Guest Post: Laurel's Travel Tips

CAUTION: READING THIS POST MIGHT GIVE YOU A TRAVEL BUG!

So I have a Momma friend, Laurel Stelzer, who I met when I was living in Austin through friends. We were both 6 months preggers and stilling "running". Our friendship really developed in the later part of our pregnancy and was in full force by the time our contractions began. Our kids even had their FIRST PLAYDATE together!!

I can't believe that was already almost 2 years ago. We've since moved from Austin for our husband's jobs (who both work at the same multinational high tech Company as she so eloquently puts it), done LOTS of things, and written about even more things than we can put titles on! She has been living in Penang, Malaysia for almost a year now---half of which I must jealously say she's been traveling around. She's been providing me with adventures all the time, vicariously of course! I have gone to secluded islands, beautiful beaches, amazing romantic getaways, and learned a little more about what to do when traveling with a +1.

I'm not saying that our Little Flores Family hasn't done its share of traveling, but the Stelzers are definitely the PRO when it comes to this topic.

She posted a couple weeks ago about some observations and tips she's made about TRAVELING with a child that I thought you ladies might enjoy and find useful:

We have flown every month of our son's life since he was 4 months old. The notable low points were a redeye to Western Australia when he was 10 months (almost mobile, and very, very tired), and a flight back from Hong Kong at 14 months. Besides the tiny baby sleep-nurse puddle jumps we did early on (weren’t those the days!), our best long haul flight to date is surprisingly the 23 hour leg from Singapore to Houston we did just last month! I think we might be getting the hang of it! I wanted to document some of the tips and tricks we’ve learned about traveling with a baby or toddler.

Miles' last bassinet flight. He's right at the weight limit, and about 4" too long.

Most of our travel has been by plane, and here are some of the things I find useful:

• Timing: Mid-morning flights are ideal if you are traveling less than 5 hours; evening/redeye flights are asking for trouble. If it’s a long haul, its best to start out pretty late, even if baby sleeps a bit before the flight.
• Board last: Sure there is a special time for infants and children, but I find the less time sitting idle restricting Miles on my lap, the better. Split up with your partner if you are worried about overhead bag space. Pre-takeoff and taxi time is the hardest for him. I try and be last on the plane if he is up and running around. Of course, if baby is asleep, get on there and recline your seat for a while.
• Seats: Big planes almost all have the bassinet in the non-exit bulkhead seats and this is by far the best option on a long haul, the downside being an awkward tray table and potentially awkward TV. Next best would be any aisle seat. We learned a trick of booking both a window and an aisle (for a 3-3-3 configuration), with the hopes that the flight will not be completely full and the potential that the middle will be left free.
• Harnessing: Many of the airlines no longer allow a baby to be in a carrier for take off and landing. Until he was very mobile, I found keeping Miles in the Ergo while we flew was best for all of us. Also, if you do get a seat and want to use a carseat, double check the seatbelts are not equipped with airbag. If they are, they will not let you install the seat.
• Meals: Request specialty meals (we like Cathay Hindu vegetarian!). These are always ready first and they will hold them if you need it. If you are 2 adults traveling with a baby, get one meal at a time. I never count on airline food for Miles. Pick up something to go at the airport or pack lots of snacks that are always on the ready.
• Baby care: Pack a very small diaper bag to take to the bathroom. Mine has just 2 diapers, a couple wipes, hand sanitizer and a clean pair of pants. It’s the size of a big envelope. Restock from your carry on throughout the flight. It is so dry on the plane, each time you change baby, put lotion on the face. Also, get fluids down them any way possible (frequent nursing, juice-spiked water).
• Parent care: Sleep when the kid sleeps. Skip meals when you have to, shade your eyes, do anything. Drink water every time it is offered, grab 2 glasses if you have 2 free hands. Ask for help.
• Entertainment: I have found I can actually get through some movies if I put them on with subtitles. As for what to entertain a kid with, you have to know your kid. iPads seem to be universally loved. Miles is not huge into conventional toys, but loves any kind of junk around the seat or from the meals. Stacking cups are small to pack and have thousands of uses. I find a much-loved book to be a bigger hit than anything new.
• Share the love: And the crying. I typically get up and walk around (with Miles in the carrier) if he is fussing. This spreads out the misery with all passengers and I have never failed to have a mom stop me and say “You’re a good mom; I miss those days”

After landing and tearful reunions the fun starts – jetlag. General Rules:

• Set expectations: One day for each timezone. This includes baby and you, especially if you are getting up with them at night.
• Tummies transition last, allow for eating and drinking at night for at least a few days. I generally do food 2 nights, 2 more nights of milk/juice, then just do water at wake ups.
• Get on the regular sleep schedule as soon as possible. Limit naps, and do what you can to get kids sleeping at night.
• Use light to your advantage. Get out in the sun, especially around sunrise (good luck if you traveled west!) and sunset to reset circadian rhythms. Leave it dark at night, no TV or computers. Keep it light during the day, even nap with the shades partially open.
• Back to expectations, as sleep deprived as a traveling momma is, remind yourself it is not the kid’s fault they can’t sleep. Do your best, it will be over soon.

Age specific tips, based on experience:

• 6 months (3 naps/day): By far the easiest transition. Miles was still doing night wakings anyway, it was just a matter of stretching the naps to cover most of the nighttime and sometimes waking him up during the day.
• 14 months (2 naps/day): Sticking to the rules above, Miles was sleeping through the night by night 4. After we returned to Penang, I remember laying on the floor of his room, holding him to sleep. Not a habit I wanted to get into, but it got him sleeping at the right times.
• 18 months (1 nap/day): Things get progressively more difficult. I found that too late of an afternoon nap gets him into a long night sleep feeling and he wakes up grumpy for hours before going back to bed only to sleep a few hours. I keep everything dark, and have gotten into a bad habit of sleeping with him in the spare room, making the transition to the crib painful. Its taken more than 4 days this time, but I am relishing in small victories, like sleeping in my bed until 3:30am.

Tips for traveling with 2 kids are pending. Traveling alone, with our son and pregnant with #2, I took my own advice and asked for lots of help. "Lap infant” has a different meaning when your lap is not so much any more.

She has just launched her new Ex-Pat Resource Page,PenangMomma.com. If you are heading out for a family adventure with your family or moving to another country....SHE IS YOUR GO TO GIRL!

THANKS LAUREL!!