There are very few things that are more nerve-wracking than flying solo for the first time, but chief among them has to be traveling alone with a toddler. It's not ideal, but it's also something that's more common than you think. Solo parents, military wives, or spouses of expats, sometimes find themselves needing to go at it alone for a certain stretch.
No matter the case, it's a parenting challenge that can be overcome with swift preparation and the right equipment. In my case, that includes having my trusted stroller for air travel. But more on that later!
For my part, I had to solo travel with my child for the first time in order to introduce them to their grandparents. It was a successful trip, though it's far from easy. And that's mostly because it took me three connecting flights, and nearly half a day of air travel.
With that said, here's what I learned from that trip.
How to Travel Alone with a Toddler in Flight?
Decide on Seating: Lap Infant vs Your Own Seat for Toddlers
Children under two typically fly as a lap infant, which allows them to share the same seat as you.
For us, my toddler was 14 months when I initially had to fly solo. It led to a smooth ride, though more importantly, the lap infant enabled savings that I wouldn't have had otherwise. Notably, buying an extra seat for your child is expensive, and different airlines charge varying fares.
To add, if you do buy an extra seat for your child, you'll need to bring a car seat along with it. Thus, if you're flying solo, you'll have the added responsibility to carry the car seat with you alongside your child and carry on all the way through customs, security, and all the way onto the plane.
What I did wish I learned beforehand was that I could request for a bassinet seat if I have a lap infant. While availability is not guaranteed, it's worth a shout since you're already qualified at no extra cost.
Alternatively, most airlines will provide you with a lap infant belt for take off and landing. You can simply ask the flight attendant for assistance if it's not already available, or if you're using the extension for the first time.
For more information on airplane bassinets, read here.
Pack Light and Minimize Baggage
The more luggage you have, the bigger your responsibility becomes, which is quite a big ask for a parent who is already preoccupied in a long trip. To avoid stressing out on your belongings, I strongly recommend traveling light.
From my experience, a baby carrier, a travel stroller and a travel diaper bag is enough to carry baby essentials. In particular, a suitcase stroller, should give you the flexibility of a storage and a baby carrier in a compact design that's perfect for air travel.
Much like a stroller, you can strap in your baby and conveniently move around the airport with your luggage using a carry on bag. In addition, you can also use this travel stroller during transit and casual walks.
On the other hand, an infant car seat can be checked at the gate, if you don't intend to use it on the plane. You can just pack it and have it available at the destination. However, if you're traveling solo, it still more convenient to rent upon arrival.
For more information on the TernX travel stroller, read here.
Opt to Check Luggage Through to Destination
Check beforehand if you can have your luggage checked all the way to the final destination. This will save you a lot of time, and possibly a lot of stress, especially for international trips. More often than not, it's a small privilege that becomes available to you if you're flying with the same airline.
Just note that airport and terminals may still exercise their own guidelines.
For example, when flying into Australia from a foreign destination, and you have a connecting domestic flight, you'll still be required to recheck your luggage for the succeeding domestic flight.
On the other hand, if you fly internationally into Malaysia, you may be able to check your luggage in all the way to your final destination.
Get TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry
Depending on your destination, and if you’re frequently flying in and out of the USA, you can expedite the screening process by getting TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry.
Essentially, TSA PreCheck® speeds up the security screenings for flights departing from U.S. Airports. Global Entry, meanwhile, facilitates faster U.S. customs screening for international travelers arriving at U.S. airports.
Either way, you will get access to special security lanes for faster and less intrusive screenings. It's nice to have, whether you're traveling on your own or with your child.
To learn more about the difference between CLEAR vs TSA Precheck vs Global Entry, read here.
Choose Flight Time Carefully
This is often overlooked, but timing your flight to accommodate the sleeping habits of your young child is important.
Since my toddler sleeps more at ease at night, I chose a red eye flight and took the opportunity to take a rest for a few hours. If your baby does the opposite, then I highly recommend taking the day flight instead. This way, you're awake and have sufficient energy to attend to your baby.
If you have multiple flights during your trip, try breaking up your travels or taking a longer layover between connecting flights. Flying alone with your toddler is tiring, so any chance to recharge is something you shouldn't take for granted.
For what it's worth, I typically try to secure a window seat during my travels. Normally, this helps me keep my baby in a comfortable setup and I get to attach some suction toys on the window for some fun when my baby is awake.
Pack All Essentials in Your Carry On
I elected to take my TernX luggage stroller with me because the innovation made it easier for me to travel light. Not to mention that my baby was comfortable in the stroller itself. Ultimately, I was able to pack all baby essentials for travel, as well as some extra clothes, a few goodies, and toys.
Meanwhile, when up and about, I also have the same set up. I have my diaper bag alongisde my travel stroller to make sure I could maintain the same level of reliability and convenience while exploring the city. Aside from family essentials, I had our own food in a snack bag, nappies, spare clothes, and more on the ready.
Confidently Master Traveling Alone with a Toddler
All things considered, traveling with small children can be challenging, but with proper preparation and the right equipment, parents can easily manage and enjoy the experience. For more tips on how to travel with a baby on a plane, you may read our extended guide here.
Looking to flying with a stroller, read here.
This article was written and shared by Jamie Leema, a mom of 2 children. Jamie is an avid traveler has visited 52 countries to date. She is determined to continue traveling and creating memories with her children. Jamie urges all parents to live in the present and enjoy life.
