Traveling with a 6 mo baby - sleeps and seats??
Friday, July 31st, 2009 at
3:27 am
I’m planning on traveling with my 6 month old soon but am having trouble working out some logistics. For example, do I check the whole car seat and base so he can have a way to travel once we arrive? Are those rentable somewhere?
And I can’t exactly check a crib - where does he sleep if I’m going somewhere without a baby bed?
He will still be on breast milk but also just starting solids then. Thanks for suggestions!
I will be traveling alone (without husband), so carrying a baby, suitcase(s), carseat, diaperbag, purse and a pack’n'play is a little intimidating.
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Call the hotel you’re staying at and let them know you need a crib and ask what the likelihood of one being available is. If there isn’t one, bring a pack ‘n play. If you are flying, you can always buy an FAA approved seat (like the Britax) and purchase a ticket for your baby and keep him strapped into the seat during the flight so it doesn’t need to be checked. You don’t want to get to your destination and not have your car seat make it or you won’t be able to leave the airport.
Yes I would check the whole car seat it fits together as one anyway….get a Pack and Play and check that as well….you won’t have to worry about his food because you always have it with you the nice part about breastfeeding..and as for the solids I would just get some baby food or cereal when I get where I am going……if you are renting a car sometimes the car rental places have car seats for rent I would check with them…they even have that info on their websites…..
I just went on vaca with my 7 month old son. Most airlines will check the carseat and base free. I tied mine together with the latches. You can also rent them from most car rental places. You could bring a pack n play for him to sleep in, but you may want to let him sleep in it for a week or so before the trip so he is used to it. ( a lot of hotels rent those also)on the flight you can hold him in your lap for free on just about any airline. and you can usually bring juice and baby food on the plane (they do not count these as liquids since the baby has to have them)
I don’t know about the car seat, but he can sleep in a playpen. You can make them into a soft, nice bed. That’s what I did when I traveled. If he is still on breast milk just feed him enough of that until you get to your destination. If because you have started solids you are not producing enough milk anymore, feed him what milk you have and feed him those boxes of tiny, good-for-you baby snacks. Get the ones that are really tiny so he can’t choke. Those are fine while you are traveling because when you get where you are going you can sit down and feed him the baby food.
I would check the pack n play and all of the suitcases and only bring on your purse and diaper bag. Most airlines will let you take the stroller and carseat through the terminal and they will put it in the cargo hold during the flight and place it outside the terminal doors when you land. If you ask I know a lot of car rental places actually have car seats for infants and toddlers, but only by request. It won’t be as bad as you anticipate, I took my daughter to denver back in january, it went very well to my suprise.
Did it at 3 months alone, I was very worried and tried to walk through all things that could happen. On the way there I was able to have an extra seat for her but on the way back I had to hold her and I was stuck in the middle breastfeeding between to men…awful I checked the stroller and base all the way when I got to the terminal -bad idea because I was stuck lugging the car seat, baby bag, my purse and long jacket. Then if you don’t keep the base it doesn’t properly seatbelt in the plane I had to fake buckling it with anything I could hook it to in front of the flight attendant because you have to buckle it in. On the way back it was better but had to check all baby stuff because I didn’t have a extra seat, I checked luggage curbside I had 2 big bags and had a baby sling so after I had to check all 3 stroller pieces it was good to have. I also ditched the purse on the way back and opted for a bigger diaper bag so I had free hands. Think the less the better! I would start solids before traveling that way if he has a allergic reaction its not when you are off away from your doctor. As for a bed I borrowed a bassinet from a friend where I was going so that made it easier or try pushing the bed against the wall and let him sleep with you. Be careful and check your stroller before leaving my new stroller got broken and didn’t realize it on the basket part kinda a pain. Also see if you can find a bag to keep your car seat and base together and covered so it stays clean -good tip. A lot of the people in the airport are helpful so try not to worry if you need help ask.