Flying with One Year Old

Hi M.,

Here are some web sites:

http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/going/lapvsseat.html

http://www.parents.com/family-life/travel/vacation-planni...

Hope this helps. D.

I flew this summer with my 12-month old. Never thought I'd be doing that - but it went really well. Our situation was a little different, as we did not even take a car seat because in Bermuda they don't rent cars. We used buses and what not that did not need car seats. Yeah, a safety issue, but nothing I could do about it. Anyway, so in the airport we used an umbrella stroller that we checked at the gate. We did have to wait a little bit to pick it up outside the plane when we landed, but on the return flight it was waiting for us when we got off. Just don't rush to get off the plane, and it may be waiting for you already. Since we didn't need a car seat in Bermuda, we did not buy a seat for the baby on the plane. I was regretting this decision before we left, but it really went fine. I was worried about safety issues, and if I did it again, I would definitely buy a seat and take the car seat. It would have eased my mind. Holding the baby definitely worked for us though. If you do just hold your baby, be prepared to do a lot of entertaining or hope that the baby falls asleep. He got a little cranky before his naps, but did end up falling asleep after walking and bouncing him in the aisle. I did just hear of my friend who had a hard time holding her baby as she was not a "lap baby" - not happy sitting there. I think it depends on the temperament of your baby. I did also have my husband with me, so we were able to take turns. I was still nursing, so that is what I did to ease the ear pressure on take-off and landing. Definitely do a pacifier, bottle or sippy cup if you're not nursing. On the way there, we had seats at the bulk head which did give more room. And on the way back we were in the very last row. Both were great seats. We even were able to have the row to ourselves. Just ask for the best seats for having an infant, and they should help accommodate you. Relax and have fun in Florida. I was nervous about flying and vacationing with a baby, but the less expectations you have the better everything will seem! Have fun!

By the way - our baby loved the plane! He was not scared at all and loved looking around at the people and out the window. :)

It can be done! I have flown alone with my son twice, 11 months, and 14 months old. For the first flight I was still nursing so I didn't buy him a seat and just held him (nursed him) and he slept the whole time. The second flight he wasn't nursing and I wasn't holding a squirmy 14 month old so I bought him a seat.

Instead of using a car seat you may want to look into a CARES Flight Harness. It is an FAA approved flight harness that slips over the back of the seat and has shoulder straps the loop through the lap belt. Very light and compact but works well, that will cut back on your carry on crap.

Other good advice - have a nice medium to light size stroller. Mine is easy to fold one handed and folds up small but has enough room to help me carry stuff. Instead of using a purse I have a nice hip pack that I use instead, leaves my hands free and I won't leave it anywhere. Pack snacks and small toys - nothing too annoying/loud and nothing you woudn't want to lose.

Check out that flight harness, I think it's www.kidsflysafe.com.

J.

Don't plan on carrying your son the whole time! It will get old for you and him! When you check in, find out how full the flight is--even if you haven't booked a seat for him, if there's an open seat they'll try to accomodate you and give you a seat for him. If he's in a carrier, keep him in it onto the plane. If there's no seat for him I think they'll have you leave the carrier off to the side right before you get on the plane--that's what you do with the stroller. If he's out of the carrier size, I wouldn't drag a car seat, I'd just hold him on the plane or seat belt him in--but I'd keep him in a stroller to go through the airport and check the stroller at the door of the plane as I mentioned above.

I agree with the suggestion about gate checking the stroller. As for alternatives to using a car seat in flight, one to consider might be the CARES system (http://www.kidsflysafe.com/). It is a harness that attaches to the airplane seat, and it is compact, light and easy to pack and carry, and safer than holding the child on your lap in case of turbulence, etc. We used it recently on a trip with our 1-year-old to North Carolina. The only drawbacks I noticed were that it seems to be difficult to get the straps on snugly enough to be really comfortable - our daughter squirmed around a lot - and on one of our four flights, the US Airways flight attendant claimed that we were not allowed to use it during landing (even though it is FAA-approved, and the attendants on our other three flights had no problem with it). So my husband had to hold her on his lap during the landing of that flight. But overall, I think it was still easier and safer than holding a restless toddler on our laps the whole time would have been, and definitely easier than a car seat would be to carry around the airports.

I just flew a month ago with my 6mo (alone) and I carried him on my lap. It was about a 3 hour flight and he did ok. I did go into the bathroom to nurse him when he got fussy. I used a side carrier and had his diaper bad and carseat (in a case with wheels). It was a little awkward but overall fine. I figure you wont be able to use a side holder with a one year old, but maybe you would want to get an umbrella stroller and use that in the airport. You can check it at the gate and it will be right there when you land so you can use it at the arrival airport as well. Just make sure to have something for him to suck on (sippy cup or paci) when you lift off and land to help his ears pop. And make sure to not let other people get to you. If he cries, just remember it is normal and any rude passengers are to be ignored. They were once babies too that probably cried more =) Hope this helps. Good luck and have fun with your family in FL.

When my twins were 1 I few with them from Colo to Florida. I did have my double stroller and car seats, 3 carry on bags also. It wasn't too bad at all the only hard time I had was going through security when they had to take the girls out of the car seat and stroller, take off their shoes and mine, etc. It wasn't easy holding two twins trying to do all that--but that was the worst of the trip.

I flew with my daughter when she was one. However, I was lucky enough to have someone with me and we purchased a seat for her. The one thing I can recommend - definitely is the seat I used to get around the airport in. It is sold in the One Step Ahead catalog and although it seems a little costly was a great purchase. It is a little chair that hooks onto a small carry on wheeled suitcase. It was a great way for me to insure we could securely and easily get through the airport.

I just recently traveled to Florida with my 14 month old. My advise to you would be to check the carseat but keep the stroller. You can check the stroller at the gate.

Hope this helps.

M.

Hi M.! I have flown twice (6 hours flights) by myself with my son who is the same age as your son. I agree bring a light weight stroller and check it in at the gate. It is a life saver! Have a binky or bottle that he can use during the flight. Luckily my son did not have any problems with the take off or landing. I made sure I had an aisle seat so I could stand with my son. I checked everything I could except the diaper bag. Make sure you have an extra shirt in the diaper bag for yourself. The only time I had "stuff" all over me was when I flew the first time.

I have found people are usually so nice and will do anything to help out. The flight attendants love the little guys and will help out in anyway.

Good luck!

Hi, I've done a lot of flying with my LO, including by myself. If you have a carseat that snaps onto a stroller, I would take both of these with you through the airport. It does take a minute or two at security to get it all through (so plan for that), but it is so much easier in general, because you can put all the "stuff" you want for the flight in the bottom of the stroller. Then, when you get to the gate you can gate-check the stroller, and use the carseat on the plane.

Things to keep in mind about the carseat on the plane - first, you son is used to it. In an unfamiliar place, it will be familiar to him. It is also safer, especially if there is any kind of turbulence in flight. If you buy him a seat on the plane, you are guaranteed a seat to put the carseat in, and some airlines have discount prices for seats for infants. If you don't buy a seat, take the carseat to the gate anyway. If there are any empty seats on the plane, you can ask the gate attendent to move to you a seat next to an empty one. As long as there is an empty seat on the plane, they will usually let you take the seat on for him, even if you didn't buy him his own ticket.

On the other hand, in my opinion, taking an umbrella stroller through the airport is the worst of the options. It can't hold the carseat and doesn't have storage underneath. This means that when you are pushing it, you don't have any free hands to hold your other stuff. Times when I didn't want to take my big stroller and carseat, I used a backpack carrier for my little one. Then I had my hands free to hold my carry-on bag.

In terms of checking everything - keep in mind that depending on the airline, it could cost you an arm and a leg to check the stroller and carseat! Some airlines are charging for every checked item now, you don't get to take anything for free.

Have fun, and let me know if you have more questions! Before the age of 2, my son had flown to California twice, North Carolina twice, and Aruba! Flying with babies and toddlers is fine as long as you plan ahead.

Hi M., I think you are wise to check as much "gear" as you can. In my experience, you can generally keep your stroller for use in the airport (very handy). Just check with the clerk at the gate to get a "curb-side" tag or "valet" tag. That means they will collect your stroller literally, right before you walk on the plane and then they will unload it for you at the next airport.

Here is a website that has some good advice for travelling with young children. You can also find other good advice for getting through security without too much hassle. They reccomend always making sure that you never hand your child to someone else. I also know from my experience that if the child can suck on something (either nursing, or a drink) during the flight it will help get them through the pressure changes of take-off and landing.

http://www.travelforkids.com/Travelessentials/flyingwithb...

Good luck with your trip, I'm sure your family will be pleased to see you and your little one!

M.,

There have been similar questions in the few months that I've been a MamaSource member, so if you search through the site you'll find the info. I am cutting and pasting my own answers to the previous posters...the questions may have been a little different than yours, but very similar. Bottom line is you have to do what work for you, but I cannot imagine not taking the car seat on the flight. Yes, it is a burden, but so are a lot of other things, and your child's safety comes first. Even if you make the choice not to purchase a half-price ticket, if you plan your flight for a time where there may be empty seats, you might be able to have a "free" seat for your child. The stroller will be checked right at the gate, so that's easy, and check all the luggage you can....

Here are my previous postings:

(June 17, 2008, 4 responses)
We always brought our carseat and stroller with us. Once the airlines started charging 1/2 price for kids under 2, we always bought a seat for our kids, but when my daughter was really little, that wasn't an option. We flew at less crowded times of the day, if possible, and were able to get an empty seat between us where we would put the car seat. The 1 and only time we could not do this, the airline took the carseat that we had taken on the flight, and it was wiaitng with our stroller at the gate when we landed.

(May 13, 2008, 18 responses)
Look in the archives here. There have been numerous postings re flying (in relation to the kids, that is!) in the 2 or 3 months I've been registered with MamaSource. We went to Disney a number of years ago. I read the Unofficial Guide cover-to-cover, took notes like I was back in grad school...and it all paid off. We had the best time, and the advice was priceless. Two things friends also told us, which were so helpful: Bring breakfast with you and eat in the room. We brought cereals, etc., and bought milk and juice every day. It just saved a lot of time...kids eating while a parent showered, etc...and with Disney, getting there early in the day is a key. The other great advice was to tie something really colorful and distrinctive to the stroller. The Disney people move strollers around while you're on a ride or in a show, and it can take some time to find your stroller among all the look alike strollers! Have fun!

(April 23, 2008, 22 responses)

M.,

Check the archives... Just in the last month or so, since I've become a member, I've answered this questions 2 or 3 times, as have many others! There are a lot of good suggestions already on MamaSource!

Good luck! My daughter was 7 months the 1st time she flew, and she was fine...the sucking is important.
(April 11, 2008, 19 responses)

Lisa,

Look in the "archives" here on MamaSource. People have asked the same or similar questions a lot, about air travel with little ones. I have answered this before, as have others...probably in February or March of this year. There's a lot of good advice already on the site!

Good luck!

(Feb, 26, 2008, 12 responses)

Hi, Vanessa! What a lucky child, getting to travel internationally already! (I was in Poland twice in the last few years and loved it, BTW!)

Our kids have been traveling for years, starting at 7 months old! They have been great travelers!

SEATS ON FLIGHT:

You didn't mention if you plan to buy your son his own seat.

Our kids are now 9 and 12, so when we started all this there was no option for the discounted tickets for kids. Back then, we would try to travel when the flights were less crowded. (Ex: at 8 AM for a 3 hour flight within the USA). We would book an aisle and a window where there are 3 seats across and cross our fingers that no one would be in the middle. That worked all but 1 time. We ALWAYS brought our car seat, and we had to check it at the gate just that one time.

Soon after, the option of buying an infant seat at 50% off started, and we always took that option. Yes, we hated spending the extra money, but we looked at it as a major safety issue, and being in a car seat on a plane is the safest way for a baby to fly. (You can research this, as I did.) Also, your baby no doubt is used to spending time in a car seat. We found that our kids were not restless during the flights and were quite content to stay in their car seats, someplace very familiar and comfortable for them. Sometimes they slept on flights, sometimes they didn't, but they always were easy travelers, and I think their familiar car seats was a big reason for this.

If you do not plan to purchase a seat for your son, I still would bring his car seat to the plane; if there's an empty seat, you'll have a free seat for your son, and he'll be comfy in his familiar seat. If there are no empty seats for the car seat, the seat will be taken with your stroller at the plane door, and it will be waiting for you when you exit the plane. When you check in your bags, talk to the agent about seating. He/she may see a better seating arrangement for your family and you can decide if you want to move.

Also, I just returned from a trip to Europe, and by chance flights each way had MANY empty seats. Many of ended up being able to take 3 seats across and sleeping, both going on a 10 pm overnight flight (a Saturday), and returning home on a noon flight (a Monday). An overnight flight to Europe is nice because the lights are turned off for most of the flight.

Additionally, international flights often reserve bulkhead seats for families with infants, and they will put "sleeping cots" in front of the seats, attached to the wall. I don't recall seeing this in the U.S., but I may be wrong. A bulkhead seat will give you more leg room. Often, however, the arms cannot go up on the bulkhead seats, between the seats (at least on the larger, international flights), so as your child gets older you may not want that if you want him to be able to cuddle against you during a flight!
So many airlines to Europe now have individual TV/movie screens, with plenty of kids’ shows. You can check with the airline, online, for the variety. Perhaps they will have Barney or Dora or something else that might keep your son busy from time-to-time on the flight.

STROLLER:

Airlines have a very nice system for strollers! You can take one all the way to the plane door! Sometimes I miss having a stroller with me all the way to the door! What an easy way to carry everything! Specifically, take your stroller down the walkway and all the way to the door, with the baby in it all the way, if you want. When you are about to step on the plane, you'll take the baby out, fold the stroller and leave it right outside the plane door (in the walkway to the plane). (If you have specific questions, just ask before you board.) It is so convenient! I tended to take a small stroller with me for travel, the one that the car seat fit into. I left my large, much nicer one at home, on purpose. Sometimes it would have been nice to have the bigger one, but my advice is to travel light when you can! It’s hard enough to do this with a baby)

NON-STOP vs. LAYOVERS:

I know at least one person wrote you recommending having layovers. I don’t have experience with that, as we always book non-stop flights, even if it means driving an hour or 2 to an airport in another city. If this is what you want to do, make sure the flight is a non-stop flight...not just a direct flight (which may stop but without a plane change), but non-stop.

Although my kids now are 9 and 12 and are great, seasoned travelers, and although money is not flowing, we still opt to pay a little more money for a non-stop flight. It just is so much easier with kids...less chance of ear problems on the plane (with the landing and take off pressure changes), less time to get antsy, less chance of delays that set back the whole day and sleep cycle, less chance to be extra hungry because of delays, less chance to cut into the vacation if there are delays. Of course, a non-stop flight can have delays, too, but the more fights you have on a trip, the more of a chance for delays you have.

FEEDING

Keep your child drinking on take off and, even more importantly, on landing, to avoid any ear discomfort (which would lead to a screaming child). I would hold off on the liquids right before a flight so that my babies would be thirsty on take off. Then I would hold off as much as possible during the flight, so they will want to drink a lot during the longer, sometimes more painful (to the ears) landing process.

I nursed my kids, but not on the flights, although I know a lot of people do do that, which is great. I brought pumped milk with us for them for the flights; as much as I really wanted to nurse on the flights...help with the ear thing, as well as the normal routine...my husband and I felt it more important to keep the babies in their car seats, especially for the take-off and landing...so we fed expressed milk in bottles. (I don't know what the TASA regs are on all that now.)

TOYS AND EXTRA THINGS

I always brought both familiar and new toys and books for the ride there and the ride back. I used to wrap them to add to the excitement, and every so often during the flight to give a new toy. I would keep half of the wrapped toys/books for the return flight.

Also, travel with lots of extras...diapers, milk, snacks, etc...just in case of flight delays. Ditto re an extra change of clothes, in case your son gets sick or spits up…not that I would anticipate that, but better to have some extra clothes than to have a child in wet clothes for hours.

Also, try to relax! Your son will be fine, but if you're stressed and nervous, he may pick up on that and be less relaxed on the flight!

Have a nice, safe flight, and good luck!

(Feb, 2008, 47 responses)

Elise,

Yesterday I posted for a mom who would be flying with a 7 month old. I am going to copy and paste my answer here...which is really in response to her specific question, but a lot of the info is the same. I would bring the car seat to the plane; if there's an empty seat, you'll have a free seat for your daughter, and she'll be comfy in her familiar seat. If there are no empty seats for the car seat, the seat will be taken with your stroller at the plane door, and it will be wating for you when you exit the plane. A very nice system! Sometimes I miss having a stroller with me all the way to the door! What an easy way to carry everything! Specifically, take your stroller with you all the way to the door, with the baby in it. When you are about to step on the plane, you'll take the baby out, fold the stroller and leave it right outside the plane door (in the walkway to the plane). (If you have specific questions, just ask before you board.) It is so convenient! I always had more than one stroller, and I tended to take my smallest one with me for travel (what was called a 4-in-1 back then, where the car seat fit right in...I know there are upgraded versions of that now).

Also, I know you already have your flight, so nothing to change for this trip, but in the future you might want to consider non-stop flights...not just direct flights (which may stop but without a plane change), but non-stop. Although my kids now are 9 and 12 and are great, seasoned travelers, and although money is not flowing, we still opt to pay a little more money for a non-stop flight. It just is so much easier with kids...less chance of ear problems on the plane, less time to get antsy, less chance of delays that set back the whole day and sleep cycle, less chance to be extra hungry because of delays, less chance to cut into the vacation if there are delays. Of course, a non-stop flight can have delays, too, but the more fights you have on a trip, the more of a chance for delays you have. Just my philosophy!

Also, relax! Your daughter will be fine, but if you're stressed and nervous, she may pick up on that and be less relaxed on the flight!

Have a nice, safe flight, and good luck!

HERE IS YESTERDAY'S RESPONSE: (I DELETED AS I AM POSTING IT BELOW)

(Feb. 25, 2008, 4 responses)

Our kids have been traveling for years, starting at 7 months old! They have been great travelers! They are now 9 and 12, so when we started all this there was no option for the discounted tickets.

We would try to travel when the flights were less crowded, like at 8 AM. We would book an aisle and a window where there are 3 seats across and cross our fingers that no one would be in the middle. That worked all but 1 time. We ALWAYS brought our car seat, and we had to check it at the gate just that one time.

Soon after, the option of buying an infant seat at 50% off started, and we always took that option. Yes, we hated spending the extra money, but we looked at it as a major safety issue, and being in a car seat on a plane is the safest way for a baby to fly. (You can research this, as I did.) Also, your baby no doubt is used to spending time in a car seat. We found that our kids were not restless during the flights and were quite content to stay in their car seats, someplace very familiar and comfortable for them. Sometimes they slept on flights, sometimes they didn't, but they always were easy travelers, and I think their familiar car seats was a big reason for this.

Keep your child drinking on take off and, even more importantly, on landing, to avoid any ear discomfort (which would lead to a screaming child). I would hold off on the liquids right before a flight so that my babies would be thirsty on take off. Then I would hold off as much as possible during the flight, so they will want to drink a lot during the longer, sometimes more painful (to the ears) landing process.

I nursed my kids, but not on the flights, although I know a lot of people do do that. I brought pumped milk with us for them for the flights; as much as I really wanted to nurse on the flights...help with the ear thing, as well as the normal routine...my husband and I felt it more important to keep the babies in their car seats, especially for the take-off and landing...so we fed expressed milk in bottles. (I don't know what the TASA regs are on all that now.)

I always brought both familiar and new toys for the ride there and the ride back. I used to wrap them (maybe not at 7 months) to add to the excitement.

Also, travel with lots of extras...diapers, milk, snacks, etc...just in case of flight delays.

Additionally, international flights often reserve bulkhead seats for families with infants, and they will put "sleeping cots" in front of the seats, attached to the wall. I don't recall seeing this in the U.S., but I may be wrong. A bulkhead seat will give you more leg room. Often, however, the arms cannot go up on the bulkhead seats, between the seats (at least on the larger, international flights), so as your child gets older you may not want that if you want him to be able to cuddle against you during a flight!
Good luck on your trip!

To what part of FL will you be traveling? We travel to FL every year and I can recommend some great places for you to go to with your little one!

Have fun!
T

I've done this a few times with my twin sons. Up until they were 3, I kept them on my lap. When they were babies I used the double stroller to carry our diaper bag, carry-on, and car seats right to the gate. I refused to check them with the luggage because of the way things are really man-handled (my sister is a flight attendant and bil a pilot). I know many people do it with no problems. I used a soft carrier to carry the babies. Often I would have one in the stroller, stuff piled on the other side, then the other baby in a mei tai on my back. It worked great!

I flew with my son to FLA when he was 16 mos old. We checked all luggage except for a small carry-on and a bag full of activities/toys/snacks for my son. I did not take the car seat onto the plane - I just held him, however we did purchase a seat for him just to have the extra room for him to move around. You will be able to keep your stroller with you until you board the plane - they store it for you and when you're ready to get off the plane, it's waiting for you! I just made sure I had lots of "new" stuff to pull out during the flight (favorite books and snacks, small toys, etc.) I also made a book of pictures of family, pets, etc. that he'd never seen before. Good Luck to you!

I have flown with my 19 month old since she was 4 months old. We have probably done about 10 flights roundtrip. I have held her and purchased a seat. Here is my advice:

1. Take the stroller with you to the gate and then check it-that way you have it immediately when you get off the plane.

2. Don't check carseat-they might lose it. Is there any way you can rent one or someone can provide you one at the destination?

3. Buy a seat for the baby. They don't need a car seat on the plane-you just have to hold them on takeoff or landing. It is much easier than having to hold them for the entire flight. You might get in a small plane and it would be SOO uncomfortable to hold the baby for the full flight-trust me!

4. Pre-board if possible and get a middle and aisle seat

Good Luck!!!!

I agree about the stroller. When we flew we left it at the entrance to the plane and boarded. When you get off the plane they get all the strollers for the parents. It is so convienent :-) I also agree that he needs something for his ears...at least a pacifier or bottle. Have fun on your trip!

I would check everything but the stroller. You will need it, when you get on the plane they will put it on the plane and also bring back to you when you get off.

Well my husband and I flew to Hawaii (from PA) with my 15 month old son... then months later, my sister in law flew from Hawaii (to PA) with her 1 year old daughter.

When we went, we kept our son on our lap. My sister in law bought a seat for her daughter and kept her in a car seat. We both think it was best to have a separate seat for the baby. The baby feels more comfortable in their carseat and will sleep better... so will you! Plus that gives you much more room to store things (snacks, games, etc) under the baby seat, rather than all fitting under your seat. I would strongly suggest buying the little straps that let you carry the car seat on your back, so you still have one arm to carry the little one, and one to carry your bags.

The only part of your trip where you might be overloaded with things to carry is right when you get out of the vehicle and walk into the airport... but once you drop off your suitcase, then you'll only have to carry the carseat, baby, and carry on bag.

The biggest down fall to this plan is the cost of a second ticket. If you can't afford to do that, then just be prepared to not sleep on the flight... haha! Your little one will sleep just fine on your lap, and you'll be busy trying to keep him/her occupied in a small space. The baby will be fine... but you will be less comfortable!

Either way though, I would encourage you to go. Visiting family is far more important that some annoyances on a plane!

Good luck! Pack lots of snacks and quiet toys.

It has been my experience that quite a few car seats are not approved for plane travel. We had no idea ours were not until we got on the flight. Most have a sticker that says whether or not they are approved. The flight crew happily put them under the plane for us. If your child is small enough and you can get away without a ticket I say hold him. Chances are he will sleep and you can too. :)

I have flown on my own with my then 3yo and an infant; NOT EASY at Philadelphia. A Dad travelling alone took pity on me and helped because no one working in the airport were about to lift a finger. Being able to check the stroller at the gate is nice, but can be tricky getting through security. If possible, minimise what you are carrying in addition to your son to make things easier. Also, put your son in slip on shoes because they will want his to go through the x ray machine as well. Good luck and have fun in Fla!

I have traveled twice with my daughter by myself, once to TX when she was 13 mos and once to FL when she was 15 mos. I usually purchase her a seat because I like to be sure she has her own seat to sit in her car seat. She is great on the airplane when she has her car seat. (We flew to Germany when she was 10 mos and FL when she was 4 mos) I bought the most amazing thing when I knew I had to travel with her by myself - this strap that uses the car seat latch-straps to hook your car seat to a rolling carry-on suitcase. It is only $15 on Amazon. I hope this link works:
http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Toddler-Attach-Rolling-Ca...

You can put your son in the car seat and roll the carry-on! That way you can check your stroller and not have to worry about how to lug the car seat, stroller, and diaper bag, etc. My daughter really did well sitting in her car seat and it was so much less hassle. I suggest practice using it before you leave your house though, so you get used to putting it on and taking it off of the carry-on. I also purchased the monkey-leash (Target $9, it looks like a little backpack) for my daughter so when I got through security I had the leash on her while I put the car seat back on the rolling carry-on. I hooked it through my arm and that way she couldn't run off while I was hooking everything back together. I had never put a leash on her before though and I haven't since - so she was a little unsteady with it but at least she wasn't running off!

I have so much advice... pack lots of snacks that he has never had before so it's all new and exciting. I packed toys she had never seen before. A pacifier or bottle is a must for take-off and landing to avoid the ear pressure. My daughter uses a pacifier so that was no problem. Pack travel size Wet-Ones to sanitize! And if you are flying on Southwest, they don't have changing tables in the bathroom so you have to ask the flight attendant for a blanket and they let me change my daughter on the floor in the back of the plane. You may be able to last a flight to FL without a diaper change, but we didn't.

By the way, the previous poster was right - if you don't purchase a seat for your son, take the car seat anyway to the gate so you can get him his own seat if there's an empty seat on the plane. I did that once and got lucky!

GOOD LUCK! It's easy if you're super prepared :)
~A.

one more thing... the plus side to NOT taking a stroller to the gate is that when you get off the plane you don't have to wait forever for them to get it to you when you land. You always see all these families waiting for a while for their strollers, because if you gate check it, you have to get it at the gate when you land!

Check the car seat, but roll the stroller right up to the plane (hopefully a light, collapsible one) and they will return it to you right outside the plane on the other end. it's super easy, and the stroller helps a lot.

Congratulations.....it will be exciting to see your family with your little one. I have been traveling by myself with my 2 children since they were 8 mos old -I usually do several things -I have a rolling carry on and a large purse that I pack with snacks and food, a bottle to fill with water/juice when we get on the plane (so they will have something to drink when we land/drive to the hotel), their special blanket/sleep toy, I usually take away some of their favorite toys 1-2 weeks prior to going or purchase some new and exciting toys to bring out on the plane, I do bring a DVD with their favorite movies, of course, diaper,wipes and plastic bags to put dirty diapers in. I do keep the stroller with me - you can check it at the gate - you have to ask the person at the boarding gate for a stroller tag - it will list the stop you're going to make and it will be at the jet way when you get off the plane so you don't have to carry the baby and the bags to the baggage claim. It does not cost you anything to check the stroller at the gate and does not count towards your baggage. I also try to plan a snack when we are landing because it helps to distract them and helps if they are chewing when the cabin pressure changes and causes pressure on their ears. I usually purchase a seat for the children so they can lay out if they want to sleep and did not bring the car seat into the plane -It gave them more flexibility to move around if they needed to. You can try to contact the airlines to see if you can have the bulk head seat which gives you more leg room - on our long trips I would place a table cloth with the plastic bottom on the floor and let them lie on the floor to take a nap (they're now 4 and 5) so they could be refreshed when we get there. If the airlines won't give you the bulk head - sometimes when you check in at the airport you can request it but you have to arrive pretty early to get it. Just try to have fun and don't worry too much about the people around you ....enjoy the experience!

We flew when my son was 10 months it was a 22 hour flight broken into two parts, although I had help since my husband was along. We took a cot that the flight offered, it atatched to the wall but most of the flight one of us held him. We bought him a new toy he was sure to like and keep him busy and saved it for the flight, we took diapers, formula and a few changes of clothes. He did great on the flight and slept alot. giving a pacifier of something to suck on during takeoff and landing helped. If your going to fly alone less to carry is better.