Hello Everyone,
My husband and I are taking our 2 1/2 year daughter out to Oklahoma(from California) to visit his family. We've taken a couple over night trips/road trips so I'm not too concerned about the flight or anything like that (although any advice is still appreciated on this topic). We would like advice from other people to make the trip more fun for her and us. Our flight out and back are both at 6am, which should prove to be interesting.
One of our big concerns is sleeping arrangements. At home she still sleeps in her crib in her own room dissipate having a toddler bed in her room. When we've traveled in the past we just let her sleep with us since it's one night and she will not sleep in a pack and play. This time around my husband has a CPAP machine (he has sleep apnia, so the mask to help him breath at night) which scares our daughter. I really don't want to end up with two beds and me sleeping with her the whole time, since she moves a lot more now. Not sure of other options. What have other families out there done?
Thank you!
If you're near enough to a city you may find a rental company online that will deliver a crib to your hotel for you. I've rented cribs several times from babysaway.com since my DD also won't sleep in a pack n play.
Good Luck!
some hotels will provide a crib, I would check with the hotel you're staying at.
Why don't you try to get her to sleep in the pack and play at home like its a special occasion. When I traveled with my son and I learned this from my mom I always had little treats for him. They do not need to be sugary in fact stay away from sugar. Also a couple of books and puzzles and maybe a pad of paper, crayons, stickers, and a little kalidascope. You can play the Eye spy game with her if she is old enough for it. It can be modified to her age. Just spy easy things like the stewrdess, or her teddy bear. Some people are into the portable DVD player. It may be worth it to you if she enjoys it, but don't rely on it.
A
I have been there on the trip you are about to take. I have a few hopefully helpful tips.
Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport and load up the carseat. Don't rent one from a car rental place they are first come first served and you could be stuck without one. I messed up and didn't figure in enough time for waiting at the airport for a 630am flight. Needless to say we missed it. We finally got a flight on the 4th stand by and were on our way at 12pm. We had a 2 1/2 yr old and 5 mo old, they did better then we did. =)
Bring a stroller for ease in the airport, they will check it at the gate and you get it back as soon as you get off.
We brought a diaper back pack, tons of room for snacks, games, books, etc. Be sure to bring an extra blanket/towel above and beyond a changing pad. The airlplane bathrooms are small and if you are like me you won't want her touching any part of the bathroom. I made sure to fold it in a way the part our son touched was always protected.
For sleeping arrangments, get a room with 2 queens. Our daughter was in the pack and play and our son slept in a queen bed by himself. We used the luggage rack and a piece of luggage to block/protect him on one side, rolled up their blankets at the bottom (we bring his so he feels at home), and lined up pillows on the other side. This was the first time he was in a bed by himself and he did great, he enjoyed it. If she's not sure, you can lay with her until she falls asleep.
We got to sleep without a kid and everyone had a good nights sleep. Have fun.
Use a pack and play for sleep. They can be rented if a family member doesn't have one.
Maybe she could just sleep on the floor with a sleeping bag or blankets. That's what we did when I was a kid and my children have done it several times. Also, a lay down water floatie works well as an inflatable bed for small children! My favorite piece of traveling equipment is my backpack!!! It's hands free and holds everything we need. I use it instead of a diaperbag/carry-on/purse. Definetly take some small new toys that she has never seen before.
I would just sleep with her, but that's me. Otherwise, for the flight: Don't forget you can check your stroller at the gate, don't be tempted by the offer of "pre-boarding" because it just adds to the time on the plane, flip flops or sandals for the kiddo make an easy security check, airlines are required to check your car seat for FREE, mini-dvd players are awesome.
Have a great trip!
