The Suburban Dad

Children under 2 fly free. But seriously, I wish we had the extra seat.

Children under 2 fly free for most flights out (except international flights).  It's nice not to pay for the extra seat. But seriously, it'd be so much easier to have the extra seat.

On our first flight with our then 2 month old son, another mom, who was traveling by herself, had her 6 month old in an infant car seat on a seat next to hers.  I asked her, "how is it with the extra seat?"  She gleefully replied, "I wouldn't fly any other way."  It is extra work to carry another piece of equipment through an airport terminal on top of the stroller.  But to have the comfort of having your infant/toddler have their own space is almost a luxury.

It's easier when your infant is a log.  But when they get a little bigger and start to move and fidget on your lap in an already cramped economy class seat, it can be a struggle.  From trying not to bother other passengers, to trying to get them to nap, to just being able to nap yourself, to keeping them secure during turbulence/take-off/landings - just makes airplane rides a bit more complicated.  For us, the economic savings of not having to pay, has trumped over all of these challenges.  Doesn't stop of us from wishing every time we've been on a plane so far. 

We compare it to him sitting in his car seat during car rides.  He just falls asleep by himself.  We  just wonder if it would be the same on an airplane.  I guess we won't have to wait much longer since our son turns 2 in 7 months.  I'll probably sing a different tune then - "Oh don't you wish you still didn't have to pay for him."

How many of you have paid the extra seat for your infant/toddler to get the comfort while flying? I'm just curious.

Travelling with a baby: Lessons Learned

For our son, he's been on 4 trips to Toronto, 1 Trip to LA, 1 Trip to Dallas, 1 Trip to the Philippines, and a weekend in Victoria in his very first year of life.  The way we travel with him has certainly evolved as he got older from being a log to a very active toddler.

Some lessons we've learned with traveling with a baby:

• Bring a change of clothes for baby and for yourself on the flight.  On our recent flight from Toronto, there was turbulence when the plane was descending to land.  Our son got motion sickness and threw up all over my wife.  It seemed that he threw up everything he ate that day.  My wife had to change into whatever extra piece of clothing we had namely my undershirt and wind breaker.  Thank you to very helpful flight attendants on Air Canada.
• Pack less for yourself to make room for all the baby gear you need.  Airlines have lowered baggage allowances over the years along with what you can and cannot bring for your baby (especially if you do not purchase a seat for them).  Our general rule is if we have access to laundry only bring clothes for half the number of days for your trip.  Only bring the essentials for everyone.  Maybe just 1 or 2 toys and books for your baby.
• Request for a playpen at your hotel or ask relatives/friends to borrow one for you at your destination.  Amazingly, most hotels have playpens you can borrow.  One less thing bulky thing to bring.  Gives your baby a nice place to sleep.
• Bring the lightest stroller possible or a carrier.  Maneuvering through airports and/or city streets could be challenging depending on where you are going.  On a recent trip to the Philippines, the stroller was rendered almost useless since most sidewalks do not have ramps.  After a few days, we quit using the stroller and just used our Ergo Baby Carrier.
• Bring a portable high chair. There are many different kinds of portable high-chairs in the market place.  It helps a lot when you're out a restaurant and you can securely keep your little toddler in their place.  Makes for a more stress-free meal. 
• Always have Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption  and Health Travel Insurance coverage.   This most especially important when traveling outside the country.  You never know if one of you will get sick or worse your baby gets sick during a trip.  Saves a lot of money if an emergency or health issue occurs for a little money upfront.  Along with any type of insurance, you hope to never have to use it.

N.B.  Only if you can afford it - get the extra seat for your toddler even if they are still under 2 years old.  I only suggest this if you are traveling alone without your spouse.  Our son who is 14 months old now, does not stay put like most toddlers his age.  You can bring FAA certified car seats in the plane with you.  Our son is generally content in his car seat and requires less entertaining. 

Happy Travelling!

Diaper Change Dilemna: No Changing Tables Here

Last spring, we were on a flight from Portland to San Francisco on United Airlines.  My son was 8 months old and needed a diaper change.  Much to my surprise, this particular plane had no changing table.  I asked the flight attendant, is there one in the front of the place.  She just said, "This plane has no changing tables."  Didn't even offer any possible help.  What do I do?? 

I just went at the very back in galley and changed my son on the floor as the other flight attendants just sat there and watched.  On top of the one of the lousiest leg rooms ever for an economy cabin, they also decided changing tables aren't necessary on a fairly large plane. The least they could've done was tell us from the beginning. 

Many restaurants also don't have changing tables for babies, which is almost understandable.  I've just resorted to the floor in public places to change my son's diaper - as unhygienic as that may sound. But where else are you going to do it?  The trusty changing pad always saves the day.

Disney Cruises Coming to Vancouver!

Disney Cruises announced today that they'll be calling Vancouver home for their Alaska cruises.  We've heard so much about how great Disney cruises are that this is a cheaper way to experience it than going to the Caribbean.  Although that would be nice too since they own a whole island just for you to play in.

Captain Mickey we man see you soon!  Meeshka Moushka Mickey Mouse!

The Art of Changing Your Baby's Diaper While You're Out and About

1. Do not bring your entire diaper bag.

The first time I ever changed my son's diaper at a restaurant I made the mistake of bringing our entire diaper bag.  As I laid my son down on the changing table in the smallest washroom ever, i found myself struggling to keep my son's filthy poo-laden butt in the air while I try to rummage through the bag.

2. Just bring the essentials.

Changing pad, baby wipes, diaper.  This is all you need my fellow dads.  You probably get assigned to change your kids diaper while you're wife goes shopping (ahem, window shopping) in the mall.

Tuck the clean diaper and baby wipes inside the changing pad. A simple but effective 'diaper kit' that you pull out of your bag just like Macgvyer pulls out his own Swiss Army Knife to save the world.

3. When there is no changing table in the men's washroom...

Try your hardest to get your wife to change your kid's diaper.  Ask nicely.

or

Bite the bullet and just change your baby's diaper on any clear floor space.

Seriously, this happens more often than you think. On a United Airlines flight from Portland to San Francisco, the plane had no changing table.  I did a double take and there was none in the washroom at the back of the plane.  I asked the flight attendant to make sure if there was one at the front of the plane, and she just bluntly said to me 'no there isn't'.  Didn't even to offer to help.  What's a dad to do!?  So i changed him on the floor at the back of the plane while the flight attendants 'on duty' sat on their lazy arses offering no assistance.