Please offer up anything and everything you think might be useful. Tips, products, strategies, etc. But here are a few questions to get you started:
- We're thinking of buying luggage since we currently have a mishmash of duffle bags and suitcases...any thoughts on quality/not super expensive brands?
- What and how much of everything should I bring (considering that I will have access to laundry)? What should I buy there (I'm thinking diapers)?
- Ideas for handling a squirmy/potentially fussy baby on the flight? It's Southwest and we didn't buy him his own seat, but we are planning on bringing the car seat to check or use if there are extra seats. Also, Evan paid the $10 fee for both flights to ensure that he's in the first boarding group and can get us primo seats.
- I doubt Jack will nurse in such an unfamiliar environment, and I'm not that excited to try, but I will need to pump. Thoughts on the best way to accomplish this? Also, does bottle feeding help pop babies' ears the way breastfeeding is supposed to?
- Ideas on getting him to sleep in unfamiliar environments?
- What other tips am I not even thinking of?
Stressful, but fun! I bought our luggage several years ago on overstock.com and scored some great stuff for a fantastic price.
ReplyDeleteMake sure you have enough diapers, wipes, bottles, change of clothing in your carry-on for if you got stuck at the airport for a day. I bring two little blankets because things are bound to get dropped or dirty with all the transition at the airport. Gross.
The hairy moments are security and boarding, of course but you should be fine since there are 2 adults. Make sure that you have all the liquids in your carryon in a clear ziploc bag so security can see it, but really they let you bring however much stuff along you could possibly want when you have a kid. (Including bottled water.) I think it's ridiculous that some airports would even make me remove Eden's bulky sweaters and shoes as an infant. I wore easy shoes and no belt since you don't have a stroller/car seat when you're doing security and it's a bit of a juggling act.
This may sound extreme, but if he's still using the white noise machine to sleep at night, I'd recommend bringing it along, just to replicate the home environment if he's not very adaptable.
Our main challenge with travel was simply managing stimulation. cover him with a blanket on the plane if he'll let you. It's hard to keep a light schedule when you're visiting friends and family you haven't seen in a long time, but try to maintain his routine as closely as you are able if that's what his temperament requires.
You'll do great!
I second Becky - you should be fine with two adults and one baby. I will never fly southwest again because I wad treated Luke such crap by them - but it really wouldn't have been an issue if Jon had been there. Boarding was the worst part for me bc I had two bags and Jake, and the flight attendants wouldn't help me get situated. If you can hand the baby to evan during that part, no worries.
ReplyDeleteI gave Jake a bottle during takeoff and that combined with the whooshing noise of the plane zonked him right out. He just sucked on his paci for descent and had no ear troubles.
For the airport/plane awake times, investing in a couple new toys was key (just little things). Jake was thrilled to have new stuff to look at.
Also, i think I mentioned before to bring proof of age for him if you have it. SW were total jerks about that.
We've definitely had big overstimulation issues with Jake on this trip...Jake still does great at night but had had a tough time napping. He already had a preference for napping on me, but since we've been away from home he will basically ONLY nap on me. I'm just letting him (I'm typing this on my iPhone from a dark room - ha!)...having a quiet place to go with him is really helpful.
Ok, that's about all I can think of for now. Overall Jake really has done gear - so I think you guys will be just fine! Have a great trip - I'm really sad were missing you!
Um, ignore the weird typos...my phone messes up the autocorrect a lot:)
ReplyDeleteSouthwest does require some document like a birth certificate or his vaccination records that show his name and birth date. I didn't know this and the lady at the counter initially made it seem like I wouldn't get on the flight. WA state doesn't automatically send out birth certificates and I never remembered to request it. I got on with a warning from the wench.
ReplyDeleteI either fed Sadie or gave her the pacifier during take-off and landing because I'd heard about ear issues. She was fine. I did breast feed on the flight. Even with the Hooter Hider it was not easy.
I had to have one of those pacifier ties to keep the thing attached to her clothes and from falling on the ground.
The other absolute must to bring is a second outfit. Sadie (of course) had a blow-out on our first flight. I'm so glad we at least had a 2nd onesie. Good luck!
Here are a few of my tips:
ReplyDelete- We usually use a sky cap when we fly Southwest. It makes the whole check-in process a lot quicker during the holidays, and only usually costs a dollar or two in tips. That way we can move onto security a lot faster. Otherwise Southwest usually makes you wait in the non e-ticket line with a baby (to talk to an actual agent) and it takes forever.
- Security is normally the most stressful part, but some airports are really good and have a family & medical line so you can breeze past everyone. Talk through your plan (visualize) for security before you get there so that you know which parent is carrying the baby, who is pushing the bins along, who is folding up the stroller, etc. It seems to get faster everytime we fly. You can also put Jack in a Baby Bjorn and walk through security (pushing your stroller/carset as a baggage cart) and then you have your hands free. They won't make you take the baby out of the Baby Bjorn.
- The minute you get up to the gate area, talk to the gate agent and get a checked stroller tag. At that time, casually ask how full the flight is and if you need to also check your carseat. That way you know ahead of time if you will be able to bring your carseat on the plane. If you can, great. If you can't, then one of you should handle dropping off the stroller/carseat while the other carries the baby on the plane to save seats.
- We always get a window seat and a middle seat on Southwest, if the plane is full. Dan gets the middle seat, and I get the window so that I can pump using my hooter hider in privacy. It sucks for the dad, but that way the baby has food and is happy.
- Pumping on the plane is much easier than trying to breastfeed, especially if Jack doesn't even like to do that in the safety of his own house! I usually have Dan feed Madeline a bottle during take-off while I am pumping. Bring a few already pumped bottles with you for the airport or in the security lines. I bought a Playtex Fridge-to-go tote for the plane that stays cold for 12 hours (longest out there). You freeze it the night before. It has the ice packs built into the tote, so that makes things easy. It is also good for just using throughout the trip. The TSA agents always think it is the coolest thing they have ever seen, as they ask to check out my bottles.
- Southwest only has a diaper changing station in the front bathroom. I always make Dan change the diapers on the airplane :)
- Some airports have Family restrooms that are great if you actually do need to breastfeed or pump at the airport.
- I always bring at least two outfits, for possible explosions, especially when you will be traveling for a long time. I also bring several blankets, pacifiers, toys, Baby Einsteins, etc.
- We usually swaddle Madeline on the plane to help her sleep better and the plane noise usually helps her fall right to sleep.
- During take-off and landing we usually give her a bottle or pacifier to help with her ears, but sometimes haven't needed to. Jack will let you know if his ears bother him.
- If Jack will take it, we usually bring back-up ready-to-use 2 oz. formula bottles as a last resort.
- We have white noise loaded on our iPods and bring them and a mini-speaker. We use the white noise to help Madeline fall asleep in the car and in any new bedrooms/hotel rooms when we travel. So far it has worked great.
- Bring a hooded towel, washcloth, and baby soap for when you need to bathe Jack on the road.
- We buy luggage from TJMax or Ross, nothing too fancy. I usually bring one suitcase just for all of Madeline's stuff.
- Definitely bring Jack's birth certificate when you fly Southwest.
Ok. That is it, for now, for my really long post.
Haha! I have seriously been writing the last 4 hours about my guidebook on: Travel With Infants and Toddlers, I am halfway through the manuscript, and a lot of my stuff is on the blog. So feel free to check it out. Now, I have nothing to say, after all that. My brain, really, is mush on infants and toddlers today. Yes, there isn't a lot out there, for infants and toddlers, but there are a lot of message boards and also a lot of mom groups, and this blog seems to be generating a lot of stuff. You can google her, but I like to also use, "travel mama" . anyway, you can refer to my post on 120dayslater.blogspot.com. We have traveled (as you know) with the girls, Myla on that 12 became 20 hour drive to Utah for your wedding (she was five weeks), the Europe and Southeast asia. as well as dozens of trips in the car, and we took the both of them on a 13 what became four day jaunt to the redwoods. You will probably find that he sleeps the whole way, and if not, there is the activity backpack/bag. Anyway, see the blog. I also found it super nice to have a travel can of lysol-- and learn how to change him pretty much anywhere there is a fairly clean, flat surface. Or even on your lap. If you are uncomfortable with on your lap, you can do a lap to lap (like a toddler dentist visit) with jacks legs on you and his head and chest on evan. Try to keep your bag as simple as possible and get smaller, travel versions of toiletries. We got it all at my house for when you get here. =) There are these (EXPENSIVE but worth it blankets by Luna Lullabye) they are made of muslin-- they dry fast, warm baby fast and are huge to lay him down on any surface. Baby carrier? You would probably have to bring anyway for when you are driving around. Bring layers like you would yourself, our nights are getting chilly. =) SO EXCITED to meet him!! Arrgh!
ReplyDeleteOh and yes, bottle feeding, pacifiers, and breastfeeding, thumb sucking, pops ears just as good.
ReplyDeleteI don't have time to read all the other advice, so I may be repeating much of it, but here are my 2 cents (gleaned from flying to CA with Zoe at 3 months):
ReplyDelete1) Check places like TJ Max and Ross for nice brand-name luggage at a good price.
2) Definitely plan on buying the bulk of your diapers once you get there, but bring plenty on your carry-on (more than you think you'll need) and enough to last you the first night and day in case it's not convenient to get to a store right away. Extra changes of clothes on the plane are good too.
3) Bring something new for Jack to look at--new pictures, books, toys, etc. Stagger them for when he gets fussy. Maybe even a laptop with a Baby Einstein movie or something.
4) Yes, sucking on anything will help with the ears. It doesn't have to be nursing. Hopefully he'll just fall asleep! (Zoe did when she was young.)
5) When Zoe was around Jack's age, we brought a portable playpen thing, and she slept just fine in there next to us. Since we've been co-sleeping, unfamiliar environments aren't a problem at all--as long as she's next to me, she'll sleep (which presents its own problems sometimes).
Overall, I would just keep in mind that people are generally nice about kids. I've never had one person make a comment in all the tons of traveling we've done with Zoe, even when she isn't behaving. I was so stressed out about flying to Europe, and while it wasn't easy, it had nothing to do with other people being annoyed with us.
Tom and I travelled w/the president of the company & his wife from SD to New Orleans when Baby Evan was 3 mos. I wore front button dresses and had a receiving blanket or two for cover. Nursed him on take-off & landing, unless he was sound asleep. I'd bring a small blanket/quilt w/2 different sides, so you know which side is the floor side & which is the baby side for quick effective changes. There's a lot to be said for changing him before & after the flights. Less folderol on board. Today's diapers wick away lots of moisture. Have him well-layered, yet w/easy bum access. Planes and cars are the ultimate in white noise and soothing motion. I would try to keep a receiving blanket or cloth diaper to drape over his face from the cabin air. Bring hand sanitizer for yourselves. Your biggest enemies are flu germs from other travellers. Sure am looking forward to seeing that sweet baby soon!
ReplyDeleteHere is my 2 bits:
ReplyDelete1. Yes, feeding bottle does the same thing. Any sucking will make the ears pop easier. My babies nursed fine on the planes and actually fell asleep making the flight awesome. You need to make sure take off and landing he is sucking. Sucking and swallowing is optimal. I would not recommend pumping on the plane. If he really won't nurse have milk already with you and you can run the bag under hot water to get it the temperature you want. Or give him formula. I would pump in the car after if need be.
2. Try head phones with fun or calming music. It looks funny on babies but sometimes they like listening to the music and it calms them.
3. Make sure while you are vacationing you still give him naps and goes to bed a his normal time. If you keep him up too much then he will be grumpier and then you won't have as enjoyable of a time. Obviously you can push bedtime back or miss a nap here and there. I'm just saying don't throw his schedule out the window (if he has one).
4. Prepare to have his car seat scratched when checking it. Our stroller was too. They do not handle those with care unfortunately. So brace yourself just in case.
5. Have him in a stoller all the way to the gate and then check the stroller at the plane door and they will have it ready for you at the destination.
6. Have a GREAT time. Relax. Don't stress and GO WITH THE FLOW! ;)
I traveled by plan from Utah to Texas when my son was 6 months old. The pediatrician told me to give him tylenol an hour before take off and depending on the flight duration (if it was longer than 4 hours), and hour before landing. He did great. I was nursing too and I can't remember how long the flight was. But I just nursed him in the airport before we took off and in the airport after we landed and he did great.
ReplyDelete@Cheree, out of curiosity why did your pediatrician recommend infant tylenol for your baby? I am wriiting a book about traveling with infants and toddlers, and I consulted a few peds, and no one recommended tylenol-- or infant acetometaphine. Was it tylenol cold, or anything like that? Was your baby teething when you flew? Or was he/she sick?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, personally, I would never tell someone else to give their kid any kind of over the counter stuff/ although I have heard of it pretty often when it comes to flying with infants, and even heard of horror stories of flight attendants getting caught putting benadryl in someone's baby bottle (fired of course). ANyway, this has been a great gathering of information. THANKS LADIES!