After two flights with my baby when she was 3 and 4 months old, I felt confident flying the friendly skies with my kid [1]. It turned out that she hated being stuck in the car for a long road trip, but flying? She loves it. She's not stuck in the car seat, and she gets to see my face the whole time (listen, I wouldn't be impressed, but it calms her down). She makes cute faces at everyone she sees and is on good behaviour the whole time (no meltdowns yet, knock on wood). So I decided we'd only fly to travel [2] in the near future, even to visit family, who live an eight-hour drive (plus stops) or a one-hour flight away.
But when I had to make a trip and my husband couldn't come with me, I panicked. Yeah, baby loves flying, but how would I do it alone?! The baby gear itself [3] is enough to drown two adults, and I didn't know how I'd manage to do anything if I couldn't hand her off to my husband. Still, we had to take the trip, so I womaned up and laid out a plan. Then we flew, just me and my daughter. And we survived. Here's how I pulled it off — and how you, intrepid traveller, can, too.
Get a Ride to the Airport
Yes, I know you're flying solo [5], but don't plan on carting yourself to the airport if you can help it. Have someone — or an Uber or taxi — drop you and baby off. You'll have the benefit of someone helping you get all your gear out, but more importantly: they can drop you right at the kerb. This is crucial!
Check in at the Kerb
As I was saying, you need a ride so you can get dropped right at the kerb at a ticket counter for your airline if they exist. Your hand luggage days are over with a baby, and you'll have at least a car seat, travel buggy [7], and a bag to check (unless you are lucky enough to have all that stuff at your destination, in which case, you are killing it. I need your tips). When I'm flying with my husband, I always swear by gate-checking the car seat and buggy, but in this case, you're going to want to get rid of that stuff as soon as you can, at the most convenient place, and that's when you arrive.
Wear Baby in a Carrier
When you get dropped off, put your baby in your comfiest carrier [8], and plan on wearing her or him throughout the flight. This is the key to being able to do everything else you have to do while still being attached to your baby. Bonus: you can go to the loo while wearing a baby carrier. It's not the easiest thing in the world, but it's doable. (Trust me.)
Book an Aisle Seat
There are advantages to both aisle and window seats [10] when you fly with a baby. If you're breastfeeding, it's nice to have the privacy of a window seat, so I always pick the window when I'm travelling with my husband — but if you're alone, pick an aisle. You'll be able to get out easily for nappy changes and for deboarding. Plus, when you're boarding, you won't have to try to shimmy you and your baby past the other occupants of your row to sit down.
Take Advantage of the Kindness of Strangers
When you're flying with a baby, you worry that people might be annoyed with you before you even board, but the reality is that so many people want to help you [11]. Accept it! If someone offers to help with a bag, getting a bottle ready, whatever, let them. And don't be afraid to ask. And remember: you got this!
