Expat Bostonians

In the (almost) year since I gave birth to Rhiannon, we have gone on three major trips-a two week trip to the US when she was 2-3 months old, a week long trip to Australia when she was 6 months old, and the month long trip to the US this past August (9-10 months old).  Ravi and I flew together with the girls on the first trip, and my inlaws and Ravi flew with us on the trip to Australia.  But for our long trip back to the US, I had to fly solo with the girls on the way to the US (and Ravi flew back with us at the end).

I’ve flown solo with Ellie a number of times, but the idea of flying with her and Rhi was daunting.  Below are some tips from me for flying with two children as a solo parent.  Keep in mind my kids were 3 1/2 and 9 months when I flew, my 3yo is an experienced flyer, and we were dealing with a 3 leg international flight, and individual tips may or may not be helpful.

Keep in mind that flying with kids is about making the best of a not great situation.  It’s about survival, not perfection.  If you leave a seat with gummy bears stuck to it and crackers ground into it but the kids made it through the flight in one piece and without annoying everyone around them, it’s worth it.  Pick your battles.  Prioritize your problems.

Buy everyone a seat

Yes, you can put your child in lap before they’re 2 and save money.  When traveling with multiple kids, your sanity is a HELL of a lot more important.  Everyone having a seat means you can attend to each kid’s needs better as well as your own.

Also, if there’s three of you-grab a window, middle, aisle set-up.  You don’t want to be in the middle–you can either take the aisle, blocking in your kids, or the middle so that you have a kid on either side.  Car seats should go next to the window as they are a pain to climb over.

Pack carry on items strategically

I see no reason to stint yourself on checked luggage.  There are always porters willing to help you (just keep some local currency–I tend to tip 3-5 per bag, rounded to the nearest 10/20 dollars with some extra if they’re nice to the girls).

Carry on items, however are another story.  I strongly encourage you to minimize as much as possible.

Here’s what I traveled with

–A backpack with my laptop, the tablet, my cell phone, my iPod, Ellie’s iPod, relevant charging cords, some magazines for me and a book for Ellie, a packet of diaper wipes, 4-6 diapers per kid, and a change of clothes for each kid.

–A totebag with snacks, my DSLR camera, and another 2-3 changes of clothes per girl, and an outfit change for me, another packet of wipes and another 4 pullups for older child and 6-10 diapers for the small one, a carseat/stroller toy for Rhi.  Bonus space save tip-kids pjs take up less space as do dresses (if you have girls).

–My purse with my wallet (carrying USD and SGD), passport case, anti-diarrhea meds, kids tylenol and ibuprofen, a hairbrush with several hair elastics wrapped around the handle, and chapstick

–E carried a small back pack with a few small toys–mini etch a sketch, color wonder markers & disney princess book etc.  Nothing I’d be upset about if the pack was lost (this was her first time wearing one, so I had my doubts)

Once at the airport, and past security, I bought–bottles of water, a few snacks, and small odds and ends.

My set-up was as follows

–Rhi was in her car seat, which in turn attaches to a snap n go  frame.  The frame has a large basket under it, which is where I stored the tote and my purse (and E’s backpack when needed), and I wore the laptop back pack.

–When E was tired, I could perch her on the handlebar of the snap n go and still walk–also good if you’re rushing to a connection

–Everything I brought could fit under the seat backs in front of us.  Travelign with kids often means you don’t get on the flight as fast as you’d like (particularly later legs when you’re changing planes) and overhead space is always at a premium anyways.  Not having to worry about whether you’ll get that space or not is a huge relief–and doesn’t screw you if you miss out.  (I once arrived very late to a connection in Hong Kong because of their security checkpoint system and had to gate check a rolling carry on bag–halfway to Chicago I realized it had our sippy cups in it, and was necessary to move Ellie’s car seat around as we used a t-strap that connected one to the other—luckily the flight attendants got me a luggage cart in Chicago to put the car seat on and roll it to luggage pick up–but I never want to deal with that hassle again).

Plan your security approach

In non-US airports, you will need to send laptops through the security individually, but you can retain your (and your children’s shoes).  If your kid is asleep, most non-US security checkpoints will work with you to not need to wake a sleeping kid.  But if they’re awake, the stroller needs to fold down and go through the machine as well.

What worked for me

1. Pick a line either marked as “for families” or wherever we were sent if there was no better option (as frequent fliers the FF line was usually significantly shorter, so I did used for an over-all time saver)
2. Appoint Ellie as “in charge of” Rhiannon.
3. Grab a number of the bins
4. Backpack off, laptop in a bin, tablet in a bin (ipods and cellphones don’t need to be pulled out/can be tossed in another bin), backpack on belt
5. Remove Rhi’s carseat from frame
6. Totebag on belt
7. purse in a bin on belt with any other random stuff (pull meds out and next to purse-already in ziploc bag)
8. fold stroller one handed, put on belt (if Rhi’s awake–if not, ask security what they can do to help as the line is approaching the checkpoint)
9. Remove Rhi (if awake) and put car seat on belt
10. Send E through metal detector
11. Walk through detector with Rhi in arms
12. Get car seat, strap Rhi in, and appoint E in charge
13. Open stroller frame
14. Put tote in stroller frame, put Rhi’s car seat back on frame
15. Replace laptop, tablet, etc in backpack, and put on
16. Put extra crap back in purse, toss purse under stroller in basket
17. Get moving

In the US, you need to add in removing your (BUT NOT THE CHILDREN’S SHOES)-I strongly recommend anything that slips on and off easily without needing any sort of hand related assistance.

Again, it’s about thinking things through strategically–what needs to go come out of bags and knowing where it is and how to re-pack efficiently.

Handing your cell phone to the older child to keep them still is smart parenting at this point in the game if you have a kid who will wander (but will stay put if you hand them a cell phone)

Give in to the technology

I realize a lot of parents are anti-tv/screen time or want to really limit it.  On an airplane, screen time provides the biggest bang for the smallest space.  A tablet can show tv/movies, play games, books etc and takes up a very small amount of space.

Along with that–figure out a headphone solution if possible.  Ellie is on the small side so earbuds were the stuff of my nightmares (“Mommy, put it back in” every. five. minutes. for over 7 hours straight–I pretended to have lost them between flights 1 and 2).  Kid headphones sort of worked, but not well.  The best solution was to drape adult headphone around her neck and turn up the volume so that she could hear it, but that it wouldn’t penetrate much further.  However, when she was smaller, I had no problem (and will have no problem when it’s Rhi’s turn), putting on Elmo/Sesame Street whatever with the volume up to a reasonable (not loud) volume–if they’re too small for headphones, the adults around you aren’t, and sometimes that’s the only solution that works (and works far better than my kid screaming the whole flight).

If you’re doing longer flights (HK-Chicago is 15-ish hours), have a game plan to charge stuff as needed.  The laptop could charge everything, so it was in my bag and fully charged, but not used for anything during flights except to charge other things like iPods and phones.

Many planes have in seat entertainment–let your kid watch that as much as they want to, as it will save on the battery life of what you brought.

Bring snacks for them and food for you

On longer flights they may serve meals, but expect your kids to hate it and for you to be too busy to eat it (or for someone to be asleep, etc–someone or many someones are going to be hungry).  I tend to pack baggies of dry cereal, peanut butter crackers, some chocolate (M&M’s, Peanut Butter cups), bag of chips, nuts, and so forth.  Bring a ton of gallon sized ziploc bags in the tote as well–they can work as places to store half eaten food, trash bags, barf bags, a place to put a dirty diaper if you have to change your baby at your seat (not all planes have changing tables and you have no choice–that’s life), somewhere to put clothes that have been spilled on and now need to be washed, etc.  There is no end of the uses for gallon sized ziploc bags.

Have a game plan for getting on the plane

If you have a stroller with you, it will need to be gate checked.  If you have a car seat, it will either need to be gatechecked (if they’re in arms) or brought onto the plane (if they have a seat of their own).  Make sure you have enough free hands to accomplish this.  I was a big weighed down, but I was able to manage the backpack, tote bag, purse and car seat, and E walked onto the plane on her own (even though at times it was a lot of cajoling and pushing her verbally to do it because I couldn’t carry her).

Getting seated on the plane

Once on the plane, get the stuff out of the aisle and under the seats.  Know in advance who will sit where.

Install your carseat

• Bucket seats will fit rear facing, even in regular economy (although if it’s really tight, the person in front of them won’t be able to lean their seat back–and that’s life).  Thread the seat belt over the top, just as you would if you were installing it in a car without a base.
• Convertible seats should be installed facing forward, and each seat should tell you how to best belt it in (and you can always google in advance–know how to do it, don’t try to figure it out on the go).
• If you’re using CARES (the only FAA certified place to put your kids apart from a car seat), install that immediately.

Buckle in or remind older kids to buckle up

Get out what you’ll need during take off and then buckle up yourself
The bathroom

Ellie was more or less potty trained when we flew, but I put her back in pull-ups to be safe.  It was a long enough flight that if we were stuck in a situation where she needed to go but the seat belt sign was on, there would be an accident.  She still used the bathroom as needed, though and no extra pull-ups were used in either direction.

When we’re flying to Hong Kong in a few weeks, I’m just going to let her use her panties as it’s just a 3 hour flight.

When Ellie had to go to the bathroom and Rhi was asleep, I left her in her car seat, knowing that she was safe and couldn’t go anywhere.  When Rhi needed to be changed I’d either take her (or usually her and her sister, since E could always benefit from trying to go) and we used the bathroom with a changing table (somewhat bigger) or the accessible bathroom (bigger).

When I had to go to the bathroom, I usually left both of them, although I tried to not do that more than I had to by limiting drinks and trying to go right before the plane and right after the plane.  But on a long flight, it just needed to happen.  I knew E wouldn’t go wandering and that Rhi was in a car seat, so they were fine.

Have a game plan for getting off the plane

I try to get off the plane as fast as possible.  Yes, you need to wait for your stroller, but it allows the older kid/s to move around a bit while waiting (and sometimes you luck out).  Before the plane lands, repack everything minus the one thing each kid will have for descent.  Then pack that once the plane is on the ground.

Repeat the mommy mantra

This too shall pass

On the flights to the US, Rhi got fed up with her car seat early into the second flight (or about 10 hours into 30 hours of transit).  I unbuckled her and let her climb on me, stand in her car seat, and so forth.  E did her own thing (which was mostly watching Winnie the Pooh over and over and over and over and over).

On the flights back (Ravi was sitting across the aisle so I sort of had back-up, but we’ve realized doing 2 and 2 will be better in the future so each kid has a parent), Rhi was an angel and Ellie was  brat.

What if they’re both acting up?  Deal with the bigger problem first (safety issues, louder, etc) and then the other one just as you would at home.  Skip time outs in favor of bribing–because really, a flight is one long time out on its own.  Just focus on getting everyone to the other side of the flight alive, not kicking the seat in front of them, not screaming, and not running around the plane.

What am I missing that you guys want to know?

Filed under: airports, Flying, Travel | 4 Comments »

I’ll write more of an “advice on traveling with two” over at White as Milk when we get back from the US, but right now my advice can be summarized thusly–don’t think that traveling with two with other adults has any bearing on the experience of traveling with two on your own.
Flight #1

This was actually the smoothest of the flights.  Rhi slept for almost the whole flight.  Ellie was happy to watch the in-flight entertainment.  I got to watch some.  The biggest issue I had was that there were no kid sized headphones (Singapore Air has them, United does not), and even the earbuds I’d bought for Ellie were too big.  She wanted to use them and kept needing me to re-insert them as they kept falling out.  This was annoying enough that after the flight I told her I’d accidentally left them on the plane.

The only other hitch on this flight was the man sitting in front of us.  He was clearly one of those children should be stowed with pets underneath the plane types.  Rhi cried for maybe 5 minutes out of 7 hours.  Ellie sat quietly and behaved the entire flight.  But he kept looking at us…specifically Ellie…with the same expression one reserves for dog excrement on one’s shoe.  Part of me spent part of the flight preparing comebacks should he have said anything to me…I was working on something invoking how my kids were slackers as they didn’t spring to life as fully formed adults like Athena from Zeus’s head.  (yes, even my insults are nerdy.)
Flight #2

Now, had the childhater been on this flight he might have had a point to the dirty looks.  E was (mostly) fine.  Rhi screamed.  Loudly.  It was somewhat awful.  In the end I figured out that she was fine while held and while in her carseat but not buckled in.  Buckling her in was the cue to start screaming…and she can far outscream Ellie’s loudest baby scream.

The other issue with this flight was that after everyone boarding on time and pushing back from the gate on time….Narita closed a runway and used ours to land planes, delaying our takeoff.  Knowing that, I anticipated that we’d end up missing our connection in DC.  But I wasn’t too worried as there was another flight 4 hours later, and having a long break to run around the airport and stretch our legs sounded fine to me.

LAYOVER

I was right.  We missed our plane–we were still in line for security when it took off.  So I went to the Lounge (frequent flier status has its perks) and arranged seats on the 10pm flight to Boston.  We ran around the airport, got food, and generally had a nice time.  We moved to the lounge to charge electronics and kill the last hour or so before boarding.

Then came the delay. Then the next delay and the information that they were “looking for a plane” and “weren’t sure” if the flight was going to get delayed further.  It was not my proudest parenting moment to nod off, and wake up five minutes later to find Ellie grinding cracker into the rug and Rhi eating said cracker from the rug.  I made E apologize and we vacuumed it up.  Then I went to the desk and asked if we could just get on a flight the next day.

The layover ended up being awesome because we have family who live  near Dulles.  They’d never met the baby, so we went over to their home for a few hours.  Then we went to the hotel and were asleep while the flight was still mid air.  In the morning we breakfasted with cousins again, and then we were dropped at the airport.

Flight #3

Domestic first may suck in comparison to international business or international first, but that doesn’t mean I’d ever turn my nose up at it.  However, there was more screaming from Rhi until I held her (so much for her seat).  Because the seats are two on either side of the aisle, Ellie was sitting across from me, next to a grandmother who was delighted to color with her during take off at her request (to my relief).

We arrived on time in a different part of the airport than I’m used to.  However, one of my favorite fast food chains (Panda Express) had an outlet there, so I happily got some orange chicken to scarf while we figured out if my luggage had ever made it to boston (it had) and where it was (another terminal).
By far not my favorite flights, but not as bad as it could’ve been.  We made it in one piece after all.

Filed under: airports, Flying, Travel | 2 Comments »

One week from tomorrow, I’ll travel solo with the girls to Boston.  This will be my first time doing so with both girls, and I admit to being nervous.

I have extremely tight connections in Tokyo and DC.  While I think the Tokyo connection will be fine–I only have to get off the plane, get through security and get to another plane, and there’s an elite flyer security line at Narita.  However, I am worried about Dulles.  I have ninety minutes to take their “people mover” (think giant moving box on wheels), clear customs and immigration, get my bags and re-check them.  Assuming I can find a porter, it should be fine.  If I can’t find a porter, it is a lock that I will miss my DC-Boston flight as moving five suitcases and two children is more than I can manage with only two hands.  I have looked into booking a porter and it doesn’t seem that Dulles does that (or if they do, the instructions on how to do so are buried beyond the skill level of my google-fu).

To be fair, the tight connection in DC was my choice.  There are better, longer connection in San Francisco and Chicago.  However, the plane that is flown between Tokyo and DC has in seat entertainment in coach.  Considering that was the key to keeping Ellie happy last time (she watched The Lion King over and over and over), and kept me relatively happy as well, it seemed like the best flight pattern.  Also, I have never flown through O’Hare (Chicago) without disaster striking, so I tend to be superstitious and want to avoid it.

Rhiannon will be flying in her own seat.  While it is realistic to fly with a baby in lap across country, or even from Boston to Western Europe, 30+ hours is 20+ hours too many to hold a wriggly nine month old (ten month old on the way back).  My back and my sanity will thank me.  If it were not established that she hates the in-flight bassinet, I might have considered trying that, but given her history with the bassinet on the Singapore-Sydney flight, I’m not willing to risk it.  This also means that Rhi, Ellie and I will have our own little row, which is a relief.

However, I have already begun to repeat my travel mantra…

This too, shall pass

The worst flight can only last so long. 

Eventually we WILL land at Logan where grandparents, Dunkin Donuts, and the baw-ston accent will embrace us.  We will be shuttled to Friendly’s where too large portions of fried American food and bowls of American ice cream will fill our bellies after almost 30 hours of subsisting on what we bring ourselves (and if we are exceptionally lucky, airplane food that is merely unfortunate as opposed to repulsive).  My in-laws will take us to their house, where we have rooms we consider “ours” and the luxury of a shower that doesn’t run out of hot water after only 15 minutes.

Keep us in your thoughts next Wednesday.  If anyone has mystical powers that can make a plane land early or make porters appear…your help with the DC part of things would be much appreciated.

Filed under: airports, Flying, Travel | 17 Comments »

A reader asked me to write about the logistics of traveling with a new baby.

Rhiannon was 11 weeks when we flew to the US and 13 when we flew back.  Comparitively, Elanor was around 4, 4 1/2 months old the first time we flew with her.

Some tips and tricks to making it run smoothly…this is stuff to consider on top of the stuff you typically travel with.

Booking

Whether you are booking an individual seat for the baby or an “infant in lap” seat for them, every airline I’ve used has required a phone call to complete the booking.  While this can be time consuming, it does have a few benefits…the phone agent can advise you where the “bassinet” seats are (if the flight has any) and help you find the optimal seats.

Personally, I prefer the window seat for breastfeeding because you get a few extra inches of elbow room to better help position the baby without bumping a seat mate.  If your partner can have the seat next to you, so much the better.  I have not encountered any issue with breastfeeding on a plane, but it might make you feel less likely to run into an issue (or at least I felt more secure that way).

If the flight looks empty, you can try the gambit of booking a window and aisle seat, leaving the middle seat empty.  If the flight still has that seat empty the day you fly, gate agents will let you use it for the baby (including bringing a car seat onto the plane and using it in the empty seat).  This is a risky gambit, though…I would only advise doing so if you’re booking very close to your flight date and feel at least 80% sure that the seat will stay empty.

Packing (checked luggage)

Several valuable details worth knowing

• Depending on the airline, an infant in lap may be entitled to their own bag.
• MOST airlines charge no fee for checking a stroller or a pack n play, and they do not count toward your luggage allowance

What you’ll need to pack in checked luggage

• For a young baby (let’s say young enough to not be eating solids) you’ll want enough clothes to cover the length of time you’ll go without laundry, plus 4 or 5 outfits (in case of poop explosions, barfing, etc).
• For you–a few extra tops than you normally would (see poop explosions, barfing, etc).
• Young babies don’t need toys, books, play mats, etc.  I have packed all of these and lived to regret it.  The likelihood is that you’re going to buy them at least a toy and a book (or again, this could be just me) so you don’t need to haul your toys all over the world.  Also…to a 3 month old…a toilet paper roll is a fascinating toy.  A six month old will sell their soul for your keys.  Just don’t waste the space in your luggage.
• Pack an extra packet of diapers in your luggage if you have any concerns about being able to find your brand (if you’re picky about such thing).  This applies more to less developed locations (Phuket…I found diapers, but no swim diapers and sizing was impossible to figure out at the local store).
• Whatever you need in terms of excess feeding supplies…take your pump in hand if you’re breastfeeding and pumping, but toss spare bottles and such in the checked luggage.  If you’re formula feeding, toss a spare can of formula and some extra bottles/drop ins/whatever in the checked luggage.

Packing (for the carry on)

The baby

• Under 3-4 months, a new baby doesn’t need toys or distractions for the plane.  They need a mess of spare outfits (I went through 4 on just one of the flights this last trip–a poop explosion, my husband spilling water over Rhi and I, a spit up, and I forget the last one, except I remember it happening).  You also want about twice as many diapers as you need.  The first time someone loses your luggage or you get stranded for extra hours in an airport, you’ll thank me.  Yes, some airport stores have diapers, but they’re going to be the wrong size for your little one.  And do you really want to take that risk?
• 4-6 months–bring one or two toys that they can enjoy.  The best sort of toy is the ones that hang off a car seat and have multiple types of distractions/textures/etc on them.  If they have a lovey, this is when they’ll likely miss it.  See previous comments about clothes and diapers.
• 6-12 months–Bring 3 or 4 toys if it’s a long journey, but 1-2 is still likely enough–YOU will be the best toy.  Bring food that you might need if they’re eating solids.  Bibs, etc.  See previous notes about clothes and diapers.

You

• Bring 1-2 extra tops minimum (if not 2 full outfit changes) in case of barf, poop explosions, etc.  I say this as someone who got puked on about an hour out of San Francisco and then spent 5 hours in a wet smelly shirt with a baby wrapped in a United blanket because I didn’t have a spare outfit.  I learned that lesson the hard way–please don’t feel the need to learn it yourself.  Also, note that on the most recent trip, I had to do a shirt change because Ravi spilled water on me.
• Your breast pump.  This is not something you want to get lost with your luggage and then have to replace away from home.  Just keep it on you.

Stroller of some kind

Car seat.  Many people want to leave it behind…I’d argue that unless you are 1000% sure that you won’t need it to bring it.  I’ve seen the nasty car seats in rental cars and will never use one again.  Also, with younger babies, if there’s an empty seat, you’ll want to have some way of putting them in the seat safely.

CARES–if your baby is over 20lbs, you can use this 5 point restraint system instead of a car seat.  I don’t recommend using it with kids under 1, but it is an option for some older babies.

Day of flight….

Checking in

Get to the airport early.

We spent an hour checking in both ways on this most recent trip because although I had booked an infant in lap, United had not issued an e-ticket for her, and there was MUCH drama over it that took (frustratingly) an hour on each side to clear up.  This is the first infant in lap screw-up from them after over 20 flights with infants in laps, but you never know when it will be you.

Check your bags, pack n play (I don’t recommend traveling with it, but if you feel you must, you must) and your stroller if you want to.  Depending on your stroller, I strongly encourage you to just gate check it at the airplane.  Strollers are not only great for containing the baby, but sometimes are better at holding your carry-ons while you have baby in a sling.  Just saying.

Security

If you are flying internationally, your baby will need a passport, no matter how young. I don’t recall what you use when flying domestically…I want to say it was either nothing or just a copy of the birth certificate as it names us as parents and WE have photo IDs.

If you are taking a minor child on an international flight by yourself, do yourself a favor and get a notarized note of permission from the other parent.  Some countries (theoretically) require it, and it’s just handy to have in case you encounter an obstreperous TSA agent (particularly if you are leaving the child’s country of citizenship without the other parent).

In the US, the TSA no longer requires that you remove a baby’s shoes.  Outside the US, it was never an issue.

In the US, expect to need to take the baby out of the sling.  Other countries, it will depend.  Japan and Singapore did not make me do so, but I think I had to in Scotland with Ellie.

In every country, expect to need to put your stroller/car seat through the security scanner.  Make sure everyone flying with you is an expert in folding and unfolding the stroller.  It’s worth trying to do with a baby in your arms/the sling in practice.

Most airports have a family friendly line, and people will be understanding and we’re all struggling with strollers and toddler and such.  If not, go with whatever line you want, and don’t stress yourself out over however long you need to get through security.  It takes however long it takes, and if you’ve given yourself the extra time, you won’t be worrying about whether or not you’ll make the flight.

One thing we need to discuss here–stroller travel bags, particularly the ginormous one by Bugaboo.  If you travel with a Bugaboo stroller and intend to use the stroller bag, be prepared to constantly have to tell security/everyone, that it is a STROLLER BAG as it is much larger than any allowed carry on.  Make sure your airline will let you use it at the plane’s side (some airlines have begun banning “large” strollers…never had an issue with United on this).  A secondary option, if you want your fancy schmancy stroller with you is to check it with your luggage and toss the kid in an umbrella stroller for airport transit, or to use a sling in the airport.  Unless you’re going to check the bag, it’s really not worth using the travel bag.  They’re mostly a pain in the butt.

At the gate

If you went with the aisle/window/empty middle seat, check to see if it’s still open.  If it is, score!  Take your car seat onto the plane and enjoy having your arms free for some portion of the flight.  If not, be ready to give up which ever seat the middle person wants more.

It’s always worth asking if there’s an empty set of seats that your assigned seats can be changed to, giving you an empty seat.  But don’t expect it…it’s fairly uncommon unless it’s a low-traffic route.

Get your stroller/car seat tags.  If you use a stroller frame and a car seat, each piece will need a tag.

Some people say kids should board last for a variety of reasons.  I’ve always said you should board as early as you can (ask if you can board early…even within an airline it’s inconsistent…United lets us pre-board about 50% of the time) because carry-on space disappears FAST.  If you have spare outfits in a carry-on that don’t fit under the seat, you NEED to ensure that you have overhead space.  The most likely outcome is that you’ll have to gate check the carry-on and you won’t see it until your final destination.  Not an issue if you’re on a 1-2 hour flight, but a HUGE issue if it’s the first leg of a 30 hour journey.

Boarding early also lets you settle in.

On the plane

A flight attendant will bring you an infant life vest to store under your seat.  Leave it there when you get off the flight.

The whole feeding during take off thing?  If they’re under 9 months, don’t stress about it, according to my favorite Lactation Consultant/Baby Guru Nancy Holtzman from Isis Parenting (link is her tips for flying with a baby).

Young babies will be lulled to sleep by the engine noise.  In many ways, the younger they are, the easier they are to fly with.  You might actually need to make a point of waking them to feed!

Do make a point of ensuring they’re eating.  They can dehydrate faster than you.

If you’re lucky enough to score a bassinet, enjoy!  That was the only way I was able to eat when I flew to London from Boston with E when she was 9 months old (she’s super small for her size…many babies will max out the weight allowance before then–check with your airline).

Large aircraft will have at least one bathroom with a changing table.  It will be a slightly larger than normal bathroom (don’t get excited…it’s still microscopic) with a flat table over the toilet that snaps up when not in use.  You may want to make sure you have a portable changing pad to use on top of it, or on the fly in airports.  Find out where it is when the flight attendant brings by your infant life vest.

Around 4-6 months, you’ll start having some awake periods on planes.  Keys, putting something into and out of the plastic drink cup from the airline, and YOU are free toys.  Other good airplane toys are the winkel ball for younger babies, and any of those toys that hang from a car seat and have multiple things to do/textures to chew on for older babies. Before that, they’ll sleep and eat and poop…and that’s about it.

The older the baby, the more you will be entertaining them.  E was 14+ months old the first time I was able to use other distractions for longer periods of times (cough *Elmo* cough).  But as with a car, motion and the white noise will likely provide you with longer than average naps. Think twice before letting them bang on the seat tray table…it’s a great distraction for them, but is irritating as hell to the person in front of you.

With older babies, you may want to empty the seat pocket of anything you don’t want them touching (or tearing).

For the most part, people are nice…don’t expect to encounter a child hater.  They’re not as prevalent in real life as they are online (or if they are, they tend to keep it to themselves).  Most people will smile or wave at your kid.  Dressing them adorably can help sell the notion of “cute baby” instead of “noise maker”.

Deplaning

Don’t be in a hurry to get off the plane.  It takes a while for the strollers to come up and you’re either going to wait in your seat on the plane for things to clear out a bit or on the breezeway.  Leave in a timely fashion, but there’s no call to be first off.

Expect to get a lot “your baby was so GOOD” from strangers.  They mean well.  Suppress your urge to say “SEE…Babies on planes aren’t TEH DEVIL!!!!”  Again, maybe it’s just me who wants to say that, but still….

Pick up your stroller just outside the door of the plane, or on the breezeway.  The flight attendant will tell you.

Miscellaneous

Don’t stress about time zone changes.  The baby is going to do whatever the baby is going to do.  You can exert a ton of effort to try to fix their sleep schedule in advance, and anecdotally it often doesn’t work.  Give them anywhere from 1-5 days (depending on the severity of the time change) to work it out on their own, and accept that you will suffer their jet lag.  However, jet lag isn’t really a huge issue until they’re older (as in 8-12 months and older) and insist on being awake and playing.

Questions?  Additional advice? Want to tell me I’m full of crap?  Comment away…

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We have arrived back in Singapore safe and sound.

It should be no surprise that we found traveling with two small children a much bigger struggle than traveling with only one child, although that’s a blog post in and of itself.

I was really excited to see that the long-haul flight between Tokyo and DC had upgraded its entertainment system.  As part of a new upgrade (which in the next two years includes internet!!!), every seat in economy on that flight had a seat back entertainment system, with the full complement of movies and tv episodes to watch.  This makes a HUGE difference on really long flights.  The older norm has been that first and business have this feature, and that in economy you just watch whatever selection of movies and tv they show to everyone at the same time.  It doesn’t make sitting for 13/14 hours any easier, but it definitely makes it less boring as an option on top of whatever I’ve loaded on my iPod and phone for entertainment (and if/when they die and it’s less space consuming than a laptop).

We were a bit delayed out of DC, and were worried about making our connection in Singapore, but we got there just as they were doing final call (and then they were delayed for 20 minutes once everyone was one for some “mechanical” thing…typical).  The delay in Tokyo meant we got into Singapore late.  By the time we got home it was close to 2am.

Everyone was starving when we got home, so we did a quick pop over to a 24 hour McDonalds.  Once home, Ravi crashed and Ellie has been playing.

It’s now 6am.  Rhi is sleeping on the couch next to me, and I am starting to feel the adrenaline to drain.  I am going to try to put Ellie to bed…with luck she’ll stay there.  Without luck….well, maybe we’ll both be in bed early tonight…

More posts to come.

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