“They rejected my milk at security!” Solo parents reveal their travel horror stories Solo parents from across
“They rejected my milk at security!” Solo parents reveal their travel horror stories
- Solo parents from across the UK offer top tips for travelling with a baby this Christmas, as searches for ‘flying with a newborn’ reach all-time high
From poo explosions to being refused to carry breast milk through security, parents from across the UK are sharing their horror stories when travelling abroad alone with a baby.
In anticipation of the busiest travel day of the year, searches for ‘flying with a newborn’ and other parent travel queries are up 66%, an all-time high.
For Brits travelling with a baby this festive season, multi-centre travel specialist eShores, is offering advice. They’ve spoken to six solo parent travellers to discover the biggest hurdles faced when flying and how new parents can prepare for their trip:
- Avoid having to bin your breastmilk.
“They tried to reject my milk at security, saying it was more than 100ml. I had expressed three days in a row and nearly cried.” – Lizzie, 30, Leeds.
Before you travel, double-check the rules surrounding baby milk and be prepared when you arrive at security. The UK allows you to carry on breastmilk for your baby, but it can’t be frozen. Lizzie was asked to place each bag of milk in its own security bin (16 bins in total!), which she was not prepared for. She even had to pull up the UK’s baby milk policy to ensure it didn’t get counted as liquids and therefore binned if it was over the quota. If you’re packing formula, you can also order ahead of time and collect it from a Boots store inside the terminal, once you’ve passed through security.
- Ask for and accept help.
“I had to go to the loo with my baby on my lap because I didn’t realise flight attendants would offer to hold her.” – Emily, 33, Manchester.
During the flight, the flight attendants may offer to hold the baby if you need to use the toilet or need a break. Post-Covid, they also usually offer to wear a mask and gloves, if you prefer! Instead of trying to fit your suitcase into the overhead while baby-wearing, just ask someone to help you. At check-in, see if there are any extra seats on the flight and if they would be willing to move you and the baby to an extra open seat.
- Look out for dedicated family security lanes.
“We were in line at Manchester Airport for over 2 hours before we realised there was a family line.” – Ashley, 25, Hull.
While it’s been reported that security queues have been as long as 3 hours in part of the UK this year, most airports have a dedicated family security lane. If the family lane is closed, ask to fast-track in the normal security line. It doesn’t always work, but it’s worth a shot!
- Layers and pockets are a must.
“A male flight attendant threw a blanket at me while I was breastfeeding and said it was to make me ‘more comfortable.’” – Priya, 27, Essex.
Easy access to your essentials will provide ease during your travel. A cardigan with pockets will serve a dual purpose if you are breastfeeding, as it can be used to drape over the baby. However, remember you are legally allowed to breastfeed on a plane! Priya was on a 9-hour flight from London when the male flight attendant threw a blanket at her when she tried to feed during take-off ‘for her comfort’. A cardigan could have helped her cover-up, if she wanted to. Pockets allow you somewhere easily accessible where you can store your phone, passport, tickets, headphones and other necessities, so you aren’t rummaging through bags while trying to look after the baby.
- Don’t forget a carrier for the baby.
“I dropped my much-needed coffee all over myself and my baby because I couldn’t reach my boarding pass.” – Nina, 30, Southampton.
There’s nothing more stressful than trying to juggle a baby, carry-on bags and passports. As well as ensuring you have pockets for essentials, take a baby carrier to ensure you have free hands to access them. A wrap or sling carrier will keep your baby close to you, helping them feel safe and secure as you make your way through the airport while also leaving your hands free to grab your tickets, passport or that much-needed coffee. Remember, you need to take this off to go through security, though!
- Prepare for the worst with backup outfits
“After a massive poo explosion from my little one, I had to sit in the mess for the remainder of the 4-hour flight. At least my baby had a lovely dry change of clothes!” Clint, 34, London.
Clint was flying with his 3-month-old son Otto when Otto had a messy explosion. Clint then had to sit in soiled clothing for the rest of the flight. Babies under 12 months old go through three outfit changes a day, and travel doesn’t change that! Always take an extra change of clothes (or two) for the baby in your carry-on luggage, as well as a change of clothes for yourself. This way, any messy accidents can be easily cleaned up, and you can both change into fresh clothes to keep dry and comfortable.
For anyone looking to plan a trip, they can find inspiration and information on the eShores site.