Your Baby's First Trip

A Baby Ktan makes the trek
through the airport easier!

by Belinda Moss, Guest Blogger

Traveling by road with your little one may be tedious and stressful, but it can be loads of fun for the family if you plan your trip ahead of time. I recommend that you get a good night’s rest before embarking on your trip, map out your route as carefully as possible with the aid of maps and GPS navigation, and last but certainly not the least do all your packing ahead of time. All essentials you would need during the trip should be packed into quick access bags that can be placed in the back seat. Some essentials you might need while on the road include:

• Diapers and wipes
• Blankets, change of clothes and bibs
• Formula and liquids
• Toys and portable video players

Be sure to stick to your baby’s feeding and nap schedules to keep him/her happy and comfortable during the trip. You can premix the dry ingredients for the formula then add liquids when needed. This will make it easier to feed your baby on time and make things easier to prepare.

Ensure your baby’s comfort during the road trip by using a car baby seat which supports your baby’s body. If your baby is alone in the backseat, and you are worried about keeping an eye on him/her, then have the baby seat installed behind the driver’s seat. That way you can keep an eye on your prince/princess from your mirror.

Take scenic routes and make stopovers at nice diners for a meal or at a motel for some rest. Make sure you take photos at all stops to document your trip’s memories for the family album.

You may consider playing sing-along audio CDs, which most babies tend to love, or you can opt for a portable video CD player that can be installed in the car to enable your baby have live visual entertainment. That will definitely keep the angel busy for a few hours!

But how do you plan for a flight with a baby? It’s not as tedious as you think! Check out these tips from babyinastroller.com to make sure you have everything needed for the big trip.

Belinda Moss first published this infographic here.

Breastfeeding on the Fly

From Second Life Marketplace

by Glenni Lorick, IBCLC

Planning to travel with baby over the holidays? If your little one is nursing, then you need to think about the logistics of traveling with a nursling. Honestly, it really isn't that difficult. It just requires a little forethought and planning. The CDC has some terrific guidelines for breastfeeding mothers who are traveling with or without their babies.

Exclusive Breastfeeders

If your infant is exclusively breastfeeding, then you will need to nurse every 2-3 hours (or more frequently). Take-off and landing are ideal times for moms to be nursing because the sucking helps to equalize the pressure in baby's ears. In light of recent snafus regarding nursing moms, most airlines want to avoid the public relations nightmare that would ensue if they show even the slightest discrimination against a nursing mom. Since infants travel free in their parents' arms, the best place for baby during take-off and landing is at mom's breast.

Whether you use a cover or not is entirely up to you. Some mothers feel much more comfortable with a cover, while other moms can't stand the way baby fights the cover. You need to do whatever works best for you! However, you may find that wearing baby in a  baby sling or soft structured carrier may make your trip easier because you will have free hands, baby will be close to you and less likely to fuss, and a carrier can allow for discreet nursing as you walk through the airport.

Some airlines have specific policies which govern their treatment of nursing mothers. If you are asked to cover up, you do have the right to refuse. If another passenger is uncomfortable with your breastfeeding, you should respectfully discuss options with a flight attendant. Making your baby eat under a blanket is NOT one of those options, however. Perhaps the offended passenger can be moved to another seat. Or maybe they can find a different seat for you. You can remind the flight attendant that a baby who is quietly nursing is much more delightful than a screaming, hungry, frustrated, uncomfortable baby in the cramped quarters of an airplane.

Older Babies

Baby's own homemade photo album is a great travel toy!

If your baby is eating solids, you can take pureed baby food with you. Just be sure to tell the security agents you have medically necessary baby food with you. Of course, you can take Cheerios and other packaged foods as well. When baby needs to nurse, though, feel free to do whatever you need to do. Remind anyone who asks that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies breastfeed at least a year and as long as Mother and Baby both want to beyond that. The World Health Organization actually recommends 2 years of breastfeeding. 

Be sure to pack plenty of age-appropriate toys/distractions. You will be BUSY keeping baby entertained. If you are traveling to visit relatives, create a photo album for baby with pictures of everybody you will be seeing. Also be sure that you bring baby's favorite lovey or blanket. That will make it much easier at nap time. This site has some great tips for traveling with babies of various ages! 

Bon Voyage!

Hang a Boob

From moms.popsugar.com

It's summer time, and that means road trips for millions of American families. Many of those families have a baby. Now some babies LOVE the car seat. They can't wait to get in it and quickly fall asleep to the gentle hum of the road noises.

I wasn't blessed with that baby! Oh no! My babies (well 2 out the 4) thought the car seat was a torture chamber, especially designed to inflict the severest form of punishment on them. Granted, 20+ years ago, car seats were not as nice as they are today. But I still see many babies in my store who despise the car seat even today!

That can be a real problem if you have a road trip planned. When our kids were little all the grandparents lived at least 12 hours away. On a pastor's budget, flying was out of the question! Later we became missionaries and practically lived in the car while we were fund-raising...not always easy with baby in tow!

From hubpages.com

I love Elizabeth Pantley's suggestions. She is a wonderful source of wisdom. We always made it a point to make frequent stops (at least every 3 hours) where I would pull baby out, change a diaper, feed, etc. But then the inevitable happened....baby had to go back into the torture chamber, and the screaming began again.

So in a herculean attempt at self-preservation, I learned the fine art of nursing on the go. Now before I go any further, I need to make a quick disclaimer...baby ALWAYS stays securely fastened in the car seat. However, if an accident were to occur, it could be bad for both of you. (editor's note: in light of this blog, I honestly CANNOT recommend this technique while the car is moving!)

How I Discovered the "Hang a Boob" Technique

We were headed to central Florida from Birmingham in our little white Dodge Omni. We had left at about 3 in the morning so Sarah would sleep..and she did for about 3 hours. Then we stopped, ate breakfast, changed the D, and headed back into the car. She screamed bloody murder as we put her in the seat,  so I gave her a toy and tried to soothe her. We tried going on down the road, thinking maybe she would settle down. No way, Jose!

From Pregnancyandbaby.com

As soon as we could pull over, I got in the back seat with her and started trying to play with her. She was NOT interested. Then I had an "aha" moment. I thought, "Nursing always calms this baby down...why don't I nurse her??!!" So I did. I got up on my knees, leaned over her, helped her latch on, and she went to town....she even fell asleep nursing and stayed that way until we stopped again. (Yes, I was even able to pull the boob out of her mouth!) After the next stop, I made sure I was on the other side of her so that she could nurse on that side. It worked like a charm. Thus was born the concept of "hanging a boob!"

I want to be quick to point out here that I had tried the pacifier only to have it spit out violently. So I tried again, and again. And she just got madder and madder! If your baby will be soothed with the paci, there really isn't any need to hang the boob (unless you just want to...) and it is MUCH safer NOT to!! But if you do resort to boob hanging, in light of what we now know, PLEASE do it with the car stopped!! There is no need to put you and baby at risk! Get baby securely buckled in, AC on, Hang a boob so baby settles and goes to sleep....THEN start moving with everybody safely buckled in!!

Now there are a couple of things to consider. Truckers, for example, may get an eyeful if they happen to look down at just the right moment.  Passers-by looking into your car (they should just mind their own business, but you know how people are) may be surprised, especially if you don't have an Undercover Mama or nursing tank to cover your belly as you left your shirt. However, you don't know those people, so it doesn't really matter, now, does it?!

What does matter is that your baby who was screaming frantically calms down. Your husband who is about to drive doesn't end up in a wreck because he's distracted. And you manage to keep your sanity and arrive at your destination a little less frazzled.

So as you journey on your way this summer, don't be afraid to get in the back seat with baby and Hang a Boob! But, as mentioned before, the BEST and SAFEST way to do so is to Hang it with the car stopped and AC on....get baby to sleep, then take off - with you and baby both safely buckled!!

Traveling with Breast Milk, Infant Formula and Baby Food

Photo from   Modern Milk Sharing

You are finishing up your last minute preparations for a quick business trip when all of a sudden you remember all the breast milk you will be pumping while you're away from baby for three days. The thought of dumping all that milk makes you absolutely ill, but what in the world are you going to do with it all?

I've got great news for you! You can take it home with you - even if you're flying! The Transportation  Security Administration has actually created a page specifically to address the needs of traveling parents. Basically, parents are allowed to carry whatever breastmilk, baby food or infant formula that their infant will need. Furthermore, mothers traveling without their babies are also allowed to carry breast milk.

Of course, every mother knows that keeping breast milk cold is vitally important. The TSA has addressed that as well. I called today and spoke with a very knowledgeable and helpful agent who actually sent me additional information.

Breast Milk

• Breast milk must be separated from other property and declared to a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) prior to entering the checkpoint. Parents are allowed to bring as much breast milk as they will need for the trip. Mothers who have pumped and frozen their milk while traveling may bring that frozen milk with them.

  

  Photo from Daphne ph

• If you don't want your breast milk to go through the X-ray screening, you must request an alternative screening before placing it on the belt.
• When traveling with an infant or toddler, passengers are also allowed to bring into the screening checkpoint more than 3.4 ounces of pre-mixed baby formula (in a liquid, or frozen state); milk products; juice; gel or liquid-filled teethers; bottled water; and canned, jarred, processed baby food and essential non-prescription liquid medications. You must declare these items to a TSO prior to entering the checkpoint.
• While passengers may be requested to open a container, they will never be asked to test or taste any of these items. If a container cannot be opened, the containers may be allowed into the sterile area only after it and the passenger undergoes additional screening, which may include a patdown. 
• All frozen items are permitted as long as they are solid and in a “frozen state” when presented for screening. Cooling liquids or gels used to keep medical or infant child exemptions cold are not bound by 3-1-1 requirements and may be presented at the screening checkpoint in a frozen or partially-frozen state. It is important to remember, however, that any item must be properly screened before being allowed into the secure area of the airport.

Breast Pump

• Individuals traveling with or without a child may bring a breast pump through the screening checkpoint. However, all child-related devices are subject to screening by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). 
• You will be asked to place the breast pump in a plastic bin provided at the screening checkpoint and onto the x-ray conveyor belt before walking through the walk-through metal detector. If it does not fit through the x-ray machine, Transportation Security Officers will visually and physically screen the item. 
• You may place it in a clear plastic bag prior to x-ray screening if you are concerned about contamination, but you must provide your own plastic bag.  

Cooling Elements

Current Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations permit regular ice, frozen gel packs, and dry ice in checked baggage and carry-on bags.

Checked Baggage: Regular ice and frozen gel packs in checked baggage are not restricted by TSA. When regular ice is transported, TSA recommends a cooler. For dry ice:

Courtesy of  Eats on Feets

• TSA requires that its packaging permit the release of carbon dioxide gas.
• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) limits each piece of checked baggage to five pounds of dry ice.
• The FAA requires that each package of dry ice be marked “DRY ICE” or “CARBON DIOXIDE SOLID."
• The FAA requires that each package of dry ice be marked with the net weight of the dry ice or an indication that the amount of dry ice is five pounds or less. 

Carry-On Bags: TSA allows frozen items (regular ice, gel packs, and food) at the screening checkpoint as long as they are solid and in a “frozen state” when presented for screening. If frozen items are partially melted or have any liquid at the bottom of the container, the ice liquid container must meet 3-1-1 requirements. For dry ice:

• TSA requires that its packaging permit the release of carbon dioxide gas.
• The FAA limits each piece of carry-on baggage to 4.4 pounds of dry ice.
• The FAA requires that each package of dry ice be marked “DRY ICE” or “CARBON DIOXIDE SOLID."
• The FAA requires that each package of dry ice be marked with the net weight of the dry ice or an indication that the amount of dry ice is 4.4 pounds or less.

Travel With Baby 101

A Baby K'tan allows you to maneuver hands free!

Summer time means vacation time! Lots of families are hitting the road or the sky this month, so we compiled some simple tips to make travel a little easier for mom, dad and baby. We'd like to thank all of our families who helped us compile this list.

Tips for Driving

• Travel at night when baby is asleep if at all possible. We used to leave at 3 in the morning or even earlier so that we'd get 4 or 5 good hours of travel time out of the way before baby woke up.
• Stop every couple of hours (unless baby is asleep) - this is a great time to nurse baby and let him more around a little bit. 
• Schedule shorter travel days if you can. Instead of trying to drive all the way in one day, break it up into 2 shorter days. Enjoy the hotel time with baby. Let him splash with you in the pool!
• Amberly suggests: "Get surprises for when the baby is restless; a brand new toy will always distract them. You can also do small snack picnics at the rest stops." 
• When you stop for meals, make sure baby has plenty of time to eat, too. If you're breastfeeding, a baby sling you can nurse in or a nursing cover is a great help.

Tips for Flying

• The TSA website offers some great information about traveling with babies.
• Amberly recommends keeping the baby awake as much as possible before a flight so that she will sleep through the flight
• Nurse or give baby a bottle when taking off and landing will help minimize the discomfort of air pressure changes.
• Jennifer suggests getting baby her own seat.  She adds, "I've seen the crash test videos and a lap baby CAN become your own personal airbag. But aside from that, a car seat will keep them properly restrained so at least if they're throwing a fit, you're not struggling to keep them on your lap, especially as they get older." 

General Travel Tips

• Have a comfortable way to wear your baby - it makes nursing on the go much easier, helps to calm a fussy baby, and frees up your hands!
• Joanna offers this wise advice: "Pack for contingencies...I've never regretted it...and ignore the people who give you a hard time about one baby requiring so much stuff...they aren't the ones who might spend the night thinking, 'if only we'd brought______!'"
• Erin suggests "Keep a little kit of meds and toiletries for baby ready to go. It's easier than remembering each bit while packing." She adds that the clear locking pencil boxes from Target's school supply section is perfect for this
• Finally, Meredith says, "Best not to be the only adult if you can avoid it! It's nice to have someone to take turns sitting next to baby!"