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
Monday, October 25, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
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!)
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!)
Friday, October 15, 2010
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
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
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
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!
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!
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.
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...
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.
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!
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
Friday, October 8, 2010
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!)
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
Monday, October 4, 2010
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:
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
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Squealing across America...
Yesterday we flew from LA to NYC. After all my preaching of an efficient suitcase and clever packing we still looked a little like refugees escaping with all of our belongings strapped to an overpriced luggage trolley. We have been away for over a month though and if you took away all my stuff and the clothes I bought her in LA (love the aussie dollar at the moment!) it wouldn't actually be that bad. You get away with a lot when you can stuff that stroller bag full of other stuff. It never counts as one of your bags so it is like free bag!
Virgin America doesn't have bassinet seats, well certainly not on the plane that we took. My husband and I disagree a bit about Virgin - he thought it was good service, I thought it was a bit average. We forked out for 'upper' class also so I expected a bit more to be honest. Nice seats and the food was pretty good but I can really do without Virgin stewards talking to us all like we are on a 18 to 30's cruise ship.
"...and if you see someone you like the look of on the plane you can always send them a seat to seat message through our entertainment center..."
Really? If I am flying in a metal box a few miles above the earth with my life in someone's hands I want them to be serious and efficient not be busy helping me 'hook up'. Anyway there was no children's tv or movies on said entertainment 'center'. They did have live tv which has nickelodeon but for most of the flight it was playing a sitcom starring both Miley & Billy Ray Cyrus and no baby needs to be inflicted with that..
I am pretty against tv for babies at the best of times but yesterday, for some reason Bebe decided that squealing at the top of her lungs was both fun and entertaining for all. Having no bassinet or any place to play she got pretty bored of our laps, her toys and walking up and down the aisle pretty quickly. It actually wasn't all that bad but I could have done with some pretty spongebob style colours to distract now and then. Onya Virgin.
I may do a bit of research into the different airlines and what they offer for babies & kids. I suspect they differ greatly. If anyone has a story I'd love to hear it.
Oh, and I seem to have found a way to not have her screaming in ear pain as we land. I had a bottle of sterilised water that she sort of sucked on a little as soon as we started to descend and then the dummy and getting her to look into my eyes as I sang her favourite songs to her to distract. I also had a tissue with a little Olbas oil (eucalyplus would also work) that I waved under her nose. Not sure which worked or if it was just a fluke. I will tell you next week after the next flight!
We also used our new second hand car seat to carry her around the airport (sits on the luggage trolley pretty sweetly) and checked it on at the gate. We then could pop her straight into the taxi and she was as happy as can be. I will be doing that again...
Keep sending me your comments and stories - I am loving all the feedback!
x
Virgin America doesn't have bassinet seats, well certainly not on the plane that we took. My husband and I disagree a bit about Virgin - he thought it was good service, I thought it was a bit average. We forked out for 'upper' class also so I expected a bit more to be honest. Nice seats and the food was pretty good but I can really do without Virgin stewards talking to us all like we are on a 18 to 30's cruise ship.
"...and if you see someone you like the look of on the plane you can always send them a seat to seat message through our entertainment center..."
Really? If I am flying in a metal box a few miles above the earth with my life in someone's hands I want them to be serious and efficient not be busy helping me 'hook up'. Anyway there was no children's tv or movies on said entertainment 'center'. They did have live tv which has nickelodeon but for most of the flight it was playing a sitcom starring both Miley & Billy Ray Cyrus and no baby needs to be inflicted with that..
I am pretty against tv for babies at the best of times but yesterday, for some reason Bebe decided that squealing at the top of her lungs was both fun and entertaining for all. Having no bassinet or any place to play she got pretty bored of our laps, her toys and walking up and down the aisle pretty quickly. It actually wasn't all that bad but I could have done with some pretty spongebob style colours to distract now and then. Onya Virgin.
I may do a bit of research into the different airlines and what they offer for babies & kids. I suspect they differ greatly. If anyone has a story I'd love to hear it.
Oh, and I seem to have found a way to not have her screaming in ear pain as we land. I had a bottle of sterilised water that she sort of sucked on a little as soon as we started to descend and then the dummy and getting her to look into my eyes as I sang her favourite songs to her to distract. I also had a tissue with a little Olbas oil (eucalyplus would also work) that I waved under her nose. Not sure which worked or if it was just a fluke. I will tell you next week after the next flight!
We also used our new second hand car seat to carry her around the airport (sits on the luggage trolley pretty sweetly) and checked it on at the gate. We then could pop her straight into the taxi and she was as happy as can be. I will be doing that again...
Keep sending me your comments and stories - I am loving all the feedback!
x
Friday, October 1, 2010
Car Seats + Planes & finding a helpful blog...
So, I went against what I originally said and have bought a second hand car seat while we have been in LA. We had a borrowed one here but are going to NY and I couldn't find a company in NY that would deliver to the airport for anything under $100 and I bought a second hand Maxi Cosi on Ebay for $35 + postage! This means we have one when we are in New York for cabs and it also clicks on to our Bugaboo Bee so it will be handy in London. So I need to check the car seat in. I did a search to find out the best way to do this and found a great blog here by a woman who regularly travels with three kids alone - Amazing lady! It is a good blog, I highly recommend you follow it.
Here is what she had to say about Car seats on planes:
"It's never a good idea to check a car seat as luggage. They get lost and/or broken all the time by the airlines who will decline any responsibility if anything goes wrong. It's not worth the risk.
If you arrive at your destination and need the seat right away, what would you do if it's not there? Get in your car with your child unrestrained? Not only is it unsafe but often illegal.
If your child has a seat on the plane, the best way to transport it is to bring the car seat on board and have your child sit in it on the plane. This is also the safest way for your child to travel.
If you have a child who is a "lap baby" without a seat, bring the car seat to the gate and have it gate-checked. This is no guarantee but better than checking it as luggage. You can put a bag on it if you want but a clear plastic one is best. This way, they can see what it is and hopefully the baggage handlers wont abuse it (too much!)
But still try to secure an extra place on the plane. Ask nicely at check-in if the flight is full and whether you can get an extra place to use your car seat in. Be sure to bring it to the gate even if they're unsure as sometimes seats become available last minute (upgrades, no shows, etc.)
I fly alone with three kids between Europe and California and I have no problems taking a car seat. It can be done if you're organized. You can either use your stroller or do what I do and strap it to a metal luggage cart with an extra bungee cord. Go over to Car Seat.Org for more information.
http://www.car-seat.org/forumdisplay.php…
This way, you'll have your car seat safely at your destination when you arrive!
Good luck and have a good flight!
If you arrive at your destination and need the seat right away, what would you do if it's not there? Get in your car with your child unrestrained? Not only is it unsafe but often illegal.
If your child has a seat on the plane, the best way to transport it is to bring the car seat on board and have your child sit in it on the plane. This is also the safest way for your child to travel.
If you have a child who is a "lap baby" without a seat, bring the car seat to the gate and have it gate-checked. This is no guarantee but better than checking it as luggage. You can put a bag on it if you want but a clear plastic one is best. This way, they can see what it is and hopefully the baggage handlers wont abuse it (too much!)
But still try to secure an extra place on the plane. Ask nicely at check-in if the flight is full and whether you can get an extra place to use your car seat in. Be sure to bring it to the gate even if they're unsure as sometimes seats become available last minute (upgrades, no shows, etc.)
I fly alone with three kids between Europe and California and I have no problems taking a car seat. It can be done if you're organized. You can either use your stroller or do what I do and strap it to a metal luggage cart with an extra bungee cord. Go over to Car Seat.Org for more information.
http://www.car-seat.org/forumdisplay.php…
This way, you'll have your car seat safely at your destination when you arrive!
Good luck and have a good flight!
Source(s):
Former Flight Attendant, 13 years, 2 companies, almost all long-haul international
3 children, now ages 10, 8 & 6, flying since each was 4 months old, between Europe and California about twice a year plus other shorter flights in between, regularily scheduled, low cost, charter, etc.
non-commercial flying tips;" http://flyingwithchildren1.blogspot.com
3 children, now ages 10, 8 & 6, flying since each was 4 months old, between Europe and California about twice a year plus other shorter flights in between, regularily scheduled, low cost, charter, etc.
non-commercial flying tips;" http://flyingwithchildren1.blogspot.com
Baby Brain # 1
Last night I had a rare night out. It was nice. I saw some comedy and then went and ate ribs with friends in the best rib place in LA. Great. I then got home and decided to work on my blog...
I am really enjoying writing this blog and even more importantly getting feedback from other mothers. I have asked people for their tips and had some great responses that will appear as guest blogs in the coming weeks. What would be great is to get a few more followers (maybe even people I don't personally know!) to share all these travel stories and get even more perspectives on the baby travel vibe.
So I did some 'marketing'. This involved starting a twitter account (www.twitter.com/theintrepidbaby) and doing a search for anyone who talked about traveling with a baby then inviting them to my blog. Easy.
Then this morning a get up at 6 (still dark - hate that) and see how the twitter account is going and find out that I invited everybody to the wrong web address (I left out a 'the' in the title).
Quite literally bringing back my favourite saying 'der brain'.
I then read on a site that new mother's lose 4% of their brain capacity. No kidding.
Ok. I am going back to bed now to try and regain a percent or 2...
x
I am really enjoying writing this blog and even more importantly getting feedback from other mothers. I have asked people for their tips and had some great responses that will appear as guest blogs in the coming weeks. What would be great is to get a few more followers (maybe even people I don't personally know!) to share all these travel stories and get even more perspectives on the baby travel vibe.
So I did some 'marketing'. This involved starting a twitter account (www.twitter.com/theintrepidbaby) and doing a search for anyone who talked about traveling with a baby then inviting them to my blog. Easy.
Then this morning a get up at 6 (still dark - hate that) and see how the twitter account is going and find out that I invited everybody to the wrong web address (I left out a 'the' in the title).
Quite literally bringing back my favourite saying 'der brain'.
I then read on a site that new mother's lose 4% of their brain capacity. No kidding.
Ok. I am going back to bed now to try and regain a percent or 2...
x
Things I can't live without # 6
Ok, so it's not the most stylish of baths (I tend to be more of a solid colour kind of gal when it comes to these sorts of things - quacking ducks aren't my idea of design heaven) but it is very practical and folds up small enough to easily fit in your suitcase. It is great in any bath (or even kitchen sink) but please note that once baby is rolling you really need to keep your hand on bubba at all times as my little girl does have a tendency to roll off when excitedly kicking! I bought mine at Babies R Us when we were in the states but hopefully you can do a google search and find one where you are.
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