Hawaii with newborn and toddler

[Anonymous]

I have a toddler and one on the way. My dilemna is this- I have a family wedding to go to this summer in Hawaii (it's my brother's) and would really love to go along with my husband and 2 kids. The newborn will be about 12 weeks old at the time and my toddler will be 2. Am I nuts for doing this? My parents will be on the same flight as us so they can help while on the plane and at the resort. Any tips from anyone who's done this trip before with young kids around this age?

[Anonymous]

Not nuts. I've gone three times with babies/toddlers, once with no other adult. Which island? Big island?

[Anonymous]

Will the plane trip have it's challenges. Yes but it's your brother's wedding so you will regret forever if you don't go so I would take the "should I go or shouldn't I" off the table and focus on your plan for success. Awesome that you have family going on the plane, they can help you when you get stressed. The baby won't be an issue at all. I have flown with babies that little and they are sleeping all the time-biggest pain is changing the diaper but it takes a minute so not that big a deal either. The toddler..ah that is the challenge. First I would do the "buy some new things" game and slowly give them to him/her. I am not sure how old your toddler is but perhaps they can sit still with one of the portable dvds..and then get some video that are new and with "characters" that he/she is familiar with. Of course special snacks that work for you and lottttttttttttttttts of breast milk or formula. I went with flying to Houston and then on to Hawaii..it gives you a few hours in the air and then you can work out any problems when you land in Houston and then off you go. Bring your stroller to the gate so when you get to Hawaii, it's right there. Make a big deal that you will have a plane change when you check in as most likely you will so you don't want stroller lost. I find that when I make a big deal, the flight folks are better.
Try to get a row of seats so your family is all together and it gives you more room. Yes..suck it up and buy seats for everyone..you will be happier later and I would do this even for the infant. Depending on where you are staying..you can ask ahead for the room to be childproofed.ex. the Four Seasons will childproof everything and has various amenities for a room that has kids in it. I know this is not the only Hotel chain that does this esp. in a place that markets to families. Have a great time. Hawaii is amazing!!

[Anonymous]

Are you doing a direct flight out of Newark? If so, that could be very very very difficult for the toddler to be confined for such a long long long period of time.

It might be pricey and longer, but consider a stop at LAX or San Fran to at least get out of the airplane for change of scenery and leg stretching.

What's your toddler's temperment like? You might have to be patient with the time difference and nap time, meal time, activity time, etc. and how will he/she adjusts.

As you've read on this forum before, pack lots of toys (new toys to entice interest), "special" snacks, hype up the idea of how interesting the plane ride/airport etc. will be.

As for the newborn - babies are portable and travel easier than a toddler. Most 12 week babies aren't really on a rigid sleep schedule so I wouldn't worry about the time difference or how mundane an airplane can be after an X hour flight.

Will you be nursing/pumping/formula? Just have a set game plan for keeping yourself and the baby comfortable during the elevation changes and the duration of the flight.

Since your parents will fly with you it should be easier. Good luck. It is possible, we did and survived (2.5 year old and 6 month old).

Aloha!