How to navigate airport security alone with a newborn?

[Gemmy96]

I'm planning to hold her in a sling throughout the journey but I have no clue how to go about navigating security with a sling. Presumably they'll ask me to remove it and carry my baby through security. How on earth do you do this without having to lie the baby down on some disgusting airport surface or attempting it one-handed? With my hand-eye coordination this would not go well. I have to travel (short domestic journey thank goodness) but this specifically is really stressing me out.

You’re overthinking this. Backpack. Baby in sling. Lift baby out of sling, pop baby back into sling.

I'm not necessarily overthinking it, I'm autistic and want to know what to expect. I don't think I have the coordination to take my baby out of the sling, remove the sling, put the sling back on, and put my baby back on without some kind of surface, so I'm looking for advice. I don't have the option of travelling with someone else so the whole idea is quite anxiety-inducing.

I think the OP means she will have to take the sling off to go through the scanner, and what happens with the baby while she does this... (and putting it back on)

@Gemmy96 in my experience, you will get shepherded to the accessible / family / fast track route, when they spot you are a lone traveller with a baby, and they will be as helpful as they can. If necessary, tuck a big muslin or little baby blanket into the edge of your sling, that you can whip out and lay on the floor to place the baby on for a moment if you have to, but I honestly think they won't make you do that. They may let you walk through the scanner with your baby still in the sling, and then wave you over with the wand afterwards instead.

If your Autistic.. you go to the special assistance desk.
Ask for a sunflower lanyard and help through security.
An helper will take you to the front of security and help you and the baby through all the way to the plane.
My daughter has done it many times when her son was a baby. He's eight now. Both ASD both get special assistance.
Good luck

Keep her in a buggy. You
Can take the buggy with you until you board and honestly I was shocked at how easy it is do do security with kids. They practically let you walk right through to the plane. I'd defo use a buggy baby can sleep and take the sling just incase. It won't be so bad everyone around you will help.

See if you can book special assistance before you go (check with airline), they may be able to fast track you or provide help. Or you can pay for fast track security which isn't very expensive, it would just mean less queuing

many airports have tables near the scanners for packing / repacking luggage. look up if the airport you are travelling from has a detailed guide for autistic passengers which may show information like this.

and yes, do get the sunflower lanyard and go for the family route if there is one.

if you can name the airports you are using, people familiar with the route can probably give specific advice.

Agree with above, do get sunflower lanyard assistance, and use a buggy. Doing it this way is just so easy, and staff are very kind too, in my experience anyway.

I’m just kind of laughing at the idea of asking for assistance just because you have ASD. I know that it is there for the people who need it, but not everyone with autism needs assistance. Some of us just need to think through the steps of new procedures so we can be prepared.

op, if security were not an issue, I would go for something really sturdy for traversing an airport. However for security, I think my first choice would be a simple sling. I was going to say a ring sling, but the metal ring will set off the scanner so they won’t be able to have you leave that on if they are feeling generous. I’m not sure what to suggest in that regard.

what I would do is bring a small blanket that is plasticky on one side and soft on the other. You are going to have to set the baby down during your travels. It is unavoidable. So plan ahead for it and bring something with obvious sides that you can lay baby down on.

Put luggage on belt. lay baby on blanket. Take off sling. Drop sling in a bin. Pick up baby. Drop blanket in a bin. Walk through scanner. Pick up blanket. Lay baby down. Pick up sling and get situated. Pick up baby. Retrieve luggage.

you can use wipes to clean off the plasticy side of the blanket before putting back in your bag.

if there is a family line, use that. Don’t worry about taking a long time. It is going to take a long time. Just own it and arrive early. Tuck yourself to the side and other people will move past you.

Sunflower assistance is not someone holding your hand, it is a service that smooths the procedures and takes away most of the stress of an air journey.

OP can decide if she wants it or not, but it is there for a reason and that is to help if you want it.

Definitely keep your pram , much easier

..definitely look at using Fast Track security. It doesn’t cost much and without the crowds gives you more space and time to process things. Am also autistic and it really helps me, although I can’t vouch for travelling with babies - we didn’t fly with them until the youngest was 7, I think my head - and hers - would have exploded! Good luck.

I have ASD.

I didn’t travel with a newborn but a 6 month old at the time. She was in a sling.

I don’t recall the details, but I recall having to take the sling off, take baby out and put the baby on one of the packing tables while I was putting the sling back on after security.

Hygiene didn’t bother me (they come in contact with worse germs in their life), but if this is a problem for you get a mat or a small blanket to put the baby on.

Pram/ buggy wasn’t an option for me as those practicalities/ uncertainties stressed me out.

Hello, autistic babywearing mum here who has travelled solo with a sling.

what type of sling do you have? If a stretchy they may well let you keep it on. Regardless

1. go to family area
2. put liquids in little bag
3. put all your things in the tray
4. ask if you have to remove baby.
5. if you do, lift her out and put sling on belt
6. carry baby through scanner
7. ask a member of staff or friendly looking fellow parent to hold for a min while you put sling back on, someone won’t mind

good luck xx

I took a stroller and through security, little one was held by me. Wasn't asked to leave her.

Just carry her or use a pushchair like everywhere else.

I‘ve travelled solo with a baby a few times. I either put her in the buggy (if I brought it) while I removed the sling, put her down in the tray on top of my coat (big soft one) while I took off and put on the sling (no buggy available) or took up the offer of assistance from a member of security to hold her while I removed or put on the sling.

This! Dont hesitate to ask someone for help to hold the baby for a minute. Most people will be very willing to help (and they can’t runaway with your baby in the middle of airport security 😊)

Pushchairs needed to be folded and put on the belt the last time I went through security. Luckily I had someone with me to do it whilst I held baby. You'll have a baby bag with you? Pack a change mat in there and worst case scenario just set baby down on there whilst you take sling off and on?

We went through Heathrow with a 6 month old and they let her stay in the sling.