Travel Tip Tuesday

Whether you're a parent or not, everyone knows how much of a challenge it can be traveling with children (especially babies who are just beginning to explore mobility). This travel tip goes out to all the parents (or soon to be parents) who don't let life end after children.  There are many important things to remember when traveling with babies. Although you need to be prepared for anything and everything (diaper explosions, puke, boredom, runny noses, hunger, etc. etc.) it is equally important to remember that you still have to carry all that stuff through an airport and as flight attendants love to say, "If you pack it you rack it!'* One of the biggest challenges that I see parents face is the darn carseat. It's bulky, awkward, heavy, and your child doesn't always want to sit in it (when they are older they will wish that all airplane seats were as comfortable as that carseat was)!

*I'd like to take this opportunity to inform all reader that we (flight attendants) are not ALLOWED to stow your bags for you, were not just being lazy. Also, among many things that flight attendants don't get paid for, parenting your children (not yours specifically just as a generalization) is one of them. Please do not ring your flight attendant call light in the middle of boarding (one of our busiest times) to say "Excuse me miss flight attendant, but can you please tell little Johnny that he needs to sit in his carseat or he will be in trouble with the captain."

It is important that you show up to your gate in plenty of time so that you are present when they begin "early boarding for those traveling with small children or those needing extra time or assistance getting down the jetway." This is so important, here is why: Children feed off of your energy. In other words, if you are stressed, they feel stressed. Then they start crying and you get more stressed. You get more stressed and they cry louder. This goes on and on until everyone around you decides your child is the cheapest form of birth control! So for crying out loud (pun intended) show up to the gate for early boarding. Your only excuse for not being there is that your inbound connecting flight was delayed.

Now, there are a few products on the market that can also make traveling easier (I will do several tips for the traveling parents but I am just focusing on the carseat thing today). The 1st product I have seen out there is INGENIOUS!! It is a 5 point harness (required by FAA) that you strap around the actual airplane seat. This is awesome for a lots of reasons.
1.) It's small enough to put in your carryon (it eliminates the bulk and weight factor)
2.) Your independent child now feels like a big kid because they can sit in the regular seat.
3.) It sits them back against the seat which usually keeps their little feet just out of reach of the seat in front of them.
4.) You can then place your child in the middle seat because they do not block your access to the aisle in case of an emergency.
5.) From what I understand you can also use these in rental cars (please don't take my word on this, do more research PLEASE)

Such a well behaved little gent!

                                                To purchase this little life saver GO HERE!

The 2nd Is a set of wheels that attaches to the carseat. This is also awesome in its own ways.
1.) You can pull your kiddo through the airport, which frees up your hands (also reduces stress of loosing you kiddo)
2.) They're only about 5 lbs.
3.) If your child would rather walk (which I recommend to make them tired before the flight) This turns any non-roller bag (say a diaper bag) into a roller bag! Just place the bag where your chid would normally sit and WAH-LAH! ROLLER BAG!

look how much baby likes it!

                                                To purchase purchase this one GO HERE!

You can also find similar products all over the web.

PLEASE LEAVE ALL BOOSTER SEATS AT HOME!! These are good once you get to Grandma and Grandpa's house but until then they are not approved by the FAA (because they are not a 5 point harness) and must go in the overhead bin. They are bulky to lug around, especially when you find out your child cannot sit in them on the airplane.

A few little bonus tips:
1.) The most important tip is to always stay as relaxed as humanly possible when traveling with children.
2.) Make it fun and exciting for them.
3.) A little bribery goes a long way!
4.) If your child turns into a complete terror just remember you will probably never see these people again.

*For Michelle at http://simplycomplicated.me I touched on this topic first because they would make great baby shower gifts. Congratulations again!