Flying with 9 month old on my own, an I mad?

[CH1994]

Hey everyone,

Just looking for some reassurance, I am flying next month on my own from the UK to Dubai with my 9 month old daughter to see family (other half can't make it due to scheduled holidays later in the year) in all honesty if I knew it wouldn't lead to massive disappointment I probably would have cancelled going as I feel so anxious about the flight! I have pre booked a bassinet seat which is great however they are only in the middle of a row of three seats or four seats so I'm worried someone will sit next to me on the aisle and I will need in and out if wee one is unsettled and this just adding extra stress feeling like a nuisance. I have booked a night flight departing at 7pm in the hope she will sleep (usually sleeps pretty well) and I am flying Emirates which I have nothing but good things about when it comes to kids. So I was just wondering if anyone has done anything similar or have any hints or tips? Maybe I'm just working myself up too much about it!

It will be fine. I flew with DS on my own from when he was about 3 or 4 months.

Night flight is a good idea. I used to put him in PJs before we boarded and try to keep his usually routine of food and bottle.

They will dim the lights after the meal service and it will be quiet.

I did do lots of flights with him asleep in my arms rather than a bassinet but It as fine. I didn’t do long haul but did two flights as had to change.

The bassinets are only on the extra leg room bulkhead seats so no worries about getting past people. I’ve done this journey twice with a child similar age and it was tiring but fine. About to do it again with 2 smalls, argh! Take plenty snacks, books, a couple of little toys they haven’t seen. It’ll be fine. Get a pushchair you can take to the aircraft doors to minimise time carrying and hopefully allow a sleepy transfer on arrival. Good luck!

Also the plane will be chilly so take extra layers/blankets

And shorts and t shirt in hand luggage to change into on arrival!

You’ll be fine.

I came back to the UK with dd1 (2y8m) and dd2 (13m) from Oz in my own. I did purchase an extra seat for dd2 so we could stretch out and she wasn’t always on my lap. Only on take off and landing.

You’ll be laughing with a night flight 😴

I was fine at three and 8 months. And DD wasn't a calm baby!

9 months is a good age

Check on size/weight limits for the bassinet - by 9 months both my DC were too big and heavy to use them, but airlines vary and admittedly my DC were both 98th centile for height/weight at that stage.

I agree that 9 months is quite a good age to fly - it's the time between them starting to crawl and being old enough to sit still and amuse themselves with colouring, videos etc that is the toughest stage to fly. Still survivable, though.

My top tip for flying with anyone under age 3 is to make sure you have at least one change of clothes for not just the DC but also yourself in your hand luggage, plus several big ziploc bags. I had occasion to be very grateful for this advice when baby DD threw up all over me and herself a couple of hours into a 12 flight.

Yep it can get v messy

Night flights are good the hardest part is she might end up on you sleeping so if she does use any time when she is in the bassinet to walk a bit

I flew a lot when child was that age (admittedly only shorter haul alone) and its really OK once they are settled. Lots of snacks, I found those banana pouches great, bottles if you dont bf, anything that gets their attention or soothes and calms.
I found a sling handy for getting on and off. I always make sure I have everything I need, water, phone nearby.
Tell the air stewards you are flying alone, I'm sure they'll be helpful :)

Emirates are great with small children. We got waved past lots of the queues in Dubai airport too when travelling with kids.

Make the most of fellow passengers who take an interest in your daughter! Use them to keep him occupied and give you a break. Once some young teens happily played peekaboo with my little DD for quite a while (I think they were very bored!) and an oldish lady enjoyed having dd her on lap for half an hour. Another young teen girl jumped at the chance to cuddle DD and took her on a few laps of the plane so I was able to read a book! So basically if anyone takes an interest, ask if they'd like to have a cuddle!
Flight attendants are normally happy to watch small children while you go to the toilet. Just make sure you don't time it when want to be serving food and drinks. Sometimes, when a flight attendant notices an upset baby, they will offer to help by holding the child. Be my guest, is what I'd say!
Pack some extra clothes in your carry-on, for both DS and yourself. Also pack a snug fitting hat to put on if the aircon is bothering her or to pull over her ears or eyes to help her sleep or just to play peekaboo with!

My top toys for travel are:
A small set of stacking cups (great for playing games with hiding Cheerios and raisins!)
One pot of Playdough
Teething rings
Baby activity mirror which you can strap on the back of the seat in front.
Early Learning Centre Chain Links
A high chair toy with suction
A few small envelopes for hiding toys and snacks for them to open. Cheerios and raisins work well.
Two or three finger puppets or a hand puppet
When my Dd was that age, she loved playing a game where we'd stick post-its all over the back of the seat in front of us and she would peel them all off! She also loved sticking post-its on herself and me! Amused her for ages.
Take a small bit of bubblewrap for popping if you have some at home. Pipe cleaners can be taken in hand luggage and are fantastic fun.

Lastly, don't worry if she cries. Even though you may have eye rolls from travellers around you, just remember that you will probably never see them again and you are not the only one in this situation!

Thank you everyone for the positive feedback it's put my mind at rest! In the grand scheme of things 7-8 hours isn't a huge amount of time (although if dd cries it will probably feel like an eternity 😂) can anyone tell me how I can work bottles? I like a 3 hour drive from airport so total journey time from my house to my mums is going to be around about 15 hours. I'm used to using the prep machine and have just used thermos bags for when I'm out and about so pretty clueless as to what the best option is for such a long time. I have 5 MAM bottles so that will be more than enough to cover the time!

Can’t help with bottles but just came across this website when checking bassinet weights as PP recommended! www.flyingwithababy.com/essential-airline-bassinet-information-chart/#airline-bassinet-table

You can get ready made milk cartons at the airport. Pre order them from Boots (after security).

I flew alone with my eldest at 3 m and then 10 m. Both were fine and other passengers were lovely, offering to hold baby while I went to the loo etc. Definitely take milk cartons so you're not faffing preparing bottles.

To be honest it was easier than flying with dh when they were toddlers.

I took ds on holiday ( to meet up with family ) alone when he was 4 months old.
It was fine and apart from nappy changing being a bit of a squeeze it was fine.
The best advice is to try and be prepared as much as possible. Have everything you need in easy access and don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

The little boy on the seat across from me was around 7 and he carried my bag off the plane for me, he was adorable :)

Both sisters have flown to the UK (we are in Oz) recently, they found using a fabric carrier wrap very useful as they could hold their children close so they wouldn't crawl off them while they slept, and could hang low enough so they were sitting on their laps. Unlike a formed stiff carrier that has to sit where it is designed