Travel Questions « Hellobee Boards

DH is encouraging me to go visit our friends in FL with LO. I am in desperate need of some sun and the ocean, and our friends are dying to meet C. It has been a long 3 months with everything with my mom... and traveling is therapeutic in many ways for me. Anyways, I'm planning a trip for next month. I'm a frequent flyer/traveler, but this will be my first time traveling with an infant. I'll also be by myself! Some questions...

Should I bother packing the car seat base for when we get down there, or should I just learn how to install it in the car with the seat belt straps (which is an option with the B-Safe seat)?

LO will almost be 5 months old. Is sunscreen a definite no no? I'm planning on buying him a long sleeved rash guard and hat, but I wonder about his hands and feet

This is probably a really stupid question, but is it OK to introduce him to a pool? He loves the bath, and I bet he'd love for me to take him in the pool... but are the chemicals safe for his skin at that age?

Any other suggestions about a beach getaway with a 5 month old? Or travel suggestions in general?

looch
wonderful pear / 26210 posts

Oct 30, 2013

You deserve this trip!

I would def. learn how to install the seat with the seat belt. You Tube has a Britax channel, so you can check there to see how to do it and practice, practice, practice!

Buy a white rash guard, I made the mistake of getting a dark colored one and my poor guy was sweating! I really like the ones from One Step Ahead, they're almost like tee shirts, but rash guards...not that normal weird rash guard material.

As for the age, i'd check with your ped about the pool chemicals and sunscreen. I brought my son to a swim class when he was 6 months. I think as long as he's not drinking the water you're okay, and rinse him well afterwards.
Chastenet
kiwi / 614 posts

Oct 30, 2013

* I would not bother with the car seat base- it's just added weight for you to lug around. Usually they aren't too hard to install with the seatbelt.

*I don't know about sunscreen, I think they usually say 6mo is the minimum. Perhaps you could get a cheap beach umbrella while there so your LO is shaded?

*Pool: I don't think that's a problem. Maybe don't have him in there for hours, but I would think if you give him a bath afterwards it's fine.

*Other travel tips for travelling alone: I plan ahead where everything will be and go through all the actions in my head (how will I get LO through security, where will I put her while I fold down the stroller, how will I get my stroller into the gate check bag and board the plane alone...), by walking through all those difficult moments ahead of time I was prepared and didn't need to think about the logistics of handling LO and all my stuff and getting wherever I needed to go when the time came. Definitely take a breastfeeding pillow for your LO to lay on on your lap in the plane. And make sure you pee before you board because afterwards you're kind of stuck.
looch
wonderful pear / 26210 posts

Oct 30, 2013

Oh, my other travel alone tip is to get a small crossbody bag and wear it the entire flight. Put your valuables in there, so you aren't separated from them.
Adira
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts

Oct 30, 2013

As far as sunscreen and the pool, my pediatrician gave me the okay to use sunscreen and have baby go in a pool at 4 months, so I think you should be fine! It's definitely better to use sunscreen than let your baby burn in the sun!
mediagirl
hostess / wonderful persimmon / 25556 posts

Oct 30, 2013

Don't take the base. Just strap it into the car with the seatbelt - it is SO Easy! We had the same seat.

Just get a long sleeve outfit for him and put him in that, no sunscreen. Also, don't forget a hat or three.

We took our almost 3 month old into the pool, she didn't care either way if she was in the pool or not. It was for us, not her. Her first "swimming" experience. We just rinsed her off afterwards.

Now the big thing - if you're flying - do you have a wrap or the ergo? TAKE IT. It saved me on all of the flights we took. I love that thing so much.
wheres_c
pomelo / 5789 posts

Oct 30, 2013

Don't take the base!
I would use California baby sunblock....we did starting at 5 mo in FL with LO.
We also started swim lessons at 5 months.

The hardest part of solo travel is all the stuff. A baby carrier is a must! Have someone meet you as close as they can get..
wheres_c
pomelo / 5789 posts

Oct 30, 2013

Oh and when you get to the airport, tell them you're traveling alone and ask them to block the empty seat next to you. carry the car seat onto the plane! Then LO can sit happily in the car seat and you can have a whole seat to yourself, get up and pee, etc.
Foodnerd81
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts

Oct 30, 2013

C will be the same age for her first plane ride. Come back and tell us how it all goes!
Pepper
pomelo / 5820 posts

Oct 30, 2013

Thanks for the tips! Glad I can leave the base at home.

@looch: Good call on the YouTube channel, thanks!

@Chastenet: I didn't even think about peeing! No drinking for me before the flight, haha.

@mediagirl: I have an Ergo and a Beco. Will definitely be using one of those in the airport. Hoping that will make things run a bit smoother.

@wheres_c: I have CA baby sunblock from when I was pregnant. I'll bring that again this time.
PinkElephant
grapefruit / 4584 posts

Oct 30, 2013

Don't worry about using the bathroom - very easy to do while wearing a carrier. Just try it at home first and maybe choose a bottom that is easy to pull down or lift up. I've done numerous flights of 15 hrs+ alone with LO, so no holding it til you get off the plane in that case! You'll do just fine. 3 months is a great age for travel ...once they're mobile, it gets a little trickier

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