Marilee’s Tips: Traveling

4th of July is coming. Are you going out of town with you baby/toddler?
Here are Marilee’s Tips to help you prepare and have a great time with your family!

1. Eating
2. Making the change
3. Comfort
4. Entertainment
5. Flying: when is a good time? where to sit?

1. Eating

• Keep a beverage available at all times – dehydration can be a problem when flying
• Always bring more snacks, water, milk, and formula that you think you’ll need
• Disposable bottle holder- simply throw the liner away – no more cleaning
• Disposable bottle liners that are pre- sterilized in a roll
• L’ovedbaby 4 in 1 Nursing Shawl or nursing poncho
• Sassy four part formula container
• Similac single packet formula container
• Prince Lionheart On The Go Bottle Warmer- also good for jars

2. Making the Change

• Some planes have a small changing table
• Ask cabin crew for assistance
• Use place in the rear of the plane
• If at your seat, be sensitive to your neighbors
• Use diaper pins to attach a blanket to your seat and the seat in front of you for privacy
• Wrap soiled wipes in a perfumed polythene nappy sack and dispose in bathroom trash
• Safeline Kids Timberline Diaper backpack are easy to carry
• Munchkin Disposable diaper bags- can easily be packed away
• Cushie Mat for changing non slip, waterproof and germ free
• Diaper fanny pack or Ziploc bag with essentials- can easily be stored under the seat
• One packet of wipes and diapers in Ziploc bag*
• Soogarbooger by EC for clean and dirty laundry

3. Comfort

• Grab a blanket and pillow as soon as you get on the plane
• Consider buying child their own seat for your own and your baby’s comfort
• Pack a favorite cuddly in an easily accessible place
• Baby sleeping bag
• Lullabies on tapes or IPOD so they know it is time for sleep

4. Entertainment

• Wrap toys to add to their entertainment value
• Bring toys out one by one to get the maximum use
• Bring a box of colorful band aids- it will keep them entertained for hours
• Take some old favorites and some new surprises o Hideaway a couple of toys a week or two before trip and re-find them on plane.
• Take a photo album with pictures of people you will see to get them acquainted
• Don’t pack noisy toys or games to avoid bothering neighbors

5. Flying

When is a good time to fly?

• Morning or evening- stay on their schedule
• Non peak hours- midday and midweek to get better seat and can stretch out
• During the child’s naptime
• Overnight if you have a long flight.
• Non-stop flights to avoid stop-overs

Where should we sit?

• Reserve a bulkhead seat for one or more legroom and playroom
• Some airlines have bassinets in place of bulkhead (for long distances)
• If using car seats, must have Federal Aviation Administration approval sticker.
• Book seat in middle of plane near wings for smoothest ride
• Place yourself between child and aisle to prevent items overhead from injuring child.
• Remember that children are not allowed to sit in exit rows when making a reservation

Ears

• Breast or bottle feed or drink from spout or straw
• Make sure child has no ear infection/pre-flight cold- get decongestant if so.
• Put drops in ears before flying o Yawning is also good way to help relieve the pressure
• Wake child before you begin descent- landing is usually harder on ears.

Getting ready

• Spend some time reading books with traveling themes
• If you fear motion sickness, talk to your pediatrician o
• If you have fear of traveling, be sure not to pass it on to child.

Getting around

• Snap on wheels for infant car seats so child can ride in the car seat
• Kid Keeper or Sure Steps Safety Harness to keep your child close-by
• Small strollers will fit in luggage bins
• Elite cruiser infant front pack so you can carry while push luggage
• Convertible car seat that converts into a stroller is great to have.