https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 28 Apr 2026 08:35:57 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-trip-alone-with-22-month-old#post-2772773 Mon, 11 Sep 2017 12:13:11 +0000 RKitty 2772773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't read through all the comments but we just flew with an 13 month old.</p> <p>BRING A COPY of your daughter's Birth Certificate with you. If you can't prove that she's under 24 months they can deny boarding if you don't have a seat for her. Typically this doesn't happen but if you got somebody who wants to make your day crappy they are with their rights to do so.</p> <p>Things I found really helpful - keeping all the toys/games/ activities in their own ziplock bags. It was a lot of little bags but was so easy to pull out the bag and get everything with them. (IE crayons in a bag with the coloring book) I also had 'diaper bags' to go ziplock bags with a diaper, disposable changing pad &amp; wipes ready to go so I could just grab that bag and toss it all away if I needed in a hurry or space issues. (and it was a big enough bag to stuff the dirty diaper in too) We had a bunch of different types of snacks to go for him and for us to keep him occupied too. I also had lollipops for helping if his ears got plugged.</p> <p>I kept everything in a large bag I put in the over head bin and kept my purse down below empty of everything but a toy or two so it was easy to grab some things to entertain him with but we still had some floor room.</p> <p>Things that I regretted bringing with? Fruit pouches I got grief from a TSA agent because it was 4.1 ounces or something so it was to big and I had to open all the ones that were too large. And my son never ate them - but he isn't a big fruit pouch fan but I wanted something easy in case he got hungry. I also brought some coloring books but they weren't things he'd play with in the past so they were just a waste of space and caused more trouble then they were worth.</p> <p>We checked our suitcase and our car seat - I thought about bringing the car seat in case of an open spot but out of our four flights only one had an open seat. There was not way the hassle of lugging it through everything would have been worth it for that one flight. We did bring a umbrella stroller to the gate with us. we used it for going in between gates and I had my parents with us so they would take him around in the stroller. And it was nice to have the stroller at our destination. Plus I could but bags in or on the stroller and carry my kiddo.</p> <p>And if you carry your kiddo you can carry them through the security checkpoints. My lillebaby was worth bring along just for this! It really was the only time I used it at the airports. But my son isn't big on being carried. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-trip-alone-with-22-month-old#post-2772763 Mon, 11 Sep 2017 11:28:17 +0000 looch 2772763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nwm: You can bring fluids through with you, although I have only brought them in factory sealed containers. I wouldn't bring a thermos of milk, but I would bring a sealed container of shelf stable milk, Horizon brand makes them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-trip-alone-with-22-month-old#post-2772728 Mon, 11 Sep 2017 09:54:21 +0000 sauerkraut 2772728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've traveled alone quite a bit with DD, who is a bit younger at 15 months. I check everything possible, suitcase, carseat, stroller, and wear the baby until we get to our gate (and during boarding). For me, it was a game changer getting a backpack to carry on instead of a shoulder strap diaper bag - so much easier to manage the rest of the stuff before I'm able to check it, and allows me to hold her hand and run around with her in the airport so she can burn off energy before the flight without an awkward shoulder bag that keeps falling down when I bend over to grab her.</p> <p>I definitely wouldn't drag the carseat through the airport on the off chance they'll give you an open seat for it. Not worth the hassle IMO, especially with connecting flights, since there may not be free seats all the way through. I'd bring the lightest seat possible, bungee it to your rollerbag, pop her in a carrier, and check the stuff as soon as you can. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-trip-alone-with-22-month-old#post-2772665 Sun, 10 Sep 2017 22:51:09 +0000 Mrs. Turtle 2772665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsbubbletea: I might get dropped off, but even so, on the way home I'll need to do it on my own from the rental car drop off. So I at least need to know I can! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-trip-alone-with-22-month-old#post-2772581 Sun, 10 Sep 2017 00:19:38 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2772581@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Turtle: curbside check if at all possible! too bad you aren't getting dropped off... that's going to be really tough from long term parking! But I think it is hard to push the stroller and suitcase if there is any chance kid won't be in stroller. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-trip-alone-with-22-month-old#post-2772580 Sat, 09 Sep 2017 22:30:19 +0000 Mrs. Turtle 2772580@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Littlebit7: No seat :(. We just couldn't swing it this time. I've been debating about the stroller. We have a cheap umbrella stroller I could bring, but it just seemed like one more thing to push/pull through the airport and I wasn't sure how I was going to push it and pull my big suitcase at the same time. But maybe I should reconsider.<br /> @Gin: Ok I just looked up strapping a car seat to a stroller and I hadn't realized this was a thing. I need to test our car seats to see if they will fit in our ridiculously small/cheap umbrella stroller. I definitely don't want to lug the big jogger around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-trip-alone-with-22-month-old#post-2772575 Sat, 09 Sep 2017 21:03:40 +0000 Gin 2772575@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Turtle: we've been on 15+ flights with my 18mo old. I check in a big luggage., carry on backpack. bungee my car seat (cosco scenara) to my stroller (MB nano). I have my baby carrier on and wear her through the security- that way i have hands free to put all my carry ons through the screener. She will then sit in the car car seat on top of the stroller through the airport. I always take my carseat/stroller combo to the gate. Out of the 15+ flights we've been on, they have had an extra (free!) seat for her except 2 of them. If there is not an extra seat, I gate check the stroller/carseat. </p> <p>@nwm: you can take any liquids if you have baby with you. I always take a thermos of milk and a few pouches. I also take a couple bottles of water for myself. They will just make you go through a couple extra security steps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-trip-alone-with-22-month-old#post-2772570 Sat, 09 Sep 2017 19:24:20 +0000 nwm 2772570@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i came to the boards this evening looking for related advice so i hope you won't mind if i post it here! i'm traveling for the first time next week with my almost-19 month old, and our first flight is a redeye. reeeeeally hoping that he gets to sleep on the plane, and i know letting him have some milk will greatly aid in this--he's very attached to his warm milk before bed. do i bring it and try to talk my way through security by saying it's food for baby (which i think generally is an exception to the liquid rules), or do folks think there will reliably be milk for purchase in the airport? previously i've had luck at starbucks getting them to give me milk in a pinch, so maybe i can count on that but i don't want to risk being caught without. thanks!</p> <p>@Mrs. Turtle: good luck with your trip!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-trip-alone-with-22-month-old#post-2772566 Sat, 09 Sep 2017 18:30:12 +0000 Littlebit7 2772566@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Turtle: take the cheapo light seat. Bungee it to the suitcase and check at the counter. Or curbside...even easier!</p> <p>Also it wasn't mentioned...but did you get her a seat? That would be my #1 recc if you can swing it. Honestly I had the best luck installing her car seat on the plane. It made my life a lot easier. She was really content for a lot of the flight in her seat. I've done a lot of solo flights with LO.<br /> Snacks, iPad stuff if you go that route, extra change of clothes for both of you just in case.<br /> Do you need a stroller? I found a stroller really helpful. I could hang my stuff from it, bungee the car seat to it, and also be able to strap LO down if I needed to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-trip-alone-with-22-month-old#post-2772564 Sat, 09 Sep 2017 16:49:55 +0000 Mrs. Turtle 2772564@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok, 7 weeks has passed and at the moment we still plan to go on this trip next week. O just had surgery, so we are taking it one day at a time, but the docs don't anticipate it being a problem for travel. </p> <p>I collected a bunch of small toys, books, coloring supplies and downloaded apps and shows on the kindle. I have pouches and snacks and a new water bottle for her. I think I'm prepared in that department.</p> <p>My current question is how in the world do I get through the airport by myself?!? I'm probably going to end up putting the car in long term parking so I will be on my own from the moment I leave our house at 4 am. I will have a big rolling suitcase, a backpack as a carry on, a car seat to check and that might be it. So...bungee the car seat to the rolling suitcase, wear O (or let her walk with the backpack leash I ordered from Amazon yesterday) and sling the diaper bag over my shoulder? Then do I check the car seat at the normal baggage check and just assume there won't be an extra seat on the flights? Or do I attempt to lug it all the way through the airport just in case? Also, I have two car seats. One is a cheapo, lightweight Evenflo. It isn't super comfortable for her but it would be way easier to carry in the airport. Or her VERY heavy Graco which she loves, but is heavy.</p> <p>More advice?? Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-trip-alone-with-22-month-old#post-2760766 Fri, 21 Jul 2017 20:23:50 +0000 Tanjowen 2760766@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If O is pretty active, board last! We only started using pre-boarding the past 6 month with our 3 year old because boarding first can easily add 30+ minutes to trying to keep a little one happy and entertained.</p> <p>My LO loved the balloon pop app and we downloaded a few of his favorite shows to watch. I buy the puffy stickers at the dollar store and let him "decorate" the tray table. The puffy stickers peel right back off and can be used a few times.</p> <p>We use a large backpack as a diaper bag when traveling. The separate compartments make it easy to keep things organized! </p> <p>I've also embraced the "people can suck it up" mentality to air travel since having a kid - it's a period of time where we are all trapped in a metal tube together, so don't be an ass about a kid being a kid. But I'm happy to say that 99% of the time I get people around me who are more than happy to interact with a cute kid. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-trip-alone-with-22-month-old#post-2760761 Fri, 21 Jul 2017 20:06:55 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2760761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Turtle: I was thinking maybe large ziplock freezer bags or something to keep everything organized. We also had lots of meds with us because the kids were sick... so it was just a cluster of activities, meds, snacks, clothes, diapers... ah. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-trip-alone-with-22-month-old#post-2760719 Fri, 21 Jul 2017 18:06:04 +0000 Mrs. Turtle 2760719@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaCate: Thanks! I don't think she will be too fussy (although who knows, I might eat my words) but I do think she will be loud. Talking, singing, yelling to everyone that makes eye contact with her. Hopefully that is cute enough to make it tolerable?! Our social worker said, "anyone who doesn't find her adorable enough to excuse the noise is a sociopath that you don't want to be near anyway." :wink: </p> <p>@looch: So helpful, thank you! I love these suggestions for packing and details. </p> <p>@snowjewelz: Thank you, me too. We are trying hard to keep busy. Sitting around the house is just sad right now.</p> <p>@KayKay: Ah, good idea! I will introduce it ahead of time so she realizes she likes it. </p> <p>@Mrs. Champagne: Thanks! I'm trying to figure out exactly the right kind of carry on I need. I'm thinking something not too deep and easy to organize with lots of compartments. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-trip-alone-with-22-month-old#post-2760646 Fri, 21 Jul 2017 13:26:02 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2760646@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Organize your carry on! We flew with two kids in march, omg. We packed our backpacks HORRIBLY and it was soooo hard to find anything. We fly again in a couple weeks and I need a different set up but not sure what's best!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-trip-alone-with-22-month-old#post-2760631 Fri, 21 Jul 2017 13:11:35 +0000 KayKay 2760631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Trader Joe's freeze dried fruit (esp the mango) for snacks on the plane! Healthy and not messy :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-trip-alone-with-22-month-old#post-2760532 Fri, 21 Jul 2017 08:40:17 +0000 snowjewelz 2760532@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm glad you have something to plan and look forward to with O after the whole ordeal with T :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-trip-alone-with-22-month-old#post-2760526 Fri, 21 Jul 2017 08:02:33 +0000 looch 2760526@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My best tip for the flight is to bring a carryon packed with a diaper clutch that you remove from it and pop into your seatback pocket (this can even be just a gallon ziplock bag). Make sure you bring something to put the dirty diapers in before you put them in the trash. Then take a bottle of water and put it in the puke bag and into the seatback pocket as well. In your carryon, pack a reusable tote bag that you can fold flat. Use this to throw all the stuff that might have come out during the flight so you can get off the plane without having to puzzle it all back into your carryon. Also bring a small grocery bag that you can use for trash. You'll need it!</p> <p>I would also think about bringing a small crossbody purse for yourself that you wear the entire flight to contain your valuables so you're not leaving them behind in your carryon when you go to do a diaper change. In that cross body, keep a travel pack of wipes and a burp cloth in case you need to say, dry hands and the bins in the bathroom are empty.</p> <p>For your suitcase, I assume you're checking one...I use packing cubes to keep myself organized. I typically get two and my son gets one. I got the basic 4 pack from amazon. I bring very few toiletries, unless I need something specific. I buy all of that at my destination except if I am going to a resort. But I make sure what I do bring does double duty. My son and I will share a bottle of unscented body wash/shampoo, I'll pack a small bottle of conditioner, I'll bring unscented lotion that we can both use.</p> <p>I also bring whatever I think I will need to help my son sleep, so that might mean a nightlight and a white noise machine. I also typically bring him some toys that he doesn't get during the flight, to entertain him at our destination. Some parents don't need to bother with this, but my son is not the type to play with tissue boxes, so I bring some new things for our destination. He loves this part of the trip and looks forward to it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-trip-alone-with-22-month-old#post-2760525 Fri, 21 Jul 2017 08:01:39 +0000 MamaCate 2760525@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Turtle: I have flown solo with 1-2 kids several times, usually about 5-6 hours if flying time broken up between two flights. My goal has always been to over pack but then to find as many other forms of entertainment as possible before breaking out our toys and activities. So we have all the stuff, but at the airport waiting to board we don't get them out. We walk around, push the stroller, get a snack, fill up water bottles, etc to stay busy. Then on the plane we watch the people boarding, watch the trucks and other planes out the window, look at the stuff in the seat pocket, open and close the tray, etc. it cuts down on the total amount of entertainment you need to carry.</p> <p>I flew alone with my 5 yo and 21 month old recently. I brought some small favorite books, and stickers were a good addition this time. Just he cheap ones from the dollar bin, where he could take them off the page and stick them on me, himself, a paper. Be ready to rotate ideas frequently and save something special for the last hour when you are both bored!</p> <p>Also just remember that even if your child is a mess on the plane, you will likely never see any of your fellow passengers again so don't worry about how they are feeling. Just do what you need to to keep you both sane! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-trip-alone-with-22-month-old#post-2760505 Fri, 21 Jul 2017 00:00:58 +0000 Mrs. Turtle 2760505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: Thanks! Good tips. O isn't a great eater so I'm going to have to get really creative with the snack options to entice her. That's the hardest part about traveling with her.</p> <p>@MenagerieMama: I looked up kids areas and both airports we are laying over in have them. Probably won't have much time in one but will definitely in the other. Plus, she likes to run and loves crowds, so I think just racing around the airport will help wear her out. Maybe I need to order a backpack leash just in case. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-trip-alone-with-22-month-old#post-2760463 Thu, 20 Jul 2017 18:58:37 +0000 MenagerieMama 2760463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bring lots of little toys and wrap in tissue paper. The unwrapping is half the fun! Be creative - my LO went through a stage where she loved little pieces of the blue painters tape for "bandaids" and could do that for ages. And yes, 2x as many snacks as you think you will need. Wear a comfy, easy diaper change outfit. Have a small diaper change bundle to bring (diaper, wipes, backuonoutfit). Wear her out at your layover! We would take turns doing laps, had to walk between the gates if time allowed. Found any kids areas. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-trip-alone-with-22-month-old#post-2760460 Thu, 20 Jul 2017 18:48:07 +0000 Foodnerd81 2760460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We flew with my older one when she was about 20 months and it went a lot better than I expected. We downloaded a bunch of Daniel tiger episodes on an old iPhone and got a new case for it and she was obsessed. Refused to wear headphones but was fine with it on such low volume I couldn't hear it. Of course she pooped in flight got both ways and we had to change in a teeny airplane bathroom- keep a separate ziplock with minimal changing supplies (changing pad, couple diapers, wipes) so you don't have to bring the entire diaper bag to the bathroom. </p> <p>And all the snacks. All of them. In individual packets so there is an end to one- my kids would both keep eating to the botrom of a family size bag I think. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-trip-alone-with-22-month-old#post-2760440 Thu, 20 Jul 2017 16:50:15 +0000 Mrs. Turtle 2760440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: Good to hear! O is usually a pretty happy, flexible kid but she also can be very loud (in a happy, singing/yelling kind of way) so I'm hoping people appreciate her cuteness and tolerate the constant chatter. She will be making friends with everyone on the plane, or at least trying to! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-trip-alone-with-22-month-old#post-2760439 Thu, 20 Jul 2017 16:26:58 +0000 jhd 2760439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Stickers &amp; the Melissa and Doug water wow saved us on a long flight with a 22 month old. I also packed plenty of snacks. It was an 8 hour flight so I put him in an overnight diaper. I'm sure others that travel regularly have better advice, but our trip went so much smoother than I expected! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-trip-alone-with-22-month-old#post-2760423 Thu, 20 Jul 2017 15:54:21 +0000 Mrs. Turtle 2760423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just got approval to take O to my cousin's wedding in September. We will be flying across the country. Both legs have one layover but it is a very short flight and then a very long flight (and vice versa on the way back). I've never flown with kids so I want all of the advice. Packing advice, apps for the flight (I'm ordering a Kindle Fire ASAP), toy/entertainment/snack ideas, etc. </p> <p>Thanks! </p>