Traveling with baby?

angiesbump

I am at complete loss with how to travel with a baby. I'll be traveling to go see family in May & baby girl will just barely be 6 months. I have SO many questions.. 

How do I bring her car seat & base? Do I check it in as luggage or bring it as a carry on? How do I bring her RNP since that's what she sleeps in? How do I give her baths? I obviously can't bring her baby tub.. What are must have things I should bring with us on the plane? 

Like me I said, I'm clueless.. Anyone have any good articles you suggest that I read? Anyone just wanna give me the rundown on everything they know about traveling? 

Please & thank you

MargaretC5

First, does anyone in the family you are visiting have a baby and maybe some stuff you could borrow?
Sleeping.... babies out grow a RNP when they can sit unassisted, which most babies can at 6 months.  A PNP may be a better travel option at that point.  A cheap PNP is about $40 so it might be easier to buy one to keep at family's so you can use it again when you visit later (instead of checking it twice).  If it was me I would buy one online and ship it directly to your family.
Bath.....  since most babies can sit unassisted at 6 months, not having the baby bath tub is not as big a deal.  You can use a laundry basket in the tub (you can put a towel in the bottom also if you want so it is less slippery).
Feeding.... not sure your feeding plan but most babies at eating something besides milk or formula at 6 months.  For travel I would not worry about a high chair at 6 months.  I would just hold baby while they are eating or get a seat that straps to a regular chair you can leave with family.
I have not flown with baby yet, so I am no help there.  Just remember I am sure there is a walmart or target near your family so if you really need anything you can just get it there.

HeatherFaye718

Her car seat and base will be checked with your luggage. If you choose to bring a stroller that can be checked at the gate. Car seats and strollers are checked for free. Make sure any formula or breastmilk is put in transparent containers so they don't have to open it. You can bring them in containers larger than 3oz. 

If if you bring a PNP or a RNP you will need to pay to have it checked so it might be worth buying an inexpensive one when you get there. 

Bring a change of clothes for yourself and your little one in your carry on! My son threw up on me mid flight (I'm talking 4oz of formula) and I didn't pack myself a shirt. 

If if she isn't asleep before take off make sure she is nursing/being bottle fed or has a pacifier in her mouth so it will help with her ears. 

kmd91

I just want to note that most airlines will in fact check a pack n play for free. It's a baby item, and baby items check for free (car seat, stroller, etc), so I would give your airline a call once you know what airline you're flying to see if it will be free. I know tons of people traveling out of here to visit family bring a pack n play along specifically because they can check it for free. 

mcdoug211

You can check the car seat and base or it seems many airlines let you gate check it which makes me more comfortable because who knows how they treat stuff. Either way is get a car seat bag or it could get dirty. I have no advice on the rnp I wpuld think a pack and play would be the best option. My baby likes showers so I just showered with her. We borrowed a bouncer from my moms neightbor while I was there. If you formula feed I suggest the premade bottles you can bring them over the 3 oz rule they just do a second screening on them. I brought clothes for me and her. A light small blanket. A couple toys she wasn't too interested in them but now that she's older she would. I brought a bunch of diapers cause that's the would be terrible to not have. And feed or give paci take off and landing to help with pressure But mostly don't gave any expectation I bawled my eyes out the first flight with her I couldn't calm her and she was screaming bloody murder the guy next to me and flight attendents were beyond nice. It's a lot for babies there's so much commotion it causes over stimulation with mine. And as the attendents told me babys cry, so don't worry about anyone else

VexedMommy

You may want to see if there are places near your destination that rent baby items.  Car seats, strollers, pack n plays, bouncers, etc can usually be rented fairly cheaply.  Or you can have your family check the local Craigslist and pick those items up for you before you arrive. 

ashwise

I would also buy diapers, wipes, baby food at your destination versus bringing them. I've flown 3 times now with LO and she's about 5mo old, I've gotten it down to a science.  

amylee5185

I've flown twice with Isabel so far (one domestic trip one international) and I would echo a lot of what people have been telling you about the PnP as opposed to the RnP. Bonus if yours folds into a bag to carry it because ours does and it could count as a carry on. I gate checked her car seat and stroller because they were very handy to have in the airport- especially for one very tightly timed connecting flight. Also I skipped the car seat base and just buckled it in with the seatbelt on our trip. 

AmoLovesAud

Just a little off topic, because no plane ride, but I'm about to embark on a 6 hour drive with LO, alone, woo!  I'm crazy nervous, she's not a big fan of the car.  I've planned out my itinerary to have tons of breaks (the longest between breaks is 90 minutes, for the first and last legs, rest are under an hour), have a CD with some calming music we play at her bedtime (Enya, to be specific!), a brand new car seat toy, and I packed an 'oh shit bag' in addition to the diaper bag, with several clean outfits for both of us, extra wipes, phone charger, and a few things to help get her to bed if I absolutely have to stop for the night (it's a round trip, so the plan is to end up back home, but I got paranoid about my car breaking down or a freak storm or something like that preventing me from finishing the trip).  Oh, and I'm leaving the house with my Moby wrap tied on, so at the stops I can take her out of the car seat, let her stretch her muscles and be in a different position, and 2 of the stops will be my mother and grandmother's houses, so she'll get some free time on the floor there as well.  I'll probably leave in the morning before anyone sees this and replies, but I'd love to hear of other bumpies who managed long car rides with their kidlets!

cupcakesforbreakfast

I'm mostly curious about how airline security works with a baby. Do you go through the x-ray thing while holding LO? How does that work? I took baby on a 7-hour Amtrak ride (twice b/c it was round trip) when he was 3 months old. It felt really, really long...but I got to stand up and walk him around when he fussed. That's why I picked train over plane. Well, that and there's like NO security for Amtrak. I could just walk him right on. I've hesitated about flying because I can't imagine doing all the junk at the gate with a baby. 

Saramore10

Hubby and I are looking to take a vacation this June. Our son will be 7mo. Not sure how far we are going to go yet because of traveling with him. I don't want him to be uncomfortable in the car. And definitely am not ready to travel flying..too much stuff to carry and such! 

Ceridwen77

We are looking to go to Europe in August/September. I keep forgetting to call my pediatrician about vaccines, so in the meantime would like to hear about others' experiences. I read that for traveling they recommend lo get the hep A vaccine early (typically given at 12mos). Anyone dealing with this?

mcdoug211

I wore her and they didn't make me take her off going through security. Just had to for take off and landing 

InkaCatharus

I traveled with LO when she was 4 months. We flew on United Airlines and they are very accomodating. The diaper bag, stroller, carseat base, and breast pump are all free items and can be brought on board in addition to the carry on luggage rules. Check the stroller a d carrier at the gate. You will want a chance get of clothes, or two, and items to distract/entertain the baby. We had sophie the giraffe, the noggin stick, books, and a teething neckless and it worked like a charm. I breastfed during all take offs and landings! If the baby falls asleep, even better! My LO was never bothered by the pressure differences when landing/taking off if she was alseep. We did most diaper changes right in our seat, just have a wet bag packed for the dirty diapers and wipes easily accessible. I thought window seats worked best for breastfeeding, but I got the job done in an isle seat too. I dressed appropriately so I wouldn't be too hot and need to take off layers. I also wore clothing I could discretely bf in... but that's not a requirement, that's just my preference. It was a lot easier to fly than I originally thought! I was really happy to have my DH there to help though (and sit next to the strangers)! Good luck.