Tips for flying with ds alone

[Eyre89]

Hi I'm flying from Bristol to Newcastle alone with 15 month old DS

Not taking my pushchair as it doesn't fold in 1 it's 2 parts so with that him and carry on luggage I won't be able to manage I don't think. He's not walking fully yet though so not sure whether that's a bad idea or not? But I'll not be able to put him down to collapse it or put it back up after going through the scanners.

Was just going to carry him and put his favourite books in our carry on as he will usually sit for up to 40minutes reading with me and also a few toys. But then I think it will probably be so easy to be distracted in the airport.

Any tips for me?

Thank you.

Personally I would go and buy a really cheap stroller, carrying a 15 month old with a carry on will be a nightmare

Get a sling. Boba 4g you can use on back for at airports like now until 3/4 years if needed. Leaving you hands free

Would he sit on a trunki? I can't remember if they'd be capable of staying on one at that age! But might solve your problem if he could?

go buy a cheap pushchair umbrella fold www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9104213.htm you willuse it again and again so worth while

bear in mind you might get delayed or have long walk either end so cheap pushchair is your friend. you take to the airplane itself.

Don't take more luggage than you can handle.

How I thought I was going to push a buggy and pull a suitcase at the same time I will never know.

Thanks all

I don't think he'd sit on a trunki but it's a possibility.

I did think should I just get a cheap stroller. Seems like the best option.

I do have a carrier but I'm assuming I'd have to in lip it for scanners but a sling could be an idea too

Thanks ladies will look at cheap strollers. X

It sounds so simple but it's not. Dp self employed can't take time off. Going home to see family who've only seen DS twice. I didn't even think about delays. And I've just seen it's the school holidays! X

Another recommendation for a cheap stroller. You can take it up to the gate.

Another cheap stroller vote here.
We did this for a holiday and I ended up using it most of the time when I got home!

Yet another vote for a cheap stroller.

We bought one when doing a lot of long haul flights and sightseeing with DD2 (aged 3!!). Best money we have ever spent. She wasn't a great walker and between jet lag and the changes in temperature she got tired very fast.

Very handy for hanging your rucksack on the handles too. (Which is my other advice - don't use a rolling suitcase as your carry one - use a rucksack so you can have your hands free all the time.)

Bottle/cup/lollipop for take off and landing. A few new toys (or ones he hasn't seen in a while) and some stories and he'll be fine, it's a short flight and there'll be plenty to keep him occupied. both of mine got hours of entertainment from the safety cards

I have flown virtually every two weeks the last 5 years with a child or x2. From weeks old. The easiest def is a sling as at many airports you don't get pram back until luggage area and often in oversized so you need to mission there. A sling means if you get stuck queuing at passport control baby can sleep in sling happily. Also I have seen many cheap stroller snap

My problem was when I had newborn in sling and eldest was only 15 months! I use to still just sling as would have baby on front and elder on back if needed ( he could walk at 15 months though so could get him to walk if awake)

Entertainment wise I always just took a few thin books at this age and miniature toys like mini dinosaurs ( play in disposable cups/ trays from plane for ages with a plastic spoon!). From about 2 1/2 I added paper and pencils

They will often let you take a stroller to the gate, then load it into the hold.

I flew alone from luton to Edinburgh with DD when she was a similar age and also not walking. I had a backpack for our carry-on, which left my hands free, and had her in a cheap umbrella-fold stroller. I remember being surprised by how smoothly it went - and pleasantly surprised by how much help I got from other passengers.

If you're flying with easyjet, get their app on your phone - saves fiddling around with boarding cards, tickets, etc, and gives you flight info - and keep it in a pocket. Put everything you're likely to need - changing bag (I'd get a changing wallet if you don't have one already), purse, etc - at the top or in an easily accessed part of your bag. Remember your liquids need to be in 100ml or less containers, and sealed in a clear plastic bag (again, put it where you can get to it easily), and wear shoes you can slip on and off for going through security. All of this will help minimise your chance of having to juggle a screaming baby whilst trying to get through check-in/security/on the plane!

Honestly, I had thought it would be a nightmare, but it really wasn't too bad.

Thank you all some really good tips there.

Dp seems to think it'll all be fine just carry him I think not. Trying to decide on a stroller now and a back pack is a really good idea.

I agree with stroller and bag pack. We flew regularly with DD and always had ours until the gate. You need your hands free.

Ask your DH to carry a fussy child for 30 minutes plus a bag on his back. At least 20 minutes of this he has to stand fairly still and shuffle only. Let us know how long he lasts.

We normally just bought a bottle of water (with sports cap) after security, the flight is not long but your DS may need something to suck to help with his ears.

Why don't you ask some friends and other mums you know in your area if they could lend you a stroller and a back pack? This way you might even be able to test a few and avoid to purchasee something that is not right or that you might rarely use in any case... And surely your friends will be very happy to help you too ;-)