Craziest thing happend today...

[Snickals]

...we booked a trip to Disney World in May! Paid upfront in full and feels crazy getting my head around the idea!

OMG we are going to Disney World!!!! With an 8month old...that's just crazy LOL

In fairness we have been travelling with her a bit lately. We did a 3 hour road trip south and then another 3hrs back in December. And at the start of this month we did a 21hr train trip north and another 21hrs back and baby girl travelled well and loved it so lets hope she loves the plane just as much!

 

[BecBennett]

That's awesome!! When are you going? DH and I are tossing up the idea to go in May too. We haven't decided whether we're going to do DLR or WDW. DLR needs fewer days, but I sorta want to wait until DCA is done before we go back.

It will probably come down to how much time we can afford to take off

The only thing I'd worry about with your 8 month old is how they'll go when they can't get their ears to pop, and don't understand why it hurts DH still can't get his ears to pop, but he atleast knows what it is

 

[Snickals]

We leave 6 May. Flying VAustralia, am looking forward to that, have read so many great reports about them. And then flying Delta domestic.

We are staying Pop Century. Originally we took the quote in from the Spring Sale on the WDW website but that added up a little expensive. So then we looked at Wyndham Lake Buena Vista and had that on hold since Monday and were meant to officially book and pay for it today. But last night I found Pop Century slightly cheaper on hotels.com.au and gave it to the travel agent and they were able to beat it by a whole dollar lol I am so happy we get to stay on property again, I loved Pop last time and look forward to sharing it with my new little family

It just feels so weird that everything is paid for! Airfare, hotel, cash card...all done! Think I am in happy shock that it's happening...almost doesn't feel real!

 

[Toy Story]

How exciting - hope you have a great trip.

 

[aussietravellers]

Congratulations on the trip!

I have travelled with an 8 month old before, to London, so a long haul journey.

It was fine, actually easier than when he was 2 (but even that was ok). No, I didn't get any sleep on the whole flight(s) but he didn't make any noise, slept when everyone else was awake, then when everybody was asleep, he was awake, so I let him crawl up the aisles to burn off some energy, which he did in silence, like a battery operated animal toy, that just keep going until they run into something He would get to the end of the aisle and I would turn him around and back he would go.

The trick is to be well prepared, lots of food, rusks and little things (not too little, don't want any choking) to keep them occupied and hope they sleep a lot of the way. Also follow their regular routine. Put PJ's on when you want them to sleep, I did this on long haul with my DS till he was about 4. I would always follow the whole bedtime routine, dinner, teeth, (can't do bath on plane), pj's then lie back for bed/sleep.


But really I never found it hard travelling with a baby, when we stuck to our routine and were well prepared. Sounds like you are getting her trained for the trip with your current travels, great idea

 

[5ofus]

Awesome!

Sounds like you got a good deal on Pop too

I reckon traveling with your bub will be fine. 8 months old is a good age, as aussietravellers said, easier than a 2yo!

I've never had a problem with my boys' ears, I've fed on take off and landing at times, but not always.

 

[WAMUMOF4]

Congratulations that is fantastic news. We booked Pop through Hotels.com.au last year as well.
Earplanes are great for traveling with little ones if you could get her to not pull them out.

 

[australiankaren]

congrats on the trip and may the force be with you.....although flying with an 8mth old may be more pleasent than flying with a DH who is scared of flying

you'll enjoy pop....do they have free dining then???

I do recommend you hire a car if you havent already, lugging baby stuff onto full buses to pop may be a bit of a drama...

 

[Snickals]

Thank you so much for all the advice...keep it coming!

We thought about renting a car but am too scared to drive over there, I'm sure it wouldn't be that bad but rather just catch busses and taxis. One of the bigger appeals of a disney hotel is the transport which I found to be constant and great last time.

I am not sure about the free dinning, I don't think so...? Am also tossing up if a rented fridge would be useful? I was fine without one last time but am thinking it might be helpful with the open baby food, but is it really worth the cost?

Pick up all the tickets this Saturday...so excited (and a little nervous lol)!

 

[Jade+3]

Awesome!! Our youngest was 9 months old for his first trip. He was easier to travel with as a baby, than last year when he was 2. We also travelled with V. DS just managed to squish into a bassinet.

 

[Snickals]

Ohh don't say that! Baby girl is already just shy of 10kgs (she is long too though)...am dreading to see what she weighs in a couple more months. Not looking forward to carrying her for long periods. Have a front baby carrier for her but the weight limit says it only goes to 11kgs

 

[Jade+3]

DS was long too. His feet were nearly hanging out. I don't have a picture of him in the bassinet. Must say, he was a bit of a pain when he was awake, as he kept changing the channel on the TV screen. If you want another carrier, have a look at the Ergo. I used that in the airports when other DS was 18 months.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Congrats Snickals.

I'm another one of those mums that have flown with a baby. DS was 7 months when we first took him to the US. He pretty much slept in the bassinet and we took an umbrella stroller with us rather than carrying him all the time. And in response to becbennett's point about babies and ears...and it might just be TMI....I was still breastfeeding at the time....but we also took a baby bottle of water with us. Of course this was pre-9/11 and we were allowed to take the liquid through.

We took a few toys on board as well as an extra light weight blanket (good for covering up when breastfeeding and also if baby is cold). We also used the blanket as a mat on the floor when DS wanted to burn some energy off.

The easiest trip to the US with DS was this first trip. I didn't have to constantly wonder where he was and if he was running off somewhere (and yes, I have 'lost' DS - then 5 - for 10 minutes when he wandered out the back door of a toy shop and I didn't realise that there was a backdoor! Imagine my shock when I couldn't find him and then saw him roaming the car park out the back!)

Enjoy!

 

[alicia1506]

...we booked a trip to Disney World in May! Paid upfront in full and feels crazy getting my head around the idea!

OMG we are going to Disney World!!!! With an 8month old...that's just crazy LOL

In fairness we have been travelling with her a bit lately. We did a 3 hour road trip south and then another 3hrs back in December. And at the start of this month we did a 21hr train trip north and another 21hrs back and baby girl travelled well and loved it so lets hope she loves the plane just as much!

wow congratulations are in order. having paid for your vacay in full is an awesome and terror-inspiring feeling. it makes it all seem very real.

i hope you have an awesome trip. travelling with a baby? i respect the heck out of you for doing that.. i have difficulties travelling with and organising my Carlo -- and he's a 34 yr old grown man

 

[5ofus]

I was still breastfeeding at the time....but we also took a baby bottle of water with us. Of course this was pre-9/11 and we were allowed to take the liquid through.

Check the restrictions with your airline, we were allowed to take cows' milk in a couple of bottles for DS2 when he was 16 months old and addicted to milk. The restrictions allowed us to take a 'reasonable amount' of liquid for the bub. I don't know if it would extend to boiled and cooled water. By 8 months I was giving DS2 and DS3 water from the tap, but it's always a bit different with your first I think

 

[5ofus]

Oh, and I LOVE my Hug A Bub carrier and have used it on the boys up until they were 2. I also have roly-poly bubs - all being over 10kgs by six months - and it's never hurt my bad back (I have a herniated disc). Having said that, I don't know if it would be suitable for travelling, especially if you aren't use to tying it up as it takes a bit of practice to be able to whip it on and off.

 

[Snickals]

Picked up the tickets today!!!

Spoke with my travel agent about baby food and formula (due to health complications earlier she is no longer breast feed) and she reassured me but I still feel nervous taking the power formula on the plane, I don't know. It's all a new experience for me I guess.

Before our train trip I bought a reclining umbrella stroller, the red one from Big W (can't think of it's name now). And plan on that being our 'travelling stroller' as her other one is meant to fold down flat (it doesn't) but is heavy and too big. Am hoping I won't have to carry her too much.

I have read the tip about letting them drink during take off and landing to unblock their ears. I hope this works! Have seen at the chemist kids earplugs (in the same brand I use) would she be too young for this? I'm thinking she might be...?

Does anyone know what the weather will be like in May? I have a friend in the US telling me it'll be about 27-30 degrees, does this sound right? ALl along I had been preparing to take her there at the end of the year when it's cold and now I have to rethink things!

 

[aussietravellers]

Not sure if you have done this already, but you can order baby meals for the flight. http://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/plan/special-needs-assistance/special-meals/ If you have booked through your TA, then you will need to get him/her to book the request.

Not sure if they is available on the Delta leg, but it would be good to have it as an option (even if you don't end up using it) on the long haul legs.

Taking the formula. I always just made sure it was in it's original packaging, so I'd get individual sachets of formula rather than dividing a tin into serves (like in one of those containers you can get to do that for travelling). That way they are sealed from the manufacturer and they know exactly what it is (customs that is).

I did the feeding at take off and landing but really it wasn't a problem. Landing is so long, like the decent seems to go on forever, much longer than a bottle would last, but I still did it just incase.

Edit: Just looked and it says they do have special meals on Delta too, so your TA could look at ordering those for you too http://www.delta.com/components/popups/menus/special_meals.jsp

 

[Snickals]

No I didn't know they did baby meals, that will be so handy! Will get in contact with my TA and have her add that. Thanks!

What baby formula is there that is in the sachets? I have only ever seen S26 in them but our health nurse has advised us to stay away from it as it causes constipation in a lot of babies. We did try changing her formula once and had that problem so had to go back to what she was originally on which is NAN HA Gold. But I think they only do the big tins? The TA said to just add the scoops to the empty bottles and fill them with water once on the plane (I was thinking of doing this once we cleared security to save time).

Travelling with a baby opens up a whole new world of things to think about lol

 

[aussietravellers]

No I didn't know they did baby meals, that will be so handy! Will get in contact with my TA and have her add that. Thanks!

What baby formula is there that is in the sachets? I have only ever seen S26 in them but our health nurse has advised us to stay away from it as it causes constipation in a lot of babies. We did try changing her formula once and had that problem so had to go back to what she was originally on which is NAN HA Gold. But I think they only do the big tins? The TA said to just add the scoops to the empty bottles and fill them with water once on the plane (I was thinking of doing this once we cleared security to save time).

Travelling with a baby opens up a whole new world of things to think about lol

Make sure your TA orders the baby meals for all legs. With Qantas I used to have to fill in a request form for the special meal. Not sure how VA does it, but your TA will let you know

I did use the S26 but just had a look and NAN HA Gold does come in single serve sachets http://www.nestlebaby.com/au/baby_nutrition/products/infant_formula/NAN_HA1.html
If you can't find them, there may be a local pharmacy that will order them for you But if having it already in the bottles is easier then do it that way, it's really just about being prepared and organised and you are doing all of that, so it should be a breeze

But your TA knows best I just like to have everything covered when flying as there's nothing worse than being caught unprepared when travelling. I have always found flight attendants to be really great when travelling with a baby or young child (except one leg of a BA flight where they were SO rude! I was in business class, fed DS a jar of babyfood, took disposable spoons, so broke the spoon and put that and the wipe in the jar and put the lid on, the Flight attendant wouldn't take it to put it in the bin and told me to take it to the galley and put it in the bin myself I ended up reporting the crew as there were many other very rude things they did and said and I ended up getting a credit from BA )

Anyway, on all other flights I've done with a baby and toddler, I had great crews that would keep things cold for me, would heat things up. I even had one once take him for a wander up to the galley for a treat.