Mom Posts: 3 Lessons Learned from Traveling with an Infant

Yesterday we returned from our first travel adventure with an infant, and I must day, it was highly successful! I caveat this blog by stating that we truly do have an easy baby, and are forever grateful and do not take that for granted!!!! That said, there were still things I learned for next time that I thought I'd share. This is what worked for us, but every infant - and family - is different, so do what works.

Everyone on the first flight was incredibly nice and complimentary! The gate agent took us to the "special assistance" area and we were able to take a shuttle to the plane well before other passengers. The pilot (while waiting for the delayed shuttle of passengers!) came out and said hi, and turns out he has a baby the same age!! Then there was a pilot sitting next to us heading home who said "I've been there" very reassuringly. A lady passed by while boarding and said "I'm sure she'll do great!" and many complimented us on how adorable she was. After a stressful day getting everything ready and navigating the ticketing, security, and gate....it was reassuring and calming to hear everyone's comments!

Here are my three lessons learned:

1. When to Nurse: I knew to nurse her during take-off and landing, but didn't think about how they pressurize the cabin when they shut the door. Our super happy and sleepy baby started screaming for what I thought was no reason, then my husband figured it out. I quickly nursed her and she was fine. I put this lesson into action for the return flight with no issues. 
2. Changing Diapers: I changed a wet diaper on the plane at our seats, but since small planes do not have changing tables, I also learned that I have no idea what I would have done with a dirty diaper situation! No advice here, but a definite realization!!
3. Car Seats: Infant car seats can be installed without a base, which we knew, and even practiced before we left. However, it does not seem to be sucre in the slightest because the seat angle, and the angle of the straps just cannot physically stay where they're supposed to be. The foot end of the seat constantly wants to push down and the head end constantly wants to push up, so I readjusted it EVERY time we got in the car. It was also nearly impossible to get an infant into the seat once installed because the lap belt goes across the whole car seat. Lesson learned: I can't wait till we just need a booster or none at all. 

And we did use the advice from Lindsay's Pursuit of Pink blog, and made cute notes from our daughter and included a pair of ear plugs and a chocolate treat. Everyone thought it was cute!

What lessons did you learn after traveling that you'd wished you'd known before?

Mom Posts: Traveling WITH My Little One

In May, my husband and I will be traveling with our almost-4-month-old to Long Island for a family wedding. Originally, we were planning on having my mother-in-law babysit, but my trip without her plus the fact that it's my first ever Mother's Day solidified that we will be taking her with us. Here are a few tips we've accumulated thus far:

TSA/Security and the Airport:

• Infants do not need photo ID unless you're traveling abroad, but always check current policies to be certain
• Know the TSA security screening procedures for children, which can be found here. I would print a copy to be safe
• Know the TSA policies on traveling with formula, breastmilk and juice, found here, and definitely print a copy if you may be traveling with any of those items
• Plan for tons of extra time (in case you haven't figured that out by now!)
• Scope out the family restrooms before you need them!
• Use the pre-boarding option if you happen to fly an airline that still allows early boarding with children

On the Plane:

• Call the airline to notify them you will have an infant with you on your lap
• Plan to nurse or feed your little one during take-off and landing; but know that some airlines do have specific policies and you may want to do your research
• Check out my friend Lindsey's blog, the Pursuit of Pink, on traveling with an infant to see the cute packets she made nearby passengers so they were a bit more forgiving if the baby starts to cry; the packets had a note from her daughter, a pack of oreos, and a pair of ear plugs. The items were cute but her note is even cuter so you must check it out!

Hotels:

• Call the hotel (in our case, hotels) to request a crib. Ask if there's a charge so you're aware. In our case, we had to get a larger room to fit the pack'n'play they're supplying us because the room we'd booked only had room for 2 people
• Also ask if you can get a fridge in the room, if it doesn't come with one. If you have a medical need, it's usually free of charge (breastmilk counts, and you can research if formula does)

Rental Car:

• If renting a car, decide what you'll do about car seats; we plan to bring a spare we happen to have so that our good one isn't accidentally damaged; many companies now rent car seats but be aware that you may not know how to install it if it's a different brand from your own

Packing:

• A few days before traveling, start taking note of:
• how many diapers you go through in a day and multiply by the number of days traveling (remember you can always buy more though!)
• what toys/books you use; I only bring one book and one toy since she's so little
• any special items you need for the bedtime routine (e.g., we used a giraffe that makes white noise for a while, though she no longer needs it)
• Gear:
• We plan to gate check a stroller, check a car seat (under the plane) and I'll use the Ergo carrier while walking around most of the time. Check out these cases I bought at Babies'R'Us to protect them from getting dirty
• Feeding:
• We plan to bring one bottle, a hand pump, and some sanitizing wipes just in case, but I plan to nurse exclusively
• A nursing cover if you wish to have one
• Burp cloths and bibs (our baby spits up... sometimes not at all, sometimes literally ALL she eats)
• Other items to think about:
• Swaddle if your baby uses one at night (our's does!)
• Pacifiers if your baby uses them (our's does not...she can't figure them out)
• A blanket for the plane and car
• Medicine (if you need Tylenol, vitamin D, any other medicine they regularly take)

What are your tips? I'd also love to hear success stories or mishaps!