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Logistics of traveling with a small baby

MrsJuneHawkMrsJuneHawk
in Babies: 0 - 3 Months

We are planning a couple of trips for the near future, one to the UK to visit family and the other to NYC.  I'm trying to get my head around everything that goes into planning such trips with a small baby (or any baby I guess).  First, there's the car seat issue.  Even if we do get him his own seat, the airline we fly with to the UK does not let you use your own car seat, you have to use theirs.  That's all fine and dandy except it leaves us with no car seat once we arrive in the UK. We'd have to buy one there which is really a hassle.  Transporting the stroller is no stroll in the park either.


Then there's all the crap a baby needs, especially one going from sunny, warm Miami to rainy and cold England. It's cold there even in the houses (at least my in law's) so we have to get him a whole bunch of winter clothes.  For going out, we might need a footmuff for the stroller.  That stuff he'd never use again after the NYC trip.   That's fine, it's to be expected but gosh darn it sure makes things difficult.

Then there's sleeping arrangement issue.  We'd be staying with my in laws and have a bed but it's a small bed in which we wouldn't be able to fit the baby if we wanted to.  Do we buy a bassinet just for a week?  Seems nuts but where else is the kid supposed to sleep?  

 I could go on and on but there's really no point, heck, there is no point to this rant since we''ll just have to suck it up but it sure makes the simple task of traveling to visit family difficult!

The NYC trip is for pleasure so I'll shut up about that one.

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Re: Logistics of traveling with a small baby

  • pawleygirl77pawleygirl77 member

    Will the airline not let you gate check the car seat? Sounds like you're just going to have to buy some warm clothes for the little one...maybe you could sell them at a consignment shop when you get home or something.

     Do your in-laws know anybody with a baby that they could borrow a bassinet from?

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  • MrsJuneHawkMrsJuneHawk
    Yeah, they'll let you check the car seat but we do not like the idea of checking it in.  All that banging around in the luggage hold is equivalent to the car seat being in an accident.  When car seats are in an accident, they need to be replaced so putting in the luggage hold would be pointless as it would render it unusable.  Does that make sense?
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  • MrsTottyMrsTotty member

    Ugh, I hear you hon. I'm going 4 hours away for just a WEEKEND and I'm freaking out about everything I'll need ... and as someone who used to live in England, I'm feeling for ya if you're headed there right now with a little one. It's gonna be CRAPPY weather.

    GL.

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  • carolina1178carolina1178

    https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2641447

    I just got this to take with us for ds to sleep in when we go to South Carolina...it is small, compact and easy to carry. it is only for 0-4 months though...not sure how old your dc is.

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  • JENandJEHJENandJEH member

    I'm gearing up for a flight to Germany with my 6 month old next week.  I'm gate-checking the car seat instead of checking it with my luggage.  It won't get thrown in with all of the checked luggage this way and, if they happen to have an empty seat on the plane, I may be able to take it on board (I know you said that's not an option with your airline). 

     

    As for winter clothes, how about getting some long sleeved onesies that you could layer under regular onesies/short sleeve shirts.  Do you have a Once Upon a Child or another kids consignment shop near you?  I found lots of brand new, still with tags winter clothes for CHEAP at our OUAC.  A few pairs of jeans, sweats, some layering onesies and you're set. 

     

    Does your DS kick blankets off of his feet?  Rather than a muff for the stroller, how about a bunting bag or just blankets that you could borrow from the ILs?  Sleeping arrangements could be tough.  If ILs don't have any pets, could you make a little pallet on the floor for DS?  If they do have pets, ask if they could contain the pets into one room while DS is sleeping or keep the door to his room closed so no pets can get in? 

     

    I know how tough it is to prepare for a trip like this.  We're actually stationed in Germany with the military and heading back over to meet up with my DH who is finishing up a deployment so we'll have all of our gear that has been shipped.  Good luck - after we make our move, I'd be happy to post how the flights went and any tips I may pick up along the way!

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