Wwyd infant travel edition

[hbomdiggity]

H is going on a 2 week business trip in a few weeks.

DS will be 14ish weeks and I will still be on ML. I plan on returning to work when he is 16w so the week or two after.

I don't have any family nearby. Most have come to visit us this summer so they've gotten a chance to meet the little guy. My parents will have been out two weeks prior to H's travel.

Should I fly home? Ticket cost is about $350. It's a 5 hr flight n/s or 7-8 with a stop. Is it worth the money and traveling solo with lap infant to have some help and company for a few days?

If I do go, is there anything I can do to make this easier on myself? I'm sure my mom will go buy a pack n play. What about a car seat? Should I buy a convertible to leave there? (Fwiw DS is 26" at 10w so I'm not sure our keyfit is going to last very long.)

[Cicero]

I've been known to drive 9 hours to my parents when H is out of the country so that I don't have to solo-parent. I did it a lot more before I was working than I do now but it has always been worth it.

[anna7602]

It all depends on whether your family is truly helpful or not and whether you'd rather use ML time to visit them over using limited vacation time later. Visiting my own family is always more work than being with one or both kids by myself.

I curbside checked the bucket seat when I flew to Florida with DS at 8 months. It was NBD. I have never used that seat with a base, so I'm really comfortable installing it with seatbelt only. However, when I flew to Texas a couple of months before that, I borrowed a bucket seat from a friend to reduce the number of things I was traveling with. I flew on to see my in-laws from there and had tem buy a Graco 4ever seat that we can use when we visit them for many more years.

Placing a diapers dot com order to ship to my destination always helps. I send wipes, diapers, and any necessary extras like sunscreen, bibs and beach toys.

[awkwardpenguin]

I would do it. I'd check or gate check the car seat, and get a pack n play on the other end. I'd probably take the direct flight if possible too.

[grosnl19]

I would, traveling at that age is so easy.

[anna7602]

Aug 30, 2015 13:42:53 GMT -5 @this said:

No advice on traveling, but this would be sooooooooo worth it for me. I would pay a lot of money for that.

If your mom is awesome (which I'm sure she is since you're considering this , I'd send her a list of basic stuff to have when you get there (diapers, wipes, burp cloth or two, formula if needed, etc).

Showing my own family's limitations here, but there's no way everything I wanted would be purchased if I gave someone a list vs. ordering it myself online and having it shipped ahead!

[heygrey]

I would go.

I would buy a convertible car seat and a pack n play to leave at their house. when he was older my mom bought a space saver booster for meals and she has bought books and toys for him, she buys diapers and wipes (or I order them to her house from Amazon) so we travel pretty light. I even leave baby soap and other toiletries there.

[longtimenopost]

I would definitely go. Nonstop. Send/buy stuff for there, including diapers!

[dulcemariamar]

Go if you like your family and if they are helpful. It is so easy to travel at this age. The only PITA is diaper changes in the airplane.

[ECB]

For 2 weeks? Yes, I'd go. And I'd go non-stop.

[mcfelix]

I would absolutely go! When DS was 8 months old, DH was gone for a few days on a work trip so I took the opportunity to drive 8 hours with my mom and DS to go visit my grandparents. I am so glad I did. I had company instead of being home by myself, my mom is a huge help, and my extended family was able to meet DS. So worth it.

[Jalapeñomel]

I'd fly my mom to me.

[countthestars]

Yes, non stop.

[VillainV]

If you can afford it, definitely go. Send stuff ahead. It's awesome to have a PNP, bouncer, carseat etc at the grandparents' house. We also have an umbrella stroller there so we don't have to travel with one.

[jewel]

If your family is helpful and visiting will be pleasant, I'd definitely go.

You could curb check the car seat, stroller, and luggage, and wear the baby through the airport. Or you could put the baby in the car seat/stroller and gate check it. Bring a backpack with baby stuff to carry on. Either have your parents purchase all the consumables you'll need (diapers, wipes, etc.) or order them from Amazon and have them shipped there. If your parents can get a pack n play, and maybe a place for the baby to sit, like a bouncer or swing, that'd be great. Actually, if they could get a convertible car seat, you wouldn't have to travel with your car seat either.

[rosebud]

Why wouldn't they just alter their plans, and be out while you're H is gone?

[hbomdiggity]

Aug 30, 2015 16:14:41 GMT -5 rosebud said:

Why wouldn't they just alter their plans, and be out while you're H is gone?

We tried to do this, but my parents really needed to book something before H could schedule his trip. And also, this is my dad's first trip here so we wanted H to be here for at least part of the visit.

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll go ahead with it.

[boiler717]

Definitely go! I hope you have a great time. Do they have grandparent friends to borrow stuff from?