toddler travel play tray image
kcat
My baby is 2 months old, but he and I are visiting his grandma's house when he is 8 months old. Grandma wants to start buying things he will need when he visits such as a car seat, cradle, etc.
What things do 8 month old babies use?
We are flying to Grandma's house, so we won't have much with us other than clothes and a few toys.
And we'll be staying at Grandma's for at least two weeks and maybe as much as a month.
Answer
A car seat and a safe place to sleep are the most important things. Most 8 month olds sleep in a crib at home (or co-sleep with mom) but usually a pack'n'play is more practical for traveling. Grandma could then fold it up and store it away easily when you aren't there. If you expect to visit again in the next few years, I would tell her to get a convertible car seat (not an infant one) that can go rear facing or forward facing. An 8 month old will do just fine in one of those, and then it will still be usable for several more years. Most 4 year olds can still fit in a convertible seat. If she gets an infant seat, you'll only be able to use it for this visit and will need a different one the next time.
Otherwise, an exersaucer, walker, or other play equipment is nice, but not essential. Chances are he'll be playing with Grandma more than by himself, so it may not get much use. I wouldn't buy something like that for just one visit.
A high chair is convenient for meal times, but again not necessary. They also make booster seat/high chair combos that strap onto a regular chair, which is what my parents have for when we visit. It's small and stores away easily when we're not there and works as a high chair with tray for a baby or as a booster seat for a toddler/preschooler. Plastic bowls/plates and baby spoons if you choose to spoon feed, but those you can easily bring with you in your luggage.
You might want a stroller, if you plan to be taking baby out for walks or something a lot. I usually brought our stroller on the plane to have a place to for my daughter to sit while we were in the airport, and also so I had less to carry! You can check it at the gate and pick it up at the other end.
You'll need diapers, but you won't know what size until closer to when you visit, as it depends on your baby's body shape and weight at the time. Also wipes of course.
So much suggestions for Grandma would be: a convertible car seat, a pack'n'play, a high chair/booster seat combo, and a few plastic bowls/plates/spoons. If she has money to burn and really wants to, she could also get some sort of play equipment or toys.
A car seat and a safe place to sleep are the most important things. Most 8 month olds sleep in a crib at home (or co-sleep with mom) but usually a pack'n'play is more practical for traveling. Grandma could then fold it up and store it away easily when you aren't there. If you expect to visit again in the next few years, I would tell her to get a convertible car seat (not an infant one) that can go rear facing or forward facing. An 8 month old will do just fine in one of those, and then it will still be usable for several more years. Most 4 year olds can still fit in a convertible seat. If she gets an infant seat, you'll only be able to use it for this visit and will need a different one the next time.
Otherwise, an exersaucer, walker, or other play equipment is nice, but not essential. Chances are he'll be playing with Grandma more than by himself, so it may not get much use. I wouldn't buy something like that for just one visit.
A high chair is convenient for meal times, but again not necessary. They also make booster seat/high chair combos that strap onto a regular chair, which is what my parents have for when we visit. It's small and stores away easily when we're not there and works as a high chair with tray for a baby or as a booster seat for a toddler/preschooler. Plastic bowls/plates and baby spoons if you choose to spoon feed, but those you can easily bring with you in your luggage.
You might want a stroller, if you plan to be taking baby out for walks or something a lot. I usually brought our stroller on the plane to have a place to for my daughter to sit while we were in the airport, and also so I had less to carry! You can check it at the gate and pick it up at the other end.
You'll need diapers, but you won't know what size until closer to when you visit, as it depends on your baby's body shape and weight at the time. Also wipes of course.
So much suggestions for Grandma would be: a convertible car seat, a pack'n'play, a high chair/booster seat combo, and a few plastic bowls/plates/spoons. If she has money to burn and really wants to, she could also get some sort of play equipment or toys.
I have a 6 hour flight with my two boys, 4 years and 2 years old. Any ideas on how to entertain them?
Nezz
I am bringing the DVD player but they are really not interested in movies. I have a bunch of figurines and crayons and paper . . . Any other ideas?
Answer
I have tons of experience in this department because my husband and I were overseas for 3 years. We had several 14 hour flights with our toddler. First, I always made sure I had plenty of his favorite snacks, with a few rare treats in there too like candy or suckers. Make sure you do the treats closer to the end of the flight, as the sugar may excite them. I let my son pack a small carry on bag filled with his favorite toys. I found that crayons and paper weren't much fun for us or my son because he was always dropping them and they would roll down under the seats. I fixed that by getting him a Magna-doodle and you can even get them in travel size. The pen was attached,so we didn't have any more problems with losing crayons. I also brought along some playdough for him to play with on the tray in front of him. Another tip...you could go to the store alone and buy them each a small, inexpensive new toy to unwrap on the plane. Toddlers, as we all know, tend to get bored very easy, so the excitement of playing with a new toy will keep them entertained for a little while anyways. You could also try taking along a new video that they haven't seen yet. I would just try and make sure they are tired when they get on the flight, so that way they ( and you) will be able to rest some throughout. Hope this helps some..... : ) Good Luck!!
I have tons of experience in this department because my husband and I were overseas for 3 years. We had several 14 hour flights with our toddler. First, I always made sure I had plenty of his favorite snacks, with a few rare treats in there too like candy or suckers. Make sure you do the treats closer to the end of the flight, as the sugar may excite them. I let my son pack a small carry on bag filled with his favorite toys. I found that crayons and paper weren't much fun for us or my son because he was always dropping them and they would roll down under the seats. I fixed that by getting him a Magna-doodle and you can even get them in travel size. The pen was attached,so we didn't have any more problems with losing crayons. I also brought along some playdough for him to play with on the tray in front of him. Another tip...you could go to the store alone and buy them each a small, inexpensive new toy to unwrap on the plane. Toddlers, as we all know, tend to get bored very easy, so the excitement of playing with a new toy will keep them entertained for a little while anyways. You could also try taking along a new video that they haven't seen yet. I would just try and make sure they are tired when they get on the flight, so that way they ( and you) will be able to rest some throughout. Hope this helps some..... : ) Good Luck!!
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