Hey guys. I am needing your help. Rich and I are going on vacation in a few weeks. This will be the first vacation that we've been on with Addisyn. Anyway, I am already getting so stressed out about the logistics of traveling with an 18 month old. To start, we will be flying and renting a car at our destination. Should we bring our own carseat?? If so, how do you go about checking a carseat? Do we need to put it in a box of some sort, or what?? Next, I am terrified that my child will be the one that everyone dreads sitting next to on the plane. What kind of tips do you have, for keeping an 18 mo old happy and quiet during a flight?? Finally, should we just plan on using a crib provided by our hotel? She has never slept in bed with us, and we are pretty determined to not start the habit now.
Any advice from all of you mommies would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance.
Summertime Sweets
10 months ago
7 comments:
You can check your car seat at the gate RIGHT BEFORE you board the plane. They will put in on the plane for you and it will be waiting there for you as soon as you get off. You can also do that with a stroller as well.
Make sure you have plenty of books and snacks for her on the plane and I am sure she will be fine.
Most hotels have cribs for you to use during your stay. She probably wont sleep in it that well since it is a new enviroment.
Amy,
I have seen a cart that your carseat snaps into that was made for you to use in the airport - it folds easily but makes lugging a carseat easier - and your child rides in the seat so it is also like a stroller. I can't remember the company that sells it but I'm sure you can find it online.
A DVD with a few movies was a lifesaver for us - buy headphones (and charge the battery good before the flight). Coloring books are also great.
As far as the crib goes - we used the one in the hotel and all was fine. Recently we stayed in a hotel with a pullout couch - Kaeden was scared since it was a new environment - so I laid down with him until he fell asleep and then snuck into our bed. I thought it would be hard getting him back into his routine - but once we were home everything was back to normal.
I hope this helps!
Brandi
I checked the carseat when we went to Kansas City and it was fine, however, the lost it on the way home and I had to take her home in a borrowed one from the airport until they found ours!
I have checked our car seat many times with our baggage. I always ask that they put it in a bag. They don't always do it, so I always ask. That way it all stays intact and does not get wet if it happens to rain. Then check your stroller at the gate before you get on the plane.
Good luck - and I hope you guys have a great time!!`
I've done it both ways with the carseat. I will say that it's much easier to just get the carseat from the rental car place. You'll have to install it when you get there but, it's so nice to not have to lug it around. You'll already be dealing with the luggage and one of you will be pushing the stroller or holding her so, you will be no help with the luggage. You know how you are supposed to get a new carseat when you have a wreck, they say they throw the seats around so much it's likely damaged in a way you don't know. Get the crib, we made a trip when my son was 15 months where the place we were going had no bed for him and it was a nightmare. As far as on the plane, whatever works for church works on a plane, books, stickers, get some new ones she's never seen. The problem with the DVD player is you can't watch it the entire time, so, just when they are getting into the movie, you'll have to turn it off for landing. So, expect a meltdown. Take your stroller and check it at the gate. It will be right there when you get off the plane. It's great to load down with bags as well.
We check the car seat and put it in a very large heavy clear plastic bag. It works, and we have never had trouble.
Buy some new books, little toys, all sorts of snacks, chapstick....things you usually don't let her play with, bring to let her play with! Also, with assigned seats, I have NOT done preboard. Send Richard on board to get the seats and load things places but LET HER RUN/CRAWL until it's time to get on that plane! We let our kids run like wild in the airport. I don't hold them and I don't make them sit down! I really do think it does help. Good luck!!!
(PS...in carry on, extra clothes for her, extra t-shirt for you and Richard! Seriously!)
I know you can check your car seat...why don't you all get one with the rental car? We have a toddler air mattress if you want to use it. We have found that no matter where we travel...Kylie ends up in bed with us at least for a couple of hours. There is no magic remedy or fail safe advice - you can just hope that she will sleep well and play nice on the plane :)
Also - make sure you know where the closest urgent care is - it is important :)
I hope you all have so much fun!
Love ya
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