Best Travel Tips and Gear for 4 Month Old
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Anonymous
| We are visiting family in California over Xmas and I will be travelling with my 4 month old for the first time. Could you please recommend your favorite travel gear (e.g. pack and plays, travel strollers, etc.) and any useful tips/hacks for travelling with an infant that age? Thanks in advance! |
Anonymous
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The Guava Lotus is an easy to check pack n play. My kiddos both slept well in it and the side zipper came in handy a few times for each. Baby Bjorn has a better mattress, though. Honestly, do you think you'll go there often? Do the people you are staying with have room to store one? If so, I'd have them buy one or you buy an extra and bring it there to stay. I finally did that with my mom and it was so nice not to have to cart it every time I visit her. (She also now has toddler plates/cups/silverware, a few toys/books and a potty.) You can pick up a great condition, used Guava or Baby Bjorn pretty easily around DC.
We love our Babyzen Yoyo as a travel stroller, but at 4m, your kid will be too small to use it without the pricey 0-6 pack. You'll want to wear the baby on the plane if it's a lap infant (so you have free hands at the airport), but the airline will make you remove the baby from the carrier before you take off, as they aren't FAA approved.  Somehow it's better to have a flying projectile of an infant in case of crash instead of not. My husband always helped me hold the baby extra during landing, in case it was rough.
Plan to nurse at takeoff/landing or use a pacifier at those times. Don't worry--4 months shouldn't be too bad to travel with. The baby won't be mobile yet, so he or she will be content to stay in your arms the whole time. It's 9m to 2 years that is the really tough stretch! |
Anonymous
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An extra set of clothes (or two) for you in the diaper bag…not sure why but babies can poop pretty forcefully on takeoff / landing and you don’t really want to be covered in baby poop the whole way to CA.
The airplane is like the perfect white noise machine, your 4 month old will probably sleep the whole time. If you can get a bassinet (not sure they offer them on domestic flights, but worth asking) you will be golden. |
Anonymous
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We used a regular pack and play at home for some naps and I think it was maybe helpful to be in a familiar space. With the little net bassinet thing to make it higher up.
I agree that a 4 month old should be pretty manageable, not being able to move is so helpful for travel lol. |
Anonymous
PS I maybe wouldn’t bring it on the plane, just get one when you get there. They are everywhere used or just buy one at target. |
Anonymous
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Pack and play for sleep/safe play space. You can check it on the plane or maybe your family can borrow one so you don’t have to lug it with you. Otherwise, we liked the Lullyboo travel bassinet. It folds up into a backpack. We would stash it in the car seat travel bag when checking it through.
Obviously check your car seat with a cover (consider buying a travel only car seat; the Cosco Scenara is $55 and lightweight). I’d recommend getting a travel bag you can wear like a backpack. Makes it easier to deal with at luggage claim. You may or may not need a lightweight stroller. Several times we just wore our baby at four months old, but if you want a stroller, I would bring either a cheap umbrella stroller or invest in one that’s awesome for travel. We have the BabyZen Yo-yo and it’s amazing. I liked wearing my baby in an ergo walking through the airport and during boarding so I could manage luggage, tickets, passports easier. At four months you’ll just need a nursing top or bottles. Buy a refrigerator lunch bag with an ice pack if you will be bringing bottles. TSA may open and test milk going through security. I always just put the freezer bag in its own bucket on the conveyor belt and gave them a heads up it was milk. Make sure you have a change of clothes for the baby and a shirt for yourself in the diaper bag. Plus several gallon size Ziploc bags for dirty clothes, trash etc and some Lysol wipes for the seat back tray, Windows, etc. You won’t really need much other than maybe a couple baby toys for entertainment. If you want to cut down on how much you are bringing, pack yourself a handful of diapers and a small package of wipes and Amazon a box of what you need to where you will be staying. |
Anonymous
| Agree you should see what the CA folks can borrow or rent so you do not have to lug things with you. Ideally you can just get on the plan with baby and car seat (assuming baby will have a seat) |
Anonymous
| Agree with PP on extra diapers and extra clothes whether you're flying or driving. Try to go overnight, if the baby is sleeping overnight, if not, go during the day. |
Anonymous
| Thanks all! These are very helpful suggestions |
Anonymous
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If you don’t have concerns about pets or small kids roaming your destination you can fit something like this in your suitcase easily: https://www.walmart.com/ip/SafeFit-Portable-Travel-Bassinet-Includes-Mattress-Pad-and-Fitted-Sheet-Gray/722188728 - I just used it for my 5 month old.
A cloth carrier like solly is easiest to pack and washes well, possibly removing need for a stroller. (You can tuck head, hands and feet in for sun protection.) Make sure you have diapers, wipes, cloths, etc in a super handy location. Think about if you’ll need stuff like sensitive detergent or baby dish soap and have it shipped. |
Anonymous
| +1 to wearing baby in the airport. I flew with my son at that age and he slept the whole time on both flights (these were shorter flights, though). Have a change of clothes for both you and baby on hand. My kids have all had blow outs in the carrier before! I also like the idea of buying a pack n play used or even renting one when you get there. I’ve rented cribs and strollers on vacation and it’s so nice not lugging all that gear with you. |
Anonymous
| Cloth diaper over a disposable will help safeguard against leaks. |
Anonymous
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Look into renting either a car seat or pack and play at your destination - don't try to bring both, its just too much. You can check one baby item for free outside of your included baggage allowance. I've always used BabyQuip for rentals, they are in most major cities.
Another option would just be to buy a cheap cat seat/Pnp and just have it shipped to your relatives. (You could also have some diapers & wipes shipped there too so you don't have to lug in your bag) Gate check your stroller. Other than that should be a breeze. Little babies are easy to travel with, enjoy it while it lasts 
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Anonymous
+1 If you plan to visit these relatives once per year or more, just buy a convertible or all-in-one carseat so you don't have to rent one or check yours. Then you can use it for years. Same with a cheap pack n play, and you may want to ship a small pack of diapers so it doesn't take up room in the suitcase. This will significantly reduce the amount of stuff you're lugging around the airport, and stuff won't get damaged by the airline. |
Anonymous
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At that age I loved the Lillebaby carrier. I have a 2yo now and still love the Mountain Buggy Nano stroller. On very small planes we still gate-check it sometimes but it can fit in an overhead bin.
I used a Pack n Play at that age and still do. However, if your family is game for it, the easiest thing for family visits with babies/toddlers is having your family stock some supplies. Amazon them some diapers (and baby food if applicable). My parents and in-laws each have a Pack n Play or travel crib, a car seat and a booster feeding chair at their houses. Some grandparents may not want the clutter which I understand, but many are willing to keep baby stuff at their house. |