Travel with 4mo - what to take and tips

hi girls,

In 2 weeks we'll be travelling to the inlaws interstate. Leaving at 9am, stop over in melb, then landing at 1.3pm with an hour car trip to destination.

we've organised a loan of a car, car seat and portacot.

But i'm unsure whether to take the pram or just use the hugabub the entire time (we are long walk fanatics but i've never done a long -i'm talking 8km+ - walk with the hugabub due to heat here at home, which won't be an issue where we're going). Any thoughts? i really like my hugabub but usually only use it for shops, lunches etc There's a chance PIL can buy a 2nd hand pram.

I'm getting mil to buy some disposables for the week (we usually use cloth) but am unsure whether I shouuld throw in a couple of MCNs for nights? do you really think it would be worth it?

Also was thinking of trying to pack 1 to 2 sets of sheets and take a blanket carry on with us for the borrowed cot. Do you think this is necessary? would he really know if he was using his own sheets or not?

As i understand it we can carry on one bag each for mum and dad and a bag for baby. And check in a pram/car seat etc as well as a suitcase for each paying customer. Is this right? We are flying a mix of virgin and jetstar. Any tips if we do take the pram?

I know to feed him during take off... but on landing too? would a dummy do the trick too as he's a pretty fussy sucker when we are out and about????

Oh and one more thing, we are going to the land of the cold! (tassie). i haven't ever dressed a baby for cooler weather - would tights, singlet, a long-sleeved suit and socks be enough the day in 9 to 20C weather?

I'm really dreading the trip as bub doesn't not do well in the arvos particularly if he's missed a sleep... and the big wide world is sooo interesting that who wants to sleep when you aren't at home???!!! So any advice or tips would be wonderful. I'm planning on having a very sedate/boring day at PIL's place the day after we arrive but are only there a week so should be pretty busy.

I traveled with N when she was 4mo and it was lovely :)
Here's what I'd do:
1. Pram - get PIL to organise one. They might be able to borrow one from a friend or as you say, get a cheap 2nd hand one. Depending on where you're walking (8km+) you may not be able to take a pram anyway?
2. Use sposies. Particularly if your PIL don't know how to wash cloth nappies - they may insist on washing them and do it wrong! Save luggage space and just use the sposies.
3. I'd take a blanket on the plane (lovely, particularly if it's chilly when you get off it - you can wrap him up) but don't worry about the sheets. He won't care as long as he's warm.
4. You'll get 20kg luggage allowance for him. I know Jetstar let you take a big baby item (might even be 2?) for free, but I'm not sure if Virgin allow this as well, or if it counts towards the 20kg.
5. If he's interested in a feed on take-off, fab. He might feed to sleep and sleep the whole way! Sucking a dummy will have the same effect. It is just to open up the little tubes and help his ears to equalise. If he finds a dummy more comforting than the boob while you are out and about then that is fine! Go with what's more comfy for you and him, then have a lovely feed in private once you've landed.
6. Clothes - that sounds fine to me. Remember he will likely be being held all day and therefore be warmed by the body heat of whoever's holding him. Have a jacket and extra pants in case it gets REALLY cold while you're out and about. Layers are the key! Also, you could keep the blanket with you in the car in case you want to just wrap him for if you are only outside briefly between stops.
7. The hardest part - try to relax and enjoy it. LOL! I am the same and dread travelling with kids (so far have only done it with one at a time) but it always ends up being much easier than I feared.
Have fun!

CHECK THE AIRLINE WEBSITES to see what they actually allow in the way of baby stuff!!!

I travelled recently with DD and Qantas had just changed their allowances for luggage - we couldn't take pram and car seat, it was one or the other. Fortunately we checked or we would have been stuffed.

I'd agree with most of what Snacks said above! We travelled with DD when she was 5mths and again recently at 12mths and the 5mth trip was soooo much easier! She fed on take off and landing, I got her to sleep on the way up and back, it was just tonnes easier.

One other thing you could do is ring the airlines and request a seat with a bassinet, if they have them on the types of planes you'll be on. They attach to the bulkhead on the plane, which means you get a seat with more leg room too, and it gives you somewhere to put bubs if bubs feels like going to sleep.

Are you still swaddling your DS? If so, that'll help with keeping warmer. If not, I'd throw in some extra layers just in case - I'm in Melbourne and it does get quite chilly, esp at night and Tassie is notorious for being a bit colder than us. Layers on the chest are good - so an extra short sleeve, no leg body suit, or even a long sleeve, no leg body suit.

Good luck - you'll be fine!

i'd be hitting up PIL for a pram/stroller otherwise bringing my own. virgin let you bring the big items without hassle (i had issues with Qantas though...).

also a blanket is a good idea for on the plane as it can get chilly and is great for when you get off and it is cold...also good for the stop over and he wants tummy time.

for the cooler weather, bring a beanie! and socks! and i would also probably bring a jacket of sorts to cut out wind chill (especially if you aren't using a pram and can't have him wrapped in blankies).

feed on take off and landing was our best bet for DD too.

have a great trip! travelling with kids is always made out to be horrendous, but i have loved all our family holidays!

oh i just knew i'd get the help i needed.
thanks girls.

I'll talk to mil about that pram, ditch the sheets and mcns and try to not worry so much! lol.

at least we have friends with kids there so if we get really stuck can borrow stuff... and apparently they have shops down there too!

:)

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... and apparently they have shops down there too!

:)

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No way, are you serious??? Its Tassie!!! :p :lol:

No offence intended to any Taswegians, simply having a stir of grub... I actually really want to come and see Tassie one day! I've heard its beautiful!

Enjoy, grub!

Hi , We travelled to Melb from Syd when our son was exactly 4 mnths old. it was relatively carefree, with the only extra being that I shared my seat with bub in my lap (and babies have to wear seatbelts) and we checked in the pram to take.... and carried a nappy bag.

Do you think this is necessary? would he really know if he was using his own sheets or not? Not necessary, we used MIL sheets and our son slept great....
As i understand it we can carry on one bag each for mum and dad and a bag for baby. And check in a pram/car seat etc as well as a suitcase for each paying customer. Is this right? We are flying a mix of virgin and jetstar. Any tips if we do take the pram? Take it definately, You need to be able to have your hands free if you have a coffee or eat, the slings etc arent convienient all the time....
I know to feed him during take off... but on landing too? would a dummy do the trick too as he's a pretty fussy sucker when we are out and about???? He will probably sleep the entire trip, Once you bf him on takeoff , Chances are he wont wake up til you land anyway. Dont stress. At this age it is very easy to travel short distances.... without much drama. ;)
Oh and one more thing, we are going to the land of the cold! (tassie). i haven't ever dressed a baby for cooler weather - would tights, singlet, a long-sleeved suit and socks be enough the day in 9 to 20C weather? YES and take a baby blanket with you just to make sure. In 9C he would need a jacket as well and a blanket ( maybe a beanie)
other tips would be :
Make sure if your used to a baby monitor that you take it (I was forever checking on our son, never got a chance to relax to even watch tv lol)

Make sure you pack extra clothes for bub, its amazing sometimes how many times I change our boy a day.... :)

Go to the toilet before you get on the plane, once your son is strapped in and feeding you wont want to move the whole trip... be prepared....

Most of all enjoy your first holiday interstate and take lots of photos (dont forget the chargers)

If you have friends with kids where you are going get the in-laws to borrow stuff of them.Just ask them to name their stuff for return.

Get disposables for while you are away cause if its cold and wet, wet cloth nappies can be hard to dry.

Have a wonderful time and don't forget to take snacks for yourself if not flying Qantas.