Post by dreadgamerwife on Mar 8, 2015 9:28:58 GMT -5
Just got back from a five day, cross country trip with C. My tips: 1. When flying, buy LO a separate seat, if possible. While I ended up holding C both ways, the extra seat was a great place to put her toys, my water, etc so I didn't have to disturb her every time I needed to get something. 2. United no longer routinely allows families with young children to pre board. But it doesn't hurt to ask the gate agent. Coming home, we were first on board so I could get her settled and install the car seat without holding everyone else up. 3. I layered several disposable diaper inserts for the flight so I was able to not change her on the flight. Topped them with a layer of fleece so she never felt the wetness. 4. I wish I had brought some binder clips to keep the light blocking blinds closed fully. 5. Wore C in the airport so I checked the stroller. One less thing to keep track of in the airport. Babies have so much stuff so being able to check one or more large item helps. 6. We bought a light weight convertible car seat for travel. Pretty basic but easier to wrestle in place by myself. Also bought a luggage cart style carrier for it so I was able to push it around when not in use (and placed my backpack and her diaper bag in it). 7. Lastly, taxi drivers have no idea how to install a convertible car seat facing backwards.
Post by theresat858 on Mar 8, 2015 10:00:30 GMT -5
Wear baby in the airport but use the stroller as a luggage cart.
Nurse/give a bottle/pacifier for takeoff and landing.
Baby gets a carry on (so you can bring a diaper bag plus purse plus carry on) on most airlines
Gate check the car seat and stroller. Some airlines let you check and additional piece of free baby gear like a pack n play.
You can bring a ton of breastmilk through security with or without baby. Ice packs must be frozen solid, though. I found it easier to keep it at fridge temp (not frozen) and replenish ziplock bags of ice on the other side of security.
You do not have to take baby off through TSA, but they can make you remove a jacket if it is under baby. FAA regulations do not allow wearing baby during take off or landing. (Though not all flight attendants enforce).
For older babies/young toddlers (for whom the iPad is not yet a good distraction), bring a bag of new toys/books to pull out when boredom sets in.
A. Family members ages 12 and under, traveling with an eligible parent or guardian that has a TSA Pre✓® indicator on their boarding pass, can participate in expedited screening. However, family members 13 and older must go through standard security lanes or should apply for a DHS Trusted Traveler program for TSA Pre✓® eligibility.
Post by theresat858 on Mar 8, 2015 16:15:53 GMT -5
Oh! Another tip for getting through security easily - when flying with an older baby and bringing baby food pouches, only bring enough for the flight. We got through super easy with ~4 of those pouch things, but the people in front of us had about 12 for their baby, and TSA def. gave them funny looks. (I mean, maybe that was for their whole trip, and they did let them through, but they also had to do additional screening). So if you're checking any bags, put the extra in there.
We just flew last week. I agree with feeding/giving pacifier at take off and landing. I used the stroller and it was no problem. I gate checked it. I checked the car seat w/the rest of the luggage - less to lug through the airport. I would pack the minimum amount of diapers/wipes/food to bring with you on the plane. I checked everything else.
I bought a stroller bag and car seat bag. It was great to put them in so they didn't get dirty. I would definitely recommend it.
I used to never check luggage but it is much easier with the baby.
Post by TheMooseIsLoose on Mar 9, 2015 12:49:40 GMT -5
I've only flown once with my kids and that was when they were 2&3, but for road trips (which we do a lot of), snack bucket including bottles for baby (I premeasured the formula into the dry bottles and then had a thermos of water to mix in) and an activity box filled with new stuff from the dollar store.
I also bought a big tub of gummy candies and every hour if the kids were good, they'd get to pick one. They lived for "candy time" and if they started to get whiny, one candy time reminder snapped them out of it.
I agree with many of the suggestions above. Depending on how long your trip is and if you will have a car, we love to buy certain things at our destination and not have to bring from home. For a baby I may choose to buy diapers, wipes and any food we need there. We make a stop to buy some key supplies for us (shampoo, snacks, water, beer) and just add the kid stuff. If you are doing a beach type vacation, consider buying or renting beach supplies at your destination.
And finally while on the topic of renting, there are companies across the US that rent things like cribs, swings, exersaucers...again depending on your destination you can consider renting vs lugging a PnP along with you.
Post by rockynfrankie on Mar 9, 2015 17:02:58 GMT -5
Thank you for posting this! I need this. We finally booked our trip to Jamaica and I feel like there is so much to worry about! I haven't traveled with LO yet, but some tips I have found via Google are ones stated above. Also my pedi office also suggested bringing pedialyte, a thermometer and tylenol just in case.
I always make an Excel Spreadsheet with every.single.item I need to pack. I make a list for myself, DH and now DS. I also make a list of things I need to buy and a list of things that will be packed in our carryon. Usually a week or 2 before a trip I will start packing things like bathing suits and shorts (things I don't need every day) and I check them off my list. The night before we leave I finish go through everything and finish packing.
Give yourself extra time. Have extra clothes for you and LO. (My baby had a blow out during takeoff. Nothing like being stuck in leaked on clothes for three hours). Read over TSA guidelines for anything you might need. Ziploc bags in your carry on for dirty stuff.
Good stuff here! I've only flown once with DD when she was just 2 months old. We're looking at flying again with her in April so these STM tips are key.
One thing I did was bring a travel pack of Clorox wipes and wiped down our entire aisle - tray tables, arm rests, settles, even the wall when we had a window seat. I also kept a hand sanitizer pump (I like the Babyganics travel pumps) handy. I think it'll be even more important now that she's actually moving about and touching stuff.
I have a HUGE canvas tote bag with lots of pockets that was awesome.
We were lucky enough to be able to use my SIL's carseat upon arrival so I wore her in the Ergo the whole time. I did take her out for takeoff and landing so that I could nurse her (I am unfortunately not well-endowed enough to make the nursing in the Ergo thing work). I brought the Boppy too because at the time I was still using it to nurse and it also made a nice place for her to sleep/me to rest my arms, but I don't think I'd do that now that she's bigger.
Give yourself extra time. Have extra clothes for you and LO. (My baby had a blow out during takeoff. Nothing like being stuck in leaked on clothes for three hours). Read over TSA guidelines for anything you might need. Ziploc bags in your carry on for dirty stuff.
I did not think of that! Another thing to add to my spreadsheet!
Re: car seat cover/bag - we checked our car seat and base at the counter in a bag. Trait me, it's worth it because that bag got disgusting in just one flight. Imagine if that was just the car seat?! That being said, I think southwest provides them.
Post by americanninjamommy on Mar 10, 2015 12:30:13 GMT -5
Anyone have issues with bringing nursery water through TSA security for formula? We are flying in April and I want to premake his bottles with formula then bring the water with us in a thermos. Will TSA give me a hard time for that?
Post by rockynfrankie on Mar 10, 2015 13:49:52 GMT -5
Anyone ever heard of or used Steri-bottles? I just found them on Amazon and they are disposable one time use bottles. I was thinking they might be useful during travel so I don't have wash bottles but I had never heard of them before.
I was looking for something like the Enfamil nursettes but they only come in 2oz bottles but DS drinks 6oz at a time and I feel like that would be wasteful and expensive. Plus I could only find Newborn formula and not the Infant one.
For anyone planning on traveling with breast milk or premixed formula, the 2 times I have traveled for work lately TSA had to screen each bottle/bag of breast milk separately. They had to wipe any moisture off the container and put each one in a device that scanned it, which can take a long time if you have lots of containers. If you can consolidate your liquids as much as possible and then portion it as needed, it will be faster than having to screen a bunch of small serving size bottles.
Use the overnight diapers for long car rides, but still change as often as possible. That way if there is a stretch that is longer than the others, you won't have an accident.
For anyone planning on traveling with breast milk or premixed formula, the 2 times I have traveled for work lately TSA had to screen each bottle/bag of breast milk separately. They had to wipe any moisture off the container and put each one in a device that scanned it, which can take a long time if you have lots of containers. If you can consolidate your liquids as much as possible and then portion it as needed, it will be faster than having to screen a bunch of small serving size bottles.
I brought the little 2 oz bottles of formula and they didn't even have me take them out. I disclosed I had extra liquids for baby feeding and meds for my 6 year old to each TSA person in the line. It my vary what you have to do by airport.
Anyone have issues with bringing nursery water through TSA security for formula? We are flying in April and I want to premake his bottles with formula then bring the water with us in a thermos. Will TSA give me a hard time for that?
We were told you can bring bottled water through in a sealed bottle. I don't think they would allow water in bottles that isn't sealed. And if they did allow they may test it. I think you can do your plan but with bottled vs thermos. Worst case if they take the water you can buy it again after going through security.
Anyone ever heard of or used Steri-bottles? I just found them on Amazon and they are disposable one time use bottles. I was thinking they might be useful during travel so I don't have wash bottles but I had never heard of them before.
I was looking for something like the Enfamil nursettes but they only come in 2oz bottles but DS drinks 6oz at a time and I feel like that would be wasteful and expensive. Plus I could only find Newborn formula and not the Infant one.
No I haven't but they do sound nice. Are they super expensive? If you go that route I woukd try them before you leave in case your LO has issues with different nipples.
Anyone ever heard of or used Steri-bottles? I just found them on Amazon and they are disposable one time use bottles. I was thinking they might be useful during travel so I don't have wash bottles but I had never heard of them before.
I was looking for something like the Enfamil nursettes but they only come in 2oz bottles but DS drinks 6oz at a time and I feel like that would be wasteful and expensive. Plus I could only find Newborn formula and not the Infant one.
No I haven't but they do sound nice. Are they super expensive? If you go that route I woukd try them before you leave in case your LO has issues with different nipples.
I plan on doing this. I ordered some from eBay and it was $15 for 10 bottles with shipping. So basically $1.50/ bottle and he takes 6 bottles a day. Not exactly cheap for any extended use but if he tolerates them I think it will be worth it to have a a few days off from washing bottles. It might make it feel a little more like vacation for me.
Does anyone use gate check bags for strollers and car seats? Are they worth buying?
We checked our car seat and the airline put it in a heavy duty plastic bag. You don't need to bring the base. We gate checked the stroller without a bag and it remained in good condition.
Does anyone use gate check bags for strollers and car seats? Are they worth buying?
We checked our car seat and the airline put it in a heavy duty plastic bag. You don't need to bring the base. We gate checked the stroller without a bag and it remained in good condition.
What airline did you fly? I don't think they all provide them but I have heard southwest does. We are flying delta in a couple months but their website says nothing about providing bags.
I flew Delta yesterday, and they do not provide bags. I brought my own, but I was the only parent who had them. But it was raining, and the bags got dirty, so I was glad I used them.
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