Traveling with toddlers and a newborn!?

Mom to Rai

So Tuesday we're leaving for an 11 hour trip.My girls are 3,15 months,and today my youngest is 11 days.We're going to family's house for Thanksgiving,but I am staying there with the girls all the way until Christmas.What do I need to bring for the trip?I know like clothes and food and everything.We are leaving at 8pm Tuesday,so the whole time that we are driving the girls will be asleep(except the baby).

Answer
what helps on a long car ride for the lil' ones? in my experience it goes in this order: 1) Snack Food (finger food that isn't gooey like crackers or apple slices, cereal such as cheerios - just in case they don't go to sleep like you want them to, or if they wake up too early) 2) Drinks/Bottles (with tops that don't leak; they will be thirsty from eating the snacks) 3) Toys (preferable not loud annoying ones that you can't stand... coloring books are a bad idea because they WILL drop their crayons and will not be able to reach them, and then start to cry) 4) Even if your 3 year old is potty trained put at least a night time diaper on him/her just in case they have an accident and you couldn't pull over in time/ or if they go in their sleep) 5) LOTS of wed wipes - not just for diaper changing, but for cleaning faces, hands, car seats, spills and any other messes that might happen. also, they are great for YOU too while you are driving and eating food that might leave your fingers sticky or messy. 6) a kids sing-along song CD for them (or a lullaby CD for the nighttime in case they have trouble sleeping) 7) blankets and pillows (pack extra just in case they pee, poop, vomit or get food/drink on them) 8) keep changes of clothes handy in the car so that you don't have to open the trunk and your suitcases everytime they spill something/vomit/leak pee or poop on themselves

at night it's best just to put them in the car in their pj's so that they are most comfortable while strapped in to their car seats. the kind with the footies are the best just in case they kick off their blankets you don't need to stop to tuck them in again so that they don't get cold and wake up. also, if you're planning on roughing it and driving straight through the night then pack some stimulant drinks - such as coffee or red bull (however, just a warning, cafeene will make you pee more often) i have driven across country several times (20 hour trips straight through) with my kids from age 6 months to 9 years, and this is what worked for me!

What are the top ten small dog breeds in 2007?

Tom K

Answer
Click on the 'Source(s)' link for more dog breeds.

Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkie (#3) almost overtook the Golden Retriever as the second most popular dog in the US in 2005. This rugged toy dog is very popular because it has all the admirable attributes of larger dogs but in miniature. The typical Yorkie plays hard and has limitless energy. With persistence a Yorkie can be obedience trained. Some are bright and learn quickly, while others are more obstinate and opinionated. Yorkies get along well with other pets but they can be very possessive of their food and toys. The Yorkshire makes a better pet for older and calmer children. The Yorkshire will bark at strangers, often in a high pitched voice. Early socialization is required so that the dog doesn't become too shrill and to ensure barking is controlled.

Poodle (Toy)
All the wonderful things that you can say about a Standard Poodle don't all apply to the Toy or Miniature versions. Toy Poodles (#8) are less than 11 inches at shoulder height but the same American Kennel Club standards apply across all sizes. Toys are generally more sensitive than the Standard and are also more active, louder and less confident. Early socialization and training to curb excessive barking and leg lifting is required. Even though these dogs are very small, they still enjoy lots of playtime and long walks. Toy Poodles will do fine with older considerate children.

Shih Tzu
The exotic looking Shih Tzu (#9) is one of the sturdiest and most robust of the toy dog breeds. Shih Tzus are intelligent, playful, affectionate, friendly, self confident and outgoing. Shih Tzus make great apartment dogs and companion dogs for the elderly. These charming and personable dogs are devoted to their owners and their families. They make great traveling companions and rarely show any aggressive behavior toward strangers or strange animals. The breed gets along extremely well with older, considerate children.

Chihuahua
The Chihuahua (#11) is the smallest of the toy dog breeds. Chihuahuas are intelligent, charming and loving dogs who are devoted to their owners. This breed needs close contact with its family and make great companions. Chihuahuas can have delusions of grandeur and self-confidence and will challenge much larger dogs. Chihuahuas are good with older children if raised with them. Chihuahuas are intelligent and can be trained fairly easily. Some Chihuahuas can be overly insecure and are prone to excessive barking and early socialization and training while a puppy is recommended.

Pug
The Pug (#12) is a sturdy small dog that is one of the most popular and largest of the toy dog breeds. This charming, adorable and playful small dog will make you laugh. The Pug is an even tempered, easygoing, pleasant and friendly companion. This sturdy, small dog breed gets along well with children and with other pets although toddlers and small children should be supervised carefully to ensure they don't injure the dog. The Pug doesn't need much training but enjoys the process and is fairly easy to train.

Pomeranian
Pomeranians (#14) or "Poms" are one of the smallest toy dog breeds. The Pom is lively, spirited and animated. This breed is a keen-eyed extrovert who is very inquisitive and must check out all activities going on around him. The Pom is a proud and confident, even cocky, toy dog that requires early and thorough socialization with strangers to minimize its tendency to bark. This toy breed is intelligent, eager to learn and takes readily to positive and gentle training methods.

Maltese
The Maltese is one of the most intelligent and most gentle of all the toy dog breeds. This lively and agile little toy dog loves to play games. This toy breed is cheerful, loving, playful, smart and has lots of personality. Maltese should have early socialization while they are puppies to give them more confidence and overcome their distrust of strangers and minimize their tendency to bark. Maltese enjoy obedience training and some will do well in competitive obedience and agility competitions. This toy breed does fine with older and considerate children.

Miniature Pinscher
The Miniature Pinscher or Min Pin is the most active and lively of all the toy dog breeds. Miniature Pinschers are full of energy, alert, loyal, intelligent and very courageous for their size. Min Pins think they are much larger than their toy size and can be aggressive towards other dogs. These toy dogs can be stubborn and need lots of early socialization and obedience training while puppies. The breed does fine with older considerate children and household pets. Outdoors, this toy breed should be on a leash or in a securely fenced yard as they can disappear quickly.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (#31) is a graceful and happy toy spaniel that is larger than its close relative, the English Toy Spaniel. The Cavalier is a gentle, even-tempered, happy and playful small dog. Cavaliers make excellent family dogs who even like to play with small children (always under supervision of course). The Cavalier finds all humans delightful and loves to cuddle in their laps and snuggle in their beds. However, these comfort-loving Spaniels love to run in the yard and chase chipmunks, squirrels, and birds. Cavaliers are easy to train but require early socialization as puppies to overcome their natural timidity.

Papillon
The Papillon (#35) is one of the oldest European toy dog breeds and the French word for butterfly was used to describe this lively toy breed with the erect butterfly ears. The Papillon is a friendly, affectionate and intelligent dog that is much more robust than it appears. The Pap is definitely not a lap dog and is high spirited, active and loves to play outside and go for walks. This breed is very smart and can be trained to be a good agility and obedience dog for competitions. If the Pap is socialized early and trained properly, and not pampered and spoiled, it becomes a confident and outgoing companion who gets along well with older children and pets.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

How do you protect a toddler during a tornado?

top travel toys for toddlers image

Bethanie

With all of the recent tornados that have occurred it has been making me think about how I should protect myself and my toddler in a tornado. We live in an apt. complex and are on the 2nd floor. I believe the safest place in my apt. is the bathroom or the closet. I am just wondering that if you are in the bathtub with a mattress pulled over the two of you, how should you be positioned in the tub? Should I be on top of my toddler, I am just wondering. If so, how would I hold my mattress and him at the same time. I have also read that the safest place for little kids is in a car seat. I am just trying to clear up what's factual and what is not. I also live about 8 minutes for a hospital. Would it be safer for me to drive to a hospital and get into the ground floor. I know it's a lot of questions but I am just wondering what's the best thing to do if you dont' have a shelter

Answer
If you are in a multi-level apartment complex, get to the lowest floor and into an interior area or room. This could be a hallway, bathroom, closet, or any other interior room. Take plenty of water, blankets, pillows, any special items your toddler needs such as diapers, medicine, something like a toy bear or stuffed animal to help keep him/her calm. Get as low as possible. Sit and hold your child in a manner where you have a good hold and where your arms/hands can protect their body.

If you can not get to a sturdier shelter, The National Weather Service states to find a low ditch or culvert and lay flat as can be face down if no other shelter can be found. This would be a last resort action. Do not try to outrun a tornado in a vehicle. Some tornadoes have been known to travel up to 70MPH. If caught in a vehicle, do not seek shelter under a highway overpass. Wind speeds are actually sped up through the overpasses.

You can keep alert by watching or listening to local news. Can also listen to NOAA weather radio. These radios alert you of any watches or warnings issued for your area. They can be purchased at almost any department store.

Any tips on travelling with a toddler on long flights?

Socrates

I have a long journey planned on my next vacation with my 1.5 year old. A fourteen hour flight followed by layover and then a 6-7 hour. We did not opt for an exclusive seat for him either. Any tips?

Answer
Here are a couple of tips from our own experience:

1. most importantly: call the airline and try to get a bassinette, and at least one seat next to it(that's the crib that attaches to the wall in front of the bulk head seats). the bassinette itself will probably be too small for your child to actually sleep in, but will hold all the extra stuff that comes along with a toddler. moreover, the extra leg room will give your toddler more space to play that is NOT your lap or the aisle...
note: bulk head seats are usually booked first because there's more leg room there, but parents with infants on-lap (younger than 2 years) have priority to these seats on most airlines. if you can't book the seat in advance, don't dispair - you can still get it upon check in: come in early and insist on it!
2. try to keep the child's routine as close to normal as possible. keep meal times and nap times as close as you can to your "home time". bring small packs of favorite foods and snacks with you, as plane food is not likely to top your kids list... you can heat up baby food by putting the container in a small cup filled with a half-inch to an inch of boiling water and stirring the contents. "Gerber" containers fit perfectly, or you could use the small, round, 4-oz disposable plastic containers (like "Glad" or such) which also fit in the coffee cups provided on airplanes.
3. of course, if your child has a favorite toy, stuffed animal, blankie etc., have it with you on board.
4. get a bunch of new, real-cheap little toys that you wouldn't mind losing / throwing away by the end of the trip. introduce a new one every hour or so -- it'll buy you precious time! i'd put under this category also some little arts & crafts items, like stickers and crayons.
5. have at least two full changes of baby clothes and lots of extra diapers with you, as well as a small "baby-bath travel kit", just in case your layover gets extended, your suitecases go astray, and so on... i'd also take an extra shirt for mom and dad, for any unfortunate accidents.
6. on the plane, don't be shy - let baby run up and down the isles. fighting it won't help anyway, and the excersize is good for you both ;-) plus, the more energy they spend, the more likely they are to fall asleep at some point...
7. talk to your pediatritian about baby-safe antihistamines - a small dosage may be all the help baby needs to get drowsy and sleep better when they're already over-tired, but the strange environment won't let them fall asleep...
8. take a deep breath, and remind yourself that, as hard as this one day may be, it's only one day of travel, and it, too, shall pass!

good luck! :)

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

How do you protect a toddler during a tornado?

top travel toys for toddlers image

Bethanie

With all of the recent tornados that have occurred it has been making me think about how I should protect myself and my toddler in a tornado. We live in an apt. complex and are on the 2nd floor. I believe the safest place in my apt. is the bathroom or the closet. I am just wondering that if you are in the bathtub with a mattress pulled over the two of you, how should you be positioned in the tub? Should I be on top of my toddler, I am just wondering. If so, how would I hold my mattress and him at the same time. I have also read that the safest place for little kids is in a car seat. I am just trying to clear up what's factual and what is not. I also live about 8 minutes for a hospital. Would it be safer for me to drive to a hospital and get into the ground floor. I know it's a lot of questions but I am just wondering what's the best thing to do if you dont' have a shelter

Answer
If you are in a multi-level apartment complex, get to the lowest floor and into an interior area or room. This could be a hallway, bathroom, closet, or any other interior room. Take plenty of water, blankets, pillows, any special items your toddler needs such as diapers, medicine, something like a toy bear or stuffed animal to help keep him/her calm. Get as low as possible. Sit and hold your child in a manner where you have a good hold and where your arms/hands can protect their body.

If you can not get to a sturdier shelter, The National Weather Service states to find a low ditch or culvert and lay flat as can be face down if no other shelter can be found. This would be a last resort action. Do not try to outrun a tornado in a vehicle. Some tornadoes have been known to travel up to 70MPH. If caught in a vehicle, do not seek shelter under a highway overpass. Wind speeds are actually sped up through the overpasses.

You can keep alert by watching or listening to local news. Can also listen to NOAA weather radio. These radios alert you of any watches or warnings issued for your area. They can be purchased at almost any department store.

Any tips on travelling with a toddler on long flights?

Socrates

I have a long journey planned on my next vacation with my 1.5 year old. A fourteen hour flight followed by layover and then a 6-7 hour. We did not opt for an exclusive seat for him either. Any tips?

Answer
Here are a couple of tips from our own experience:

1. most importantly: call the airline and try to get a bassinette, and at least one seat next to it(that's the crib that attaches to the wall in front of the bulk head seats). the bassinette itself will probably be too small for your child to actually sleep in, but will hold all the extra stuff that comes along with a toddler. moreover, the extra leg room will give your toddler more space to play that is NOT your lap or the aisle...
note: bulk head seats are usually booked first because there's more leg room there, but parents with infants on-lap (younger than 2 years) have priority to these seats on most airlines. if you can't book the seat in advance, don't dispair - you can still get it upon check in: come in early and insist on it!
2. try to keep the child's routine as close to normal as possible. keep meal times and nap times as close as you can to your "home time". bring small packs of favorite foods and snacks with you, as plane food is not likely to top your kids list... you can heat up baby food by putting the container in a small cup filled with a half-inch to an inch of boiling water and stirring the contents. "Gerber" containers fit perfectly, or you could use the small, round, 4-oz disposable plastic containers (like "Glad" or such) which also fit in the coffee cups provided on airplanes.
3. of course, if your child has a favorite toy, stuffed animal, blankie etc., have it with you on board.
4. get a bunch of new, real-cheap little toys that you wouldn't mind losing / throwing away by the end of the trip. introduce a new one every hour or so -- it'll buy you precious time! i'd put under this category also some little arts & crafts items, like stickers and crayons.
5. have at least two full changes of baby clothes and lots of extra diapers with you, as well as a small "baby-bath travel kit", just in case your layover gets extended, your suitecases go astray, and so on... i'd also take an extra shirt for mom and dad, for any unfortunate accidents.
6. on the plane, don't be shy - let baby run up and down the isles. fighting it won't help anyway, and the excersize is good for you both ;-) plus, the more energy they spend, the more likely they are to fall asleep at some point...
7. talk to your pediatritian about baby-safe antihistamines - a small dosage may be all the help baby needs to get drowsy and sleep better when they're already over-tired, but the strange environment won't let them fall asleep...
8. take a deep breath, and remind yourself that, as hard as this one day may be, it's only one day of travel, and it, too, shall pass!

good luck! :)

Powered by Yahoo! Answers