Starting to panic, traveling to Europe with 4 month old baby...
Feb 27th, 2011, 07:08 PM
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Starting to panic, traveling to Europe with 4 month old baby...
We're leaving in less than 2 weeks for a 16 day trip to London and Paris with our daughter who will be 17 weeks when we leave and I'm staring to panic. I'm a nervous nelly to begin with and I'm imagining all kinds of horrible things like her screaming for 9 hours on the plane or being abducted from our apartment or off the street, I keep thinking of that little girl Madeleine McCann who was abducted while her parents were vacationing in Portugal! I know I'm completely insane. Then I start thinking of even basic logistics like I remember having trouble finding a bathroom for myself let alone one I could change a baby in!
Anyone out there who's BTDT and lived to tell about it that can offer some encouraging words or last minute advice??? Preferably something helpful not "run like like hell", LOL
Did you actually have fun or was your trip overtaken by caring for the baby?
Anyone out there who's BTDT and lived to tell about it that can offer some encouraging words or last minute advice??? Preferably something helpful not "run like like hell", LOL
Did you actually have fun or was your trip overtaken by caring for the baby?
Feb 28th, 2011, 04:38 AM
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http://www.travelforkids.com/Travele...withbabies.htm
Good tips for you relax have done it easy everyone loves
babies... many naps and frequent feedings work wonders...
many changing stations now required even in mens rooms.
be careful to hire quality help never leave
and infant totally unattended without proper sitter like
poor Madeleine's parents did odds are great you will be fine.
Good tips for you relax have done it easy everyone loves
babies... many naps and frequent feedings work wonders...
many changing stations now required even in mens rooms.
be careful to hire quality help never leave
and infant totally unattended without proper sitter like
poor Madeleine's parents did odds are great you will be fine.
Feb 28th, 2011, 06:34 AM
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Calm down! 
You might want to repost this on the Europe forum as you'll get more specific ideas for your destinations and there's a LOT more traffic.
Have you talked to her doctor about possible medications to help her sleep on the plane? Some people suggest things like benadryl or anything to make her drowsy. A sleeping baby is a happy baby. I've also seen suggestions to have the baby feeding during take off and landing as the sucking will help her clear her ears (adults chew gum, chewy candy or just wiggle their jaws... same idea).
Remember that there's a lot to be said for parents who are trying. Even if the baby cries, people understand that and won't get too annoyed as long as the parents are trying to calm the baby. Bulkhead seats are a wonderful thing if you can request those so that you have a lot more leg room and can walk the baby in front of your seats, or just stand and rock sometimes. Don't get all tense and panic if she cries, just stay calm and that will help calm your little one.
I don't remember having an issue finding a bathroom in London, so don't worry too much about that. Remember that people every where have babies and you're not exactly going to the great wilderness. One trick that will likely work well is to have one parent take the baby in to change diapers while the other parent uses the facilities, then meet outside the bathrooms to hand the baby to the other parent so that both parents get a chance to use the bathroom without juggling a baby.
Don't forget to build in time for her to have a nap somewhere quiet. Depending on your little girl, she might need to go back to the hotel or she might be okay in a stroller/carrier in a quiet place (think museums or art gallerys).
Your hotel can likely help you arrange safe babysitting if you'd like (give them notice, that helps). Exercise the same precautions that you do at home... don't put her in a stroller and walk away, don't leave her "home" alone if you want to go out for a theatre show, etc and she'll be fine.
You'll be fine! Take a deep breath and stop freaking out!
You might want to repost this on the Europe forum as you'll get more specific ideas for your destinations and there's a LOT more traffic.
Have you talked to her doctor about possible medications to help her sleep on the plane? Some people suggest things like benadryl or anything to make her drowsy. A sleeping baby is a happy baby. I've also seen suggestions to have the baby feeding during take off and landing as the sucking will help her clear her ears (adults chew gum, chewy candy or just wiggle their jaws... same idea).
Remember that there's a lot to be said for parents who are trying. Even if the baby cries, people understand that and won't get too annoyed as long as the parents are trying to calm the baby. Bulkhead seats are a wonderful thing if you can request those so that you have a lot more leg room and can walk the baby in front of your seats, or just stand and rock sometimes. Don't get all tense and panic if she cries, just stay calm and that will help calm your little one.
I don't remember having an issue finding a bathroom in London, so don't worry too much about that. Remember that people every where have babies and you're not exactly going to the great wilderness.
One trick that will likely work well is to have one parent take the baby in to change diapers while the other parent uses the facilities, then meet outside the bathrooms to hand the baby to the other parent so that both parents get a chance to use the bathroom without juggling a baby.Don't forget to build in time for her to have a nap somewhere quiet. Depending on your little girl, she might need to go back to the hotel or she might be okay in a stroller/carrier in a quiet place (think museums or art gallerys).
Your hotel can likely help you arrange safe babysitting if you'd like (give them notice, that helps). Exercise the same precautions that you do at home... don't put her in a stroller and walk away, don't leave her "home" alone if you want to go out for a theatre show, etc and she'll be fine.
You'll be fine! Take a deep breath and stop freaking out!
Feb 28th, 2011, 05:52 PM
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My 4 month old son cried for what seemed like hours (we were on a 2 hour flight so it couldn't have been hours!) and during the deplaning we remained in our seats while everyone else was leaving. A man stopped by, leaned in and said "Don't worry, we've all been there."
I've always been so grateful for that comment and over the years I try to reassure parents struggling with their kids during plane trips.
Just remember you're parenting the same as you always do, just in a different location. It'll be okay.
Did you rent an apartment or are you staying in hotels?
I've always been so grateful for that comment and over the years I try to reassure parents struggling with their kids during plane trips.
Just remember you're parenting the same as you always do, just in a different location. It'll be okay.
Did you rent an apartment or are you staying in hotels?
Mar 12th, 2011, 12:25 PM
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i took my 6 month old to New York (from europe) when she was 6 months by myself and she was fine on the flight, i got a bulkhead seat and a skycot (infants should get first priority on bulkhead seats) i made sure i had plenty of quiet toys and drink for her and she spent the 7 hour flight playing although she didn't sleep at all, i was worried about the other passengers but one even offered to entertain her for an hour so i could eat!
Mar 14th, 2011, 12:25 PM
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I realize you have already been on your trip, and are back --- hope you had a wonderful experience. In the interest of anyone else considering travel with a baby, I am going to post anyway.
It's been many years since I traveled with a baby, but I have a daughter who has taken her babies everywhere in recent years. One of the easiest ways to take your baby along - and four months is a perfect age for this - is to invest in a really good sling. Your baby will be right next to you, can nap or not, and you will always know she is safe. If you are nursing, there's no need to take the baby out to feed. With a sling, you can cover her while she is asleep or allow her to peek out when she's awake. Easy to enjoy the museums, restaurants, and strolling along. My grandchildren have seemed calm and happy while in the sling, and my daughter says it's the best way to bring them along with her anywhere.
It's been many years since I traveled with a baby, but I have a daughter who has taken her babies everywhere in recent years. One of the easiest ways to take your baby along - and four months is a perfect age for this - is to invest in a really good sling. Your baby will be right next to you, can nap or not, and you will always know she is safe. If you are nursing, there's no need to take the baby out to feed. With a sling, you can cover her while she is asleep or allow her to peek out when she's awake. Easy to enjoy the museums, restaurants, and strolling along. My grandchildren have seemed calm and happy while in the sling, and my daughter says it's the best way to bring them along with her anywhere.
Mar 14th, 2011, 07:43 PM
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scdreamer, I'm leaving tomorrow!!! I don't have a sling but I have a great soft structured Beco carrier that I plan to tote her around in. Haven't quite gotten the hang of nursing in it yet, but practice makes perfect! Thanks for the encouragement!
Mar 21st, 2011, 01:55 PM
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Thanks for everyone's encouragement the trip has been going great so far. This child was utterly angelic on the plane, all three plane trips to be precise. I couldn't believe it, she either slept or sat quietly in one of our laps and played with toys the entire time! I could have put her in the bassinet in front of my seat but I really enjoyed just having her on my lap. We had lie flat seats on the plane so we were able to sleep as well, I just tucked her in under my arm and we both snoozed away. She's been a super trooper on this trip as well, she spends most of her day in the stroller or in the baby carrier on me and she's just done great. The baby carrier I have (Beco) has been a life saver and I can nurse in it very discreetly and keep walking! She is teething and I just imagined a nightmarish trip but it really turned out well. Now for the plane ride home in a week, praying she does just as well. Thanks again to everyone!
Mar 23rd, 2011, 02:45 PM
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Be flexible. Keep an open mind. Keep a sense of humor. My parents and my sister traveled to Spain when my niece was 4 months old. What my sister learned was to always pack how many diapers you think you'll need, and add 5 more. Always pack a clean outfit for baby. Travel with ziplock bags. Have a wonderful trip!!!
Mar 28th, 2011, 10:44 AM
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Thank you! I am learning so much about being a mom on this trip, how to wing it, and like you said to be flexible! I will be posting some of my thoughts and advice when we return in 5 more days!
