traveling with babies?

virgowicca

im traveling to ca from ak with a 2 yr old and 8month old. any helplful advice would be great. dont say not to travel with children. thank you
btw im flying

Answer
I used to live in Alaska and would visit my family in California fairly regularly, so I know what you're going through! Let me see what I can remember of the ordeal... ;-)

First thing: make sure they have something to suck on (pacifier, bottle, juice box, whatever) to help them equalize the pressure in their ears during takeoff -- otherwise it can be extremely painful for the little ones!

For my son, we always had a special set of "travel toys" -- something small and easily portable (Matchbox cars, little Fisher-Price "peg people", etc.) that he only got to play with on trips, so they would be new and interesting and would take him longer to get bored with. Storybooks are always good, as are coloring books. if you own or can rent a portable DVD player with maybe a Disney movie or something on it, those things can be worth their weight in gold!

Make sure you bring snacks as well -- airline food rots, and it's not likely to be anything they'll like, anyhow. Bring finger foods that they like and that are easy to cleanup and transport -- raisin boxes, plastic baggies with goldfish crackers, grapes, Fig Newtons, etc.

Try to travel in the evening, so they can sleep for at least part of the flight.

While you're waiting for the flight to arrive, run 'em ragged -- play games, run around, explore the airport and watch the airplanes taking off and landing -- do everything you can to tire them out so they'll sit still during the flight.

Once they sit down in their seat on the plane, make sure they STAY seated -- if they get it into their heads that they can run up and down the aisle, it'll be a constant battle to keep them in their seats.

Make sure that they also have their favorite "snuggly" -- a security blanket, stuffed animal, etc. -- as well, to help induce sleepiness. It can also give them something to focus on, making sure that "Teddy" gets buckled in along with the child, and so on...

I sincerely hope you'll be travelling with your spouse/partner.....my wife and I thought we were being heroic dealing with just ONE toddler between the two of us!

Just remember: no matter how rough the trip gets, you WILL survive the experience! Best of luck to you!

Best way to travel with baby cross country via car?

rollalmt

Our family is moving 950 miles (a 14 hour drive) cross country. We will be driving our car with the baby in the back seat. My husband thinks it's a good idea to give our baby some sort of medicine to make the baby drowsy so that we don't have a screaming baby for 14 hours, I don't think this is a good idea. Has anyone else been in this situation or have any suggestions as to what to do to keep baby happy and make as minimal stops possible?

Answer
Sit in the back seat with the baby. Have plenty of toys available. Plan for the trip to take at least double the time- you'll be making lots of stops for diaper changes, feedings, and general "get me out of this car seat" time

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How should I prepare to travel by plane with an 8 month old baby?

baby travel toys car image

myeva

I heard you cannot bring baby bottles with simply water, nor can you bring baby formula with your carry-on. However if you put them away with the rest of the luggage you can get away with bringing baby clippers and powdered baby formula. I guess I want to know what to bring and what not bring to a 2 hr flight?

Answer
Well whoever told you that you cannot bring formula or bottles with water is wrong.

Baby formula is fine to take with you, and you are not limited to the amount you can bring aboard with you (as long as your child is with you), do not worry. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm

New regulations allow you to take beverages (including water) from home as long as they are less than 3oz, -OR- beverages (including water) of any size that you have purchased from inside the security area onto planes. You can also bring a limited amount of baby food onto the plane with you. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#10

Save your money when it comes to buying water though because the stewards/stewardess' will provide you with hot or cold water (or any other drink) free at any time that you request, no matter how many times you request it.




I've been flying internationally with my children since they were 2 months (now 7&5), and here are some tips and advice that have always worked for me and I hope will help you:

FAA regulations currently allow children under the age of two to fly free of charge as "lap children" (not required to have their own seat). If you are flying internationally, the airline might charge you (I say might because not all do) a 10-20% fee.

The steward/stewardess should place you in a front seat where you will have more room. Most airlines will provide you with a special baby seat belt that hooks onto yours so your child can be buckled up as well. And depending on the airline and length of flight, the steward/stewardess might give you a crib type thing that attaches to the front wall to put your child in (however you can not uses this during take-off and landing).

This is not the safest way for a child to fly and the airlines recommend children to have their own seat with a child safety device, but does not mandate it because of the cost to the parents.

1.) I advise using a CRS (Child Restraint System) because it is safe for the child - especially during turbulence, makes them feel secure, is more comfortable for both parent and child, and gives both of you the opportunity to relax a bit.

A CRS is an airline-approved alternative to using a hard-backed seat and is approved for use on aircraft and for use in motor vehicles. Many people confuse it with a regular car seat, which it is not. http://faa.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/faa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=29&p_created=1071174367&p_sid=mn66D6wi&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9NCZwX3Byb2RzPSZwX2NhdHM9MCZwX3B2PSZwX2N2PSZwX3BhZ2U9MSZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh0PWNoaWxk&p_li=&p_topview=1

This website talks about approved CRS devices and their ratings: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CPS/CSSRating/Index.cfm

Many airlines offer half-price tickets so parents can be guaranteed that their child can travel in a CRS device. Parents should call their airline to ask for a discount and/or ask what the airline's policy is for using empty seats.

Ask your airline if they can provide a CRS for your child. If so, you may not be permitted to bring your own CRS on board, and may need to check it as baggage. http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/

2.) For take-offs and landings, the best thing you can do to help with the ear popping, is give your child a bottle to drink (milk, water, juice - it doesn't matter) or a pacifier.

As I stated above, baby formula and liquids are allowed.

Another trick is that if your child is not taking to the pacifier or wanting to drink, gently rub his/her neck from the chin down to the chest several times - this will cause a swallowing motion which will help with the ears popping.

3.) Make sure to pack plenty of things to entertain your child. A few of his favorite toys, books, and any comfort things such as a blankie. The Fa's will also provide you with a toy or coloring book for your child also.

4.) Pack a few instant hot/cold cereals, instant rice, and other just-add-water packets (age appropriate, of course). The stewards/stewardess' will provide you with hot or cold water upon request. You can also bring a limited amount of baby food and a few other non-perishable snack items. Drinks will be provided free at any time that you request, no matter how many times you request.

5.) Be sure to pack 2-3 changes of clothes for your child. You will need this in case he/she gets sick, spills something on him/herself, or in case your luggage gets lost. Also bring any medications that you might need for him should he/she get sick.

Do NOT give your child medicine with the hopes of it making him/her sleep. This is not only cruel, but dangerous as well.

6.) Last but not least, if help is offered to you, take it.

I hope you have a great trip, and if I can be of any more assistance, please feel free to contact me

What where some things that you registered for that you wouldn't be able to have survived without?

armyguardg

Starting to do my baby registry and just wondering what where some of the things that you registered for that you wouldn't have be able to have survived without. Also wondering what things you feel every soon to be new mom should register for and why. Also how many of certain things should I put on my registry. Thanks for any input that you can give me. Thanks.
Expecting another little boy. Don't have anything left from when I had my first son.

Answer
Here are some things I really enjoyed. They either were very convenient or just plain wonderful!
*Wedge for baby to sleep on - this was because my son had bad reflux. A lot of people disagree with using them for fear of sliding off (I can say we never had this problem) but just wanted to throw that out there.
*Swing
*Jumperoo (of course when they are a wee bit older)
*musical play toy for car (hangs on seat and they can kick it)
*Play Yard - if you travel a lot this is a must! but great to use for those first few months if you rather have them in your room - during the endless feedings :D)
*Monitor - still use this to this day and my son is almost three - yeah yeah I know :D
*Space saver high chair - sits in one of your own dining room chairs
*Play mat for the floor
*Bouncy chair
*Grooming kit
*Waterproof mattress pad covers

Things like wipe warmer, diaper genie, changing table were unnecessary.

I would suggest waiting to closer to time to add things to the registry like nursery decor items (bedding, anything with a certain design you want) as this changes constantly and may be no longer available (had that happen to me). Also add things like diapers, cream, wipes in boxes to registry. If you happen to be unable to use them (allergy unfortunately) then you can always take them back if you keep them in the right packaging.

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