Seeking Advice on Traveling with Infant

I second the extra clothes for all in the carry-on. We travelled when my son was 6-8 weeks to Hawaii. I got spit up on there and back :) I think he needed 3 changes per trip. I brought extra garbage bags to hold dirty diapers. My feeling is skip the pump - the advice for a hand one seemed good.

Whenever I would travel with my daughter when she was little, I would give her some tylenol about an hour before we boarded. This made her just drowsy enough to where she typically slept. Also, if you haven't already bought your plane tickets, you can try and buy them for a time when she would be napping normally anyway.

Also, sucking helps with their ears popping. My daughter took a pacifier. If your's doesn't, then a bottle helps as well.

I also brought my boppy with me when she was four months old. It was a little much dragging it through the airport (but I was also by myself), but it fit so well on my lap on the plane and she snuggled right inbetween it and me.

Don't worry. It won't be as bad as it might seem!

I've always heard and practiced the matra "plan for the worst" (stuck in an airport for 24 hours). So the rule of thumb I live by is 1 diaper per hour of travel time. So if you leave your house at 7 am and get into your hotel at 3pm that's 9 hours of travel and 9 diapers. My mom was stuck in the Denver airport when I was young and they ran out of diapers and since everyone else was in the same boat they couldn't buy any! I also pack a large package of wipes. I will have a few of the diapers and whipes in our diaper bag carry on that is easily accesible and most in the wheeled carryon that may get stored in the over head bins. Also lots of changes of clothes. Get an idea of what your DS goes through for clothes changes on a bad day. Say it's 5 changes then add more. You may not need them but if you do you'll be happy to have them. Bring a nursing shawl so you can comfortably nurse during the take-off and landing. and lots of things for him too look at/manipulate. At this age a magazine could be fun, my son used to love chewing on the end of a rubber Ozo spatula.

Additionally if your luggage get's delayed/lost you will be very grateful to have all those diapers/wipes/clothes on hand.

Most airplanes all the parents to bring an umbrella stroller free of charge and a car seat for free. Be warned if you check your car seat it could come back broken. We've always purchased seats for our kids and the stroller was gate checked (still got broken in gate check, but it was just the carrying handle so didn't effect the usability).

Oh and planes are germ fields, lots of lots and lots of hand sanitizer and clorox sanitizing wips to clean your hands, baby's hands, and the seats/trays!

If you bring your pump on the plane with you as a carry on, be prepared to show everything inside. They will most likely pull you aside. Reason being is that the motor in the pump shows up on their screen as a black box, they say they know what it is but need to check it out anyways. I would say it is your best bet to bring it with you though, that would be a horrible thing to lose if your luggage was mis-placed.
I am curious as to what people say about packing diapers... we will be going to jamaica with our little on in Decemeber... it should be interesting!

Wow - advice all over the board. I feel bad about suggestions to not bring baby. I have avoided weddings where children are not welcome, myself. Totally their day, their event, etc - and I understand that - but my life is my children, and I chose to leave my professional job to stay home with them - and bring them everywhere with us, as a family. They've not needed an overnight sitter - as a choice by our family values. That said, I do take our children to weddings and funerals, albeit appropriate. I don't walk my children up for a viewing, unless it's a dear family member, etc. And as for weddings, I am courteous enough to step out if baby or child fusses. Perhaps it's because my children attend church with us and attend weddings with us, they are appropriately behaved and do not detract from the wedding.

'k, off my my soapbox. Sorry.

As for bringing your breastpump - absolutely carry it on, if you feel you need it at all. If you use it now - definitely carry it on. I owned one and used it a handful of times as I worked the first year of my first child's life. Only when away from him, etc.

And I loved the post about extra dipes and wipes and clothes! We traveled by vehicle from ND to CA a few years ago with two kids, ages 4 1/2 and 2. We had planned stops for laundering - but things happen. I tripled the number of outfits per day, just in case - and many of those were sleepers or jammies, etc - just for comfort and ease of changing, smaller size to pack, etc.

Good luck and have fun!
T.

We took out daught to Hawaii when she was 3 months old and it was a lot easier than you think. We went there for a wedding and she slept through the whole ceremony. For those who said they would be mad if guests showed to their destination wedding with kids, doesn't really want anyone to come to their wedding.

Diapers: pack as many as you can in you diaper bag because you don't want to run out if you get stuck at the airport for a while. What ever doesn't fit in there pack in your checked luggage.

Pump: take just a hand pump if you have one. They take much less space and are more durable.

What to bring on plane: change of clothes for everyone (incase baby spits up or pees on you). I brought a few toys but didn't really need them. Thin blanket incase the baby is cold. A cover up to nurse on the plane. Lots of water (buy at the airport to bring on the plane or bring an empty sport bottle and fill at the airport drinking fountain.)

Other advise: Mix up your families clothes in a couple suitcases. If one case gets lost no one will be without anything to wear. Put the baby in a sleeper for traveling. Plan to nurse during take off. Sit as far back in the plane as you can. It's noisy and your baby will like it. Take advantage of pre-boarding. The best is to have one parent pre-board with the carry-on bags and the other board later with the kid. Check your car seat at the gate (it's less likely to get lost or damaged). For baby pack 2 outfits per day and extra pjs.

Hi! I always used a backpack for a diaper bag, seemed to always hold more stuff, I am thinking your pump would fit in there along with extra diapers, wipes, & a change of clothes. Put any baby soaps or lotions that you put in your diaper bag in a zip lock bag. Anything that can leak put in a zip lock bag. If you have infant toys that attach to anything, bring those, they are great for travel. We traveled to the Azores when my oldest was 2, & youngest was 2 1/2 months old. It was freezing on the plane, so bring a blanket just in case. My husband put a portable DVD player in his backpack, but we got lucky & both girls slept most of the 6 1/2 hour flight. I also had coloring books & crayons on hand for the flight & for the waiting in the airport.

We just traveled with our 3 children and I had the same questions. What worked for us was packing enough diapers and wipes in our carry-ons for the day and then the package of diapers in our checked baggage. As far as your pump goes, I'd pack that in your carry-on...the airlines are all that careful with the checked bags and that's kind of expensive to have them throwing it around in the cargo hold! As far as on the airplane to help your daughter, I've heard of other moms nursing them for take off and landing to ease the pressure on their ears. My kids are 6, 4, & 2 years old so I had them eating some snacks or chewing gum, but they didn't really need anything. My son (2 yrs old) also slept on the airplane for a few of our 5 flights on our trip, so that passed the time quite well. If you're taking a stroller, you can have that checked at the gate and they'll have it waiting for you once you get off the plane.
Have fun traveling and enjoy the wedding and Jamaica!

I'd make sure you time your flight with feeding. If you're from Bennington I assume that you'll be flying out of Omaha. I don't know how long of a flight it'll be or how many layovers you'll have but don't worry. Most flyers love babies and you get many benefits with flying. It's not easy for kids on planes. If your daughter will only be aprox 3 months I think you'll have an easier time than if she was older. Trust me! I've flown alone with my kids and it was the easiest when they were younger. Bring a pacifier if she uses one, toys that will attract her attention and lots of love and patience with you. If you're nervous she'll sense it. As for the pump....I'd bring it as a carry on! Don't pack it! If you lose your luggage (God forbid) you'll never get that back. they can't make you pack it. I NEVER packed mine and always took a carry on as well. As for diapers...I put them anywhere I could. I packed in zip pockets and little spaces in my suitcase. Also....they are small now so it shouldn't be too bad! Good luck and have a wonderful flight!

One piece of advice I got was to bring a change of clothes for ME on the plane -- in case of spitups. If your baby spits up a lot, that might be a good idea.

Go through your normal day and figure out what you NEED and what you don't. Then pack what you need for the flight. It will be a lot easier than you are imagining. You appear to be a planner, so that will help a ton!

I agree with what everyone suggests as far as pump, wipes, dipes, clothes, etc. You will want a boppy or a pillow though (unless you use a sling!!!). I used an oversized canvas tote. It fit the bobby, and all of the things I would need ON THE PLANE. Pack a diaper changing pad! You will find yourself in a lot of places to change that baby and you'll want something that you know where it has been!

Pack the pump in your carry-on that fits up top. You are generally allowed one carry-on per purchased traveler, one personal bag, and two large baby items (ie. stroller, car seat). Check with your airline to make sure.

You didn't mention taking your other 3. If you do, make sure they have a personal bag that has a change of clothes, snacks, games, toys, etc.

I would also pack your wedding attire/shoes in your carry-on baggage. That can be difficult and expensive to replace at the last minute.

Good luck and have fun! I'm sure the people who invited you would only expect you to bring your baby! :)

Well I would never bring my 3 month old out of the country especially since they cannot be fully vaccinated but thats just me. Nurse during take off and landing but thats all the advice I have.

I wouldn't take my 3 month old infant to a wedding in my home town, and certainly not to Jamaica, unless the bride and groom are requesting the presence of this child. I suggest finding a babysitter stateside so everyone can enjoy themselves- nothing like a crying infant at at wedding- especially one on the beach. Sorry, that's my opinion. I, as a future bride of a destination wedding, will be unhappy with anyone who brings their children to my wedding- that's just me.