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![traveling alone with baby](https://tripbebe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/2-1024x1024.jpg)
Tip: Don’t wear white. What was I thinking?!
1) Practice, practice, practice
![traveling with a car seat](https://tripbebe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1-1024x1024.jpg)
Practice carrying all your travel gear long before getting to the airport. You won’t want to be scrambling on the airport curb figuring out how to transport baby and all your gear to the ticket counter!
2) Buy baby his/her own seat
Traveling can be very expensive, so the appeal of saving hundreds of dollars by putting bébé on your lap makes complete sense. But try to imagine getting their bottle ready when it’s shoved under the seat in front of you, baby is on your lap screaming and you have no free hands or someone helping you. Having them safely strapped in their car seat (and hopefully sleeping!) while you have 100 percent use of your hands is priceless.
3) Pay for extra legroom
If an extra seat just isn’t in the budget and baby is on your lap, even paying a little bit more for extra legroom is worth it. Having a few extra inches to maneuver around and not constantly knock the seat in front of you will relieve some of the stress.
4) Keep necessities in the seat pocket and under the seat in front of you
If only those seat pockets could be just a little bit bigger. Space is limited, so what does your baby usually want when they’re crying? A bottle, pacifier, toy, wipes to clean a mess…those should be within easy reach in the seat pocket or even tucked next to the armrest or window on your seat. Keep everything else under the seat in front of you in a diaper bag. Avoid the overhead bin for items you will need quick access to during the flight.
5) Wear baby in a carrier or wrap through airport security
My son actually hated carriers, but I’d rather have him fuss for a few minutes while I’m loading up the conveyor belt with both hands than attempt to fold up my stroller, remove my shoes and take out the liquids with one hand (tip: sign up for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® to alleviate some of this stress). Keep in mind some international airports will make you take baby out of the carrier to go through security, so do this after you’ve loaded everything else on the conveyor belt. I’ve also got other tips on how to get through airport security with a baby here.
6) Don’t be afraid to ask for help
No one wants to see a struggling parent. I always think people are just going to shoot daggers with their eyes at me, but I promise people are so much kinder than you think they’ll be. I’m always surprised how many people are willing to lend a helping hand in every aspect of my travels with my son. And if you need any help, feel free to ask a TSA agent, flight attendant and the total stranger sitting next to you. There’s a good chance they’ve been in your shoes. Even that serious-looking businessman may actually have four kids back home and will gladly strike up a conversation about Paw Patrol.
And if all these tips fail and your trip is a hot mess? You’ll never see these people again. Bon voyage!
Do you have any helpful tips for traveling alone with a baby or small child?
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6 Comments
We just got back from a trip, and I saw so many moms that didn’t read your tips first! 😉 Great list!
Thank you!
Really great tips. ESP the practicing carrying the gear. I have a 3 and 7 year old and recently flew with them alone with a TON of bags that we were carrying them all on. It wasn’t easy. But we survived. But I practiced first – like a little trial run lol
Glad you survived! Practice definitely helps a ton.
Great tips on flying solo with a baby. I’m sharing it with my sister who will be flying with 2 kids under 3 solo in a month.
Best of luck to your sister!