm. Keep telling him he has to sit. If he gets to unbuckle for even a second he’ll think he can run around.
A copy of the BC will probably be just fine.
Like I said, they’ve only ever asked me once and hardly even glanced at it.
Snacks + drinks are definitely a necessity, but utilize the early flight as a nap time if you can.
p·
Another tip is sit near the bathroom if you don’t have an assigned seat, and if your son isn’t potty trained yet ask where the changing table is as soon as you walk into the plane. I usually sit at the very back that way if it’s not a full flight people could have the option to sit next to us or not and obviously the bathroom. Also before getting thru TSA take your baby wipes out of your bag and put them in one of the trays they have that way they know what it is, it prevents you from having to get stopped and check your bags. Also an hour lay over will go by super fast by the time you land everyone gets off the plane and you get your stroller it’ll most likely be time to go catch your other flight. Good luck! I’ve been flying almost every other month with my toddler since she was a baby and every time Is a new experience
Jess··
@p0790, I know an hour will go by super fast I hope we don’t miss our connecting flight! I was telling my bf today I’m like I want to pack my mom in my suitcase to help lol. But I got this I can do it. 🙌🏻
Jess·
@jennatess Yeah idk because when we went on vacation in sept we got up at like 3am and were on the road by like 5am and he didn’t pass out for a good while. So napping may be out of the question especially since our flights aren’t that long. I’ll dig out that proof copy just incase. I’ll bring lots of snacks and things to try and entertain him . And I hope my car seat will be ok.
K·
Load Netflix on an iPad if u have one and download movies. Bring lots of snacks and drinks. Games I brought play dough and toy trains that connect. Etc. and hope they take a nap