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#11
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traveling overseas with 1 year old (with Dad)
"Will Hou" wrote in message ...
Hi, I will be traveling from Florida to China next month with my one-year-old son alone (mother can't go). Any tips/suggestions/warnings you guys could provide? Only thing I could think of is to fly as few hours as possible. And of course, pack enough diapers, formula... (maybe he doesn't need Simulac by then and can just have regular milk? he will be exactly one year old then). A friend of mine told me that I want to find a seat that's just in front of the screen so I can borrow a "basket" from the airline to have the baby sleep in, especially during the long trans-Pacific flight (10+ hours). I was told that it is not possible to check in a carseat or stroller. I don't plan to buy a separate seat for him. He will be staying in China for a few months. Some people suggested to use Benadryl on him which helps him breathe and sleep (that's an idea -- to drug my son out so I can get some sleep!). I asked our Ped but he didn't recommend nor against it (I forgot what he said exactly). Thanks so much in advance. Already scared, Will the Dad PS It seems that the total travel time will be around 26 to 28 hours including changing planes etc. Call the airline and ask about checking car seat and stroller. When I travelled overseas with a baby, I checked the car seat with my luggage and gate checked the stroller. That way I had the stroller in the airports. Unlike others, I found I preferred not to take a car seat on the plane as it took up a lot of space, prevented the tray table from folding down, and put the kid in the perfect position to kick the seat in front of him. A one year old will be, I think, too big for the basket--in any case this will need to be reserved in advance. Some people recommend bulkhead seats, but I prefer regular ones where you can put things under the seat in front and the arm rest folds up. Also, most airlines don't let kids play on the floor anymore, so the extra legroom of the bulkheads is not so useful. Take some alchohol or antiseptic and clean the babies hands after he has touched anything in the airport (like escalator hand rails) before he can put his hand in his mouth, and also wipe down the arm rests and tray table on the plane. If he likes juice, take a sippy cup for the flight attendant to fill. Take all the food he will need for the entire plane trip, extra clothes for both of you, books and toys, and a blanket. Some people recommend taking the baby on lots of walks down the aisles. I found it better not to do this--once we did, it was very difficult to get mine to be happy in the seat. Much better to just not start it. Plan on several days for the baby to get over jet lag. You will be much happier if baby has a seat--if the flight isn't full, you have a reasonably good chance of getting one without paying for it, but this is taking a big risk IMO. Have a good trip! |
#12
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traveling overseas with 1 year old (with Dad)
In article , Moo says...
Some people recommend bulkhead seats, but I prefer regular ones where you can put things under the seat in front and the arm rest folds up. Also, most airlines don't let kids play on the floor anymore, so the extra legroom of the bulkheads is not so useful. Ditto - I did the bulkhead thang once while flying with my baby son and wondered what the hey people who had been recommending that were thinking. I didn't have a place to put my long legs, and stuff that I normally would stash under the seat in front had to go into an overhead bin, and that's a major hassle to get to. The main advantage is that there is no person in front to recline back. But this kind of space issue is why it's so important to buy a seat for the baby. Banty |
#13
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traveling overseas with 1 year old (with Dad)
In article , Jenn says...
Not buying a seat is a mistake for a trip this long and a terrible imposition on the people around you who will have to contend with a squirming sticky baby invading their space [where do you plan to put this basket? or your child to nap? in your neighbor's foot space? Agreed completely. You have a responsibility to those around you not to impose your baby and your baby's inevitable problems on them. Best you can. And buying space for the baby is an integral part of this. About other people especially when they travel - some people looooove kids, other people assume the worst at the sight of any pre-teen or younger. The former will come forward if you need help(really!). The others, past your own level best (but inevitably imperfect) efforts and managing your child such that he is quiet and happy and 'keeps to home', ignore them completely. Cheers, Banty |
#14
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traveling overseas with 1 year old (with Dad)
Thanks for all who replied.
From what I have read here, I think I should go ahead and buy him a seat. Now the question is whether I should bring his Britax Marathon Roundabout carseat into the airplane. It is certified to be used on airplane, but it is rather big. If I do bring it, then I have to bring a stroller just to carry it. I have several strollers and the only one capable to even carry that is Graco Highland and it is a rather large stroller and they don't match each other. Anyway I look at this, it is not practical to bring his car seat along with this stroller. So then I am left with another question: how would the 1-year-old sit in the seat I get him? I am sure the seat belt alone will never hold him secure. Should I go buy another car seat? He's 19.5 lb now and about 28" long. He started walking about a month ago. Well, I will get a letter from the mother indicating he'll be traveling with me alone. Mom is a graduate student and holding student visa. If she leaves the country now, she'll never be able to get back in (not until I get my citizenship in 2 years). As to whether the mom can bare parting with him this long, this is just the reality (and she has to be in school fulltime, otherwise illegal).... it's a very hard decision but we felt that we need to keep him away from the day care as long as possible (until maybe 2). He is in daycare now for about 2 months and sick most of the time (he's 10.5 months old). Besides, he'll get more attention and care by staying with his grandparents for a short while... Thanks again. Will "Banty" wrote in message ... In article , Moo says... Some people recommend bulkhead seats, but I prefer regular ones where you can put things under the seat in front and the arm rest folds up. Also, most airlines don't let kids play on the floor anymore, so the extra legroom of the bulkheads is not so useful. Ditto - I did the bulkhead thang once while flying with my baby son and wondered what the hey people who had been recommending that were thinking. I didn't have a place to put my long legs, and stuff that I normally would stash under the seat in front had to go into an overhead bin, and that's a major hassle to get to. The main advantage is that there is no person in front to recline back. But this kind of space issue is why it's so important to buy a seat for the baby. Banty |
#15
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traveling overseas with 1 year old (with Dad)
Will Hou wrote: Hi, I will be traveling from Florida to China next month with my one-year-old son alone (mother can't go). Any tips/suggestions/warnings you guys could provide? Only thing I could think of is to fly as few hours as possible. And of course, pack enough diapers, formula... (maybe he doesn't need Simulac by then and can just have regular milk? he will be exactly one year old then). A friend of mine told me that I want to find a seat that's just in front of the screen so I can borrow a "basket" from the airline to have the baby sleep in, especially during the long trans-Pacific flight (10+ hours). I was told that it is not possible to check in a carseat or stroller. I don't plan to buy a separate seat for him. He will be staying in China for a few months. Some people suggested to use Benadryl on him which helps him breathe and sleep (that's an idea -- to drug my son out so I can get some sleep!). I asked our Ped but he didn't recommend nor against it (I forgot what he said exactly). Thanks so much in advance. The longest flight I've ever taken with a baby or toddler was less than 3 hours. On one trip, we didn't buy a seat for my daughter, and that was a *big* mistake. I wouldn't even think of flying to China without a seat for the baby. As far as formula/milk: a 1-year-old can drink plain cow's milk, assuming he's eating a fair variety of other foods for a balanced diet. However, I wouldn't switch from formula to milk just before the flight. My daughter was formula fed (also Similac), and wouldn't drink cow's milk until she was about 14 months old - I guess the taste was too different. My son is breastfed, and he was 18 months old before he'd drink cow's milk. Clisby |
#16
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traveling overseas with 1 year old (with Dad)
"C Du" wrote in message . com... Thanks for all who replied. From what I have read here, I think I should go ahead and buy him a seat. Now the question is whether I should bring his Britax Marathon Roundabout carseat into the airplane. It is certified to be used on airplane, but it is rather big. If I do bring it, then I have to bring a stroller just to carry it. I have several strollers and the only one capable to even carry that is Graco Highland and it is a rather large stroller and they don't match each other. Anyway I look at this, it is not practical to bring his car seat along with this stroller. So then I am left with another question: how would the 1-year-old sit in the seat I get him? I am sure the seat belt alone will never hold him secure. Should I go buy another car seat? He's 19.5 lb now and about 28" long. He started walking about a month ago. If you travel often, I recommend the carseat/stroller combination. We have a Sit 'n' Stroll and it has been invaluable. Whatever you do, you definitely need a carseat. Your child might want to sleep along the way and that would be the best place. Also, a carseat would keep him confined. DS once went without a carseat and we spent the entire flight trying to keep him from slipping out of his seatbelt. This is a kid who usually sleeps from takeoff to landing. Not having a carseat meant having a wriggly, antsy child who wouldn't sleep. keep him away from the day care as long as possible (until maybe 2). He is in daycare now for about 2 months and sick most of the time (he's 10.5 months old). Besides, he'll get more attention and care by staying with his grandparents for a short while... I should warn you that he is likely to get sick from going to China. He's probably not immune to some the germs floating around there. I know the first time any of my friends or relatives go to Asia, they get sick. It's the second or third time they go that they seem more immune. I was deathly ill myself when I went (got a severe case of dysentery that struck quick and hard) and we were so careful. Anyway, protecting him from germs shouldn't be a reason to take him along. |
#17
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traveling overseas with 1 year old (with Dad)
C Du wrote:
Thanks for all who replied. From what I have read here, I think I should go ahead and buy him a seat. Good plan. I've always found that my kids travelled *much* better in their familiar carseat. Without it, they were fussy and squirmy. With it, they knew the drill and just sat there like they do in the car. Now the question is whether I should bring his Britax Marathon Roundabout carseat into the airplane. It is certified to be used on airplane, but it is rather big. Hmm...I agree it's very big and would be challenging to travel with. Are you planning on being in cars while in China? If so, perhaps purchasing a less expensive, smaller carseat for the trip might be worthwhile given how long you'll be there. If you won't have any use for the carseat except for the plane ride, it seems excessive to buy a new carseat for this. Maybe you know someone with a smaller carseat that you could borrow? It sounds like your son is on the small side, and maybe he could even fit in one of the little infant bucket seats. Lots of people seem to have those hanging around in a closet since they don't fit most babies for very lon. If I do bring it, then I have to bring a stroller just to carry it. I have several strollers and the only one capable to even carry that is Graco Highland and it is a rather large stroller and they don't match each other. I wouldn't worry about it matching anything, but it is handy to have the stroller during connections in airports. Call and see if you can gate check the stroller. With a smaller carseat, that might work out well. Pack your carryons carefully. If you choose not to bring a stroller, you probably want *some* sort of baby carrying device, like a sling or hip carrier or some such thing. Wrangling baby and bags with no help isn't easy. You might also consider a backpack-style bag so that you can carry it and still have two hands free. I have travelled with two kids, two carseats, and a double stroller before. I jammed the two carseats in one of the stroller seats, the younger child in the other stroller seat (the older child walked) and carried the stuff in a backpack. I travelled with a single baby (younger than yours) with just a backpack and a sling (didn't buy a seat for the baby). It worked, but it was tough not having a seat for the baby. Anyway I look at this, it is not practical to bring his car seat along with this stroller. So then I am left with another question: how would the 1-year-old sit in the seat I get him? I am sure the seat belt alone will never hold him secure. Should I go buy another car seat? He's 19.5 lb now and about 28" long. He started walking about a month ago. I really, really recommend getting *some* sort of carseat, whether you have to borrow or buy a new smaller one. I absolutely wouldn't take a trip like yours without it. When he takes a nap, you really don't want to have to hold him. You'll need to take a much needed break while he's out, and that will be awkward with your hands tied! Without a carseat, that's not going to work well. Best wishes, Ericka |
#18
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traveling overseas with 1 year old (with Dad)
Jenn wrote:
Not buying a seat is a mistake for a trip this long and a terrible imposition on the people around you who will have to contend with a squirming sticky baby invading their space [where do you plan to put this basket? or your child to nap? in your neighbor's foot space? Side note: a lot of long haul airlines have bassinet/baskets that hang from the bulkhead or from the overhead compartments in certain rows. -- It's Tis Herself |
#19
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traveling overseas with 1 year old (with Dad)
On Tue, 30 Dec 2003 09:47:36 -0500, Will Hou wrote:
On the risk of doubling up on things that have already been said, here is my experience of travelling with our DS. (maybe he doesn't need Simulac by then and can just have regular milk? he will be exactly one year old then). I would not recommend changing to regular milk in too short a timespan, it can seriously upset his stomach if you do. Also, with the formula, you can at least be reasonably sure he is getting everything he needs without added germs (depending on where you go in China). Make sure to stock up well on diapers (most airlines do not carry diapers on board!) and have at least two full sets of baby clothes in your carry-on luggage. A friend of mine told me that I want to find a seat that's just in front of the screen so I can borrow a "basket" from the airline to have the baby sleep in, especially during the long trans-Pacific flight (10+ hours). I was told that it is not possible to check in a carseat or stroller. I don't plan to buy a separate seat for him. He will be staying in China for a few months. That is just outright nonsense. Every airline I have dealt with (and those are quite a few) allows you to take a stroller with your baby up to the gate. The stroller is checked in as special luggage and you will get it back right at the gate upon leaving the aircraft. Most airlines will allow you to check in a carseat if you use it inside the aircraft, but we have also once checked it in with our suitcases without difficulty. The basket for sleeping is only possible until the age of 6m, if they have one, as it is very tiny. DS didn't fit in even at 4m of age... You should definitely check the details with the airline you are using, as the policies are always slightly different. Some people suggested to use Benadryl on him which helps him breathe and sleep (that's an idea -- to drug my son out so I can get some sleep!). Also not a very good idea. The best way to survive a long flight and adjust to a new timezone is to keep all medical substances, including alcohol and caffeine at a minimum. You will find that at that age many things are interesting, but even so, he will get tired and sleep. Keep a bottle ready for take-off and landing, or give him his pacifier if he has one, so he can release the pressure on his ears. Only if he has severe nasal congestion would I suggest to use a medicine. -- -- I mommy to DS (17m) mommy to a tiny angel (Oct 2003) guardian of DH (33) TTC #2.5 War doesn't decide who's right, only who's left |
#20
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traveling overseas with 1 year old (with Dad)
Banty wrote in message ...
1. Most importantly, buy airline seats for him. Really, it's necessary to assure that he has a seat to sleep in, to wiggle in, and to play in. This is something you (the OP) absolutely need to do and not just so you can put a wiggly or bored baby in a seat. You *absolutely* need to purchase a seat for your child for safety reasons. Not in the very UNlikely event of something catastrophic, but in the very LIKELY event of strong turbulance or a rough landing. I had a job that required a lot of travel and have had some flights where I was very glad I was seatbelted in. If I'd had a child on my lap during those rough flights, I'd have dropped him for sure. In addition, my brother - a mechanic for a major airline - doesn't consider holding a young child on a plane trip of any length an option. Buy your child a seat - it might be discounted - take your car seat with you. Strap the seat into the airline seat and have your child sit in there as he would in your car. Take him out if it's smooth sailing, put him back when the pilot turns on the seatbelt light. - Bev |
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