Feel free to either discuss here or post links to threads that discuss all things related to travel and vacationing with DC. I'm daydreaming about a vacation this year - we'll see if it happens - and thought it'd be handy to have all these informative threads linked in one place.
I have a shower that I really want to attend in Houston in December (I am in San Francisco), but I am scared of flying alone with my daughter, who will be 6-months old at that time. I would have to stop in Dallas for a layover, so it would be a full day of travel. Also, we will have just done a cross-country flight the week before for Thanksgiving (DH will be along for that trip).
First off, am I crazy to try to fly alone with a baby? Second, is it crazy to take her on 2 consecutive trips so close together?
Any advice would be great. I'm scared!
Scott & Alicia 2-21-04
Gabrielle Kathleen (Abbey) 5-29-05
Curren Scott 3-5-09
I think it depends on what you think you and your baby are capable of. Obviously it would be easier with an extra set of hands, but I've travelled alone with my son when he was younger, and it was definitely do-able. Plus, I think that airlines and airport staff are SO helpful when they see that you are travelling alone with an infant.
Oh, DH travelled alone with ds#1 when ds was about 10 months old and some man insisted on trading his first class ticket for my husbands in coach because "it was silly to travel in coach with a baby!". If only I could be so lucky!
DS is a little over 5 months and we will be going on his 5th round trip plane trip this weekend. When he was 3 months I traveled with him by myself. On the way there is was a piece of cake, but on the way home it was horrible. The plane was delayed and I was stuck at the airport with a little baby and all his gear. If I wanted to use the restroom I had to drag it all in the stall with me and then drag is all back out. He was so well behaved the whole time, but I was stressed to the max.
If you really want to go if can be done, but if there is any bumps in the plans it get hard real quick!
~Good things come to those who wait, yet the early bird gets the worm?!~
~Married 4/11/03~~Baby Boy #1 4/21/05~~Baby Boy #2 7/30/07~
I flew alone with DD. Granted, she was only 2 months, and traveling with a 6 month olf is more challenging, but it's not undoable. My tips would be to:
- Pare your carry on down to the bare essentials (extra diapers, wipes, change of clothes, your wallet, absolutely essential toys, thin blanket and a small snack for yourself, that's it)
- Check your stroller and carseat and carry your baby in a sling or Bjorn-type carrier
- Give yourself a few extra minutes to get through security
- When you check in (and again at the gate, if need be), ask to be seated next to any open seats
You're not crazy, just brave! I haven't done it yet, but may have to this spring to TX with my two girls when we start renovating the house. Good luck! Let us know what you decide.
married 11.2.02
helena elizabeth 12.2.03
marisa carmen 7.8.05
I am doing it this November and we just got back from a trip/flight - Morgann will be 8 mo. when we fly alone together. We have flown with her for a total of 3 trips (10 total flights), so we are pretty experienced in plane travel. I also drove 12 hours w/ her by myself. It was not fun, but we managed.
So, yes, I would fly by my daughter alone at 6 mo. We actually just flew on Monday and it was a longer direct flight and personally, I like shorter flights with layovers because it breaks it up for you and the baby.
We do not travel with strollers anymore. If we would need one for our trip, we would check it as luggage. It was just a pain to have in the airport. You want and need your hands to get through security and carry bags. I used a Mei Tai for one of our trips and a sling for another. The sling was probally easier, though the Mei Tai is more comfortable.
When we travel alone this November - I will check her carseat and one big bag. Have one backpack carry-on and keep her in a sling. Keep my ID and boarding pass in my pocket. (I wear the same pants when I travel - khakis with snap buttons over the pockets in an easy place to pull out the ID and Boarding Pass) Also you will want to wear shoes that are really easy to slip on and off to go through security. Or sandals that you can wear through.
I travelled alone (SFO to Philadelphia round-trip) w/DD when she was 8 months old and it was actually okay. Tiring, but doable, and oh so much easier than with a toddler. She was barely into solids or finger foods at that point and just learning to crawl, so she was plenty content to just sit on my lap and play. The flight attendants were very helpful, and I also lucked out on the return flight and ended up sitting next to an 8-year-old little girl who just loved babies and helped to entertain DD.
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