What/who will you bring with you? Just you, spouse and baby? Or will someone be coming with you to help?
I'm a bit cray. I don't like travel surprises and I like being able to do things fast to reduce worst case scenarios.
Before going:
Spoiler!
Read fine print of travel insurance. Some cards suck. PC financial world card for instance is inexplicably only like half coverage of some of the typical travel cards.
Plan to do ultra fast security check. This isn't just for others, it's beneficial for you because there's extra stuff you might need to have checked out at security (ie: milk). I personally have specific clothes specifically for airport leg of my journey that make things easier so I don't have to spend a ton of time or juggle 8+ bins worth of stuff.
Comfy clothing with no metal/buttons or belts (ie: Lulu pants). Completely emptied pockets (ie: a fanny pack that you can easily clip on and off to toss all pocket items into bin in a split second such as wallet, passport, phone, keys, coins). Shoes that are easy to put on and take off hands free (ie: flip flops, crocs etc.). Ultra compact jacket that doesn't take up all the carry on space if I'm not wearing it. Easy one handed pull resealable bags for laptop (helps glide vs snag), baby liquids and normal liquids and gels to toss in bin and back in bag with ease.
All sorts of things will beep and need to be checked thoroughly. Put most baby things into freezer bags (L and XL sizes) to compartmentalize and keep as clean as possible from germs. Cloth things can have air squeezed out. Bring 2-3 extras of either size just in case.
At airport
Spoiler!
Assuming no rule changes, breast milk and formula is relaxed/exempt from liquids and gels restriction. Check the airline rules. But they do have to bring it out and check and whatnot, so treat it like a laptop where having the ability to easily pull it out and separate into a different bin at security makes it painless for everyone.
You can keep the stroller to the gate which is so much more convenient than checking it in with luggage. But I recommend stroller should be easily emptied in a minute or less (ie: All possessions are in diaper bags and carry on bags) for security and at gate. This is less for not bugging other travelers in security (though a nice side effect) and more for that chance if somehow there's a delay and you have to rush through security to catch a plane/connection.
Electrical outlets are not always in convenient places in airports. Cord can help bring electricity closer to your seat for charging phones, plug in breast pump etc. If the outlets are taken up, the extension cord means you can share with whoever is there first and not have to keep wandering. Easy to store the cord with the stroller by using velcro zip ties to attach it to stroller so it won't be easily lost and won't take up space in carry on.
Bring a big compact snack for you and spouse, maybe baby if they're doing solids. I highly recommend 2-3 rolls of arrow root cookies (half a box ish?). Easy to fit into carry on. You and spouse can crush a roll each to stave off and delay hunger if something goes wrong and you cannot quickly send someone to grab a bite to eat.
Both practice using diaper bag if not your normal bag so you aren't confused where stuff is, missing refilling diaper/wipes and stuff and other stresses in an unfamiliar place. I've walked into bathrooms and then walked out to ask wife to bring baby for diaper change because some men's bathrooms have no change station.
Consider breast feeding at lift off and landing to address pressure changes.
I spent $30 and bought baby ear protection but that ear muff thing isn't very practical. Somewhat useful if baby is up and about (assuming baby won't dislike it and swipe at it to knock it off). Doesn't stay on ears if baby is in the car carrier.
Yes, the plane is a little loud, but it should not be enough to hurt baby hearing. If you do want something to dampen noise, I'd recommend a super stretchy nursing cover that can go over the carrier. Something like this:
When baby is in carrier, this is on carrier. If baby is in cloth carrier or breast feeding, then over head should help to reduce noise without smothering.
If all else fails... a controversial last line of defense can be having baby Benadryl on hand. Dose and hope the drowsy helps knock baby out for the flight. This is like a plan D situation though and more for if baby cries for an hour and is inconsolable and uncomfortable on the plane. Yes, not proper use of Benadryl, but it's only potentially twice over a wider duration. Would you rather using this way, or baby absolutely miserable for entire duration of flight to Hawaii? Pros and cons, your call.
At destination
Spoiler!
Rent large vehicle or a van if renting a vehicle. Don't play Tetris/Blockus with all the stuff. If Costco prices aren't the best, check AMA website and sort by price to check for hidden gems. Unlike other websites, AMA website inexplicably doesn't sort by price. I paid slightly extra to get rental closer to airport. With only wife and I, stroller, baby + carrier (together and/or separate), luggage x 2+, 3+ carry on (carry on + pump and formula stuff) etc. is doable but really unwieldly for only two people. There were some instances where we didn't have enough hands even with luggage carts/it was wobbly and I used luggage belts/straps to tow a caravan of our stuff. Shuttle bus sucks with all that stuff when landing and leaving.
I traveled with a Graco travel system (carrier/car seat, stroller) rather than renting a car seat on the other side. Graco system is so much lighter and compact than other systems. A heavier and bigger stroller, car seat system would be tough in many scenarios. Practice installing carrier using both methods in vehicles until you can do it in around a minute or less (anchor clip and/or seat belt method in worst case scenario rental has no anchors). Fighting with car to install carrier for 10-15 minutes with irritated baby is not fan, especially if rest of luggage still has to be loaded into vehicle.
A wheeled hockey bag was kinda awesome to toss in the car seat stuff and other baby excess stuff rather than wrapping it in plastic (not counted as checked luggage IIRC), but it's a checked bag. I exploited the crap out of the Westjet card's free check in luggage when I traveled pre pandemic.
Travel plans wise, make options for baby specifically where adults compromise (ie: Kiddie splash pool, play places etc.) AND options for adults where adults happy and baby sorta compromise (ie: Beach, hike, shopping etc.). Otherwise, no one will be happy. Baby mainly just needs to be comfortable. Baby won't remember anything. Make sure the trip is fun for adults and more stress than it's worth. The point is to have fun.
We are going with another couple and their 1 year old. So 4 adults and 2 little ones.
They have flown with her before to California but this is a much longer flight for them too.
Quickly approaching the 40 week mark on Tuesday. Baby seems quite comfortable and content where they are, though we did make a surprise visit to Labour & Delivery last night when my partner's heart rate spiked for no reason.
Saturday was my last day of work, so I am officially off work until June 2023, which still hasn't quite sunk in.
My mother recently went into the hospital for heart valve replacement surgery, so that puts a bit if a kink in the hospital plan as far as what happens with the other kiddos, but I'm sure it'll get figured out.
To quote Elliotte Friedman: "You plan, God laughs."
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Quickly approaching the 40 week mark on Tuesday. Baby seems quite comfortable and content where they are, though we did make a surprise visit to Labour & Delivery last night when my partner's heart rate spiked for no reason.
Saturday was my last day of work, so I am officially off work until June 2023, which still hasn't quite sunk in.
My mother recently went into the hospital for heart valve replacement surgery, so that puts a bit if a kink in the hospital plan as far as what happens with the other kiddos, but I'm sure it'll get figured out.
To quote Elliotte Friedman: "You plan, God laughs."
*cries in American*
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Quote:
Originally Posted by New Era
This individual is not affluent and more of a member of that shrinking middle class. It is likely the individual does not have a high paying job, is limited on benefits, and has to make due with those benefits provided by employer.
Need a butt spatula. No digging in the cream and smearing with your fingers.
Works when you have only one kid. When you have a toddler and a baby, the toddler WILL find a way to put the butt spatula in their mouth. And probably the baby's mouth.
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Baby arrived yesterday afternoon, 9 days overdue, at a sizeable 9 lbs 6 oz.
Just got him and mama back to sleep.
His middle name is my dad's name. Dad passed away 10 years ago, and I miss him so much and really wish he was here to spoil this little guy.
What a wild ride! And it's just beginning.
That is a cool tribute to your dad, and your son will appreciate it when he's older.
Congrats on the baby, and remember, you got this. If the breast is working for him, great. If not, no sweat and remember to support your wife emotionally. Sometimes if the breastfeeding doesn't happen immediately they feel like it's their fault, but it certainly isn't. She can pump or use formula and it's all good.
Remember that the right method of keeping the baby alive is YOUR method. People will offer all sorts of advice, but do what works for you, especially the first 3 or 6 months. It'll be a lot of work, but super rewarding.
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How are the smaller 3-wheeled strollers in the snow/slush and mild trails? Our only experience is with the Thule Urban Glide, which was a fantastic stroller and handled exceptionally well due to its massive footprint and large, pneumatic tires. Now that any chance of its return is gone, I need to get a replacement and ASAP.
Anyone experienced with something like the City Mini GT, Thule Spring or similar (3 wheeled, small diameter foam/plastic tires etc). We do a lot of walking, jogging, trail hikes etc. and I'm not all that confident something like these won't be an epic pain in the ass walking through snow or the like.
Also, a thousand curses on the souls of those who steal children's items.
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No, no…I’m not sloppy, or lazy. This is a sign of the boredom.
