August Chit Chat - Page 6 « Back to Group Discussions

[Abraisme]

I just wanted to pop in and say hi to everyone. I've been reading along when I can, but we have rarely had reliable Internet with a computer. In the coming weeks we will be staying with my il's, so we should be connected well then.

I don't have time to comment on all the topics now, but I did read them and I'm thinking about each of you, whether it's a happy time or a struggle.

Coralie is traveling along with us well. She is such a happy baby that she tends to be okay with whatever. She still isn't crawling, but gets a little closer every day. She says a few words and babbles all the time. Nearly every person that sees her comments on how happy she is. We completely love her.

Oh, and just to update.. We are currently in Cody, WY and we are headed for Dakota Dunes, SD and then Milwaukee, Wi. If any of you live in these areas let me know and maybe we can meet up.

[LunaLady]

Hi Abra, so nice to hear from you! I'm really enjoying following your travels on FB. I'm in awe of you and your traveling!

[KayPea]

Originally Posted by birdhappy85 

Has anybody here been on an airplane with a baby on your lap, and if so, how did it go? We're possibly planning a trip to Cancun with some family in October and we're thinking of flying from Milwaukee to Baltimore, staying a night there to visit DH's parents, and then flying down to Cancun from there. I think each flight will then be broken into 1-2 hour segments instead of the otherwise more expensive 3-1/2 hour direct flight. Sora did great during the 7-hour drive to and from Michigan, so I have more confidence in her traveling well by plane. I'm just very nervous about having her in a confined space like that with a ton of people around, though... How do you keep a baby occupied in such a small space with hardly any freedom to walk around? I have massive anxiety about her crying around other people. I always have, even if it's just one person or 100 people. Hmm.

Spirited DD has now been on 6 trips by plane, none of them shorter than 6 hours, and many of them were by myself. We just got back from our first plane trip with both kids. I am finally used to the fact that flying is no longer a relaxing time to read magazines and knit. It's exhausting, but totally doable. You just have to be ON for the full duration of the flight - entertaining, redirecting etc. 

But for you, in 1 - 2 hour segments? With your partner? Piece of cake. If she cries, who cares? You are never going to see those people again. Your attitude totally changes once you are up in the air - you're all stuck up there, and you're doing the best you can. 

Bring lots of snacks, and don't worry about giving her way more than you usually would, if she's into it. Bring a couple of changes of clothes for Sora, and enough diapers to last an extra day (in case your luggage gets lost.) Bring baby ibuprofen. If she's really screaming, maybe her ears hurt. Get NEW (to her) things for her to play with (toys if she's into toys, or random objects if not.) 

If there is room on the plane, ask that a/the seat next to you be left empty. 

DD was never one of those babies that slept on the plane. Too! Many! Exciting! New! Things! But on our latest trip, Oren slept for about half of both flights (overall in-flight time was 6.5 hours, thought the trip takes 9 hours with all the stop-overing) If you can, push a nap to coincide with the flight, then maybe she'll sleep the whole time!

How fun!

[Jaimee]

Joanie, since we have never lived near family since we have had kids, we have traveled by plane more times than I can remember with our kids.  Both Avalon and Austin were on planes when they were six months and I think Avalon was on a plane for three separate trips before she was even a year old.  And we've traveled at least once, usually twice a year by plane since then.  At any rate, it feels like old hat, but like Kirsten said, it's simply exhausting.  I found that it got harder as baby got older because of the desire to crawl and later to walk and later to run around when they needed to be staying in your lap.   When they get old enough to watch movies, that's when things settle back down a bit.  But really, gone are the days of taking a book or a project on the plane and relaxing or napping!  You really do have to be ON 100% of the time whether it's entertaining her constantly, changing her diaper in your seat (seriously, don't try to change diapers in the airplane bathroom), feeding her, nursing her, or holding her while she sleeps.  We never took her car seat on the plane (we always check it) and the first time I traveled with Avalon, I took the boppy for her to nap on, which was nice, but bulky to carry around.  I never take a stroller either, just my mei tai- you can go through security with her in the carrier if she cannot walk (don't put shoes on her though, you'll have to take them off).  But if you do want a stroller, remember that you can gate check it.  Be sure to bring extra clothes b/c it's almost a guarantee that you'll have a blow out or barfing incident or both if you don't.  It also tends to be chilly on planes, so dress her a bit warmer than usual or in layers.  Bring plenty of diapers (we do cloth even when we travel, even on the plane as long as you'll have access to a washing machine it's not problem, just more luggage).  Bring exciting, new toys and foods as well as favorites.  Nurse when taking off and landing. 

But all this aside, your flights are very, very short so you'll have no issues, I'm sure.  It is likely you'll get her to fall asleep and she'll stay asleep most of the trip b/c of the noise.  My spirited dd would be wide eyed all through the airport and onto the plane, but once I nursed her on take off, she would fall asleep every time.  It's really longer flights that are the challenge when you have to be entertaining a squirming, complaining, mobile baby.  I honestly think the worst age I've traveled with is 11-13 months- the just learned to walk age.  You'll be fine.

[birdhappy85]

Thanks for the reassurance on plane travel. Sora will be 11 months old and no doubt walking by then, so I see that as being a challenge... but on the positive side, she just loves people-watching, and there will be tons of people to make googly faces at on the plane! I can't imagine being on a plane for 6+ hours with a baby -- ALONE. My goodness I admire you all... Two hours will be enough for me!  Thank god for nursing...

Abra! I'm right outside of Milwaukee! You're more than welcome to stop by our house if you'd like! Or we could meet up elsewhere, whatever you guys were thinking of doing in the area. 

[jbk21]

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Edited by jbk21 - 10/6/12 at 10:09pm

[jbk21]

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Edited by jbk21 - 10/6/12 at 10:08pm

[Abraisme]

Joanie: I've also flown a lot with kids and babies. I even flew from Oregon to the Virgin Islands with a lap 18mo. Everyone gave you some good advice, except one thing I learned on my last flight... I was about to change a diaper in my seat and the flight attendant pointed out that the bathrooms are actually the cleanest place in a plane. The get steralized between each flight, the seats never get cleaned. Eww. Also, we will be staying at my il's lake house in Cottage Grove about 15 minutes south of Sheboygon. We will be there for 3 weeks or so. I'm sure we will be going into Milwaukee a few times for food at such, otherwise you are welcome to come out to the house and spend the day on the beach.

[Jaimee]

Originally Posted by Abraisme 
 I was about to change a diaper in my seat and the flight attendant pointed out that the bathrooms are actually the cleanest place in a plane. The get steralized between each flight, the seats never get cleaned. Eww.

It's not the germs I'm worried about, it was the lugging of baby and diaper bag back to the bathrooms, the tiny cramped space, the rocking plane, etc.  I find a quick change in the lap much, much preferable.

[Abraisme]

Originally Posted by Jaimee 

It's not the germs I'm worried about, it was the lugging of baby and diaper bag back to the bathrooms, the tiny cramped space, the rocking plane, etc.  I find a quick change in the lap much, much preferable.

It really depends on the situation. Changing a poopy toddler on your lap in a full plane is hard too. I always change a newborn in my lap, but not as often when they are older. Generally I try to avoid diaper changes in planes, I really only change poops. Before and after flights is the best.

[KayPea]

Originally Posted by Abraisme 


It really depends on the situation. Changing a poopy toddler on your lap in a full plane is hard too. I always change a newborn in my lap, but not as often when they are older. Generally I try to avoid diaper changes in planes, I really only change poops. Before and after flights is the best.

This is why I do disposables on airplanes. I did cloth once, but it meant so many more changes. Unless there is a poop, or a really long flight, like to Hawaii, I don't have to worry about diapers. 

[MrsKatie]

Good advice from everyone! KJ has been on a plane 10 (yes, 10) times already, with 4 of those flights 5-6+ hours. I spend a LOT of time in the rear of the plane by the bathrooms where I can just stand with her in the boba. I try and nurse for takeoff and landing, but she doesn't always comply... Her ears have been fine. Bring a couple novel toys, lots of snacks (duh), etc. Traveling just me and KJ was tough but if I was with DH or family, it makes it so much easier (someone can take her for a minute while I pee, etc). Really it's not so bad! Oh, and changing her in the bathroom was cramped but pretty easy. I don't bring the entire diaper bag, just a diaper, fold-out changing pad, and forget the wipes (I just wet a paper towel in the sink). I EC KJ on the plane, too!
Edited by MrsKatie - 8/19/12 at 1:16pm

[seraf]

My last flight with a baby was 8 years ago. We took several walks to the bathroom because he needed to move.

My last trip (kids were 4 and 2) was the worst just because we had a delay and spent several hours in strange airports where other stressed families introduced my children to corporal punishment, which terrified them (justifiably). 

[Jaimee]

I just watched as my little girl got on the school bus and headed off to her first day of kindergarten!  Wow!  She looked like she was about to cry and I almost lost it, but then she smiled and waved.  Here's hoping she's still smiling all the way to school!

[seraf]

I hope so, too. What a lot of excitement the first day of school.  I'm kind of not sad to miss it.  Did you get a picture?

[dashley111]

Aww, I bet she has a wonderful time! 

[Jaimee]

You know I did!   

 

[jbk21]

She is so beautiful, Jaimee!

[birdhappy85]

Awwww SO cute!!!! 

[Jaimee]

Thank you!!