Traveling with baby

[Groveinc]

Hey Guys, the wife has talked me into joining her on a business trip with the the baby girl (6mos) at the end of July. We will be gone for two weeks and taking many airplane rides and staying in hotels. Since it's a work trip for my wife, Jane and I will be traveling alone and spending a lot of time in the hotel together. I'm already starting to stress about the plane trip (CT to Los Angeles with a stop in IN for a week) not to mention my concers about living in a hotel with a baby for another week. Any of you have tips for being away from home for an extended time with a baby? Thanks for the help!

[tt3]

yeah, but it'll have to wait till naptime. flip through the forum for airplane advice in the subject.

[tt3]

I found the other thread (http://dadstayshome.com/dadforum/viewtopic.php?t=715) for flying with your kid. Inside is a link to a third thread about it, many clicks, but lots of advice!

Here's my input all disjointed as usual.
I had to stay four days out of town with Tara when she was an infant and again at about 18 months. Gosh, it might have been twice when she was a baby...
Always be really nice to the hotel staff, they're much more likely to help or get you stuff when you're disgustingly pleasant.
Do your homework now. Are you going to be mobile? Do your hotels have shuttles? Is there anything interesting within walking distance if not? I found a free zoo that was our best friend, but we also had our van with, so morning naps when she was an infant occured in the van so the hotel staff could clean our room. Diapers go rank really quickly in a little hotel room...
Wow... two weeks... I get the chills just thinking about it. My wife mentioned another class she could take out of town for more certification, I just told her "have fun." There is no way on God's green earth I'll do it again with two.
Oh, request in room fridge and microwave for your hotel too, even if you have to pay a little more, makes life a lot easier. Are you bringing a packand play? Check with the hotels, they might have one too, less bagage for you (even if you sleep together, its nice to have a "safe spot" to put her in.)
6months... probably not crawling? That'd be a whole other ball of wax. Outlet covers, a small screwdriver to take off the hardware on the drawers (Tara pinched fingers, learned that one the hard way). etc etc
If I think of more, I'll post!

[Groveinc]

Thanks Tony! I found the old links. After reading them I was happy to see that I have most of my bases covered concerning flying. You do offer good pointers about hotel life. The wife's work has so many people and stuff going to LA that there is a truck to deliver gear a week prior. We are planning on shipping: Pack & Play, stroller, food, formula, bottles, ect.. The hotel we are staying in has a nice boardwalk around it so I will use your suggestion about scheduling a room cleaing durring a walk. Speaking of cleaning, what's your take on bottle cleaning? Spend $ on a bottle sterilizer (that will never be used again) or just use hot water and the sink? I know, silly questions, but I want to be as prepared as possible while I have the time to think about it.

[tt3]

I just brought along dishsoap and used the hot water in the sink. Same thing as I do at home, for all that. I did bring the bottle drying rack though, that helped. Forgot to add that we also brought a small assortment of other feeding utensils. The hotels we stayed in also had highchairs in the lobby/breakfast area. Also very handy. Keep a bag of toys nearby, but only pull out a few at a time, keeps things interesting for her too.
Bring a book or something to occupy your time while she naps! I ended up buying a zipzap last time and racing up and down the hallway when my book got boring! :D Of course I stayed well within earshot of the room door...
Good luck! I'll add more as I think of it.

[SideShowCecil]

I brought along the baby monitor on our last trip. It had more than enough range to let us sit out by the pool during nap time.

[Groveinc]

Good idea...monitor packed! Hopefully I can avoid crosseyed looks when the baby starts to cry and I'm sippin beer by the pool. Another question I thought of is regarding the change in time zone. At home we've developed a good eating/napping schedule...in LA it's gonna be off by 3 hours. Anyone have any expereince with handeling time zone changes? Make the change right away or ease into the change?

[SideShowCecil]

William really didn’t seem affected by a three hour time change. His morning meal would set his rhythm for the day. Once we got him up and fed he would fall into his regular daily schedule. I wish I could adjust as easily.

[Groveinc]

Just wanted to thank you for the adviece and support before our big trip. We successfully made the two week trip to Indiana and California without any major incidents. Jane (6mos) was fantastic and didn't have a problem adjusting to the time changes, airplanes, new people and hotel living. Amazing! I give most of the credit to her being and incredable, laid back child (unlike her parents). Of course, in front of her Mom, I'll take some credit for being a well prepared father!

Thanks again!

[tt3]

Another bump, looks like the original thread is lost. Sorry man!

[wolfmanyoda]

I need to look at these post dates more :dumb: I was going to offer some ideas on what to do while here in Indiana but I guess I'm about 3 years late. :icon_lol: