toddler travel sleep solutions image
ck
I'm thinking of packing up the car seat and checking it in. Then taking an umbrella stroller on board. The problem is hauling the car seat around along with the rest of my bags plus the baby! Is there a better solution? I'm traveling with my 20 month old toddler. Thanks!
Answer
This sounds like Deja Vu! I just flew in May when my daughter was 19 months old and I had to think about all of that as well. Here's what we did and it worked great!!! We checked her luggage in with all of the other suitcases because we didn't need it on the plane. She sat on our laps, we didn't buy her her own seat. Is your toddler in their own seat? If so, then they'll have to sit in the carseat. However, at the end of each flight, I would ask the flight attendant if they're able to transport the seat to the connecting flight's plane, that way, when you arrive at the gate to board the plane, it's there and you just have to install it. I would think that they could easily do it! They move luggage to the connecting flight after all!!! As for the stroller, I brought my normal full size stroller because it was more comfortable for my daughter so that she could lay back and sleep. When you check in explain to them that you need to "gate check" your stroller. They'll give you a tag to put on your stroller so that you/they can identify it. When you go to board the plane, you just take out your toddler, break down your stroller, and leave it right there. They'll take it and store it in a special compartment below the plane. When you land, they automatically bring your stroller out so the moment you step off the plane into that connecting hallway, it's right there! It was so convenient and hassle free to fly that way. I know you didn't ask about this...but here's some other flying pointers that worked for me. I went to the dollar store and bought cheap little toys and stuff and I wouldn't let my daughter see it until the day ofthe flight, that way it was something new for her to play with. Also, if you have a portable DVD player I recommend you bring it. My daughter just sat on our laps and watched her movies most of the flights. Good luck flying!!!
This sounds like Deja Vu! I just flew in May when my daughter was 19 months old and I had to think about all of that as well. Here's what we did and it worked great!!! We checked her luggage in with all of the other suitcases because we didn't need it on the plane. She sat on our laps, we didn't buy her her own seat. Is your toddler in their own seat? If so, then they'll have to sit in the carseat. However, at the end of each flight, I would ask the flight attendant if they're able to transport the seat to the connecting flight's plane, that way, when you arrive at the gate to board the plane, it's there and you just have to install it. I would think that they could easily do it! They move luggage to the connecting flight after all!!! As for the stroller, I brought my normal full size stroller because it was more comfortable for my daughter so that she could lay back and sleep. When you check in explain to them that you need to "gate check" your stroller. They'll give you a tag to put on your stroller so that you/they can identify it. When you go to board the plane, you just take out your toddler, break down your stroller, and leave it right there. They'll take it and store it in a special compartment below the plane. When you land, they automatically bring your stroller out so the moment you step off the plane into that connecting hallway, it's right there! It was so convenient and hassle free to fly that way. I know you didn't ask about this...but here's some other flying pointers that worked for me. I went to the dollar store and bought cheap little toys and stuff and I wouldn't let my daughter see it until the day ofthe flight, that way it was something new for her to play with. Also, if you have a portable DVD player I recommend you bring it. My daughter just sat on our laps and watched her movies most of the flights. Good luck flying!!!
Is it ok to wait on the toddler bed transition?
Q. My son had to move to a toddler bed right when he was turning 2 because he was jumping out of the crib. It was rough though. Lots of screaming and crying and sleeping on the floor and running to our bedroom, etc. My daughter turned 2 a couple months ago and is still doing well in her crib. Would it be bad if we waited till she was 3 or so to avoid or postpone the drama? Have you ever done that?
Answer
Here's an alternate solution that worked well for us. Our daughter has never slept in a crib. We started our daughter off in a bassinet, and then upgraded her to a travel-lite pack n' play until she got too big for it; about 9 months. At that point we moved her to a full size mattress-- how? By using a BED TENT.
You can buy them on Amazon or other major websites many different styles. Our daughter had the "Secret Princess Castle" made to fit a full sized bed for about $40, but they sold for as little as $20 for twins. The main requirement, if you want to use it as a crib is to get one with zippers, or else sew them on after you buy them (we bought three zippers at Johanne's fabric and did this by hand in about and hour, even though our sewing skills are minimal). Velcro won't cut it if your child is anything like ours.
Our daughter threw a fit the first night (though no more than when we put her in her pack n' play, but by the end of the week was comfortable sleeping in the tent. We didn't use a bed frame until she was older (just set the mattress on the floor), so we could choose to unzip it after she fell asleep so she could choose when she got up after her naps. When we felt it was time, we put the mattress on a box spring, then a frame. For a while, we left only one side zipped at night (the side closest to her head, so she wouldn't roll out).
By the time she was old enough to figure out how to open the zippers, she was totally comfortable with both the tent, the idea of a big bed, and being able to not roll off the bed onto the floor. The transition was gradual, and the idea was completely safe (no bars to slip or slide between and no possibility of her falling). A couple of friends asked me about the following, so I'll add this 1) it was very well vented with large sections of mosquito-netting type material for the top and sides, 2) the tent was able to accomodate a plastic sheet for accidents (we used a very thin shower curtain), and regular sized bed sheets 3) It was overall very cost effective for us as we were able to use it for a complete transition, as the mattress is adult sized, so there was no need to buy multiple pieces of furniture, bedsheets, etc.
Here's an alternate solution that worked well for us. Our daughter has never slept in a crib. We started our daughter off in a bassinet, and then upgraded her to a travel-lite pack n' play until she got too big for it; about 9 months. At that point we moved her to a full size mattress-- how? By using a BED TENT.
You can buy them on Amazon or other major websites many different styles. Our daughter had the "Secret Princess Castle" made to fit a full sized bed for about $40, but they sold for as little as $20 for twins. The main requirement, if you want to use it as a crib is to get one with zippers, or else sew them on after you buy them (we bought three zippers at Johanne's fabric and did this by hand in about and hour, even though our sewing skills are minimal). Velcro won't cut it if your child is anything like ours.
Our daughter threw a fit the first night (though no more than when we put her in her pack n' play, but by the end of the week was comfortable sleeping in the tent. We didn't use a bed frame until she was older (just set the mattress on the floor), so we could choose to unzip it after she fell asleep so she could choose when she got up after her naps. When we felt it was time, we put the mattress on a box spring, then a frame. For a while, we left only one side zipped at night (the side closest to her head, so she wouldn't roll out).
By the time she was old enough to figure out how to open the zippers, she was totally comfortable with both the tent, the idea of a big bed, and being able to not roll off the bed onto the floor. The transition was gradual, and the idea was completely safe (no bars to slip or slide between and no possibility of her falling). A couple of friends asked me about the following, so I'll add this 1) it was very well vented with large sections of mosquito-netting type material for the top and sides, 2) the tent was able to accomodate a plastic sheet for accidents (we used a very thin shower curtain), and regular sized bed sheets 3) It was overall very cost effective for us as we were able to use it for a complete transition, as the mattress is adult sized, so there was no need to buy multiple pieces of furniture, bedsheets, etc.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
No comments:
Post a Comment