Traveling Solo with Baby

Knox has been on quite a few airplanes in his 9.5 months but I've never traveled with him by myself.  This past week I took the plunge and flew solo with him to Boston to visit my family.  Even though it's only a 2 hour flight from takeoff to landing, I was one big ball of stress leading up to it.  I know all you veteran cross-country air travel moms are laughing but I just had a never-ending stream of questions running thru my head!  Should I fly during nap time and hope he sleeps?  Or should I fly after nap time so I have a well rested and (hopefully) happy baby?  How would I maneuver through security without an extra set of hands to help?  How would I keep a very wiggly baby happy for 2 hours in my lap (on any given day, he will sit still in my lap for about 45 seconds at a time)?

Well thanks to some planning and an assortment of baby gear and snacks, I survived!  Here's what I used to keep my almost 10 month old baby happy (and my fellow plane mates happy too!)

1. Baby Puff Cereal - Cheerios or any other easy finger snack will do just as well I'm sure but my baby happens to be completely addicted to these things.  The mere sight of one approaching his mouth can snap him out of an impending tantrum.

2.  Window Clings - These things bought me a good 20 minutes of quiet, totally entertained baby time. They take up no room in your diaper bag and he loved trying to peel and re-stick them.

3.  A Baby Carrier - We have the Ergo which I really love but A CARRIER, any carrier, is essential for getting through an airport with a baby on your own.  I put Knox is his stroller, pushed him to the ticketing counters, checked my bag then put him in the carrier, folded down my umbrella stroller and proceeded to security.  I've read some mixed information on whether or not you can carry your baby through security with him or her in the carrier.  In my recent experience going through security at RDU, they wanted me to take him out of the carrier, put it on the belt to be x-rayed and walk thru holding him in my arms.  That definitely cuts down on the convenience factor but it was still great to have it.  On the other side of security, I put him back in the stroller and pushed him to the gate.  When it was time to board, I put him back in the carrier which was perfect.  Having both hands free when getting on the plane was essential.

4.  Air Play Travel Tray - This is a nice little contraption to have on hand.  It doesn't work exactly as advertised (it's supposed to fit on the tray when it's down AND when it's folded up which was definitely not the case in my experience) but it certainly kept his attention for 20 minutes or so.  I used it once we reached cruising altitude and I could bring the tray down.  It's full of things that most babies are intrigued by - a mirror, crinkly fabric, a zipper, a plastic buckle, some velcro balls, etc. 

5.  THE iPAD!!!!! - If you don't own an iPad I 1000% think it's worth it to borrow one from a good friend (preferably a fellow mom who's already loaded it with baby-friendly apps!)  We try to limit Knox's TV time but I am all about embracing the hypnotic power of Yo Gabba Gabba when on a plane.  It cost me $4 to download 2 thirty minute episodes on iTunes.  Best $4 I've ever spent.  I don't know what the deal is with babies and that show...it's a little freaky actually but on a plane, I'll take freaky, I don't care.

6.  Other favorite iPad apps:  Some of the kid's iPad apps are still a little too advanced for a 10 month old but he loves and interacts well with Pat the Bunny, Bubble Tap (just like popping bubble wrap but on the iPad) and Sound Touch.

As far as scheduling is concerned, I have flown with him after a nap and during nap time (in the hopes that he would nap during the flight).  Yea...not so much.  At least for my baby, flying AFTER a solid nap is a much better idea.

Overall, I feel much more confident about my ability to fly by myself with him after this trip.  I'm not hopping on any transatlantic flights any time soon but maybe that trip out to Palm Springs I've been wanting to take isn't out of the question!

If you're a frequent flyer with your baby please share your secrets!  I'm sure the next time I get on a flight with him I'll need a whole host of other things to keep him entertained!