Join Jessica Dear, mother of three and worldwide traveler for a Q&A session just in time for holiday travel. Wondering how to navigate a flight with small children? Curious about the perks of staying in a hotel or condo with children? Ready to take your family on an adventure and need tips from someone who has done it before? Jessica has traveled around the world with her family, staying in everything from hostels to 5-star hotels! She is here to answer all questions about navigating travel on planes, trains and boats to cities around the world with kids of all ages.
Planning a trip for late summmer. Thinking Europe but possibly Canada. We will have an almost 4 year old. Any fav spots you'd rec'd? He's traveled a good bit here in the states and is a champ on the plane though a longer flight (furthest he's gone in Denver) intimidated me a bit. And the time change! Tips and suggestions apprecriated!
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Jessica D.
Europe in general is great with kids. There are parks everywhere. Restaurants offer kids menu (one that I would even ask for myself), small toilets and/family rooms, among other cool things (depending on the city). |
Hi! My son is about to outgrow his infant car seat so we just ordered a convertible car seat. It was always very easy to fly with the infant car seat and install it on flights. What are your tips for flying with a baby under 1 who needs a convertible car seat. Thank you.
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Jessica D.
Hi Sarah. I have always had the little ones under 2 on my lap. I've never payed for an extra seat to install a car seat. I can totally see this as being easier, since you're free to stand, eat, and use both hands, however it's pretty rare to see, especially on short-haul flights. In fact, in Europe, I've never seen it and maybe only once in all the times I've flown over the past few years. Some airlines in Europe like Lufthansa, give a special seat belt for the little one, which is attached to the parent's. |
Welcome mom and world traveler, Jessica Dear! Jessica has traveled extensively with her children and is here to answer all of your questions about the best family accommodations, family-friendly destinations, international family travel, and more. Get some expert advice and ease that holiday travel stress!
Hi Jessica. Any tips for packing light with two kids??? I would also love to know if there are particular suitcases that are good for family travel - not too heavy, easy to maneuver. Thanks!
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Jessica D.
Hi Eva. You have to be wise on choosing the clothes you're going to be using during your trip. For example, for my boys, I like to buy the pants that can turn into shorts. That way, If there's a formal event or we go for a hike, I can easily add the lower piece of the pants and voila! They have pants. But if it's a hot day or we're stopping at a lake, we can just as well use them as shorts. |
Hello Jessica,
My daughter is 7 months old and we haven't traveled with her yet, at all. A few "plane" trips await us in the near future, and I hope I'm thinking through everything. But you never know :) Three questions that come to mind:
1. I'll be traveling with my 7 month old to the beach soon. Any tips on must haves, besides bug spray and sunblock?
2. In February we will be traveling to South America, where they are 3 hours ahead of us. We will be there for 2 weeks. Tips on managing time change? Should we try and keep her on US time?
3. Any tips for extremely long flights - 8-10 hours? She will be 9/10 months by then.
Thanks for your help!
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Jessica D.
I enjoyed your "extremely long flights" question.. It seems that for us, 8 hours in the air is almost "easy" for us. (In August I was in Mexico with my three kids -- flying from Marseille, to Guadalajara, Mexico: 3 connections and about 19 total hours of travel.) My oldest son was born when we were living in China, so that first flight back to the US was about 13 hours and he was 3 months old! |
Good morning, Jessica! My husband and I will be flying cross country with our 3-month old next week and staying with my inlaws for 5 nights. It is our first flight and longest time away from home. Is there any gear that you'd recommend we get for the flight? How about items that you recommend we bring from home (as opposed to borrowing or buying after we arrive)? Thank you!
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Jessica D.
As I mentioned in another answer, we did a 13 hour flight from Shanghai to the US with our then 3-month old. He nearly slept the entire time, so we were lucky. Takeoff and landing will be the worst part -- if you can keep him or her happy during that time, you'll be home free. Highly recommended that you bring a car seat/carrier (not for inside the airplane, but in checked luggage,) on the plane, a 3 month old will rest happily on your lap. Bring extra blankets and perhaps a pillow so he or she can be in a more stable position (in case you doze off as well!) Essentially bring standard baby gear on the plane: diapers (more than you think you need,) two extra sets of clothes, wipes, etc. Other than that, you're all set, 5 days with a 3 month old seems a little scary, but it's really a piece of cake, especially since Grandma is probably waiting at the other end of the flight to help out! As I said in another answer, you'll be stressed on the flight, but it's only because of the anxiety of a ticking time bomb of a potentially crying baby! You'll be fine, baby will be fine. Have a great trip! |
Hello and thank you in advance for your help! My husband and I will be driving home to Minnesota (from Milwaukee - about a 5.5 hour drive) tomorrow. The last time we made this trip, our daughter was less than 1 month, and now she is 6.5 months. What can we expect on the drive? Will she sleep, need to be entertained, etc.?
Also, we will be staying with my parents in Minnesota once we arrive. She will be sleeping in a pack and play (usually sleeps in a crib) in a guest bedroom. Planning to bring her white noise, keep same bed time routine, etc. How much can we expect the new environment and sleeping conditions to throw things off? Any advice on easing this transition both at the start and end of the trip?
Thank you so much!
- Kristin Clark
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Jessica D.
Our daughter was about that age when we traveled from New York City to Mexico -- by car! It was surprisingly easy for the most part, however here are a few strategies that can help: |
Hi Jessica,
So my baby is a year now and we haven't traveled with her further than 45 minutes away from home. I know that sounds crazy, but my husband hates to travel and gets really bad travel anxiety. I used to be the one to plan all our getaways, but now that we have baby I find myself terrified to try and of course whenever I get the courage bring it up with hubby he makes it sound like hell on earth and so I have just given up. How do I break this cycle? Are we doomed to remain vacationless forever?
Help!
-Mom desperately in need of a break
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Jessica D.
I wouldn't give up on the possibility of traveling. You can gain so much from traveling. I would make an extra effort to find places that are child friendly and at the same time, appealing to your husband. |
we are soon taking a 7 hour flight with our 3 month old. we did get the bassine seat. anything special to clean/sanitize the bassinet? also any suggestions for where/how to change diaper on plane? thanks!
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Jessica D.
Hi Inbal. The bassinet seat experiences I've had, have been very positive. They've always been clean and ready upon arrival. I have always taken a baby sleeping sack. If you do the same, make sure it's not too big, since the bassinet has a seat belt. You can also just use your baby's blanket. If you still feel like you need to clean the bassinet, I would take some desinfective wipes. |
I saw your comment on another post about ipad games and shows. Any recommendations for specific ones to entertain a 4 year old on long car/plane trips? Preferably things that they can do independently at that age!
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Jessica D.
These are the ones that keep our kids busy: |
Thank you, Jessica for all of your wonderful advice and tips for our parents!
We wish everyone safe, happy and stress-free travels this holiday season!
Hi Jessica!
I need to be in Boulder, CO for two weeks in February for work and plan to bring my son who will be 11 months (I'm still EBF). I currently live in Boston so there will be a time difference. I will also be fairly busy with work commitments (from 8am until 8pm). Any advice on how to pull this off? I have parents who are willing to come help as well as my nanny. I'm thinking I will do an airbnb. Also, if I have my nanny come, do you have any idea how payment should work?
Thanks!
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Jessica D.
Hi Susan. I don't see a big issue with time difference. Both of you will be in sync if you're flexible. By that I mean, going to sleep when it's Boulder's time to sleep, and not Boston's.. |
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Susan Thank you, Jessica! This was super helpful as I just booked all my details for my trip to Boulder! Also even though I've been breastfeeding I've definitely been pumping and producing bottles for my nanny since day 1. So I love your idea of bringing frozen milk in case I don't have time to produce bottles. I feel confident that I'll be having a well planned trip now. Thanks again! |