I have travelled alone internationally on a number of occasions with my small person and each time I do so I always carry parental permission from my husband. In accordance with the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, officials have the right to request to see this evidence. To be honest, there has only been one occasion that I have ever been asked to prove my relationship to my daughter (I still use my maiden name and therefore have a different surname), but I would prefer to be asked than not asked. The prudent part of me likes to think that EVERYONE should be queried when leaving a country solo with a child in tow. So to avoid any confusion whatsoever I carry the following documentation:
- notarised letter of permission from my husband;
- my husband’s contact details (business card), just in case immigration would like to liaise with him; and
- notarised copy of child’s birth certificate (to prove my relationship to the child).
There would be nothing worse than being turned away at the airport because you don’t have the correct documentation – how annoying would that be!
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Hi. I’m traveling from NYC to india with my 7 month old baby. I’ve always flown alone but never with the little one. I’m conceded as I’ll be traveling solo. I think I have to take a carryon, baby carrier diaper bag/purse and umbrella stroller. There is one flight change in Europe. Is this doable? Háve you done solo flights with a little one like this? Please let me know!
Hi Anna, yes I’ve done this numerous times and it is 100% achievable with one child. And in fact I’m about to take a similar trip with a 5 month old and 2 year old solo. With all of the luggage that you have mentioned you are definitely allowed to take this on board and I find that when you’re travelling alone the cabin crew are extraordinarily helpful. Also remember to book the bulkhead so that you have access to a sky cot (plus more leg room). In relation to the umbrella stroller, you can check it at the gate and if it is small enough they may even store it on board in the main cabin which means you’ll have access to it when in transit. If not, they’ll move it to the hold and you’ll have to rely on the baby carrier whilst in transit and collect the stroller when you arrive in India. Please let me know if you have any more questions, I’m more than happy to answer them lisa@babylovestotravel.com.
Thank you for the info. I had not thought about the fact that I may not get the stroller in transit! Which baby carrier do u recommend? I tried the baby bjorn air carrier but felt more stress on my lower back. I need something that I can handle alone. Also, since you are traveling with a 5 month old….what do you do about baby food and bottles of formula? Its literally a 24hr travel time. I don’t want to run out of food or bottles!!! Thanks in advance!
Hi Anna, I’m yet to wean my 5 month old and he is breastfed. You can take baby snacks and formula on board a flight, however, you may be asked by airport security to taste test some of the products. Ready-made cartons of formula are probably the easiest way to carry formula, but just be prepared that you may be asked to open some of them and have to discard the contents or use it immediately. So you will need to take more than you actually need, just in case.