Life-altering experiences affect different people in different ways. I used to be a rock climber. Once a year, a group of us would make the trek from Minneapolis, MN to Devil’s Tower, WY. We’d train for these expeditions at an indoor climbing gym. One evening, I was tired and skipped a bolt near the top of a route. After pulling a lot of slack to clip into the final bolt, I missed and dropped 25 feet before slamming into the wall a mere 8 ft. above the ground. From that point forward, my hands would sweat every time I thought of climbing. (my keyboard is getting slimy even as I type!)

Severely traumatic experiences make my palms sweat. When I think about driving in the car with a crying baby, my hands start sweating. I used to actually shake, but years of self-guided meditation has cured me of that. How can mere noise cause such savage fear? You know how babies are supposed to fall asleep in the car? Well mine didn’t. I was destined to give birth to not one, but three car-screamers.

If you were blessed with a baby that falls asleep to the steady thrum of wheels on pavement, well, good for you.

But if you, like me, tremble at the thought of being confined in the car with a crying baby, read on, sister. I literally pulled what sparse hair I had from my head. I wept and gnashed my teeth. I actually broke into a cold sweat when I heard the click of the infant seat snapping into its base. For those of you who think I’m exaggerating, I’m not. Daily errands were truly the bane of my existence as a new mother.

But it got better with babies #2 and #3. I learned tricks to quiet the baby or distract myself (and fellow passengers) from the cacophony of sound emitting from the tiny being sitting behind me.

Tip #1: Have a plan

This is your job. You are a mother now, and you need to figure out how to thrive, not just survive. Having a strategy makes all the difference.

Tip #2: Get creative

If your attempts to sooth your baby aren’t working, try something else. My mother assumed that all babies responded to the calming effects of classical music. My middle child preferred techno music with obnoxiously heavy base. She also calmed down when everyone in the car sang Zippity Doo Dah at full volume. Finding out what works for your baby might take a bit of trial and error. But it’s well worth the effort.

Tip #3: Look for a cause

If your baby is normally calm but becomes fussy in the car, look for the root of the problem. Some babies get motion sickness when facing backwards. With your pediatrician’s approval, try some ginger drops. You may also want to look at the car seat itself. My chiropractor told me that many car seats cause an unnatural curve in a baby’s spine, which can become irritating after time. This is especially true if you are traveling on gravel or bumpy roads.

Tip #4: Find activities that don’t require props

When my oldest daughter was 6 months old, I drove alone with her for 10 hours to visit my parents in Minnesota. Despite MAJOR pre-trip anxiety (mine, not hers), we actually had a great time, but it wasn’t without effort and creativity. Armed with a bag of 20-30 toys, I figured I had the entertainment thing licked. But I soon learned that toys weren’t going to cut it. Everything I handed her invoked a happy little coo, but was tossed out of the car seat within 20 seconds. Sitting with an empty toy bag (and very messy back seat), I came up with some more lasting ways to keep her entertained without toys.

• Talk to her about everything you do and see.  Be your baby’s personal narrator, explaining the world as it unfolds around her.
• Consonant / vowel combinations: Starting at the beginning of the alphabet, combine each consonant with each vowel sound. i.e. baa, bay, beh, bee, bih, bye, bah, bow, buh, boo.  This simple exercise often calms babies while introducing them to the basic phonetic components of language.
• Animal noises: Use a full sentence to pair animal names with the sound they make.  For example: “What does a dog say?  Woof, woof”  If you’re feeling musically inclined, go ahead and belt out a chorus of “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”
• Nursery rhymes and songs: Build your repertoire with children’s audio tapes and CD’s.  It’s amazing how much children learn from these little rhymes and songs.

You are your baby’s best toy. Explore how many ways you can feed your baby’s hungry mind.

Tip #5: When nothing will entertain your baby, go ahead and entertain yourself

It matters not what fellow drivers and passing pedestrians think. If chair dancing makes you feel good, go ahead and do it. Keep an indulgent treat in your diaper bag just to get yourself grounded. Deep breathing, chanting, whistling, singing, shouting (happily, of course!), eating… focus on something that makes you feel good. ‘Cause when mama feels good, everyone feels good!

As the plane boards, most parents suffer some degree of anxiety about the potential public humiliation they will endure if their child throws a tantrum on the flight. Whether your flight is a puddle-jump across the state or an epic trans-Pacific voyage, you’ll need a strategy to keep the little one(s) entertained.

Contrary to popular belief, flying with babies is a piece of cake.  From their perspective, life on an airplane couldn’t be better.  A bottle, a warm lap and your undivided attention pretty much equals baby-nirvana.  Add a few colorful toys, some Baby Einstein flash cards, the plastic drink cup with a few ice cubes, and your baby should be relatively content.

One thing that can throw a wrench into this idyllic picture of a happily cooing baby at 30,000 ft. is ear pain.  Be sure to read this post for tips to avoid ear problems.

If your little one is mobile, keeping him happy might be more of a challenge.  Kids don’t like to be confined, and the airline seatbelt can be the first hurdle in avoiding tantrums.  Forewarned is forearmed.  Before boarding the plane, explain that we need to wear seat belts on airplanes, just like we wear seat belts in the car.  Tell your child about the fasten seatbelt sign.  Even when it’s not lit, they’ll want to be safe, respectful travelers by staying in their seats.

Snacks and entertainment are synonymous when it comes to air travel.  Pack some healthy snacks like dried fruit, 100% fruit leather, shelled sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and apple slices.  High glycemic snacks like Goldfish, crackers, pretzels and fruit cereal bars cause a rapid rise in blood sugar and are devoid of nutrients.  More importantly, they can create the same hyperactive behavior as sugar. Use these types of treats sparingly.

When you want to give your child a special treat, make it special. A colorful sucker, brightly wrapped piece of chocolate, etc. is more impactful than Goldfish when it comes to travel treats.  You can also extend the activity of eating by making a Cheerio necklace strung on cherry licorice strands or incorporating dried fruit into a game of bingo.

When it comes to packing toys, less is more.  You’ll want to avoid toys that make noise, take up a lot of space, have many small pieces, or make a mess.  Some travel favorites include lace-up toys, magnetic games with larger pieces, triangle-shaped crayons, ColorWonder products by Crayola, and Namits (laminated game cards on a ring).

If your worst fears come to fruition and your child has a meltdown, flash your sweetest smile and ask your spouse if he wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on the little cherub while you make trip to the restroom. Just don’t mention that your trip will include a detour past the flight attendant for a quick glass of wine!

What Is Airplane Ear?

A short anatomy lesson will help you understand airplane ear and how it develops. Ear pain is caused by a difference in pressure in the middle ear and the cabin of the airplane.  This occurs most often and most intensely during descent, but it can happen during take-off as well.

While most adults have Eustachian tubes that are more vertical, your baby’s Eustachian tubes are shorter and more horizontal.  This makes it common for fluid to be trapped in the inner ear and for the tissue to become inflamed.  When your baby has a cold or is congested, he is less able to regulate pressure in the inner ear.  Children also have larger adenoids, which are gland-like structures in the upper throat.   Adenoids are can interfere with the opening and draining of the Eustachian tubes.

How Can I Keep My Baby Safe From Airplane Ear?</h3>
As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Perhaps more than any other time, it is crucial to strengthen your child’s immune system in the weeks before your trip.

• Be diligent in hand-washing.  This more than anything will prevent infection.
• Limit your child’s intake of sugar and saturated fats.
• Make sure you little one is getting enough sleep.  Our bodies repair and regenerate during sleep.  A good night’s rest can combat impending infection.
• Give your child plenty of water to flush nasties through their system before they have the opportunity to populate.
• Make sure your child has lots of fruits and vegetables in their diet.  Not only are these food high in antioxidants, which strengthen and protect the immune system, they also contain a lot of fiber.  Fiber helps move pollutants through the system before they have the opportunity to become toxic.
• Give your child a quality infant or child’s probiotic.  Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that combat harmful microorganisms in the gut.  Since it is estimated that 80% of all illness originates in the digestive tract, probiotics are your child’s first line of defense against illness.  Despite marketing claims, flavored yogurt is high in sugar and is not the most beneficial way to ingest beneficial bacteria.
• Have your child’s blood serum levels checked for Vitamin D.  The majority of children are deficient in this nutrient, which play a vital role in the functioning of the immune system.  Daily sun exposure (15 min. without sunscreen) and / or a chewable calcium supplement can increase blood serum levels of Vitamin D.
• Give your child a high-quality multi-vitamin supplement.  Amazon.com offers a Comparative Guide to Children’s Nutritionals which provides excellent criteria in choosing a quality children’s supplement.

How Can I Prevent Airplane Ear During the Flight?

As long as your child is not battling a head cold, you can easily prevent ear problems by helping your child regulate pressure in the ears by nursing, bottle feeding, or encouraging the use of a pacifier.  Older children can chew gum or suck on a sucker to relieve ear pressure.  All these techniques are effective because frequent swallowing helps clear the ears.

There’s also a handy little device called “EarPlanes”.  They cost about $5/pair and are sized for children 1-11 years of age.  Not only do they help to regulate air pressure, but reduce background noise as well.  An older child might grasp the logic of using such a thing, where it might be a useless battle to keep them in a toddler’s ears.

Many parents ask if they should wake a sleeping child to give them an opportunity to clear their ears during the descent.  The answer is an emphatic “NO”!  A sleeping child rarely experiences ear problems.  Relaxation of the muscles helps the ears clear themselves much more easily than when a child is awake.

Traveling With A Head Cold</h3>
We’ve all heard dire words of caution regarding flying with a child who has a cold.  Panic-stricken, we wrestled with questions like, “Should I cancel the trip?”   “Should one of us go ahead and the other follow later when the baby is better?”  (we all know that it can take WEEKS for a cold to clear up!)  “Am I being a bad mother by bringing my baby on the airplane with a cold?”

You are the best judge of your child’s condition.  But before you start rebooking flights, try this bit a voodoo, which is surprisingly effective in clearing ear problems.  Get a high quality oregano essential oil, along with”carrier oil”. Olive oil or grapeseed oil work fine.  Pour the carrier oil in the palm of your hand and add 3-5 drops of oregano oil.  Dip a finger in the mixture and rub on the outside of the ear and around the base and back of the ear.  (don’t put anything in a baby’s ear canal)  Many ear infections “magically” disappear in 5-15 minutes.

If your child is recovering from a head cold, you will want to pack Benedryl.  Many mothers flinch at the use of the “B” word. No, you shouldn’t use it to sedate a child for flight.  Especially since Benedryl can have the opposite effect of stimulating some kids instead of knocking them out.  Most parents (not to mention flight attendants and fellow passengers) would consider a dose of Benedryl a welcome alternative to the sounds of a child’s suffering.

Since most trouble happens on the descent, watch your child for ear problems 20 minutes prior to landing.  The effects of Benedryl are nearly instantaneous, so you can wait until your child shows signs of discomfort before administering medication if you choose.

If nothing seems to work, know that your baby’s crying is actually nature’s way of clearing the ears.  She’s opening her mouth, swallowing more frequently, and clearing the nasal passages.  So order up a glass of wine, take a deep breath, and know that your baby’s airplane ear will resolve when you reach the ground.

]]> http://babytravel.com/2010/01/prevent_airplane_ear/feed/ 3 http://babytravel.com/2010/01/car-trip-with-baby/ http://babytravel.com/2010/01/car-trip-with-baby/#comments Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:46:57 +0000 Christy http://babytravel.com/?p=284 Successful Car Trip (suk-ses’ful kar trip) – A trip by automobile in which all passengers arrive at a given destination (though not necessarily the originally intended destination) alive and in one piece.  Now that we’ve established the definition of “success” as it relates to taking a car trip with a baby, we can discuss some ideas that will make the experience truly enjoyable for both parent and child.

Set Realistic Expectations

If you are accustomed to arriving at grandma’s house in nine hours flat with nary a break for potty or food, you’ll have to accept the fact that traveling with a baby has nothing in common with the Indy 500. You should expect to stop every hour and a half to two hours, unless the fates decide to bless you with a sleeping child. If you are so favored by the powers that be, neither empty gas tank nor full bladder, ravaging hunger nor even Starbucks shall tempt you to disturb the slumber of your precious cherub. It is law. Truly. I’m not even kidding.

Safety First

I KNOW I don’t need to do the car seat lecture. Any parent with the sense to use the internet to research tips for traveling with a baby wouldn’t need to be told that car seats are mandatory. Laws become a little looser when it comes to nursing. Until early 2009, Michigan allowed a child to be out of their car seat while nursing. Michigan recently closed this loophole, but several other states allow mothers to be unbuckled while breast feeding an infant in a car seat.

In light of the gymnastics required to pull off this maneuver (not to mention the entertainment for passing truckers), an extended car trip might be the time to consider offering a bottle or pacifier.  If your baby is at the stage where nipple confusion is of great concern, you’ll need to plan frequent stops and be prepared to endure baby’s restlessness.

Motion Sickness

We were destined to have three children who howled the moment their little bottoms touched the car seat. To this day, I am convinced that sitting in a rear-facing seat brought on bouts of motion sickness. Though there are not many remedies for very young children, several natural motion sickness cures are safe and effective for older babies. These include:

• Solaray chewable Ginger Trips
• Queasy Pops for kids
• Crystallized ginger
• CanTravel dissolvable granules by Native Remedies

See these and other motion sickness items at the Baby Travel Store

Entertaining a Pre-Verbal Child

It’s helpful to have a game plan when it comes to keeping your baby entertained.  Despite the armload of dollars you’ve dropped on sophisticated items to keep your baby intellectually engaged, you are your baby’s best toy.  There are a number of games you can play to both entertain and feed your baby’s hungry mind. Use your creativity to expand upon these ideas.

• Be your baby’s personal narrator, explaining the world as it unfolds around him.
• Consonant / vowel combinations: Starting at the beginning of the alphabet, combine each consonant with each vowel sound. i.e. baa, bay, beh, bee, bih, bye, bah, bow, buh, boo.  In spite of the fact that you sound like a simpleton, this exercise calms babies while introducing them to the basic phonetic components of language.
• Animal noises – For those who require an example: “What does a dog say? Woof, woof”.  The musically inclined might opt for a rousing chorus of  “Old McDonald”.
• Nursery rhymes and songs: Amazon and iTunes have a full range of children’s selections in virtually  every musical genre.  My all-time favorite is “Dr. Jean and Friends”, however my middle child was partial to techno music.  To each his own!
• Put on a finger puppet show.
• String Cheerios, knotting the ends of the string.  Tie one side to the handle above the door and let baby work to get the Cheerios off.  This game is a little messy, so you might want a rechargeable handheld vacuum on hand.  Make sure the string isn’t long enough for baby to get it around her neck.
• Blow bubbles for baby (if you’re not driving, of course!)
• Give baby a new board book – our favorites are the Black on White books by Tana Hoban and anything written by Eric Carle.
• Babies are quickly bored with their toys.  If you can rotate through a nice selection of Whoozits, keys, mirrors, empty water bottles, teething rings, wrist rattles, and anything that makes noise, you will always have something in the arsenal to keep baby busy.

Car travel is one of those things that gets better with time.  If your lot in life includes a fussy little traveler, rest assured that like all things baby, this too shall pass.

]]> http://babytravel.com/2010/01/car-trip-with-baby/feed/ 2 http://babytravel.com/2009/12/packing-light/ http://babytravel.com/2009/12/packing-light/#comments Thu, 24 Dec 2009 20:42:56 +0000 Christy http://babytravel.com/?p=91 It is always shocking to see what is required to take young children on a vacation.  Since most airlines are charging $15-$25 for EACH bag in EACH direction, lightening your load makes travel more efficient and more affordable.

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) Jan 12, 2010 — Delta Air Lines Inc. and Continental Airlines Inc. will begin charging customers the highest fees in the industry for checked bags this week, setting other carriers up to do the same.

1) Reserve a crib through the hotel.

Most hotels have cribs available for free or a nominal charge. Ask the hotel what type of crib they have.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions to make sure it’s a safe, clean, comfortable place for your little one’s slumber.  Most hotels use a Pack-N-Play.

2) Check into gear rental services.

Baby’s Away (www.babysaway.com) has locations in 70 locations throughout the U.S.   They rent high chairs, cribs, strollers, exersaucers, etc.   They also have some excellent travel tips on their website.

3) Purchase consumable items when you arrive at your destination.

Unless you’re packing in preparation for Armageddon, it’s nearly impossible to bring EVERYTHING you’ll need.  Pack enough diapers, wipes, and baby food for the first few days of the journey and purchase the rest when you arrive at your destination.  If you have a car, you can plan to do the shopping yourself.  If you don’t have a car, consider a delivery service like www.babiestravellite.com.  They will deliver everything from diapers and baby food to sunscreen and bath products to your destination of choice, worldwide.  You can also use the concierge at your hotel or condo to find someone who can shop and deliver groceries to your door.  There’s nothing like checking into a condo with a loaded fridge and decanted bottle of wine!

4) Plan to do laundry twice a week.

Most hotels have laundry facilities, as do most condos.  Though “laundry” and “vacation” don’t usually belong in the same sentence, doing a load or two is actually less hassle than you might think.  If your little one is still taking naps, nap time is a great time to cross this task off the list.  You’ll come to appreciate the value of packing efficiently.

5) Choose toys wisely.

Since packing toys is a daunting task, many parents procrastinate in tackling this chore.  Your child’s preferences are a moving target, so it’s difficult to decide which magical combination of toys will transform your child into a perfectly well-behaved, self-entertained little cherub. Like many things relating to vacationing with children, reality is often less idyllic than the dream. To make your job simpler, choose a number of toys you would like to bring.  This number should probably be more than 3 and less than 7.  And don’t be surprised when the hotel notepad gets more attention than Nuffle Bunny.

]]> http://babytravel.com/2009/12/packing-light/feed/ 0 http://babytravel.com/2009/12/airplane-carry-on/ http://babytravel.com/2009/12/airplane-carry-on/#comments Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:52:12 +0000 Christy http://babytravel.com/?p=95 Picking the right bag for your carry-on is important.  The key word is “accessibility”.  A bag with several compartments is a great choice.  The things you need most frequently should be in an outside pocket or near the top of the pack. Examples of these might include bottles, burp cloth, a quick snack and something to read.  Diapers, wipes and a change of clothing will not be used as frequently, so those can go deeper inside the pack.


At the opposite end of the spectrum, Chictots.com makes a Blanket Bag with NO pockets.  The entire bag opens to create a portable play area.  External diaper / wipes accessories can be attached to the bag to create a clever carry-on solution.

Travel Essentials

Most packing oversights can be remedied with a quick trip to the grocery store.  The following items are on the “essential” list because they are not easily replaced: airline tickets confirmations, hotel and rental car confirmations, wallet (including cash and at least one credit card), photo i.d. and passport (when applicable).

Certain carry-on items are prohibited.  For example, pocket knives, fingernail clippers, fingernail files, etc. need to be packed in your checked luggage.  For a detailed and updated list of prohibited and permitted items, visit the Transportation Safety Administration’s WEB site at www.tsa.gov.

Though airline security requirements prevent you from bringing liquids through security, there are some notable exceptions.  These include infant formula, medications, and any liquids that meet the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirements.  It’s easy to remember TSA’s rule of 3-1-1.  Bottles of liquid must be no more than 3.4 oz., contained in 1 quart-sized zip-lock baggie, and 1 baggie is permitted for each passenger.

Airlines also restrict the size, shape, and weight of carry-on baggage.  Check with your airline to make sure your carry-on bag meets their requirements.  The general rule of thumb is that your bag must fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead storage compartment.  Most airlines also have specific dimension limitations.  The most common maximum size restriction is 45 linear inches (length + height + width).

Clothing

Airplanes can be cold, so you’ll want to pack a light sweater.  An extra set of clothes, including socks, for both children and adults are sure to come in handy.  As you’ll soon discover, spilled drinks are the norm when it comes to flying with children!

Feeding and Diapering

Pack twice the amount of food, formula, diapers and wipes you use in a normal day.  Though no one wants to contemplate the need to spend the night in an unfamiliar city due to a missed connection, fate is known to throw a few curve balls.

Also take into consideration the fact that your baby will drink more during travel – partly due to dehydration, and partly because that’s what babies do when they sit on their parent’s laps!  The formula is simple: more liquid consumed equals more diaper changes.

Toys

Bring a couple new toys for your baby to explore.  If your baby watches the Baby Einstein videos at home, invest in a set of Baby Einstein flashcards.  The images will be familiar to your baby.   If your child is entertained by DVD’s, consider downloading a few kids videos on your i-Phone or invest in a portable DVD player.  Other posts on this site contain great information for entertaining kids on airplanes

Health & Misc.

A light first-aid kit, including any prescription medications, hand sanitizer, tissue, infant pain reliever and decongestant, band-aids, etc. is a handy addition to the carry-on bag.  Also include Lysol wipes for airplane seats and armrests.  Please note: these are not for use on baby’s skin!  Be sure the package is well-labeled and let your spouse know the difference between Lysol wipes and skin-friendly wipes.

Though many parents are concerned about flying with children, you will soon discover that a well-equipped carry-on makes your flight an easy, enjoyable part of your trip.

Carry-On Packing List

Travel Essentials Airline Tickets Passports Copies of airline and hotel reservations Wallet – money / credit card Photo identification Clothing Light sweater Extra socks Clean outfit Clean shirt for you and your spouse Feeding Formula (enough for 2 days) Bottles (2) Water bottle (empty, to be filled after going through security) Baby food (enough for 2 days) Baby cereal (enough for 2 days) Snacks (low-sugar) Disposable bibs (4) Pacifiers (2)

Diapering Diapers – (enough for 2 days) Wipes Diaper rash cream (travel-size) Portable changing pad Toys 2-3 new toys 1-2 older familiar toys Picture flashcards Small board books DVD player and DVD’s Health & Misc. Prescription medications Hand sanitizer Tissue Infant pain reliever Infant decongestant Band-Aids Zip-lock Baggies (3 quart-sized) Lysol wipes Wipes for cleaning hands and face Receiving Blanket

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