Talk to me about travelling w/infant alone

I was going to go see my sis in NC by myself with DS - he's 7 months. My mom is talking me out of it saying how hard it will be - going into airport pushing stroller and the luggage (a simple but difficult task), food - I want to bring my mini foodmill b/c I make my own, etc. Have you travelled alone with an infant? How was it? How did you manage luggage and the stroller? Or do I put him in the bjorn and take the luggage (I can see if my sis has a stroller for him there).

TIA!

Re: Talk to me about travelling w/infant alone

I didn't do it alone... my mom came with me, but we also had my dog with us.

Do you have a convertible seat or infant seat? With the convertible seat, we bought this thing that you can attach to the seat to make it able to roll. So I just sat Loey in the convertible seat and attached the attachment and it rolled like luggage (he was the hit of the airport!) So that takes care of holding the baby and the carseat. As far as luggage... how much will you have? We ended up checking most of ours because it was just easier that way. For our other luggage that we needed on the plane ,we just pushed it around in the stroller.... and then gate-checked the stroller.

Let me know if you have any other Qs!

Re: Talk to me about travelling w/infant alone

I just travelled on my own from the UK to NYC with a 4 year old and a 5 month old, it was pretty easy. I used a sling through the airport and put my bags on my pushchair. On the plane people are generally amenable and helpful if you have a baby, the staff on the flight might help out, but then again, they might not (as I found out on an AA flight which was horrid) I managed to get myself, Noah & Immi into an airplane bathroom...yeah fun. They hav changing stations in the bathrooms and if you need to use the toilet, someone will probably help you!

Good luck!

Re: Talk to me about travelling w/infant alone

I traveled alone with DD - I was definitely a sight to be seen and it was tiring, but it was fine. I put her carseat on top of the stroller (we have a carseat adaptor and she was still in the infant seat then) and had the base on the seat of the stroller, a diaper bag hanging off, my purse and some other stuff underneath, and my traveling bag for me. I also had a suitcase, which I checked immediately with the skycap. I brought frozen cubes of food with me to feed her at the airport - they were thawed by then and it was fine. I brought lots of ziplocs and wipes. I made my own food there, but I was with family and they have a blender so it was not a big deal. I checked her stroller and the base at the gate. I took her on in the carseat since I bought a seat for her to make it easier for me. I had toys for her and a bottle and paci, plenty of back-up formula in case of delays. People were so nice and helpful at security so I was able to unload and reload just fine. Obviously it would've been easier to do this with my husband, but I made it work. On the way home, as we were waiting for our gate-checked stuff, the entire plane was basically complementing me on how great a mother I was. I know I just got lucky that day, but it sure helped be prepared and have toys and food and some patience for dd. She did sleep some, but not as much as I would've liked, esp since I planned flights around naptimes in the hopes that she'd sleep. Now that she's in the big seat, I think we're going to invest in the go-go kidz travel thing and I will probably always get her a seat since I found that to be really helpful. HTH.

Re: Talk to me about travelling w/infant alone

I traveled alone when DS1 was about 2 1/2 and DS2 was a few months old. I had DS1 in the car seat with the wheely attachment and DS2 was in the baby bjorn. I checked the infant seat and the strollers (no fee on almost all airlines). DH dropped me off curbside (and actually walked me to the gate - he got a pass from security) and my dad met me on the other side. I didn't have to schlep any luggage through the airport, not sure why you would as you can check it curbside.
If you are traveling with a baby in an infant seat, I would recommend using the snap and go. This way you have the infant seat the whole way and a lightweight stroller for when you are there. If you don't have a seat for the baby, use a sling (or bjorn) on the plane and gate check the car seat and stroller.

Re: Talk to me about travelling w/infant alone

I traveled alone with my DD back when she was 10 months old. It was not difficult at all. I had my stroller travel system (with car seat attached) and a rolling suitcase. Never underestimate the helpfulness of strangers either. They'll see that you're alone with a child and be willing to help you with whatever... at least that was my experience.

Re: Talk to me about travelling w/infant alone

i go everywhere alone.

where there is a will there is a way!

you will be fine

Re: Talk to me about travelling w/infant alone

I traveled several times with DS the first year he was born. When he was 12 weeks we flew to VA (with layover). I booked him as a lap child so I brought the travel system but checked the car seat and traveled with stroller upto the plane door. I also brought a large diaper bag with anything and everything I thought I needed. And an extra of the important things like binky/blanket/etc.

I also checked everything I knew I needed in VA but didn't need on the plane (like the food mill)

Good luck! Don't let it overwhelm you and ask for help if you need it, most people are willing to help.

Re: Talk to me about travelling w/infant alone

Thanks everyone - you made me feel a lot better! I think we're going to try it!