Suggestions for Traveling with a 6 Mos. Old

I drove from NY to Florida with my baby about that age.. I had lots of link a doo's and there attachable toys, so they stay together. Also, buy a case of assorted baby food and just keep it in the heavy box it comes in. Formula, Go to Sams Club and get the big container if they have your brand. Diapers do the same as the food, or just have 1 suit case for all the babies stuff. How long are you going for, figure 5-8 diapers for each 24 hour period, and only enough food she will eat, perhaps a box of baby cereal (it is smaller than 20 jars of food). Have fun and good luck!

On our trips, we took an extra suitcase(a very large one) and packed it with the food, formula, diapers, wipes, toys and whatever else we needed. Also, during take-off and landing on the airplane try to give her a bottle or pacifier to suck on, so her ears won't bother her. Otherwise, hopefully she will sleep through a good portion of the flight. Stock up the diaper bag for the flight just in case of delays.

M. if you can afford it buy a seat for the baby, it is well worth it. I always bring with me the diapers, formula, thermometer and medicines (fever, cough, congestion, pain releaver) just in case. The formula and diapers I always repacked b/c they occupy less space if you do. I used to put formula in ziplock bags and pack the diapers loose. In regards of toys don't bother with too many of them you will be out and about plus you will have tons of babysitters as you are traveling with family that hopefully don't get to see the baby often and would want to have the opportunity to be with baby. Just bring one or two small toys that you don't mind if they get lost or ruined and of course anything special that you and/or your baby can't do without and guard it with your life :o). Take off and landing will bother the baby's ears but if you give the bottle it should go smoothly, it worked for me. Also have one bag for the baby that way you won't go crazy looking for the baby's stuff in your own bag or your hubby's. Have a safe trip and lots of fun. Traveling with a baby is problematic b/c of everything you have to carry but it is a lot of fun, my daughter and i traveled by ourselves 4 times before she was a year, and we are going to Europe with the whole family in May and I can't wait. Again good luck and safe travels.

I just wanted to add to what JW's advice. The one other thing I would add is to try to either feed her or give her water during take off. It helps to minimize the pressure in her ears. Sort of the same way when we chew gum at take off. Good Luck. OH! Remember to take her vaccination card with you just in case.

If travelling on a plain I would go to onestepahead.com and purchase the air vest. It attaches to your seatbelt in case of turbulence the baby won't bounce out of your arms - much cheaper than buying a seat on the plane - then you can pass her around if you need.

Hi..My sister and I took our children to Florida. The children were 2, 2, and 4 months!!! We ended up confined to our 2 motel rooms for 10 days due to a hurricane!! The one thing that saved us was the plug in cooler that I bought. I happened to buy it just as we arrived because I didn't want to spend the xtra money for the mini frig in the room. When the electric went out for 2 days, the red cross delivered ice to us. When we finally got out, I packed things into the cooler and checked it into the baggage claim! So my advice is to buy a plug in cooler. They come in different sizes and the larger ones are available on wheels!! Good Luck!

I have a 6 month old daughter and my suggestion to you is to bring a pack-n-play for her bed. During the day she can take naps in it and you'll be able to have her in your view at all times. They collapse real easily and they don't take up a lot of room when not in use. For your flights I suggest buying the already made formula and asking the flight attendant to heat it up for you. If you don't think you'll have the time to make bottles with the powder formula then just stock up on the cans. As far as baby food goes I suggest using the Gerber 2 pack foods in plastic containers. I'd suggest using a backpack for these items since you'll probably have more room then a diaper bag. Hope there's some help in there and have fun on your trip

Bring the motion sickness medicine

and clothes, remember they have a store on board,

But if your daughter needs anything special BRING that.

Have fun

M

First, the airplane...bring a pacifier or bottle or plan to nurse while you take off and land. As adults, our ears clear easily (most of the time)...the little one needs help. If they are sucking something it really helps. If your baby starts to cry during that time...that is why...ears are hurting. Bring little books to entertain her during the flight and for the cruise. Our babies loved the books. The cruise - just pack your diapers, food and formula. We alway pack a completely seperate suitcase for the baby stuff. Depending on the cruiseline, most will have a gift shop with that stuff on it...but it isn't too hard to just take it with you and then you don't have to worry. In the dining room...the wait staff is great with bringing you what you want. Depending on how specific you are with food...you can always ask for a bowl of applesauce, a side of mashed potatoes, oatmeal...they are ready and able to make what you need. Even if you don't see things on the menu...just ask. Bring a little bottle with formula in it, ask them for hot tea, cool it down with ice, make your bottle right there. Like I said, it depends what stage you are with your baby. If you need your childs food warmed up, put it in a bowl with a tad of hot water...should be fine. Our babies loved the Gerber Puffs? I don't remember the exact name, but we always brought those everywhere. In the infant/baby section of the grocery store, they have all kinds. Some ships have DVD players...we always took our "Baby Einstein" DVD's. That was great. Traveling in general will be easier than you think. People understand. If they don't, don't worry. Enjoy this time with your family and your little one.

Some cruise lines have alot of restrictions especially for children less than a year old, they will not let infants into the pool.
You should also bring a life preserver with you, since they usually do not have life preservers in infant sizes.
Some cruises will provide food for the baby if you make arrangements beforehand.
Due to airline restrictions,and depending on how long the flight is, you should try to feed her before boarding the plane, or bring powdered formula that you can add water to once you board the plane. If she uses a pacificer, you should have her use it when taking off and landing. Bring a changing pad since some airlines do not have changing tables, and you may have to change her in her infant seat. When I travel I usually pack one full sleeve of diapers, and a full pack of baby wipes.

This is usually a very easy age to travel with. I would suggest to check your car seat unless it is a very long flight. Bring enough formula and diapers for one day in your carry on(in case of delays) and check the rest. I have used the premixed small 6-8 oz cans in this situation and that worked out well. I think all formula companies make them. Bring your babys blanket or lovey and a few small toys/books on board too. At this age your attention is usually enough to keep them occupied. Have fun on your trip!

How wonderful! When my daughter was 5 months we went on a cruise, it was great!
We packed our favorite baby food items in seal able plastic bags, and brought extra in case of breakage etc. My daughter was nursing so that made it easier. You will have the bottled water thing going on..
She sat in a high chair provided by the cruise line, they were so great, they would bring her fruit even though we said it was ok not to (she wasn't eating fruit yet! lol).
I made sure she nursed during take off and landing- in your case a bottle or pacifier should work..
It was a little challenging to entertain her on the plane.. and during our 7 hr wait when we missed our flight home. However at that age my daughter just enjoyed being new places, hearing new things, and was pretty content with anything we did.
The cruise line also provided a pack n play for her so we did not have to bring one.
We brought an umbrella stroller because it transported the easiest, and it did not have to be "checked".
As for the diapers we loaded up her diaper bag with just diapers and wipes and kept all clothing separate. We watched how many she was using for a few weeks ahead of time.
Hope this all helps! Good Luck, and have fun!

I travel alot with my son, and he also took his first flight when he was 6 months.
The best advice is to pack you baby her own suitcase, with everything she will need. Then you dont feel crowded in your luggage and you can easily bring plenty to get you through.
Pack her bottles, formula, food etc right in there and don't forget to bring some OTC medicines and a thermometer for her just in case.
Pack a good diaper bag as a carry on, and put in enough provisions for at least a full day just in the very off chance her bag is delayed or lost, you can have a full day to get shopping done.
I use a big tote for my boy, since it is easier than an actual diaper bag.
remember to bring along a blankie and a bear for her to snuggle and maybe nap during the flight. and of course some juice and cookie... I suggest that you dress her nice and comy in some soft cool clothes and slippers, yo ucan dress her up on vacation but let her travel without being bound up or overheated.
have fun!!! She'll do great.

Contact the cruise company - a lot of them offer diapers and food delivered to your room so you don't have to pack them! They do come at a slightly higher cost, but I don't think that it is outrageous for not having to pack your own. Some even offer a stroller rental so you don't have to tote yours.

When we traveled with our girls in diapers,and had to pack our own diapers etc, we always dedicated a small carryon sized suitcase to that. Yes it is an extra suitcase to lug on the plane or to check - but good news is that it will be empty at the end of the week and you will have plenty of space for all those goodies that you bought!!

D.

Always make sure you have what she will need on your person.
Be prepared for the unexpected. New Items from the dollar store are always good.And shaved ice when cranky..

I have traveled with 2 children on airplanes, and the best way I found to carry my babies formula was to make alot of bottles with the water in them and bring the can of formula with you in your bag, that way you arent having to keep the formula cold so it wont go bad, and you can quickly make a bottle when you need it! The formula dispensers usually only held enough formula for 3 bottles, and you never know if that would be enough. Also if you need to warm the bottle I would ask the flight attendant to give me a cup of half filled boiling water, and let the bottle warm up, or I would get it warmed up right before I got on the plane. I hope I was some help to you, It is stressful to travel with a baby.

I would check with the airline and find out what their restrictions are before you go and buy all your formual etc...and if a family member who is going with you and they don't have to fly go to 1800diapers.com and have all your diapers and formual sent to them so you don't have to fly with it. For the airplane make sure you have something your baby can suck on....for her ears...binki, bottle...as for toys I wouldn't worry to much...toys that link onto things are great for traveling...hang one or two off your diaper bag and stroller and you're all set....baby will be held by all the family and won't need too many things...soft books are great too. Have fun!

I took my son to Sweden at 6 months... I bought him a seat on the plane so i could have him in his infant car seat (he slept happily in it for much of the flight). I would definitely bring a stroller... most airlines will let you bring it right up to the gate. It can be a lifesaver for naps and getting your baby to rest in unfamiliar places.
If your cruise is more than a few days, see if you can UPS the diapers directly to the boat and have them waiting there for you. Same with a can of formula... Then you can travel with, say, 5 diapers and 3-4 servings of formula. (You can measure out the powder and put in into bottles, and then add water later on the plane or when necessary... then you don't have to worry about refrigeration or security 3oz hassles).
Make sure to bring some cuddly toys that she likes to put into his pack-and-play or crib so it doesn't seem so unfamiliar... basically try to bring some of her favorite things from home.

See if the cruise line will let you ship a package with diapers, wipes and formula ahead of time. They could just have them wating in your cabin. As far as flying goes. The best thing we have found is to have a bottle ready on the decent. Make sure you bring her favorite crib toy as well. That way she'll feel "safe". You never know, if the flights are around you normal nap time, she may just sleep.