Originally Posted By Mrs ElderP D-Day (Departure Day) for our trip is coming, so I thought I'd bounce some ideas off of you guys. Plus I need to get my thoughts, and my list, organized. Trip details Passengers: Me, ElderP and YoungerP (7 months old) Car: Kia Sportage, a small SUV Agenda: July 17th-19th, Disneyland, whoo hoo! 19th-23rd Leisurely Drive to Denver, Co through National Parks 24th-29th Family Reunion in Denver 30th-31st Get home to Crestline, CA Speedy Quick All nights will be in a hotel, no camping on this trip (Two different HoJos, two different super8s, one independent Motel, and an Extended Stay in Denver) List: *Clothes for all 3 of us + laundry soap and trash bags for laundry since we'll be gone for about 2 weeks *A few toiletries, (razor, hair detangler, et al) but not many, because we'll have free shampoo, soap, and lotion all trip. *Disneyland Ears, LP buttons, and Meet Souvenirs for the Backside of Water Meet *Laptop and assorted cords, iPod, cell phones, cell phone chargers, camera, extra camera batteries *Ziploc bags, because they always come in handy! And then comes the bulk of it, the baby stuff!! *diapers (70ish?) and wipes *Formula, bottles, dish soap, and bottle brush, also baby food, spoons, and bowls (disposable?) *Bumpo(?) He can't quite sit on his own, and this is his eating chair at home. But he can almost sit in his own. Should we just support him in the standard restaurant high chairs? *Stroller, Our Jeep stroller is bulky, but we love it! *Snugglie, this may come in handy for carrying him around. *sleep tent (?) This is super compact and he occasionally sleeps in it, so it's a known. But the hotels should (?) all have cribs available right? *The music box from his crib mobile and the stuffed animal he sleeps with. One more note, like most, our budget is tight, so I would like to bring from home what I normally buy in bulk (like diapers) and avoid buying more expensive “convenience†packages on the road. I’ll start another thread in a bit for good ideas for what to put in the road trip food cooler. So, what do you think of my list? Have you traveled with an infant before? Regardless of my list, what is indispensible for you on a road trip?
Originally Posted By LVBelle I probably wouldn't bring the Bumbo, I'd just use the restraunt high chair and use some jackets or something to help support him in it! I wish I could still put Jake in a Bumbo! He didn't use his much because it didn't take him long to figure out how to break out of it!
Originally Posted By LVBelle Oh, and we bring the playpen for him to sleep in. I never wanted to use hotel cribs because I was always unsure if they are safe. So many get recalled and you can never be sure that the hotels keep up with that. But I might just be paranoid that way!
Originally Posted By DVC_dad 70 diapers should be plenty. I would add daiper rash creme of some kind, I have used THEM ALL, and I prefer A&D Ointment, not creamy but the old school kind. I would add sun screen of some kind, preferable is Nutrogena Fresh Cooling Body Mist 30 spf. Cover the baby's face with a washcloth and give a light misting if you are going to be in direct sunlight with him/her you know like a pool or whatever. Its a broad spectrum sunblock and is non-comdogenic. I like to take BOTH Tylenol Infant Drops AND Infant Motrin drops so that if your baby were to get a fever of some kind, we can alternate these two every 3 hours until we can get him to a doc if that is needed. I actually take my own pack-n-play / baby bed everywhere. I just can't get over wondering if the one at the no tell motel is clean. At the VERY LEAST I take my own pac-n-play crib sheet. Bumpo(?) These are AWESOME!!! However you are aware of the extremely large number of babies that have fallen out of these I am sure. If you don't have the white plastic try that is a retro fit to the Bumpo it is a MUST. I got mine here... <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=bumpo+tray&x=21&y=18" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb...=21&y=18</a> My little one fell out before we got the tray and thank GOD he wasn't on the counter. I would take the Bumpo, the hotel high chair is going to be a pain. I commend you on the Sugglie. We have tried them all and this brand is the BEST hands down. Another thing you may want to bring is some of this, we use it for out little ones if they get that bothersome bug bite. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Benadryl-Itch-Stop-Maximum-Strength/dp/B000RCLX98/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1215912177&sr=8-1" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Benadryl...7&sr=8-1</a> It works , and I mean really works! I think your list is pretty complete. You may want to take a big bulk pack of wipes. Good luck and have a GREAT TIME!!!
Originally Posted By DVC_dad <<<I'd just use the restraunt high chair and use some jackets or something to help support him in it!>>> LVBelle this is a really good idea. The reason I don't like hotel or any public high chair is becuase they are usually nasty as all get out. But if you cover it, and add support with some of your own stuff, that is actually a great idea.
Originally Posted By X-san Advice from experience, have plenty of cleaning materials (towels, wet tissues, changes of clothes for baby AND adults, at least shirts), preferably in the passenger compartment somewhere easy to reach. I won't elaborate on WHY, but just trust me.
Originally Posted By Mrs ElderP >>diaper rash creme of some kind --Of course, Maybe I would have eventually remembered this, maybe not, but now for sure it's added to the list! >>I would add sun screen of some kind Check, we do have banana boat 50 spf mist, but I havn't figured out a really good way to put it on. I'll certainly try your washcloth on the face trick! >>I like to take BOTH Tylenol Infant Drops AND Infant Motrin drops Check and check, I've got the tylenol already in the house, but I'll add the motrin and the Benadryl Itch Stop Gel, to the "what is left to get" list. DVC Dad and LV Belle, you've sealed it, we'll take our own bed. As for the Bumpo, I do have the tray, but I havn't pulled it out yet. I've seen the YouTube videos of kids getting out of the bumpo too, so if the bumpo is on the counter I'm right in front of him . The jury is still out on whether or not to bring it, hmmm... we may wait to see how much room is in the car. >>I think your list is pretty complete. Thanks!! >>You may want to take a big bulk pack of wipes. No kidding, two Cosco 88ct packs (I'm sure you know the ones) are going in the car.) And X, lol! Good luck and have a GREAT TIME!!!
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains If you have the time - I would look for one of these type of travel chairs Chicco Hook-On Travel Seat Graco Travel Lite Table Chair- Tango in the Tango Eddie Bauer® Hook-On Highchair Regalo Portable Booster & Activity Chair Some are table hook-ons and the last attaches to a chair. I have 4 kids and they all liked this type better than the restaurant type. We even used it at home for our last child... They are portable and fairly easy to use. Also I would check into the disposible bottle liners - if you can find a nipple close to the one he already uses - It would be easier that having to worry about scrubbing out bottles... One more thing - I would put a few toys in different containers so you can rotate them -
Originally Posted By momofbuzzfan Road trips with little ones are so much fun.... Have you tried one of those mesh bags with a plastic handle that you can put a piece of fruit in? They chew/suck on it, but can only get juice or really small bits through the holes in the bag. They can be messy, but (as a last resort) can help drive that extra half hour when baby is fussy. Do you have a DVD player in the car? At 7 months my kids loved the Baby Einstein DVD's...and that would be just one more helpful distraction on a long stretch of road... Have a wonderful trip!
Originally Posted By sarahwithbaloo Another advocte for tking your own pack'n'play ours went everywhere. I think your covered.
Originally Posted By LVBelle A couple of other things I thought of- When packing clothes for Disneyland, I use a baggie for each day. Each baggie gets 2 pairs of shorts and 2 shirts. I make sure that they all go together so they can be mixed and matched as needed. Each day just grab a bag, take out one outfit then put in diapers and wipes for the day and stick in your stroller basket! Also, when YoungerP is older and mobile you'll want to pack some child safety things like outlet covers. It gives you one less thing to worry about as they explore a new room!
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains One more thing - I would say some carmex or something like that - it is good for his lips - seems like we always get chapped lips in DL
Originally Posted By Mrs ElderP good tip LVbelle and yes gottaluv, the saftey checks are comming soon!
Originally Posted By staceypooh We traveled across country with an 18 month old and I would reccommend you bring a roll of toilet paper or the travel toilet paper packs that charmin makes. Not all public restrooms are created equal. Also bring along a beach towel and keep it handy in case you need it to cover something for diaper changes or to soak up any spills. There were times I had to change our son on the floor of a restroom because the car was full and there was no changing table at a place we stopped. Do you have a rain stroller cover? If not, buy one. They are about $15 and they are sold at Babies R Us. This is a lifesaver if you get stuck outside in the rain. We live in Florida, and it does rain here much more frequently than the west coast, but you never know when you might get stuck out in the rain. A wet stroller is no fun.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost It's been a long time but if memory serves me correctly you can leave the kitchen sink at home and absolutely everything else that you own should go with you. For such little creatures, they have many needs. It sure seemed that way to me for a long, long time.
Originally Posted By beamerdog This reminds me of the time we drove down to WDW and pulled up to the hotel. They actually laughed at us when they saw how much we had packed in the car! Glad we're not the only ones, lol. Sounds like you have all the bases covered. Have a fabulous time
