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Flying solo with a 10 week old on Easyjet flight. Advice needed

16 replies

Diex · 30/01/2020 17:07

Hi,
I'm travelling on an easyjet flight in February to the netherlands to visit my family, however my partner isnt able to come with me.
I have done some research into flying on my own but would love some tricks and tips on how to make this as easy and reasonable stressfree for the both as possible.
I already have some idea regarding being able to take the carseat with carrier to the gate and to feed on lift off and take off.
But any other tips specifically for traveling on my own that would help would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance :)

OP posts:
forkfun · 30/01/2020 17:15

I recommend checking baggage and only taking nappy bag. If your stroller is car seat compatible, you can take the whole pram to the gate. Otherwise I'd person prefer a sling and just nappy bag and check the car seat in (I always find them very cumbersome to carry).

If you're breastfeeding, you don't have to worry about bottles. Otherwise I recommend getting the tetra pack ready mixed formula. Take more than you think you need in case if delays. Ditto for nappies.

I always fly with minimal items for me (I even put my winter coat in the checked suitcase). Also, wear joggers or legging. More comfy to sit in with a baby on top of you. And easier to deal with when you need the loo. Don't wear jewellery, watches, etc. That way you won't set the sensors off, removing the need to do that annoying personal security check.

For what it's worth, I flew with my kids when they were weeks old. Remember, it's a short flight. Even if they scream, fuss or puke all over you, it's soon over.

MadamePewter · 30/01/2020 17:21

EasyJet have always been great when I’ve flown with young children and let you board first and stuff.
I don’t know whether your lo has a dummy, but mine needed something to suck on for take off and landing although by the time we flew first he didn’t generally have one.

Diex · 01/02/2020 19:14

fantastic stuff, thank you both. I've seen those ready made milks, i might use those instead of bringing loads of bottles, they are much easier to use. Great tip, thank you.
He does have a dummy so i'll make sure he uses that for take of and landing.

OP posts:
HeddaGarbled · 01/02/2020 20:22

Most times I have flown EasyJet we have queued down a staircase before boarding, so car seat will be easier to manage than pram.

Diex · 01/02/2020 21:27

He's to young for a pram anyway so definitely will be car seat. But very true about the stairs so hopefully someone will help me with that.

OP posts:
RitaTheBeater · 01/02/2020 21:31

Take a sling and take as little baggage as you can manage, take a change of clothes for each of you in your hand luggage.

WishThisWasLangClegGin · 01/02/2020 21:52

Did that route lots of times with dd1 when she was a baby. People will offer lots of help. Once I nearly left her at security as they offered to hold her while I emptied my pockets and tasted the expressed milk(to show it hadn't been tampered with)

Another time a Belgian Male voice choir entertained her playing peekaboo and she had a guard of honour, all helping to collect our bags and get outside!

I would pop a t shirt and leggings for you in your nappy bag. Once we were delayed on the run way for technical reasons and she puked all over me. Yes it's a short flight, but in case of any delays.

If you are formula feeding you pick up the ready made carton airside. Boots do a click and collect service to pre-order so they have the right ones.

Finally Dutch security is very strict coming back into the country so make sure you have a letter from your partner with travel dates and addresses giving you permission.

DH once was taken aside for an hour as he didn't have one and they couldn't get hold of me. He is Dutch! Same surname but DD on British Passport even though it was a return flight booked by ME! We normally take a copy of birth cert and write a letter on the back of a photocopy of the non-travelling parents passport. We always get asked for it if alone, years. Other countries hardly give a sideways glance!

You will be fine.

Solasum · 01/02/2020 22:01

Definitely change for both of you somewhere easy to get to. My DS has been flying since he was tiny, and yet somehow I always used to forget how bad a flier he was and end up covered in his vomit for hour after hour while he was in lovely clean clothes. Ick

Diex · 04/02/2020 16:07

@WishThisWasLangClegGin excellent advice about writing onthe back of a passport. We have got a letter ready and i've got his BC but we hadn't thought of that. Thank you

I hope i can fit in some clothes in the nappy bag. I have 2 nappy bags but don't find them as big as i thought they would be. Unless I overpack them all the time..

OP posts:
Bobbybobbins · 04/02/2020 16:58

I would use a sling if possible. Take a spare set if clothes - my DS was sick all over me during take off. Luckily we had spare clothes for him. Not for me Blush

LeGrandBleu · 05/02/2020 04:23

Everything has already been written , so there isn't much to add.

Maybe a small blanket as sometimes it is freezing in planes, and if for some reason, you need two hands at some point and nobody really wants to help (happened to me on a Ryanair flight), you can put blanket on floor and baby on blanket.

And concerning the change, since witnessing an hostess carrying a tray of drinks losing her balance and having the whole tray fly on top of a woman two rows in front of me on a flight Sydney-London, I always carry a change of clothes for myself as well. That poor woman had to stay wet and dirty from fruit juices for more than 15 hours!

Did someone mention wipes? a lot of wipes and an empty plastic bag to put soiled clothes? Because it is when you are low on wipes that babies do the biggest poos in history up to their neck. It will certainly be fine and pleasant, but better safe than sorry!

Diex · 05/02/2020 11:14

@LeGrandBleu I usually carry wipes but I'll definitely make sure I'll take a full pack and maybe extra. I'll bring a sling too but I don't want to carry him around the airport in it. He's quite a big baby and gets so heavy. So only for getting on and off the plane is fine.

Also the blanket is a good idea. Unfortunately easyjet it's sooo small it probably won't have space on the floor. But I might ask for a seat with an empty seat next to it so that I can put him on a blanket there if needed. We'll see. Thank you for the tip. I might need to being an extra bag at this rate 😂👍.

OP posts:
LeGrandBleu · 05/02/2020 18:47

@Diex they won't let you keep baby on the floor for safety reasons, sadly. I used the blanket when I needed to collapse the pram and nobody helped and as I needed two hands, I put my coat on the ground and bad on the coat , people were rushing past me to get whatever seat they wanted and none helped - we are talking the early years of Ryanair before the seats selection - and again later as I had to use the toilet and nobody offered two arm, so again, put coat on floor.

My kids are all teenagers now and one is even driving but from what I remember, you can arrive up to the plane door with the pram/stroller and someone will take it from you there. They will usually put a label on it at the check in. The issue is when you arrive as some companies will give it back to you at the plane stairs/finger, but many will send the pram / stroller with the luggage, so you will have to carry baby up to the luggage delivery belt and there maybe you can open yours with one hand.

Sometimes, strollers and pram are delivered on another belt.

It happened once in Tenerife, that they broke a wheel, so even if you have a sling, open your stroller to check it wasn't damaged.

I wouldn't take two bags, but a bigger travel / sport bag kind of bag with a cross body strap with the IDs plus wallet in a side pocket. You need your hands.

If you have the carseat, you can't have two bags. I would send the car seat with the luggage as it is very heavy and awkward to carry through an airport, unless locked in its wheeled structure.

  • 1 change for you + 2 changes for baby + empty plastic/ bin bag
  • changing mat + 1 new wipes packet (1 packet is fine if full) + nappies
  • 2 bottles + ready formula
  • 3 dummies
  • 1 small blanket
  • a small new toy, such as a small puppet, I have found puppets great entertainers and very light to carry/.

It is a short flight, it will be quick and easy.

Diex · 05/02/2020 18:59

Ah I see what you mean regarding the blanket. Hopefully someone will be kind enough to help but always good to be sure.

I was never going to carry the carseat on its own, it's waaay to heavy with him in it I meant with the wheeled structure.

And bringing the baby sling will help if the carseat ends up on the belt.

Thanks for the tips about what to bring. I'm sure it'll all be absolutely fine.

OP posts:
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 05/02/2020 21:08

Personally I would wrap the car seat up or get a travel bag, it's liable to get bashed around a bit (also check you can take it, even on wheels, to the gate, it might only be a one piece pushchair, but you are allowed 2 bits of baby luggage)

MichaelMosleyisagod · 05/02/2020 21:13

Sling!! And feed on take off/landing to help ears pop

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