How to limit carry on with infant

[javaj]

We are traveling in a week and a half with our 4 year old and our infant. When we only had our 4 year old, we had already had lots to bring with the snacks, dvd player, coloring books, etc.

Now with an infant, we'll need to bring the liquid formula. When we're out and about, we usually bring powder + bottled water but since we can't bring water in our carry on now, I guess we'll bring 3 oz nurser bottles. But the baby usually takes about 5 ounces at a time, and we can't save the bottles once they're opened, so we'll need 2 nurser bottles for each feeding. To be safe, I'd need to bring enough for 4 feedings so that is 8 nurser bottles, yikes. Hopefully TSA won't give us a hard time about bringing all that formula.

Then of course we need diapers, wipes, extra clothes, burp cloths, blankets, powder formula for when we get to the hotel. And we need a lot of all these items since we don't know how long before magical express will deliver our luggage. This is all in addition to our 4 year old's distractions

I never thought twice about bringing big carry-on backpacks before, but now I'm a little stressed about going through security with so much in our carry on. Any advice on how to limit our carry-on items?

 

[Ariel8676]

Why don't you just bring the powder formula and make up a bottle before you board the plane and then if needed you could just make another on the plane using their bottled water? That would cut down on a lot. ( I breastfeed so i hope what i am saying is correct )
I would also bring enough diapers and wipes for 1 full day..we just flew the other day and i put about 10 dipaers in the backpack..I also packed a change of clothes, but it was one of those little one piece outfits(like a creeper). I would say 1 or 2 burp cloths should be more than enough and a light blanket for the plane..that really isn't that much n the dipaer bag..if you leave out the nurser bottles.
I use a backpack type diaper bag which helps when it is a bit heavy...
How long is your flight? Maybe you could leave the DVD player home?(it may make things a bit easier and lighter) I never bring one for my older girls (4,3) i just have other things to keep them busy(coloring books, pipe cleaners)
Good Luck you'll be fine!!!

 

[alloyd1170]

I would keep using the powder formula and just buy water at the airport/get some from the flight attendants before take off & landing.

We have a DD1 and DS4. What Ive done in the past-DS carries his stuff in his own backpack which lightens my load. I bring a few snacks for both kids, and keep the expensive items (cameras, dvd player, etc) in my bag just in case DS loses his bag or drops it. What I do is bring a bag small enough to be a carry on, then toss in a smaller bag with the snacks and diapers. The diaper bag goes under the seat of DS-easy to get to.....I use ziplocs to pack the snacks and other small items which makes going through security a bit easier since they can see the stuff, and it wont fall out. We wear easy to take off/put on shoes so I dont have to deal with my sons. No belts, no coats, my jewelry goes into a ziploc in the carry on until we get to the boarding area. I have enough electronics in my carry on that I dont need to be held up with other items. I use the stroller as a luggage cart, and sling the baby through the airport. DS walks (helps to burn off some energy). Now if a connection is tight, DS goes into the stroller! When going through security, strollers need to be folded up and put through the machine. Baby carriers must come off and also go through the machine. Do all that ahead of time while in line. You might want to leave the dvd player home this time given the security issues. Who knows when the rules will change again. I noticed youre from CO so its a long flight for you. When we flew to CO I needed to charge our dvd player in the airport between flights-another bulky item to lug in the carry on. My son has a Leapster game and loves it. He uses that anymore and has the rechargable battery pack. It holds a charge for a long time and its educational.

alison