https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 01 May 2026 14:09:56 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-with-19-m-for-the-first-time#post-1207901 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 08:27:39 +0000 MamaBehr 1207901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinpye: No one asked for a birth certificate!!! Really?!?! When I fly I need to show it at the desk to get the board pass and then again through security. We did lose a birth certificate once, but they were pretty understanding about it (thank goodness!) after that I started carrying multiple copies as well as a scanned version on my phone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-with-19-m-for-the-first-time#post-1207893 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 08:24:21 +0000 regberadaisy 1207893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@emahlee: my list will be very different from yours because I'm going to visit my family and my nephew is the same age. So I don't have to pack a car seat, anything to sleep in, extra diapers / wipes, etc. But I'll share when I get a list down! </p> <p>@erinpye: I have heard that re birth certificate!! That is scary. :(</p> <p>@PinkElephant: thanks for all the tips!! I paid $50 extra to fly jet blue because I didn't want to fly in a puddle jumper with her.</p> <p>@plantains: oh, very good point re: delays which JFK is notorious for. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-with-19-m-for-the-first-time#post-1207696 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 00:03:38 +0000 plantains 1207696@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: take the stroller. If there are delays or your LO gets tired, you will need it. I flew from NYC to Rochester and back with DD a couple of weeks ago. The flight was insanely short. It was supposed to be a hug over an hour but ended up actually being about 40 mins. </p> <p>She found the whole experience so exciting because it was over before she had a chance to get bored! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-with-19-m-for-the-first-time#post-1207629 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 23:03:28 +0000 PinkElephant 1207629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've done four solo flights with a 17 month old and pregnant in the past 2 weeks (two 4.5 hrs, one 1.5, and a 17). My best advice is expect to be tired, but it's Definitely more doable than it sounds - I think most reasonable people can see that it's difficult and are generally nice and helpful. You said your LO is social - that's great -should work to your advantage. My daughter was trying to duck into random seats and "talk" to strangers on our 17 hr flight when we walked the aisles and honestly, even the most serious business traveller couldn't resist smiling. </p> <p>As for luggage management, I generally pack as light as I can, checking one 4-way rolling suitcase (the key is something easy to steer w/ one hand) so that I have my hands as free as possible at the airport for going through security, using the toilet, wrangling a toddler, etc. as carryons I have my travel stroller (a maclaren that gets gate checked) which I use as a baggage cart for a small duffle bag and my toddler's backpack (a tiny bag full of toys/snacks that are the most essential things to have close when everything else must be stowed for takeoff). My duffle has bags inside it separating changing items, toys, snacks for us both, fresh clothes, and my purse or travel wallet. I use an ergo to carry my daughter but also bring her harness so she can walk if carrying her is becoming to uncomfortable for me. I needed the stroller at my destination; if you don't you might be able to do without, although I think it's very much worth it to bring one.</p> <p>One other packing point to consider is that on such a short flight, you might be in a very small plane with narrow aisles, and limited overhead and floor storage space. If that's the case you will probably want nothing bigger than a backpack with you onboard so that you're easily able to get it out and access the items you need most - that would be really tough with a rolly bag because once it's up, there's literally no room to take it down and rummage through it, while a smaller bag will be more accessible and can possibly be kept at your feet.</p> <p>For entertainment On these most recent flights, The best distractions for my daughter proved to be food in containers that was a little extra work to get out (raisins in a little box, for example), a clean empty peanut butter jar stuffed with little toys we wouldn't care if we lost (plastic chew rings, a little teddy bear weight from a helium balloon, a sequin headband, stretchy phone cord bracelets, finger puppets) - she spent 30 mins plus taking these in and out; and a few random items in packages for her to work on opening (a toddler toothbrush was a big hit). The iPad helped a bit but couldn't be used during takeoff and landing, which were the hardest times for me because she just did not want to sit still on my lap. She was squirming and shouting "DOWN, Mommy!" - that's when I used the things mentioned above (or recited her fav book while turning the pages of the flight magazine for her, haha).</p> <p>God luck! You will be fine! If you come up with any great toy/ travel tips based on your experience, please share - I'm sure my ideas will get stale with my LO soon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-with-19-m-for-the-first-time#post-1206592 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 03:17:28 +0000 erinpye 1206592@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just flew solo, pregnant, with my 18 month old a few weeks ago- it was her first flight and it was 2.5 hours. It was honestly so much easier than I expected. Yes to bringing a stroller and checking a bag. Bring and check a carseat unless whoever's picking you up has one. Lots of snacks, books and iPad games are all we needed to stay busy on the flight. Bring a blankie since flights get cold. S still takes a binky, so I made sure she had it for take off and landing, to help her ears, but a lollipop also works.</p> <p>Also, kind of scary, even though I had it with me, not a single person asked for her birth cert. or any kind of identification. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-with-19-m-for-the-first-time#post-1206310 Sat, 09 Nov 2013 20:43:53 +0000 emahlee 1206310@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am travelling with my toddler son for a week and like you, want to avoid checking in our luggage. What do you plan on packing? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-with-19-m-for-the-first-time#post-1201442 Thu, 07 Nov 2013 10:57:18 +0000 regberadaisy 1201442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@buffalove: good to know about the security line, thanks!</p> <p>Dumb question, I assume her birth certificate will be enough since it's domestic? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-with-19-m-for-the-first-time#post-1201301 Thu, 07 Nov 2013 10:26:00 +0000 irene 1201301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't traveled solo with LO before but I have traveled with him many times with the husband. If I were to travel solo I would consider the following:</p> <p>- I would either have an umbrella stroller or a baby/toddler carrier. That is a must. (because you still have to carry her and walk through both airports) </p> <p>- If I were to travel solo in your situation, I would have a good baby/toddler carrier (carry in the front), a hand carry diaper bag (back pack?), and a carry on rolling suitcase. I find the diaper bag super important because it gets filled up very quickly with all the stuff - magnetic drawing board, ipad, books, drinks, small toys, food, diapers, wipes, wallet...etc. This arrangement maybe better than an umbrella stroller, because if you are pushing the stroller, you only get a backpack as carry on, and since you don't want to check bags, it wouldn't have enough space for everything.</p> <p>- This doesn't apply to you but an extra tip: A friend of mine who traveled solo a lot with her LO said, she would fit everything in a back pack. Then she has these wheels purchased for her car seat. This way you can pull the car seat like a hand carry luggage with your child sitting on it. She doesn't bring a stroller or carrier, but this is an efficient way of bringing the carseat and having something for her LO to sit on. I think she checked bags though.</p> <p>- If you decide to bring a stroller, consider buying a cover for it (if it doesn't already come with it). I'd imagine they get dirty pretty easily with all the handling at gate check! Anything that checks (Car seat, stroller...etc) should have a cover IMHO :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-with-19-m-for-the-first-time#post-1199590 Wed, 06 Nov 2013 13:07:12 +0000 sarac 1199590@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you don't have to change planes, and you have people dropping you off and picking you up, I'd personally be more inclined to ditch the checked bag and stroller. </p> <p>You'll need a backpack/diaper bag as your carry on. I suggest packing it for maximum ease of toy access. When I did this, I carried on one big backpack, with things carefully separated into different sections. One little pouch for my id, money, tickets and phone. One zip bag with diapers, wipes, and an extra little trash bag. One bag with a total change of clothing. One bag with snacks and food (on top, because you'll take it out at security). Then several (new) toys, none of which had small parts or made noise. Then my tablet in a protective case with lots of cartoons. We did 6 hours of flying (alone) with a layover just fine like this. </p> <p>I had a stroller that I gate checked (mostly for the layovers), but sounds like maybe you could skip it. If your child won't walk, can you baby wear? If your toddler will stay with you, and you can manage a backpack and a rolling suitcase until you get to your family, you can probably save the checked bag fee. But I know that I really appreciated not needing to deal with anything besides kid, stroller, and backpack. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-with-19-m-for-the-first-time#post-1199085 Wed, 06 Nov 2013 09:59:08 +0000 winniebee 1199085@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: I pack a duffel bag/ carry on for the flight - one side contains my stuff (wallet, keys, phone, water) and other side has diaper stuff. Middle area has keys and snacks. I'd check a bag for your visit. I've only ever flown with LO with my husband but always take a stroller. Airports are big and if you are in a rush for whatever reason it's a must. </p> <p>We've always had longer flights but he's usually entertained for awhile by bubble guppies on the iPad and bad snacks (lollipop) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-with-19-m-for-the-first-time#post-1199064 Wed, 06 Nov 2013 09:50:39 +0000 BoogieBea 1199064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: She just has one of those skip hop rollers. They won't last a long time or anything but it's a good size for kids and fits quite a bit in there. She probably started using it around 18 months since her brother has a roller. She insists on doing everything he does. It took her a little bit to figure out how to use it, but it comes with tucked away straps that an adult can use to throw it on their shoulder. We took at trip a month or 2 before she turned 2 and she had no problems wheeling it around. It does it us a longer time to get around though so I always prepare to get to the airport earlier than usual. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-with-19-m-for-the-first-time#post-1199013 Wed, 06 Nov 2013 09:33:14 +0000 Foodnerd81 1199013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was going to say the same as @buffalove: -- even if she isn't in the stroller, it might be nice to put your other stuff in it while carrying LO. BUT-- I have never flown with a LO, much less solo, so don't listen to me :) </p> <p>Good luck! And report back with what works best for you :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-with-19-m-for-the-first-time#post-1198843 Wed, 06 Nov 2013 08:12:06 +0000 buffalove 1198843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaCate: this is exactly what I'd do. The stroller is nice to contain LO since you're alone, even if it's for a short amount of time. and you can use it as a cart for your carry on if LO wants to walk. </p> <p>I'd also check the bag. One less thing you have to wrangle onto the plane. </p> <p>You can go through the handicapped/special assistance line on the far right in our airport :) The agents were all really helpful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-with-19-m-for-the-first-time#post-1198756 Wed, 06 Nov 2013 07:32:48 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 1198756@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I packed everything into a big diaper bag, but a backpack would have been better. I had the carseat on a dolly and she rode in that most of the way to and from the terminal. I also had squeaky shoes on her in case she decided to run (which she did... A lot). Our flight was 2.5 hours, so 1.5 should be super easy. I kept her busy by either walking the aisle or watching videos on my Kindle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-with-19-m-for-the-first-time#post-1198744 Wed, 06 Nov 2013 07:26:43 +0000 lamariniere 1198744@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Agree, if you are flying solo, you don't want to deal with overhead bins.</p> <p>I would check your luggage and just deal with a carry on.</p> <p>The rest sounds good, especially for a short flight. I found that that newer iphone earbuds fit into my son's ears pretty well without falling out.</p> <p>As for the stroller, I think you could get by without one, especially if you don't need one when you arrive. Do you have an Ergo or other carrier you could take along in case you need to hold her? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-with-19-m-for-the-first-time#post-1198731 Wed, 06 Nov 2013 07:21:28 +0000 looch 1198731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have fun!!!!! So glad you are getting to go home!</p> <p>I always pack a carry on bag to put under my seat. If you have a lap child and you're in the window, you want your stuff near you, not in the overhead bin (i hate the overhead bins, lol). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-with-19-m-for-the-first-time#post-1198509 Tue, 05 Nov 2013 23:27:03 +0000 MamaCate 1198509@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I flew solo with LO at 18 months. We did fine and a 1.5 hour flight is fast.</p> <p>It was really nice to have the stroller to keep her contained when i had to do things like stand in line to check bag, go through security, etc. we did one big rolling checked bag, a diaper bag and tiny backpack but the backpack was mostly for back up toys because we had a total of about 4 hours flying time. </p> <p>I gate checked the stroller without a bag or anything and it came out fine on all 4 flights. We have the first years ignite. I would do it, but you know your LO best and if she won't sit in it, then it is a waste. Does your LO like to push the stroller? That bought us some time in the airport during a delay with our connection... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-with-19-m-for-the-first-time#post-1198088 Tue, 05 Nov 2013 19:19:00 +0000 regberadaisy 1198088@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BoogieBea: I was thinking about getting her a small luggage,! How old was your LO when they started using one? I'm not sure she has the coordination yet. She does have a popper she pulls around. </p> <p> @chopsuey: @T-Mom: I'm still on the fence regarding the stroller. I'm just afraid she won't sit in it and I'll end up trying to carry a stroller and her . Not such a big deal in my small airport but a pain at JFK. But the jet blue airport isn't huge. </p> <p>We're going Thursday morning to Monday afternoon. I'm super low maintenance so won't need much. She sleeps just fine away without her sound machine so I won't be packing that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-with-19-m-for-the-first-time#post-1197971 Tue, 05 Nov 2013 18:16:27 +0000 chopsuey 1197971@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>fun! I think an umbrella stroller would be helpful. I'd probably pack everything in a back pack. You can just do laundry a lot if needed. When I flew solo with DD when she was 17 months old and I was 20 weeks pregnant I took a carry on luggage and my umbrella. Was a pain in the butt, but I made it work! Was nice being able to take her monitor, sound machine and enough clothes for both of us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-with-19-m-for-the-first-time#post-1197851 Tue, 05 Nov 2013 16:58:16 +0000 BoogieBea 1197851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We'll be back in NYC for thanksgiving as well! :happy: I hate hate flying into JFK, my stress level accelerates as soon as I step foot in that airport. I think you'll be perfectly fine with a 1.5 hour flight as long as there's no delay. Since this is her first time flying, her fascination with the new surroundings will keep her busy for quite a bit. How long are you going for? You might be able to do it for sure with just a carry on depending how much clothing you would need in ny.<br /> My kids enjoy running around the airport so they didn't really use the stroller when we brought one. They also each have their own rollers and love rolling it around like everyone else at the airport. The plus is, they're carrying their own toys in their bags.<br /> Good luck! I think your LO will do just fine! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-with-19-m-for-the-first-time#post-1197809 Tue, 05 Nov 2013 16:40:59 +0000 T-Mom 1197809@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yay! Glad you're going!! Stroller is a must for us. Umbrella stroller that folds down easy for security and then check it at the gate. I think you have enough stuff to keep her occupied on the plane. 1.5 hr is gonna be a breeze! By the time you get to altitude and they do one round of beverages, you are going to be strapped in again for landing! :-) I have done both carry on and checked luggage. I always board as early as possible if I'm bringing a carry on to make sure I get overhead space. Dump LO in the seat first, and then get the luggage in the overhead. My DD hated the headphones at that age but you may have more success. There is so much noise on the plane that we were able to get by without it with the volume on at a reasonable level. You can do it! Oh and I'm an overpacker, but I always pack two bags. One is like the diaper bag and the other is food and entertainment. Since your DD can have a personal item too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-solo-with-19-m-for-the-first-time#post-1197791 Tue, 05 Nov 2013 16:34:20 +0000 regberadaisy 1197791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Last minute flight to go see my family for Thanksgiving and I will be doing it solo. It will also be her first time flying! </p> <p>The flight is only 1.5 hours. On the way down we're flying in the morning and on the way back we're flying around nap time.<br /> I just bought her a magnetic drawing board I don't plan to give her till the plane. I'll also bring my iPad and download a few apps. Food and drinks for her. If our seat mates are friendly then I think she will do fine because she is at a very social stage. If not, hopefully new toys will provide useful distraction. I think I will also buy her a pair of headphones soon and start getting her used to it. </p> <p>We're going to visit my family so I'm not planning to bring a car seat or stroller. I'm hoping my SIL might be able to borrow a car seat from a friend. Do you think having the stroller in the airport will be helpful? </p> <p>I am unsure on whether if I should fit all our stuff into a backpack? Or bring a rolling suitcase? I hate checking luggage but I will if everyone tells me it's crazy not to! </p> <p>Fingers crossed there are no delays because we're flying into JFK on Thanksgiving which is notorious for delays! </p> <p>I will take any and all tips! </p>