Traveling with pre-toddler

[Vishenka69]

We're planning a trip with DD to my uncle's house in WI. I have so many questions. I totally have no idea what I'm doing.

According to Britax website our carseat is aircraft approved. It's only a 2hr flight, so DH thinks we can handle it without getting a seat for her. It's $200 per ticket. How doable is it to lap hold an active 16 months old for 2 hours? Although she might be freaked out enough to want to be held.

According to Continental/United website, we can bring one stroller and one car seat without paying baggage fees. Do we bring our own car seat or just rent a car with one? How doable is it to have a suitcase, stroller and a carseat at the airport? I think we should be able to check the carseat though. I hope I can pack everything into one suitcase because there's no way we can handle bringing two. I was thinking of having diapers and wipes shipped to their house. Anything else I can ship ahead.

Where does your child sleep on trips to someone else's house? My aunt is going to check if she can borrow a pack-n-pay from someone but she's unsure if any of her friends still have one. I was thinking of trying to find a used one on ebay and having it shipped to them to avoid the hassle of bring ours. I tried craigslist but there's nothing in their area and I don't want them to drive 45 min each way to pick it up.

When is it best to fly? We're an hour from the airport and need to get there at least an hour in advance (probably more since we'll have to park the car and take the shuttle). I'm thinking the earliest we can realistically be on a plane is 11. Would you wake up the kid at 6 to make an earlier flight and hope she sleeps on the plane? We got a 2 hr drive after we land, so there will be an opportunity for a nap.

Is there a portable highchair or something else we can take with us? What am I forgetting? Any advice? Words of wisdom? I'm totally freaking out.

[scrub-jay]

My dd is younger than yours, so I don't have a lot of advice, but I highly recommend a baby peapod for sleeping. It is much lighter and compact than a pack n play and our dd sleeps in hers often. Good luck!!

[SuzySunshine]

First, calm down - you'll all be fine!

Can you hold an active 16 month old for a two hour flight? Yes. Get a window seat and she will love watching them load the bags before you take off, she will like looking out the window during take off and landing and in between the two of you can handle her. She can walk up and down the aisle or if its nap time she may fall asleep, mine usually fell asleep during take off. If you are not going to get her her own seat check your own car seat, the ones that come with rental cars are usually GROSS!

If all 3 of you are going its totally doable to have a stroller, carseat (in a carseat bag with a should strap) and a suitcase. I even flew by myself once with both kids, a car seat bag, a suit case a stroller and carry ons. With two adults you'll be fine!

Don't worry about shipping diapers and wipes just stop at a drugstore when you get to town.

Some places have companies where you can rent baby equipment. Google the name of the town and baby equipment rental. If your aunt has time have her check the local second hand shop like Once Upon a Child for a pack n' play.

I had one of these and used it when we flew to my sisters' in Houston, http://www.target.com/First-Years-Go..._qi_detaillink it worked great and was nice and small.

You'll be fine!

[Pollyanna]

Try http://www.babysaway.com/. It's a great way to rent items when you are on vacation.

Second the Peapod - it's great. If you get it ahead of time, set it up. We call Mattie's her "house" and she loves that only SHE can fit in it. It's small and easy.

Yes. You CAN hold her - but you will be physically exhausted. If Izya is as active and squirmy as you say, I don't see you being happy with that plan. Buy the seat. You can afford it -- consider it a luxury being done with training can provide. Also, if she's used to being strapped in in the car, if you use her carseat in the airplane, she won't be as likely to fight having to stay in her seat. Now, I've NEVER used a carseat on a plane, but I'm also good (and used to) being the hardass, and my kids have been traveling since they were infants. If you choose not to use the carseat on the flight, gate check it (buy a car seat bag). I wouldn't use a rental -- that's just me. I've got no experience nor horror stories to base it on.

Bring a couple "new" toys or an iPad or DVD player and she'll be entertained. Cheri is right - the window seat will do wonders as well.

It's really no big deal. We can all start listing the crazy trips we've done w/small kids, solo, etc. -- you'll be fine.

[DCJenn]

I've always gotten the dude his own seat just because I think 1) it's easier and 2) it's safer. That and it makes it that much easier to maneuver, if you're in a plane w/ three seats per side. We always put him in the window side so there's stuff to watch. We also taught him that you fly through "bumpy clouds" on the way up and the way down and once you get through the bumpy clouds, then the bell will ring and then the flight attendant will come take his juice order. Every flight we review the same thing in the same order. A flight attendant on Southwest had him push in his seat button to "help the plane take off" so that's part of our tradition now, too. I had the sit n' stroll so that was two fewer things I needed to cart around. I've also made it a contest to get through security the fastest- which one of us can get our shoes off and into the bin, then I give him his ticket to walk through and show the security guard. We fly A LOT- he's one flight away from a free ticket on Southwest!

It's easier than you think it'll be.

Jenn

[HouseofWool]

Julie - where in Wisconsin? Depending on location, I would be able to lend you items if you don't want to deal with bringing them.

[alison]

You'll be fine! Your daughter will be outnumbered.

There is no way in hell that I'm flying with M in the near future. We had a 4-hour delay out of SFO when she was 8 months old. M really wanted to nap, but is/was not one of those babies you can just throw over your shoulders and will sleep. We almost missed our flight when it finally did start boarding, because dh had taken M outside (beyond security) once more to see if she'd fall asleep in a carrier.

She cried and couldn't get comfortable on the flight, and both dh and I were sweating bullets and complete toast. We got glares and "can't you do something for that baby!???" and I told myself we would never do it again.

Benadryl has the opposite effect on my daughter--rather than sedating her somewhat, she kicks things into high gear. If you do decide to go that route, try it out once before your flight.

I do think a lot of M's personality has to do with the fact that dh and I are complete idiots who overthink things, and our jitters have rubbed off on M. She knows something's up, and acts accordingly.

I've also made it a contest to get through security the fastest- which one of us can get our shoes off and into the bin, then I give him his ticket to walk through and show the security guard.

My husband would LOVE you. He's just like the George Clooney character in Up in the Air. He scans the lines and picks the one w/o kids, old people and preferably behind Asians.

[alison]

Why Asians?
Have you seen this: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/airplane

I do think a lot of M's personality has to do with the fact that dh and I are complete idiots who overthink things, and our jitters have rubbed off on M. She knows something's up, and acts accordingly.

I don't like the use of the word "idiot", but yes, you do tend to over think things *just* a tad.

Julie - re: highchair -- we have one of these http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/...oductId=426761 . When deflated, it's really flat and will just slide in the front pocket of a suitcase. Very easy.

It really doesn't have to be a big deal. Honestly, I think the sooner you get them used to flying/traveling, the easier it is. I can't imagine why Izya would freak about flying -- you and your dh don't, and I do think the kids pick up on a lot of our anxieties. Obviously yes, there are some inexplicable phobias ... but I doubt flying is one.

As far as flight timing, I'd probably try to time it so she'll be ready to nap in the car or stroller once you land. If you count on her napping on the flight, you'll likely be disappointed. There's a lot of new stuff going on.

Why Asians?
Have you seen this: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/airplane

It's part of the dialogue of the movie. Something about organization and being precise, and not prone to being flagged for additional screening. You can bet he doesn't get in line behind his own people!

From the movie:

Ryan Bingham: [on getting through airport security] Never get behind old people. Their bodies are littered with hidden metal and they never seem to appreciate how little time they have left. Bingo, Asians. They pack light, travel efficiently, and they have a thing for slip on shoes. Gotta love 'em.
Natalie Keener: That's racist.
Ryan Bingham: I'm like my mother, I stereotype. It's faster.

[MrsK]

Re: on the plane, BabyK loves to entertainhimself pushing buttons, moving the tray table, arm rest, windoe shade, etc. He has a blast. That said, we are usually exhausted after a flight if he doesn't get his own seat. Having an extra seat makes the flight much more comfortable for us because we can spread out and use the seat for diaper changes (which are hopefully quick and not too messy). As for the carseat, we check it because it is hard to carry and keep track of and because we've had trouble fitting it into coach-sized seats.

[Pollyanna]

I recommend always taking the earliest flight when traveling with children, and yes that means getting everyone up at 4am (or earlier) to get to the 6am flight. When you take the first flight out in the morning you are much less likely to run into a flight delay at your connection or a canceled flight. Kids do much better traveling in the morning than they do in the afternoon. I also second buying a seat for baby. No matter what we buy a seat for everyone, if we can't afford the extra $300 then we don't go. Not only is it soooo much easier but like Jenn said it is safer. If you hit turbulence you might not be able to hold on to your baby. It amazes me that it is not required to have seats for babies to be honest (the NTSB has been pushing for it for years but the FAA will not change the requirements). In the alternative I know some people like this vest which allows you to keep baby safe on your lap during the flight. It is NOT approved for take off and landing though which is important to realize (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...C23EHYHJN0J1KP).

[corn poffi]

No hands-on experience here, but I've had friends do this with their little ones, and seen it done on a couple of flights to prevent boredom.

If you have space in your carry-ons, wrap up a couple of toys, coloring books, etc. (they don't even have to be new), and give them to her to unwrap periodically throughout the flight. The element of "newness" distracts them for a while. At that age, they don't even realize that they are opening a toy that they already have!