Traveling with Two: Baby and Toddler

Before kids, we traveled all the time. When we had the first one, we modified travel but still kept it up. Switching from trekking and adventurous, remote locations to more developed, clean, family-accommodating destination like the Caribbean, the US, Canada where health care is readily accessible and vaccinations and a host of health implications don’t pose barriers. With the dollar basically at par, North America is wide open. But now with two, a baby and a toddler, we definitely need to plan ahead.

Some quick tips.

Connecting with the New Family

Babies can throw toddlers for a lurch. What better way to help them adjust than to spend uninterrupted quality time as a family? Once everything is cleared health wise with baby, and you are up for it double check with you health care practitioner and set off.

Consider visiting family out of town. This may offer extra support during the newborn transition and having all the amenities of a home (fridge, laundry etc) definitely make it easier.

Planes

1. Budget extra time. Things always take longer with children. I always hated getting to the airport two hours early, and the time seemed to drag. Now with kids, and diapers and feeding and playing, without that time, there is now way we would ever board!

2. Book a bassinette well in advance and double check with the airline. Some airlines don’t guarantee but will put a note in your file to place you in the bulk head, where the bassinettes are snapped in after take-off. When you check-in reconfirm. The bassinette is wonderful, allowing baby to continue to sleep and maintain a schedule and creating more space for the rest of the family. And of course the extra leg room and getting served first is wonderful.

3. Bring extra blankets, padding etc. Some airlines offer amazing cushiony bedding for the bassinette while others are very basic. Make sure you have enough to make your infant comfortable. Also, if your toddler doesn’t have their own seat, you will need to accommodate for that also. Blankets and pillows are hot commodities on planes.

4. Normally you don’t get extra luggage allowance for non-paying seats i.e. anyone under two. Most airlines will allow you to check in1-2 extra items for a baby ranging from stroller to car-seat to playpen. Strollers, if small enough, can be taken right to the gate, which is handy. Before packing, I definitely recommend inquiring with the airline. Try and keep the suitcases as light as possible, so that your baggage allowance can be used for the essentials inside. Duffle bags with wheels are a great option since they are light-weight, can be wheeled and offer tons of space.

Cars

Ensure that your car seats are safely installed, that your toddler has enough toys, books (or even DVDs) to distract them if it is a long drive. I also find that playing kids music and using the car ride to sing a long works wonders. If possible, have one parent spend some time beside them, to read. Also, pack water, and snacks, so you don’t have to make extra stops along the way.

If your toddler is toilet training, take one of those portable pottys – some models fold flat making it easy to pack and snap open to fit on a toilet seat or on the ground with a bag. The flexibility is great.

If you have travel tips, please share them with us and our readers.

Happy Travels from Go-La Rolla!

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