We could use some advice on traveling with a little one. We will be flying from PA to CA the first week in August. Our biggest concern now is getting her on a decent sleep schedule. We are gradually moving her bedtime up to accommodate the time change. Thanks in advance for your help!
2006-06-25 00:44:25 · 6 answers · asked by SR 2 in Travel ➔ Air Travel
For the flying portion of the trip...make sure you arrive at the airport in plenty of time. Baby items like the car seat and stroller, pack and play etc are free to check in if you are over the allowed 2 checked per person. Take the car seat to the gate if you can manage it if she's not in a travel system still. If you are flying infant in arms, ask the ticket agent at check in if it looks like there are going to be any empty seats. Take the car seat with you just in case and strap her in. You can never predict turbulance.
On take off and landing have her drink a bottle or sippy cup. This will help equilize the pressure in her ears since she cant realize to do it herself. Dont be surprised if she has an ear infection during or after the trip. Look at decongestants before the trip.
Getting her body adjusted to the time change may help, but you know how babies can be. It could take you 3 hrs just to get them down at their normal bed time. Any routine you set here or there can be easily adjusted to. 3hrs is not as big of a deal as an international time change. If all else fails a dose of benedryl to help her sleep wont hurt, plus it will help with any ear congestion she could get while flying.
There is a short "what to do" in parenting magazine's May issue for flying with little ones.
Just remember to pack what you need. And leave the kitchen sink behind. Remember, you only get 50lb for each bag.
When you get to the gate, check in at the desk and get your stoller tagged for gate claim. Ask for pre-boarding you so you will have time to get situated before the rush. Have the stroller folded down once you get to the end of the jetway. If she has out grown the travel system, take your cheap stroller/umbroller if you can. The strollers that are gate claimed are the last thing to be loaded in the bins and they are usually just tossed up there and not secured. Wheels break off easily and its common. Doesnt always happen, but if you have a $400 Peg Perego, I wouldnt risk it. The airline will reimburse you for any damages like that, but it takes time to get a check. Make sure you check the stroller and or carseat before leaving the jet way for any damages.
Just give yourself ample time for check in. Cut offs are 45 min before flight, and with a baby, be more liberal with your time. 1 1/2 -2 hrs is best so that you can allow time for lines, diaper changes, feedings if necessary and your sanity. Its harder on all if you have to rush.
Good luck, hope this helps some.
**apparently someone needs to learn their state codes, PA and CA...Pennsylvania and California**
**Infant fares are no longer available on most airlines, you would have to call reservations directly to see if they have them. If you occupy a seat, you pay a regular fare for the most part. However I do agree with buying a seat and restraining them, hence the reason I suggest taking the car seat with you to the gate if you choose not to buy a seat. Summer flights especially will fill up easier and it is always safer to secure your child rather than hold on to them, same principle in a car. The captain may have to stop short or you could hit an air pocket. Many flight attendants have met the ceiling of the cabin that way. Whatever your choice is, buying them a seat or not, take the car seat with you to the gate just incase there is an empty set of seats together or the gate agent can convince someone to move, but we are not supposed to ask.**
2006-06-25 04:37:36 · answer #1 · answered by southrntrnzplnt 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
i am not sure what you mean by PA and CA, i don't know their time difference but what i can tell you is this:
i traveled with my daughter a few month back when she was about 11 month to a completely different time zone, there was a 7 hour time difference. on the flight i let her nap and eat whenever she felt like it .
when we arrived it was bed time at destination but afternoon where we live, she was so exhausted that she slept but woke up very early so what i did was put her in a bouncer that vibrated and made music. i don't know if you will have something like that available but it really soothed her and when she realized we were still sleeping, she slept a little bit more.
over the next couple of days i tried to keep her awake during the day so that she can sleep on time and wake up at a decent hour, like 7AM instead of 5AM. i would also feed her at the same times as us to encourage her.she was cranky for a few days from the confusion but after that she figured out the new schedule.
i did the same when we traveled back a couple of weeks later. generally they get so exhausted from the flying that its easy to manage their sleep schedule.
2006-06-25 04:40:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't adjust the bedtime. Everyone's body works the same. After 1 day of jet lag, she assumes her normal routine Pacific Standard Time---just like you do. Your problem is just not having a regular schedule to go by. Go with the flow. When the kid is sleepy put him down for a nap. When he is hungry feed him. Let him work around your schedule too. You are on vacation. Kids adapt allot faster to situations. Have fun and quit acting like new parents.
2006-06-25 00:52:32 · answer #3 · answered by Trollhair 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take along books, blank copy paper and a clipboard so he/she can color with crayons. Also coloring books. Wrap everything like presents. What you want is to stretch every single activity to its fullest so even unwrapping a box of crayons is an activity in itself. Bring lots of snacks, eating takes time too and keeps them occupied. I would bring a portable potty in the car (if he is potty trained) so that you can pull over and just have them sit down immediately rather than have to look for a bathroom. You could also buy one of those little U shaped neck pillows so that if he takes a nap, he will be more comfortable in his seat. Lastly, I know it is not the most healthy thing but in long trips I bring lolipops for my kids. I call them my "in case of emergency food". When all esle fails and I have already used up all my other activities, I give them a lolipop and sucking on it buys me at least 15 minutes of quiet while I regain my sanity and think of what else to do with them.
2016-03-27 03:43:28 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Purchase a seat on the plane for the baby instead of trying to keep her in your lap the entire flight. Then you can bring your car-seat on the flight and strap her into it. This is a lot safer than trying to travel with the baby in your arms; if you hit rough air or in an emergency landing, the baby can easily bounce free from your arms and get hurt. I've been on a couple of flights where adults who didn't have their seatbelts on got bounced up when we hit rough air, and hit their heads on the seats in front of them or on the ceiling compartment over their seats. You can usually get the tickets at a reduced cost for a baby under 2, and it's well worth the price to keep your baby safe.
2006-06-25 07:53:44 · answer #5 · answered by dcgirl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put it in small hand lagguage and he will be free then.
2006-06-25 01:07:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋