Ask the Domestic Life Stylist: Travel Tips for Flying Solo with a Baby

Ask The Domestic Life Stylist

Lisa our resident fine living expert answers your questions each Thursday.

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I am getting ready to travel with my baby solo for the first time and to say that I am nervous is putting it “lightly”. Do you have any best practices or tips for traveling with a baby? I know that I am probably overreacting but I feel like it is justified. Help! 

Molly, New New Jersey

Traveling with a baby can be a nerve racking experience especially if you are doing it alone. Here are some things you can do make both your travel experiences as smooth as possible.

Get Some Rest

The night before your flight, both you and your baby need as much rest as possible. That means no staying up late the night before doing any last minute packing. Set a deadline for yourself for packing and be done with it. Items like diapers, wipes, sippy cups and changing pads should be packed from the night before.

Other things that you will need in the morning can be tossed into your carry-on bag before you hit the door. By the way, make it easy on yourself and carry a larger handbag that can double as your diapers bag. Put in things like snacks (for you and baby), pacifiers, toys, nursing cover, baby bottle, items for diaper changing and anything else you may need.

Pack Light

It’s a thin line between being prepared and over packing. Therefore, save some space where you can. For example taking an infant carrier on your trip instead of a stroller is a great way to save space and minimize unnecessary bulk.

See: How to Travel light with Young Kids

Ask for Help

Whether it be paying a baggage handler to help check in your bags or asking an on-board flight attendant to hold your baby briefly while you use the bathroom, airline staff is there to help. As a matter of fact, flight attendants often willingly offer assistance when they notice a parent traveling alone with a little one. Take advantage of family boarding that airlines like Southwest have which allow families with young children to board the aircraft early. Etihad airlines even offers a flying nanny service on long flights.

The point is, you are not alone even if you think you are. Most passengers are quite helpful if you ask politely. I once heard of a plane passenger offering her lap so that the lady next to her could let her little boy stretch out to sleep.

So take a few deep breaths and start packing… your journey awaits.

 

Come back on Thursday for another edition of “Ask The Domestic Life Stylist”.

Submit a question here.

You can also tweet a question to Dlifestylist on Twitter or email me at ask{at}thedomesticlifestylist{dot}com. I will select one question to answer every Thursday.

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Lisa is a pharmacist turned fine living/travel writer & founder of The Domestic Life Stylist, following her passion for all things food, family and travel. Read more of her lifestyle tips on her blog, learn effective fine living strategies, family travel tips and expand your culinary horizons.