I'm Weaning on a Jetplane...

Ok, I'm not really but it felt like a good day for a pun and it nicely tied into the travel theme of this blog. Huzzah!

Mind you, I have been weaning this past few weeks AND we are flying to Sydney this weekend so I am not too far off...

I have posted before about how hard I was finding it to get my bubba to take a bottle. Well, the good news is that she is now taking some formula but not from a bottle. I had read in Baby Love that by 6 months if they haven't yet taken a bottle then you can go straight to sippy cup so we did and it worked a treat. She is now taking 2 cups of formula a day and couldn't be happier. The other breakthough came in the form of a suggestion form my cousin Chelsea. She said that she had heard that goat's milk tasted more like breast milk than cow's so we bought the Karicare Goat's milk formula and that also went down very well. The final piece to the jigsaw puzzle was an inspiration from my friend Charly who always gives her daughter Flo her bottle cold or at room temperature. We have done the same so now I don't have to heat anything up! Great considering we don't own a microwave -and heating milk up seems to be pretty much the only useful thing about those bulky, ugly things (yes that is why I don't like them - nothing to do with the radiation or anything sensible like that...) Also good for when you are out and about or indeed traveling.

We are following the Baby-Led Weaning method of introducing solids which is fairly simple. Basically baby feeds herself and there is not a mashed up vegie in sight. You can read the book - it makes sense to us and she is thriving on it. She loves her food and just pretty much eats whatever we are eating. She doesn't have teeth yet but she manages to gnaw through bread, avacado, carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, watermelon, noodles (fun...), pieces of chicken, dry biscuits, bananas, apple, mango and the list goes on. We just cut the food into long thin pieces the right size for her to grab. She will try anything and although it can be a messy process, when I am out with her I just don't give her too many messy things to eat. She does eat cereal in the morning but feeds herself with a spoon that we hand to her laden with the stuff. She is mad for it. For dinner I feed her in her nappy only and then just wash it all off in the bath - easy! Oh, and a little tip to get some hidden fibre into the mix - I dust her watermelon (which she adores) with weatgerm or dry cereal and she doesn't even notice!


Some products that I have found useful in this whole process are as follows:

Brother Max milk powder dispenser

I love everything Brother Max. Beautifully designed and very functional. This is great to have in the handbag for bottles on the go. The only disappointment I have is that for some reason you can't seem to buy their bath toys here in Australia - Baby Bunting say that they are yet to be put through the rigorous Aussie testing procedures...

Karicare Goat's Milk Powder

Bebe isn't lactose intolerant or anything like that (she eats pretty much everything with the same abandon) but she just liked this better. It is good for babies who do have allergies though and gets great feedback from mums who have had trouble with reflux etc

Mag Mag Sippy Cup

This is the sippy cup that Bebe like the best. It doesn't spill everywhere and is easy for her to drink from. Not sure if it is meant for milk but it works for us. The only problem is that it really only fits 200ml of formula nd sometimes she wants a little more so I make sure I have another one ready to make up not too far away.

Long-Sleeved Bibs

These are from Giggle Monster. They are Aussie made and machine washable. I bought three and use them every day. They take an absolute beating but wash really well and are still looking decent so when I take her out to lunch she doesn't look like a hobo, yay!

I'd love to hear other stories/tips about weaning and feeding and if anyone has a travel story to tell (and I know you do as you tell me in person but then don't post about it!) tell me or post a comment/email and I'd love to share it with everyone else.

Happy travels xx Ali

Things I can't live without # 7

This post probably should be entitled 'Things I can probably live without but don't want to...' as there are a few things that are downright luxury items. But there is one new item I have discovered and I cannot believe I didn't find it before now.

Milkies Milk-saver

How has nobody told me about this?! I stumbled across it online as I was looking for advice on breastfeeding. If I had had this product when Bebe was born I would have rarely had to express and may have had an easier time trying to get her on a bottle! If you have read my blog before you will know that I was very slack and didn't keep up the bottle feeds from early on which meant that my baby girl was very reluctant to take anything but the boob (for those interested today we had a break through and she guzzled 100ml of formula from a sippy cup - hurrah!).

Basically if, like me, you leak from the other breast when you breast feed this product is invaluable. I have always leaked quite a bit when I feed and have thrown out litres of precious breast milk in breast pads. Even now, 6 months down the line I now save about 40ml during her first morning feed which I can then use on her cereal (I am no longer trying to get her to take expressed milk but going on to formula). If you are using this from the start you would probably want to express a bit at the end of feeds so you get some of the good hind milk also as this only really collects foremilk. You can also attach a milk saver bag to it so it really can collect as much as you can deliver!

Genius.

Sheepskin stroller liner 

We use this in the stroller and in the car seat if going on a long drive (one of our car seats is lush but the other one needs this as it is a bit sparse in the luxury stakes). It is cool in summer and warm in winter and Bebe loves it. What's not to love?

Grass Counter top drying rack

File this under 'things I can probably live without etc...' It is rather handy though for sippy cups/bottles, dummies etc as you can keep it nice and clean and the items are ever lying in their own water as they dry. You can also put the whole thing in the dish washer to keep it sparkly. I also looks rather ace on the counter top. I can pretend I am mega healthy and growing my own wheat grass...

Merino Kids Go-Go bag

This is totally lush and was given to me by my oldest and dearest friend Lizzie. We started to use it when Bebe was about 5 months old and it is so handy and lovely. It has holes front and back so you can keep baby in it while puting in and out of car seat/stroller which is really handy when you are out and about and baby is sleeping (for instance when you take her to the Leonard Cohen Concert at Hanging Rock and she hangs out until she falls asleep in this and then goes into the car and into bed without waking up - precious!)

Food Holder

A few companies make this (we don't have this exact one) but they are all pretty good I think. Bebe is a self-feeder (we are following the 'Baby-led Weaning' book which is working really well for us) so she doesn't need her veggies in this but on a hot day she loves a block of ice or a frozen block of homemade stewed pear. Yum!

That is enough for today methinks.. I am going to write about the sippy-cup weaning thing next so if anyone has anything to add to the discussion then please do!

x Ali

Road Trips...

I remember road trips as one of the undisputed highlights of my youth. I asked my parents if they were also fun for them or if I am remembering a rosy tinted version but they said they loved them too! The only answer I have for this is that I was an only child until I was 13 so never had any siblings to yell at during the trip. That and I had no problem reading, drawing and writing as we drove so kept myself occupied pretty well.

I have been thinking of the humble road trip and how I can make them fun for my child (and maybe 'children' in the future). I am keen to hold off the lure of the in-car dvd for as long as possible as I would like to give my kids the fun road trips of my youth. Plus, the sound of Dora the Explorer in the back of my head might be unsafe for me as both a driver and a person (honestly - is there any way I can keep that perky, ugly-merchandise selling little girl out of my little girl's life? Please tell me there is...)

We were in Sydney on the weekend (I would talk about the flying but to be honest Bebe is kind of 'another day, another flight' about the whole thing now) both working and visiting the grandparents. We went to dinner with some friends for a 40th bday party (happy birthday Julie!). I met a lovely couple who told me about their massive road trips between Darwin and just about everywhere - I think if was 13,000kms in 6 weeks (could that be right? That seems like a lot - I may have been a bit tipsy). They were determined to not use DVD players so they had some great tips:

1. Cup holders. If you don't have them in the back seat they suggest cutting the bottom off a large Coke bottle or similar and putting that in the door or seat pocket. That way there is always water or juice handy.

2. Fill a large crate with toys (they have one that is about double a milk crate size) which sits in between their two kids and is filled to the brim with books, toys, pencils, crayons etc, etc. One by one each item gets played with and then thrown on the floor so at the end of the day they just fill it back up and it is ready for the next day when it all happens again.

3. Eat in the car. They always take their sandwiches, drinks and snacks with them in an esky and then everyone eats as they drive so that when they stop (every two hours - see below) the kids are given missions like 'run over to that tree and back', go and find a large twig and bring it back here' etc. Otherwise the kids just sit there in the break and don't get the blood moving which makes their threshold for sitting in a car all day a lot lower.

4. Stop every 2 hours, get the kids to run around (see above), stretch your legs yourself, all go to the  toilet and fill the car with petrol. They say that even up north in true outback there is generally not more than 2 hours between petrol stations so this is totally doable most places in Australia.

So there you go - anyone else got some good road trip ideas/advice?

x
Ali

Baby Fashion (or 'living vicariously through your child')

Fashion. Remember that?! I used to wear it. It sometimes even looked nice on me.

These days I get my fashion fix through my daughter/dolly-doll. Excellent. One thing I find though is there is a lot of crap out there. A lot of bad pink and blue and a lot of flowery mush and polyester. I would like to  take my child within 14 feet of an open fire at some point in her life so that seems to count out quite a lot of clothes bought in the big stores. So here are some stores I like.

Cotton On.

Cotton. Good colours. In every mall ever. Easy.

Polarn O Pyret

I went a bit crazy pants in this store when I was recently in London. They are not here in Oz yet but the site in USA is cheaps-as with our lovely dollar so.... You will learn something of my Scandinavian obsession as you read on through this post. This brand satisfies many a craving.

Baby Goes Retro

I do love all things Scandinavian. Furniture, shoes, clothes, meatballs. Love it all. This site has lots of lovely things and as I look at it again now I think I deserve a medal for being so restrained in my purchasing so far... Divine.

Lark

This site is pretty exsy but really cute hand made things for a treat?!

nordickids.co.uk

Ok, so this is a UK website but as I've said the Aussie dollar is awesome at the moment so it is like sugar free chocolate muffins - guilt free! (a lot of the things on this website are also on the aussie based 'Baby Goes Retro also)

Chalk in Yarraville

My local. Lots of really sweet clothes and toys. (and yes, I do have that jumpsuit and yes it does essentially have my daughters name on the front. I have quite a few things by Bebe it has to be said...)

 

(can't wait for these!)

Rock your Baby

Name says it all...

I just sold a heap of old clothes on Ebay that I'm sure I'll never fit into again. And even if I do I will want to treat myself not wear things that I have been holding on to for years in desperate hope. I made over $1000 - result! I now have a little play money to actually buy some of the things I have just posted about. Might even buy a kaftan for moi. Noice.

See you soon and if you have any sites or shops you want to let me know about (and I think you'd better) then please comment and share the love!

x

Body Talk...

Hello! I am back online!

Feels very good to have the safe and calm touch of my mac keyboard once again under my fingertips... I didn't realise how much I would miss it. Actually, yes I did. I am fully aware of my slightly unhealthy love for all things Mac but as far as addictions go this is surely one of the safer (although just as expensive) ones?

Talking of mild addictions, I have had moments (especially when up late at night, traveling, home alone) of getting a little too 'in' to Ebay. Well, that can be great but also an expensive habit but I have now found a new way of obsessing over this fantastic site. Selling!! I came home and got a little angry at my cupboards and what was in them. Essentially a lot of clothes that I will never wear or even fit into ever again. Many of these clothes had minor labels on them and were in reasonable condition so I got together about 35 items and photographed them, logged them and uploaded it all to Ebay. It took me the best part of a day but now they are all selling like hotcakes and I am already dreaming of the big, Camilla kaftan I am going to buy myself with the proceeds. Well, a second-hand one from ebay (who can afford $700 for a bloody kaftan?!) but still!

Talking of fitting in to clothes I am dismayed at most of the reading material out there in books or on blogs talks of how most people lose all of this weight when breast feeding. I hear the phrases 'it just drops off you', 'I had to uptake my calorie intake as I was skin and bones' etc etc... Well, I am not one of those people I am afraid. And it turns out there are many of us who are not. One friend said she asked her maternal health nurse a few months after giving birth why, even though breast feeding had she not shed a single kg and she was told 'well, I have never heard of that, that is very odd'. NO IT'S NOT!! I have talked to many ladies who, like me have not shed a single kg since about the first week after giving birth. I didn't feel huge during pregnancy, in fact I felt rather good, all bumpy with life, but now? I am over my friends.. I need my body back. It seems that in an evil twist of nature those ladies who are always slim and tend to have to make sure they eat enough to stay healthy are the ones who lose the weight during breast feeding. Those of us who have to watch our weight all the time seem to hold on to all the fat like squirrels holding on to acorns over the winter months. Although in a different set of cheeks...

Ho hum. I have decided to start the long haul of weaning my gorgeous, healthy baby girl off the breast and on to formula. Of course she has a different plan and has no interest what-so-ever in a bottle of either my breast milk of formula but I shall persist. For any mothers-to-be out there take this advice - if you are breast feeding, then from the first few weeks express and give your bubba a bottle at least once a week, if not once a day from early on or else it will be hell to pay later when you want to go back to work or any sort of nightlife that doesn't included dashing out in a 4 hour window of opportunity.

The other reason I have decided to wean is my wrists. There is a small group of mothers who experience what is known in come circles as 'mother's thumb' but in medical circles it is known as de Quervains tendonitis. I have had it in both wrists since giving birth and I have been told my my Osteo that my hyperflexible tendons (I always knew I should have kept up gymnastics - I could have gone all the way.?!) will be strained with the relaxin released during breast feeding. I don't know if that is the reason. I have tried my best to not use my wrists awkwardly while feeding with cushions etc but they have just got worse. I had corticosteroid injections three months ago that got rid of the pain for two glorious months but then it came back with a vengeance. I just went and had the procedure again the other day and am waiting to see if it works this time (it takes a few days to show results).

So, I feel a little guilt at wanting to start weaning after only 6 months but hey, I think it will take a good two-three months to get her away from my boobs (they are the downfall of us all in one way aren't they?!) so 8-9 months is good isn't it? She is healthy, in the 50% percentile for everything and smiles like a muppet nearly every waking hour. Tell me it's ok!!

I'd love to hear if anyone else has had issues with their wrists, baby weight or weaning. And if you have any tips for any of these issues I am sure we would all like to know!

I am many blogs behind so I will start to catch up over the next few weeks.

xx Ali

ps I have heard from two of you lovely people who have bought the Samsonite travel cot and are loving it!! We now have our bigger one and I could not be happier. Ten times easier/lighter than the Phil & Ted which we also bought. That is now set-up at my parents and I will never have to put it together or take it apart again hopefully. Hurrah!

Home...

This blog finds me still without computer (it finally went in to get fixed yesterday), so I am unable to post a real blog with bells, whistles and photos for a few more days.

In the meantime I shall tell you about Bebe and my final flight home after 6 months of dragging the poor wee thing all over the world. That child has bathed in more buckets than I care to admit (by the way, they make a great bath alternative, even if a little hillbilly).

If I am to be perfectly honest I must admit that we traveled in the utmost stye for this final trip. As we were traveling solo without dear husband, I used my points to upgrade to Qantas First Class - I know! I have never flown first class either! It was pretty special and I saw some very nervous looking wealthy people as Bebe and I took our seats. Little did they know she was as impressed with the surroundings as I was and decided to be the perfect baby! Flying First Class long haul is like being in a small, 5 star restaurant for 24 hours where they make you bed up to rest between courses. I almost wish I hadn't eaten in the week previous so I could have dined constantly. The food was superb (thanks 'Rockpool') and the service was tres attentive.

The best part of it was the individual attention, which for a mother traveling alone with their baby was amazing. When we arrived in Melbourne there was a lady whose sole job was to help any first class passengers who needed assistance. I can tell you know that as I was bringing everything I owned back from our flat in London and had made the most of the relaxed luggage restrictions in First Class (I got away with luggage based murder), I needed more assistance than anyone else so she helped me right through customs and out into the terminal where I was met by my parents! I have spent my life trying to be independent and I usually have a problem with anyone helping me with bags or doing anything much for me. I will gladly carry a 24kg suitcase through the london tube system without any help from passersby but I let all those qualms go quicker than you can say 'fast track immigration'. Heaven.

It was an extra gift as I have been suffering with sever tendonitis in my wrists due to the relaxin released in breastfeeding (that's another blog), and each time I travel it does get aggravated. So, joy!

I really cant give any advice as of course due to my luxe surroundings, help, awesome bed and cot beside me for Bebe, the flight was a breeze. Best one ever with the little lady. She slept at all the right times, fed well, played like a trouper sitting in her cot surrounded by things to put in her mouth (or as you might call them "toys"). We had a shower in Hongkers and changed into clean clothes so we didn't even smell that bad on arrival which was a first.

In fact at the end of the flight in Melbourne the hostess was holding Bebe as she said farewell to the passengers and my little smiling machine grinned gormlessly at every passenger as they left the aircraft.

Honestly. I don't think I ever want to fly again as I am sure we will never have it so good.

So, you probably hate me now. I'd hate me too.

If it helps, I am still about 2 sizes and 6 months of rabbit food away from fitting into my old jeans, so feel free to gloat about that if you wish.

Traveling is great and I feel so lucky to be able to continue our gypsy-like existence in such a lush way, but it is really nice just to be in one place for the time being. The time being about 7 months, but still...

My call out to you all now is - who can tell me how to get a solely breast fed 6 month old to take a bottle of formula? It is like I am trying to get her to drink acid for all the faces she pulls and spitting out she does. Any advice would be more than welcome!

x Ali

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Another quick word about strollers & travel

I am currently without use of my computer so can't post the proper blog that I'd like. I have three on the go 1) Baby clothes (or why Pink is making me turn to the drink), 2) Things I can probably live without but don't want to & 3) Take the goddamn bottle, my boobs are tired (I may rename that after I have eaten and slept..) but I need my computer to add photos and nice stuff.

So hear is a quick word to add to the stroller discussion.

Recently I had to travel across London via tube with Bebe on my own. I have done this a couple of times but this time had the added bonus of trains breaking down and football crowds. Hurrah. I ended up carrying the pram up or down 6 flights of stairs and onto two buses. On three occasions I was offered assistance by a friendly passerby (2 ladies & 1 man - ladies always offer more often, I don't know why) but to be honest I find it easier to pick the pram up myself and carry it. It doesn't hold up the traffic as much and I can keep it nice and level.

So hear is my quick word:

Make sure you can lift your pram (also with the car seat and a bit of gear shoved roughly in the bottom carry space) by yourself up stairs. You can't rely on others when traveling (certainly not in a big city) and you also need to be mobile or you will never leave the house and do stuff.

Bebe & I are now getting ready to fly (on our own this time) back to Australia. Bags are packed, body clock is on edge and books are ready to not be read. Bring it!

X

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad (thank God for this or I'd be stuck without any form of technical civilization at all!)

Things I have bought that turned out to be crap.

A 'Jane' inflatable bath

This turned out to be not so good for bathing (the inserts for a small bub are held on with velcro that come apart as soon as you add water and a child, two things fairly essential to the process) but is now used as a place for Bebe to sit and play surrounded by all her toys. I have taken to calling it "The Bucket" because it sounds like we live on a hillbilly farm with our baby sleeping in a box. It may be good for older babies 6m+?

A Travel Playgym

I bought this second hand on Ebay as what I thought would be a handy play gym that could fit in the suitcase. Turns out when you open it up the overhangy-arm thing (I am sure that is the technical name for it) slowly falls down, usually on baby's face. It has now gone to the Salvos where no doubt someone will pay £2 for the pleasure of working that out again. Maybe I should have just thrown it out. Oops..

Note #1: this isn't the exact one - this one may be better but I think the principal is the same and will probably fall over like the one we bought.

Note #2: we borrowed a play gym from a friend in London and when we went to the states it actually came apart and fit easily in the suitcase without taking much room up at all. As we were there for a month hiring wasn't so cost effective. As it turns out it was the same mat as Epony-Ray used on Kath and Kim which made it even more awesome. Maybe I'll get Bebe's ears pierced to match...

Every breast pad I've ever bought that wasn't Johnson & Johnson.

I don't usually like to advertise some big conglomerate company but all the other brands leak, itch and usually come in individual wrappers which is both annoying and seems wasteful. Oh, and I did try the reusable, wash yourself ones and they were the most hopeless of all and leaked everywhere and were bulky which sort of defeated the purpose.

Baby nail clippers

Ok, so this one is probably ME being crap but - a small bit of plastic behind the cutting bit is no where near enough protection to make me use this to cut Bebe's nails. I can't imagine a time when I will feel sure that she is not going to fidget and I will cut off a finger tip. Maybe when she turns 16 and can go get a manicure herself? Doing it while she is asleep has been suggested but I have gone with biting them off as she feeds and then filing them down with a soft nail file.

MAYBE NOT CRAP:
As I was looking for nail clippers online I found this product the Baby Light & Clip:

It looks quite good - anyone used one?

What have you bought that was a waste of money or pretty crapola? I love hearing of a good fail purchase!

X

Jetlag theories 101

I wrote a blog early on about jetlag and how I go about dealing with it with my little bubs. Mostly I went on about how I don't actually believe in jetlag. What may have become clear from reading it was that I simply choose to ignore it and hope it goes away. What I need to make clear is that in said blog I was really only talking about long haul flights (ie London to Melbourne).

But recently we went from LA to New York (3 hours ahead) and then 4 days later we went from NY to London (5 hours ahead). Neither of these flights should be that bad.


Should be...

In NY we simply all went to bed later. Easy. On the flight to London bubs slept the entire way (we left at 9pm and it was a 6 hour flight). But as we landed in London at 9am Bebe didn't get to sleep her normal 12 hours straight so I let her sleep lots during the day. But we had to go to a wedding the next day so I then made some decisions purely to personally get through the day when I should have stuck to my rules. So although she was great during the day we had two pretty full on nights (see my 3am blog). But on the third night I broke it by sitting with Bebe on and off for two hours between 10pm and midnight as she fussed and whinged and generally tried to not go to sleep. I shushed and patted (see The Baby Whisperer), I rocked and I sang but I never left the bedroom and I didn't relent and go and sit with her on the couch and watch The Daily Show on catch up tv for an hour until she fell asleep through metaphor overload (we did that the first night I must admit).

Now we are on a 4 hour eating day starting at 9am which is actually awesome - why can't we always be on that! I get to sleep in and we can take her out to dinner with us. I love it! Bebe and I are flying back to Australia in a week so I am not going to fuss too much at all with the extra feed in the night and I am certainly not going to get her to wake any earlier anytime soon!

So here are my new theories:

Length of flight versus time difference.


When the flight is only 6 hours and the time difference is 5 there are going to be problems getting our brains around it all. A 24 hour flight with a 10 hour difference is much better in a way because you can make up sleep and just get to your destination a bit tired or wired instead of wrecked.

and 

Why sometimes the easiest flight = the hardest recovery.

Bebe slept for 5 1/2 hours of the 6 on the last flight. Easiest. Flight. Ever. 

Horrid for two nights afterwards....

I have no real theory about this. Just an observation.

So next week is the last big flight for Bebe & I for 6 MONTHS!! (Well, there is a bit of around Australia action but the worst that will be is one to Perth and that is months away - yay!)

I will let you know how much more difficult flying long haul with a 5 1/12 month old is in comparison to a 3 month old. I am told it just keeps getting more difficult - joy!


Keep the feedback coming - I would love another guest blogger so if you or someone you know is a traveller with babies then please send them my way.


x Ali
ps I tried the ear pressure thing again and it worked again - all you need is a boob or bottle, olbas oil on a tissue and a distracting lullaby - easy!

Have stroller, will travel.

How many of you spent an inordinate amount of time choosing a good stroller? You would have got advice from everyone, stopped mothers on the street, gone to countless stores and looked at every website you could. Some of you may be happy with the choice you finally made, some not. Whatever the result I'd love to hear it!

Some strollers are best for newborns, some better for toddlers, some easy to fold up, some good for running with and some maybe nice and versatile. There is no perfect answer.

Here are a few that you have all told me about. I am only interested in strollers that are good for traveling with. The things I look for are ease of use (both getting around and folding up), compactness and versatility.

Please tell me your favourite and I will add to the list. I am not going to rate them but maybe when you go to buy one we can arm you with a handfull of suggestions from seasoned travellers.

Rock 'n roll...

Bugaboo Bee

This is the stroller we bought. I have already talked about it in a previous blog but basically we find it easy to use, it was great from the minute she was born, it can face us or later we will face her out to the world, it is lightweight, pretty and when you get to know it, it is easy to fold up and put in the car, on a plane etc. My friend Helen said she decided not to use this one because the ladies in the store couldn't work it. I had the same thing when I went but a quick look at the video on the Bugaboo site fixed that. But I should point out that one of my favourite things in the world is putting together Ikea furniture so I could be unnaturally (and nerdily) predisposed to this kind of thing.

The QuickSmart™ Easy Fold Stroller

This is the stroller my friend Lara suggested and is featured on the Equipment page. I haven't seen it in person but the video looks pretty good! 

The Baby Jogger

Here is a comment from my friend Helen (her and husband Clark are other traveling gypsy types like us). I love how they finally came to their decision - very proactive!:

In my research (and believe me there were far, far too many hours spent in front of my mac and far too many trips to baby stores across Europe) it became quickly apparent that there was no 'ideal' pram for our specific travel needs. Or at least what I perceive our needs to be - as we're still 7 weeks away... yikes.

I was seeking the ultimate: super compact, really light, fully reclinable/reversable seat, easy fold, car seat adaptable, well hooded, fabulous stroller!Let me tell you it doesn't exist...

The closest is the Quinny Zapp but it doesn't recline! Actually that's not true they have recently released a seat section that will recline, which we were super excited about, only to discover that the recline section is non-collapsable; which completely negates the Quinny being the world's most compact stroller. Oh well.

We then moved on to the Bugaboo Bee. Yes it is extremely cute and has the most divine ride and turning circle but we had a nightmare reversing the seat and collapsing it and after two assistants in 2 different shops told us “Oh this one must be broken..." as they struggled with it AND finding broken Bugaboos on the shop floor (from some more forceful customers) we decided we'd probably break it within the week.

Well my partner Clarke was MCing the circus stage at a gig at the Bristol Harbour Festival while I (mostly) checked out the serious "pram porn" in the crowd. Their were hundreds of strollers and prams it was unbelievable! By this time I'd moved on to interviewing parents about their pram/strollers- "Hi, I'm sorry I know this is a bit weird but, are you happy with your pram?" - and cataloguing favourites on my iPhone. Yep, I told you I had it bad.

I thought this was embarrassing Clarke but it actually inspired him to run a spontaneous stroller competition on stage!!!He invited three people and their respective wheels up on stage then tested the prams for off road (drive over his body), for comfort (he rode in them) and then, the ultimate, collapse your pram as quickly as possible and hold it over your head.

Wow.

As two struggled one lady’s pram collapsed with a single one handed lift.Under 3 secs! There was a collective gasp from 50% of the crowd as all the pram pushers wondered what the hell is that thing???She won the competition and we finally found our stroller. 

We’ve ordered it in the states as it’s way cheaper. Along with the car seat adapter and travel bag. Next year it will come to Europe and New York with us so I’ll let you know how it travels.

And then there is of course the ol' staple MacLaren which I have never heard a bad word about and I see plenty of them in the playgrounds around the world so they have to be doing something right!

So there you go. A little bit of food for thought on the stroller question. I am, as always very interested in hearing your views and opinions so keep the comments coming!

x Ali

3am...3am... Eternal...

I am writing this blog from the couch at almost 3am with KLF haunting my weary brain...

I will write a full blog in the next couple of days about what I have learnt about jet lag in the last week. I have new theories about 'length of flight versus time difference', and 'why sometimes the easiest flight = the hardest recovery'.

But for the moment I will just share this little gem:

'Maybe think twice before flying twice through timezones in one week and follow that immediately by going to a wedding.'

I'm just sayin' is all....


I am also working on a blog entitled "things I have bought that turned out to be crap". Gripping stuff.

I hope you enjoyed the guest blog - do you have one you want to send me? Or do you have a nomination for "best travel strollers & prams"? I'd love to get your comments.

So goodnight, and from the Ancients of Mu Mu themselves I shall point to the fact that time is indeed eternal.

X

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad (I know! How exciting! I got it for my birthday!)

Location:London

1st Guest Blog!

Hello all,

I have had some great responses to this blog and I have asked a few people to write down their tips &/or experiences so I can make then a guest blogger for the day.

So, here is our very first guest and it is none other than the lovely Fahey Younger who is a comedienne and fellow arty/carnie traveller. She has two beautiful boys Mo & Spike (here they are looking awesome):

and travels a lot with them so here goes:

Travelling w/ kids is a lot of fun - fun that dissipates somewhat as they get older. heh!

You pretty much hit all my tips especially - get a bassinet seat on the plane.  Covering an  "I don't want to miss out" baby w/ a muslin so they can sleep!   And I couldn't agree more.  The better the class the easier the travel - plus it's fantastic to hit the pointy end of the plane w/ a baby in your arms as the looks on the faces of the other passengers is priceless!  heh

Just a hint (mainly for flying within the US) if you're formula feeding, you'll generally take the water and the powder separately.  Some baggage checkers are morons and wont want to let you take cooled water in a bottle.  Even while you're holding a new baby.  Be prepared you'll have to pre-mix it or ditch it or fight.  Guess which one I chose?  heh

Some airlines are better with kids, Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines are the BEST. Hands down.  United and Qantas, awful.

For pressurising little ears.  I always try to reserve some bottle for take-offs and landings - cause babies are crap at chewing gum.

Bigger kids - this is my absolute number one tip for a long haul flight.  Before you leave, hit the Toy Aisle at KMart and buy up a bunch of little toys.  The biggest hits are always tiny containers with ATTACHED lids, little battery powered fans that light up, toy cars, stretchy frogs (don't ask me what they're made of I have NO clue but they're stretchy and stick to windows) - really anything cheap and small.  Then, you wrap each one.  Lots of tiny presents.  Then you just dish them out as the flight goes on and the kids get bored.  We tend to buy 1 toy per 2 hours.  FAIL SAFE!  They're small enough to cram in your handbag/carry on just remember, don't buy anything that makes a noise!!  That has worked for us since Spike was 10 months old.

This is a fantastic site, we use a lot http://www.travelswithbaby.com/planning/baby_gear_rentals.htm

Those hire companies are extra fabulous, not just for cots and car seats but for things like the beloved Jumperoo.  Certainly too big to travel with but essential for Mumma's mental health. :-)

We have always travelled w/ the fullsize pram too (A hulking big Zekiwa and now a sleeker Love n Care) and have never had a problem.  I don't check the pram, I wheel it up to the gate and the hosties will take it from you there and 99% of airlines will have it at the gate when you get OFF the plane.  Voila I say.  VWAH-LAH!

So there you are - a great few flying tips from the excellent Fahey - feel free to leave your comments and if anyone else wants to write a guest blog email me at info@alimcgregor.com

Next up 'traveling strollers' so feel free to send me your favourites to go into the mix.

x