The above statement can apply to my life in general, but in this case I'm talking about our future trip. I haven't traveled via air in years and I've never traveled via air with a
My mind is all over the place lately. My thoughts jump from the complications of bringing B's epi-pen to the worries of having to strip down for TSA. I need a handler to make it through situations like this. I need someone who will tell me what to do, where to go and what to bring (Hi my name is Angela and I am an over packer). My anxiety level is rising. I have to remind myself this trip is a blessedly good thing. Hawaii, in January, when it's freezing cold and very gray out the front window and it seems wisest to hibernate a while. It will be good. I just need to do some deep breathing.
I think I have our picture outfit sorted. Thanks for your help and opinions on that! I would be lost without you. Lost and wearing mismatched clothes. We ventured far and wide yesterday to find better outfits. We didn't have the best luck, but I think the end product will be a bit more coherent than what I was tossing out on Saturday.
I take pictures in the car while J drives to amuse myself. I don't think it's at all distracting or dangerous.
B is melting down and he has a dirty diaper so I better go. Thanks in advance for holding my hand/providing tips!
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7 comments:
I've traveled in the US 2 times with my 14 month old. The airports are typically really understanding. Just expect that you will be patted down because of the liquids in your diaper bag; otherwise, for me, the staff seems to go above and beyond in getting you and the baby through security easily and letting you board early if that is what you want to do.
You won't have to strip B down. You won't even have to take off his shoes. Just expect to put the stroller through the scanner but otherwise no one even touches the baby (or shouldn't!).
Also, I didn't know this initially, but you can bring on the plane a diaper bag plus another bag. I thought the diaper bag would be it but you can actually have two bags.
Good luck! I think the travel part always goes much smoother than you expect. For us, it was the sleeping-factor for our daughter while we were away from home (as in she didn't sleep:). That was the tough part!
Tracy
I traveled to Florida when DD was 14 months old, India when she was 18 months old, and to Mexico when she was 3 and DS was 4 months, and Puerto Rico when she was 4 and he was 2. So, I have done this a few times.
My first suggestion, and I can't believe I am saying this, would be to consider leaving the stroller at home. We did when we went to PR, and it was awesome. I brought along my Oh Snap, similar to the Ergo. We used that quite a bit, and the kids either slept in the hotel room, or on pool chairs. When we went out, most places we went weren't stroller friendly, so we didn't really miss it.
My top most suggestion, would be to get B a seat. I would travelled originally with DD in arms (to Florida and a plane bassinet to India, and I would rather not travel, than to fly with a lap kid. First, it is safer, second, it is soooooooooooooooooooo much easier. Even considering schlepping the car seat/s. When we went to PR, I strapped DS into the car seat on the plane, he sat nicely, passed out a few minutes later, and that was it. I was in shock!!!! In the diaper bag, I carried, more diapers than I would ever dream to need on the flight, extra outfits for both kids, and me (just in case), enough snacks to feed a small army, an Ipod touch with episodes of their favorite shows, and an Ipad with some kid apps, and episodes of the same shows. I also had triangle crayons (they don't roll off the table), board books, and some of those water paint picure books. (you know you dip the paintbrush in water, run it on the page, and the pic appears). I also had milk juice boxes to help the ears on take off and landing. You have to show the snacks and milks at security, and it will likely get your frisked, but that is about it. You can most likely go through security with B in the carrier, I did.
Oh, if you do decide to bring B as a lap baby, and you decide to bring his car seat (for car rental reasons), please remember that the seat would then need to wrapped in bubble wrap and boxed, as most car seat enthusiasts believe that checking a car seat is akin to it being in an accident.
Just remember, that a lot of airlines have done away with courtesy boarding. Some will let you do it, some won't. Get there early, so you aren't running like a nut in the airport. Also, then B can run around in the waiting area, and hopefully not want to run around on the plane.
I usually insist on keeping the naps somewhat consistent while away, and that really helps. Then we don't have to be so strict about the night time. Reagarding the allergies, I would get a note from the pedi, and copies of the scripts to bring along, in case people give you problems.
Don't know if you follow this blog, but she just posted some great travels tips with young ones. Good luck!http://windywilsons.blogspot.com
With my son (3 yrs old, allergic to corn, dairy, soy & misc), eating out is a nightmare. Are you going to be able to cook for him while you're there? If so, I would bring the main things you use at home, especially any special brands/products you know he'll eat that are safe, since you never know what the grocery stores there will have. If you're not cooking, then I would take lots and lots of safe snacks in your checked luggage. Also, for us, I assumed certain things were safe that weren't (Sprite in my country is made with sugar, in the U.S. it has corn syrup) so I actually ended up giving him his worst allergic reaction yet while we were travelling. Not fun. At home I don't have him on an allergy medication, but when we travel he takes Claritin regularly. I don't think we could do a vacation if I didn't have access to a kitchen and a store...
http://adventuresandtrials.blogspot.com/2012/03/travelling-with-tots.html This is my list of travel things-to-do that I used when flying with my son. The post-it notes and sensory balloons were a big hit.
I wish you a wonderful time!!
Brandy @ Windy City Wilsons wrote two great posts on this (one about traveling overseas with a 7-month-old). I, however, have no advice except to relax and try to enjoy yourself. Something mildly disastrous is bound to happen, but at least it will make great blog material!
P.S. I think your hair looks really cute in your snapshots.
You will be just fine, i promise. We took our three when the twins were 3 months and again at 6 months and have almoat every year with caleb. The tricky part for you will be enertaining B, hes at a age where he wants to go, go go so take anything that holds his attention the best or anything that is a "treat" for him, we always do a new movie and toy that he doesnt get until hes reached the boredom point on the flight. On a 6 hr road trip, i had a new activity/toy that C could open 1every hour that he seemed to enjoy, focusing on the next thing and not how much longer. His epi pen will be no big deal, just have your rx label, i never never been questioned on any of C's meds and travel with of his asthma and allergy ones. For bottles they will open them up and put this paper on top to test them, no big deal i think we had like 12 one trip. Just know that security will take a bit longer and dont stress about it. B wont have to take off his shoes, you will just carry him through. We did the baby wearing on our first trip with the twins and it worked well especailly to hold while thre slept on the plane we would wear them. Just relax and enjoy the time together.
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