https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 18 Apr 2026 13:10:03 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-internationally-with-a-24-month-old-and-a-5-month-old-crazy-idea-long#post-1676735 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 20:52:17 +0000 loveisstrange 1676735@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ree723: We just flew from Heathrow to Chicago 6 weeks ago on AA and took our stroller. So I dunno. That seems weird to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-internationally-with-a-24-month-old-and-a-5-month-old-crazy-idea-long#post-1676348 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 18:24:08 +0000 Ree723 1676348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: I know! So excited it's all finally happening now! We'll need to organise a UK meet up soon!</p> <p>@birdofafeather: You are correct, we do have family there, but they're all working too. His parents, who will be our main babysitters, are still in Australia until June 2015.</p> <p>@loveisstrange: @Rockies11: Interesting! I read it on AA's website, further internet research is telling me it is dependent upon individual airlines at Heathrow. I'm going to call AA anyway about some other stuff and will ask, but good to know it's not a Heathrow thing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-internationally-with-a-24-month-old-and-a-5-month-old-crazy-idea-long#post-1676144 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 16:10:25 +0000 Rockies11 1676144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we flew into and out of Heathrow with a gate checked stroller like 4 weeks ago. I don't know if that's the best information! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-internationally-with-a-24-month-old-and-a-5-month-old-crazy-idea-long#post-1676059 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 15:42:58 +0000 loveisstrange 1676059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ree723: Ive flown into Heathrow with a stroller... I had no issues flying with my City Mini.</p> <p>I think it's doable... but you're probably in for a really long flight. Just get to the airport as early as possible to get that bassinet seat!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-internationally-with-a-24-month-old-and-a-5-month-old-crazy-idea-long#post-1676011 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 15:27:47 +0000 birdofafeather 1676011@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ree723: yeah, 3 weeks is a while! I was thinking you had family over there too but that's a long time with your DH full time. Good luck. I would just prepare for it to be a mess and if it's not, then call myself a rock star! Ha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-internationally-with-a-24-month-old-and-a-5-month-old-crazy-idea-long#post-1676004 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 15:26:13 +0000 Cherrybee 1676004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ree723: Yippee!! You're en route!!!! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-internationally-with-a-24-month-old-and-a-5-month-old-crazy-idea-long#post-1675996 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 15:24:13 +0000 Ree723 1675996@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@birdofafeather: Part of me would love that, but he's working full time now and doesn't have any one to watch her for the three weeks or so it is going to take us to get over. Also, I think I'd miss her too much! *major attachment issues here* </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-internationally-with-a-24-month-old-and-a-5-month-old-crazy-idea-long#post-1675992 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 15:22:25 +0000 Ree723 1675992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: @looch: Those strollers look great, but the price, not so much! I've just bought our fourth pram in less than two years so I think DH would kill me if I dropped another few hundred on yet another pram! </p> <p>@Cole: I've heard of that service before, I might look into it a bit more...</p> <p>@Mamaof2: @catlady: I'd love to avoid checked baggage, but as we're moving, we have a fair amount of stuff we need to bring with us. We are shipping a massive load of stuff, but it is going to take 12 weeks to get there, so we really need to have with us, everything we're going to need for the next twelve weeks. DH is taking back a fully loaded suitcase but there's no way around us having checked luggage. :-(</p> <p>@Sammyfab: @Baby Boy Mom: @lamariniere: Thanks ladies! I have four more weeks to psyche myself up for this but at the end of the day, whatever happens, happens. I'll never see those people again!</p> <p>@erind425: Thanks so much - I so hope that is us!!! Fingers crossed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-internationally-with-a-24-month-old-and-a-5-month-old-crazy-idea-long#post-1675912 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 14:53:57 +0000 birdofafeather 1675912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>is there anyway your DH can take your old LO when he goes back? then you each have one kiddo? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-internationally-with-a-24-month-old-and-a-5-month-old-crazy-idea-long#post-1675631 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 13:42:29 +0000 lamariniere 1675631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: I have been seeing a lot of these strollers around lately and they do look teeny tiny in person, so it could definitely be a solution. </p> <p>No advice, but good luck!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-internationally-with-a-24-month-old-and-a-5-month-old-crazy-idea-long#post-1675325 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 12:10:00 +0000 catlady 1675325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had no experience with this at all (and I think you are so brave for attempting!) but maybe you could ship most of your things to your DH ahead of time and avoid checked luggage altogether? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-internationally-with-a-24-month-old-and-a-5-month-old-crazy-idea-long#post-1675294 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 11:59:00 +0000 jape14 1675294@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ree723: I have no advice about the logistics, but I was on a red-eye flight from the East Coast of the US to London last year, and a woman was sitting behind me doing this very thing. She had a 2-month-old and a toddler, and they all seemed to sleep on the flight much better than my husband and I did! In the airport, she had the baby in a carrier and the younger child in a smaller umbrella-type stroller. Her kids were really well-behaved the whole flight - I barely heard them at all. Anyway, just wanted to give you some optimism - good luck! :goodluck: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-internationally-with-a-24-month-old-and-a-5-month-old-crazy-idea-long#post-1675273 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 11:52:37 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 1675273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've done a lot of traveling and a few times solo with the LOs and honestly I would just mentally prepare for it to be a nightmare. Then if they do happen to sleep you will feel lucky. I would suggest not carrying on anything other than a packed diaper bag with about three times the amount of food/snacks they would normally eat. Haul out the big guns: everything they usually can't have. On one trip I think my kiddo went through like 4 lollipops just waiting in line at customs! Screen time might also be helpful with the older one. I think you'll be fine; it's just one of those things where you go into survival mode and survive it! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-internationally-with-a-24-month-old-and-a-5-month-old-crazy-idea-long#post-1675267 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 11:51:17 +0000 Sammyfab 1675267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, it's definitely not something I would sign up for! :silly: </p> <p>Honestly, I think the hardest part about traveling with a child (I only have 1!) is navigating through security and the airport. That is awesome that your parents will be able to accompany you to the gate. I was going to suggest a small umbrella stroller as well for your toddler...my son prefers to be carried in crowded places, so having a baby, carry-on piece and a toddler who may not want to walk is...scary and overwhelming!</p> <p>Prepare for the worst and hope for the best! Good luck!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-internationally-with-a-24-month-old-and-a-5-month-old-crazy-idea-long#post-1675249 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 11:42:39 +0000 Mamaof2 1675249@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok I will say it! You're crazy!!!! :silly: </p> <p>I traveled Internationally with just 1 kid at 16 months and going thru customs and getting our luggage was a nightmare - luckily some strangers helped me here and there!</p> <p>I say pack as lightly as possible so you don't have to worry about carrying luggage </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-internationally-with-a-24-month-old-and-a-5-month-old-crazy-idea-long#post-1675246 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 11:40:03 +0000 Cole 1675246@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The good news is you should be able to get permission for someone to go through security with you on the US side, potentially that person could take the stroller back with them if you don't find one that would work. </p> <p>I would get there as early as possible and beg anyone who works for the airline to help you switch your seats too. </p> <p>I don't think it will be the most fun scenario ever but it will be a relatively short time. </p> <p>Oh and maybe check out this site: <a href="http://www.nannyintheclouds.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.nannyintheclouds.com/</a> If I remember correctly you just need to pay the person for their time on the flight and not the whole flight. Could be worth looking into. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-internationally-with-a-24-month-old-and-a-5-month-old-crazy-idea-long#post-1675228 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 11:32:55 +0000 looch 1675228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ree723: yup! You have to take the wheels off, but it could be an option!</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Quinny-Zapp-Wheel-Stroller-Mandarin/dp/B001H9UF94/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1401813107&#038;sr=8-6&#038;keywords=quinny+zapp" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Quinny-Zapp-Wheel-Stroller-Mandarin/dp/B001H9UF94/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1401813107&#038;sr=8-6&#038;keywords=quinny+zapp</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-internationally-with-a-24-month-old-and-a-5-month-old-crazy-idea-long#post-1675204 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 11:24:05 +0000 oliviaoblivia 1675204@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ree723: I think @looch: is on to something.</p> <p>Check out this stroller, I think it's about $250:<br /> <a href="http://mountainbuggy.com/ca-en/Products/buggies/nano#.U432e3JdW4I" rel="nofollow">http://mountainbuggy.com/ca-en/Products/buggies/nano#.U432e3JdW4I</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-internationally-with-a-24-month-old-and-a-5-month-old-crazy-idea-long#post-1675200 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 11:22:07 +0000 Ree723 1675200@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Really?! I have never heard of a pram that folds up that small but I am definitely going to look into it! Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-internationally-with-a-24-month-old-and-a-5-month-old-crazy-idea-long#post-1675198 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 11:21:11 +0000 Ree723 1675198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: I might try that and see how it goes. We tried to put E in the Ergo on my back when we were coming in from Australia last month but you would have thought someone was poking her with hot needles by the way she screamed. I have a few weeks until we go so I may try again a few times and see how it works. I also want to try C with the Bjorn and see if she likes that any better than the Ergo... Oh fun times, gotta love the Home Office screwing up all our best laid plans! :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-internationally-with-a-24-month-old-and-a-5-month-old-crazy-idea-long#post-1675185 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 11:18:32 +0000 looch 1675185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You have two seats, right, with carryon allowance for 2 people? I would get a small stroller, like a Quinny Zapp, and bring it on. I have it and it literally folds small enough to be a regulation sized carry on. Then I would do one other carry on for your stuff and bring a carrier for the baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-internationally-with-a-24-month-old-and-a-5-month-old-crazy-idea-long#post-1675160 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 11:10:59 +0000 oliviaoblivia 1675160@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Any chance you could put E in a carrier on your back and wear C on your front? You'll look like a mule, but I cannot imagine L behaving well after a tough flight.<br /> Big hugs. This sounds really tough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-internationally-with-a-24-month-old-and-a-5-month-old-crazy-idea-long#post-1675130 Tue, 03 Jun 2014 11:02:57 +0000 Ree723 1675130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Please tell me I'm not completely insane for attempting this! I'm a well seasoned traveller, as are our girls, especially having just flown in from Australia; however, I have never flown with them solo and I am now freaking out about this prospect!</p> <p>Long story short, we're moving to England and DH went on ahead of us to sort out a job whilst I stayed in the US visiting family and sorting out my visa. He is due to come back in a couple of weeks to collect us, but unfortunately, I've had some hiccups with the visa and I can't go back with him when he's here. He's still going to come in as planned so he can see the girls but will be flying back on his own. I'll follow a couple of weeks later on my own with the girls.</p> <p>So here's my freak out - it's an 8 hour flight to England on American Airlines; we will be doing the overnight flight in the hope that the girls sleep. The plane only has one bassinet and it can't be reserved ahead of time, first come first served. We're on a 777, which has a seating configuration of 2-5-2, and go figure, we're in two middle seats in the group of five, as the flight is nearly sold out. We also cannot gate check a pram as Heathrow apparently doesn't allow for prams to be loaded/off loaded at the gate. Being an international flight, we will have to go through immigration and collect our luggage before going through customs; we won't be able to meet up with DH until after we've cleared customs. So, I'll be managing two babies in two middle seats of a five person row with no bassinet, and we'll have no pram to put our toddler in at the airport (I'll be wearing our infant, but our toddler will have to walk whilst I also manage our carry on bag), and I'll be trying to collect our luggage whilst keeping my probably very overtired and cranky toddler in check, all whilst hoping my carrier hating infant isn't melting down.</p> <p>Ugh, am I an idiot? Am I setting myself up for a flight from hell?! I could have DH change his flights so he comes back with me, but then that means he won't have seen his girls for eight weeks, and it doesn't work as well with his work schedule for the job he just started last week. Sigh...</p> <p>So those of you who have flown solo with your LOs, share your best tips and tricks to make this bearable! Oh, I forgot to mention, my parents will be coming with me to the gate in Chicago and staying with us until we get on the plane, thank goodness! But the rest of the journey is what terrifies me! </p>