coping with colic?? 3 1/2week old baby and new mother?

Emily

my daughter is 3 1/2 weeks old. we have had alot of troubles with breast feeding so i put her on formula i have changed her formula 5 times to try and find one that works for her(either because shes colicky on a certain formula or she throws it up) we have to go do a abdominal ultrasound to find out why shes projectile vomting after she eats so in the mean time the pedi. has her enfamil a.r. and she keeps it down but shes been colicky ever since i put her on.
she painfully cries after every feeding for several hours and when she finally dozes of in my arms i go to put her downand she wakes up painfully crying again so shes not getting a whole lot of sleep (and neither am i) i am a new mother and im just wondering what yall did to cope with a colicky baby

i have tried grip water and it seems to work alright and im using the avent 3 system aint colic bottels. and they only way shes content/sleeping with out waking up is either in my arms or in the front backpack holder thing

Answer
I too had a daughter with colic, when she was 2.5 weeks old we found out about Doc Scharenberg he is a local chiropractor who amazingly turns out to live in Wichita, KS (so do we) and has been treating colicky babies for over 30 years.
When our daughter was about 5 weeks old she was completely colic free. I know Wichita is a little far to travel, but he is working on creating educational information for people out of the area so he can train mom's to do the treatment he created. Give him a call and see if he can help you 316-945-0075.
Until you can get in contact with him here is some helpful advice he game my husband and I.
1. NO gas drops. Colic is an underdeveloped valve between the small and large intestine. It allows gas to travel backwards through the digestive system causing tremendous pain for the baby.
2. Use body language to determine if your baby is hungry or in pain. Kicking legs, pulling legs up to chest, pulling hair scratching face are all signs of pain. Flailing arms are hunger. If your baby is throwing up chances are it is over fed.
3. Diet. If you are breastfeeding Doc has a diet that needs to be followed, if contains only non gassy foods. This will help prevent your baby from being in more pain. You can find the diet at http://docscharenberg.com/coliccure.html
4. No swaddling. I know it is against everything you read, but if you do choose to swaddle do it loose. Imagine if you were in pain, would you want someone to wrap you up and prevent you from moving? Chances are no.
5. Use a bouncy seat in place of a bed. Babies with colic will not sleep laying flat on their backs. Make sure you strap them in. If you have enough money there is a Nap Nanny that would work as well.
6. Bounce. Bouncing your baby will help relieve some of the gas pain in their belly.
7. CALL DOC save your baby from the pain.
If you are hesitant at all about the truth behind this Doc has a colic support group on facebook and all the moms can testify to his treatment. www.facebook.com/ColicSupport.

MY BABY NEEDS A BACKPACK >:O?

Ed

My 13 year old daughter is going into 8th grade and needs a strong yet cute kinda indie style back pack. Please keep prices 20-30 range, 40 - 50 if AMAZING QUALITY. She's taking all advanced classes so she's have several text books. CHEERIO.

Answer
This truly depends on what you personally define as "cute," I would calculatedly assume Japanese culture makes "cute" things.... so lets start our search here... CHEERIOS!

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_pg_1?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ajapanese+backpack&keywords=japanese+backpack&ie=UTF8&qid=1374820213

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Anyone travel with 1 year old and a 2 year old alone on a plane? How did you manage? Any tips, ideas?

rcarolyn28

My father is willing to pay a vacation to be with him in his home in the Carribean. It is a 4 hour plane ride and I would have to go alone with my 1 year old son and 2 year old daughter. I can't get an idea how I would do that. My 1 year old does not walk and my 2 year old is too small to just follow along with me perfectly. I would need a carseat for the 1 year old and perhaps put the 2 year old with the child belts on the seat. Or should I carseat both of them? How could I even get the carseat/seats and the babies and a diaper bag onto the plane? Do airports provide any help? Stories and tips from people who have actually done this or who at least have useful ideas. No wise remarks thank you. Will be staying with my dad for nearly a month.

Answer
I'm a former Flight Attendant and I fly a lot with my three kids. I've been making trips alone between Europe and California about twice a year since each was 4 months old.

First of all, is your dad willing to buy a ticket for the little one? If he is, this will make your journey a whole lot easier. Children are not only not safe on laps but it's a really uncomfortable way to fly, especially alone with more than one. Some airlines have bassinets which attach to the wall in front of you but you have to be in certain seats and they are no replacement for safety that a car seat provides.

You can bring two car seats but this might be tricky alone with two children. The car seats are not required on board but never check them as luggage. Can your father get one reliable car seat where he is? Can your youngest still ride in his infant bucket? (if you ever used one!) These are easier to travel with.

One option would be to buy a cheap seat, like a Cosco Scenera, often only $40-50. This will fit either child and keep the original packaging. You can check the seat this way. Never check a car seat in as luggage but this is marginally better and the airlines wont cover them insurance-wise unless they are in this packaging (sometimes they stipulate that it has to be unopened, so check).

Take the other car seat on board. I actually found it easiest to either check my stroller or arrange to borrow one at my destination. I then strapped my car seat to a metal luggage cart and used this as a "stroller". If you have a travel system and your younger one can still ride in the car seat, you can do that.

Also, people successfully use their strollers to cart car seats but it depends on the design of both. Experiment at home with some bungee cords, either attaching it to the back (be wary of tumbling over) or wedging the car seat in the seat section. This can and has worked.

There are also gizmos sold which make the car seat into a backpack. This would allow you to push the stroller, wear the car seat and hang the carry-ons over the handles.

I should add that if you have a double stroller, you can bring it. Yes, the airlines say they like "umbrella" strollers but they accept other types. Bring the stroller you need at your destination and in which your children are comfortable.

So play with the equipment you already have and decide what is the best way to get it the gate.

Some airports do allow someone to accompany you. While the airlines wont provide anyone (all their resources are usually tied up with handicapped passengers), you may be able to bring someone with you to the gate. Try to find out if this is possible out of your airport (not necessarily the airline). If so, consider having them help you get both car seats to the door of the aircraft.

Please note that many airlines have suspended preboarding for families. I've tried simply being near the gate and looking "ready" with my kids and they've taken me. Once, the agents started to walk away with the unaccompanied minors and handicapped passengers when this man, with whom I had not exchanged a *word*, shouted out "Hey, you forgot this mother flying alone with her three small children!" and of course, they had to let us go with them then ;)

Absolutely have a good baby carrier. Both of your children are too big for fiddly front packs like the Bjorn. I had a sling and I could carry my children up to age 3 in it. Very convenient as they wont always sit still in strollers or have the energy to walk long distances. A wrap, pouch, sling, Mei Tai or a front/back carrier is good, like an Ergo or Becco. All of these can carry toddlers. You'll be glad if she falls asleep on landing!

Please don't worry about their ears. It's a myth that they need to suck on take-off and landing. If you are concerned, see your doctor before leaving and make sure their ears are healthy and infection-free. As a Flight Attendant, I rarely saw anyone, children or adults, with ear problems and as a mom, who never did anything, we never had any problems either on our countless flights. The AAP only recommends that children be awake not on landing (which is too late) but at the TOP of descent, about 40 minutes to an hour before.

http://www.aap.org/patiented/flyingbaby.htm

For more information, nine years ago I wrote an article on this subject. It's based on both my personal and professional experience of flying with children. It's totally non-commercial and other parents from around the world have contributed. I go more into details on what to bring, feeding and diapering tips. My contact info is at the end if you have further questions;

http://flyingwithchildren1.blogspot.com

Good luck and trust me, you can manage this! I have with three on even longer flights...

Traveling with my 2 1/2 year old ... (airplane)?

Q. Does he need a car seat??
I'm buying him a seat, but does he need a carseat?.. i'm traveling alone and dragging a him, luggage, diaper bag and a car seat doesn't sound easy! :)

Is there a place to change his diaper on the airplane??

What are the rules with liquid like juice and milk??
are their any rules about snacks?

thanks for any help!

Answer
Will you have a car seat at your destination for him to use? If not, then you should bring his car seat. Car seats can be used on the plane as long as they are approved for air travel. Look at the bottom of the seat, if it is approved for air travel there will be a stamp or sticker saying so. Technically, he does not need the car seat while on the plane, however, it is safer for him to use it. He'll also be more comfortable in it as it is familiar to him.

If you don't want to use the seat on the plane, but will need to use it at your destination you could check the car seat with your luggage. The airline will usually place the seat in a large plastic bag to keep it clean.

Try to curb check your luggage when you get to the airport so you have less to carry. Consider using a backpack as a diaper bag so you can have your hands free. You can also use your stroller in the airport and gate check it right before you board the plane. The stroller will be waiting for you outside the plane when you arrive at your destination.

Changing his diaper on the plane can be a challenge as the bathrooms are small. Some of the larger planes are equipped with handicapped accessible lavatories which are larger and sometimes have fold down changing tables. If possible, try changing him while he's standing (if he's only wet). You'll need to practice this at home before you go, but it will be much easier to have him stand on the toilet in the restroom while you pull off the wet diaper and put on a new one (pull ups are good for this, no tabs to deal with). Poopy diapers will still require him to lay down which will be a challenge. The flight attendants can often recommend the best place to change your child.

You'll want to bring extra diapers, wipes and clothes in the diaper bag/carry on as you never know when your plane may be delayed. Some kids have major 'blowout' diapers when they fly due to the unfamiliar surroundings and noises. You should also carry zip top bags to put the dirty diapers or soiled clothes in as no one wants to smell poo for hours on end.

For rules regarding liquids you should visit the TSA website http://www.tsa.dhs.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm You are allowed to bring milk in larger quantities but you must declare the items to the TSA screener. The website will give you all the info you need.

Most airlines offer apple, orange, cranberry and tomato juices on the air plane as well as some milk. You may want to purchase a bottle of juice after you clear security before you get on the plane as the beverage service usually doesn't start until 30 minutes or so after takeoff.

You can bring snacks from home (a great idea actually). Stick to foods your child is familiar with, don't require refrigeration or re heating and that pack well and come in individual servings. Some good ideas are individual packages/boxes of dry cereal (Cheerios, Fruit Loops, Life, Chex, etc), granola or Nurtigrain bars, string cheese, peanut butter sandwich crackers, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (in disposable plastic containers so they don't get smushed), baby carrots, apple slices, small packages of cookies or crackers, '100 Calorie' packs, M&Ms, and other finger foods.

Foods that are a liquid, gel or paste consistency must be in containers of 3.4oz/100ml or less and must fit into one 1qt zip top bag. This would include items such as applesauce, jello, pudding, yogurt, soup, etc. If you want to take yogurt I suggest GoGurt or Trix yogurt which comes in tubes. Simply snip off the top and suck the yogurt out, no spoon needed.

Make sure you arrive at the airport with plenty of time to check your bags, clear security and find your gate. Take advantage of pre boarding so you can get settled before everyone else begins boarding. If you are taking the car seat you may want to review the owner's manual before your trip to familiarize yourself with how to install it in the air plane seat. (If you can't find the owner's manual, go to the manufacturerâs website and download or request a new one)

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Can anyone recommend good hiking trails in the Phoenix and/or Sedona areas?

baby backpack for 1 year old image

stacy

The trails can be moderate in level, but something that would not require any climbing as we will have a 1 year old in a back-pack.

Answer
HI Stacy,

I've been hiking w/my kids on the AZ trails for a few years. There are so many great mountains here. My fav's in town are Usery Regional Park (Wind Cave Tunnel) that's east valley. South Mountain's Telegraph Pass Trail, and Squaw Peak and Camelback. (more difficult) I have hiked each of these with baby backpacks.
Sedona has TONS of trails to hike. Depends on what yOu're looking for. You should go to REI (or equivalent store) and buy a hiking book/guide. There are some awesome ones out there. Then you will have all the hikes at your fingertips, with pictures & explanations.

Enjoy,
Jessica

Nannying for a 1 year old baby crying uncontrollably?

Barbie

She is turning a year old tomorrow and has all her teeth that she is supposed to. She has eaten, been changed, bathed, completely taken care of and shouldn't be crying but she is, just screaming on and off for no reason. Please tell me what is wrong and how to fix this
Her mom knows that she does this and is at loss as well, this is a new-ish thing I have been nannying for her for about 2 months.

Answer
She might need to be held more. sometimes when the adults try to make a child more "independent" it backfires and makes the child MORE needy. Try a sling or backpack and see if she does better. If that doesn't work the parents might want to take her to the doctor to see if there is a physical cause of her obvious discomfort.

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How do I handle all the baggage and my child when flying alone?

baby backpack for 1 year old image

Amanda R

I am going to be flying non-stop to Colorado from St. Louis in a couple weeks. I will be flying alone with my one year old. I need to take his carseat(checking) and stroller(would like to keep it so I can use it in the airport so I guess it is like a carryon but it will be held at the front of the plane), and a suitcase (will be checking), and a diaperbag that I will be carrying on. My question is how am I going to handle all of this stuff when I pick it up at baggage claim and until I check it through? Will there be people that can help me get my bags or not?
Will they let me check the stroller so I can have it plane side?

Answer
I'm an ex-F/A who flies now alone with my three between Europe and California about every six months since each was about 4 months old. We also take shorter trips a lot.

1. I don't take a purse. I take a small fanny pack or long strapped small bag with my essentials and a backpack. It's a bit bigger than the standard size (I have one just for flying) and fits the onboard limits. With just one child, consider leaving or packing the diaper bag.

2. Attach the carseat to the stroller. Use bungee cords and perhaps try them back-to-back. Another option is to check/leave the stroller and put the carseat on "wheelie" cart. Make sure it's all metal and there is a gadget sold that fits several carseats. http://www.amazon.com/Gogo-Kidz-Travelmate/dp/B000MWZWV8 It's available on other sites too but that's just to show you what it is. I've done fine with an *all metal* cart and extra bungee cords. My old wheelie from my first airline found a second life by carting carseats!

3. Make sure you have a good carrier for your baby. Forget those fiddly Bjorns and use a wrap, sling or pouch. A Mei Tai or something like an Ergo carrier works well too. Carriers should last to at least 2 years. My 3 year old can still go in her sling. Great for calming babies onboard or getting sleeping children off the aircraft. Check out http://www.peppermint.com or http://www.kangarookorner.com for ideas (I don't work for those sites-they actually represent multiple companies).

4. In baggage claim, load the bags, put the carseat on the top along with any hand luggage and the stroller and push it *all* while the baby goes in the carrier. I've managed alone through customs and two other children this way.

For the record, I've never used a skycap. They're not used for international but use one if available. Tip well so that they'll be nice to the next family ;)

What I do with the backpack is that I wrap diapers, extra clothes, etc. and rubber band them to make room. I bring a cloth bag (the kind you buy in grocery stores as an alternative to plastic and paper) and use that onboard for diaper changes, etc. (so I'm not hauling the whole backpack around). I simply put what I need for each trip to the lav.

I have an article on flying with children that I put on a blog to share with other parents. It's totally non-commercial and sort of my own personal Mitvah. Feel free to check out;
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com for more details on carseats, packing, booking and other tips.

Otherwise, have a good trip (and be grateful you don't have to face Customs!)

What kind of double stroller is better?

mamaof2

i have a 3 year old and a 1 year old. i've been looking at double strollers, but i don't know what to get. i really like the sit and stand strollers, but i don"t know if it would be better to have a side by side stroller so that my kids can see each other. any advice?

Answer
Go to a store and try them out. Look at weights and weight-limits. Consider the ages of your kids. My son was 18 months before I decided I needed a double-stroller... until then he rode in an Ergo on me, and then my daughter wanted to ride on my back so he would ride in the stroller and she would walk until tired, then I'd put her in the Ergo on the backpack position. Tiring for me, but she liked it and would jabber nonstop in my ear since I was so close I could hear every little word from her.

When my son turned 2 and I found out I was pregnant that was it. Need a double-stroller. I tried them out and found that I liked the Baby Trend "Navigator" double stroller, but the cost ($200+) was a lot. Oddly enough I found one at a secondhand store a few months later, $100. What I didn't check was the weight of the stroller... I really didn't think this one through enough. I love the cushioning in it for them, love the design, but it doesn't go through doorways, weighs 40+lbs (note, the light-weight double-strollers weigh only 10lbs less...) on it's own (add in my daughter at 31lbs and my son at 28lbs and you're pushing 100lbs!), and because of the weight it's holding the bar in the middle looks like it will eventually sag and give way. :( The problem with side-by-sides (I'm learning by experience here) is that the instructions say that the kids need to be of close to equal weight too, or else you'll have problems. Not an issue with my small daughter and average son, they're pretty close in weight even though there's a 2 year difference, but your kids may have a greater difference. Once they're seated, they're not going to be looking at one another anyway.

Honestly if I was to do it again I'd look at something more like this. It runs $400-500 though, but you can put a seat in the lower-position as well as a running-board (so you can have it be a stand-alone for your toddler as she gets older, or she can climb into a lower seat.) But to me it looks far more maneuverable as far as what your options are and when your 3 year old is ready to walk all the time you can leave the second seat at home. I'm not sure what I'll have to do with Monstro when I'm down to one rider.

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Do I have to use an approved car/booster seat on Alaska Airlines?

baby backpack for 1 year old image

lachburke

I am booked on a flight on Alaska Airlines next year with my 1.5 year old. He is flying on a full fare adult ticket not a discounted infant fare (usually 1/2 price). Both our tickets are points tickets (Perth through to Vancouver on Qantas then Alaska AL). Qantas does not require a booster seat for children in their own seat, even if they are under 2 (ie. infants) so I was not planning on bringing a car seat as I am travelling alone and will have enough to carry as it is. I read on the Alaska AL website that "children travelling on 50% infant ticket seats must use a booster/car seat approved for car and air travel". I'm wondering, given that my son will be travelling on a full fare adult ticket whether he needs the booster seat? What will they do if I don't have one, not let us on the flight? Or, shall I just lie and say he's 2 - or just board the flight with him in his own seat w/out booster and they will assume is is two and not longer an infant and therefore no booster required.

Answer
My 6-year-old has now flown on 242 flights and my 2-year-old on 40 flights. Mostly on Alaska Airlines so I have a bit of experience with this.

As a lap baby (unpaid), you definitely don't need a car seat. Some airlines like Northwest are real pricks about not allowing you to use one even on a flight with lots of empty seats. Whereas Alaska is one of the most baby-friendly airlines we've used and will let you use an empty seat for a car seat even though you paid nothing. I'll reserve a window-aisle combo (leaving an empty middle seat) towards the back of the plane to increase the chance of getting a free empty seat. IF someone does buy the seat between, they ALWAYS want to get out from between mother-child or mother-father passing a baby back and forth.

Without a carseat, you will need to have them in your lap for take-off and landing. They might want you to pick them up during possible turbulance as well. What you propose is no different than the unpaid lap baby who has an empty seat next to them. I can't imagine the flight attendents caring except during take-off and landing and then, (despite the physics involved), Mom's arms suffice. (or a car seat)

But I would reconsider your plan. Again, I've done this A LOT, and we try hard to BRING the car seat, not leave it or check it. Of course the car seat is safest in a crash, but Quantas has never had a crash and Alaska only loses planes about once every 20 years. More importantly, a child can sleep in a car seat much easier because it is sloped and their head is suported on both sides. And your arms will get TIRED of holding him for 18 hours of flight time. And if he gets into a total screaming, kicking fit about being overtired, jet-lagged, etc, you can strap him and pop in a pacificer. For some kids, being secured down helps at times. Sure, it is one more thing to schlepp through the airport, but you could always use a rental cart for $3 or call for one of those electric carts the old folks use. At 1.5 years old, I'd bring a Baby Bjorn front carrier so you can have him on your chest and leave your two hands free. One for the car seat and one to present tickets, passports, etc.

For your carry-on, use a backpack/rucksack. Baby in front, backpack behind, car seat on one arm, one hand free. I've gone through many airports and countries that way. So has my wife. Yeah, it is easier with two adults, but doable as one.

Try hard to save nursing or a bottle for climb-out and, less so, descent. The swallowing helps clear his ear pressure.

Theoretically, they can ask to see a US FAA approval sticker for airplane use on the carseat (they all have it), but any nation's approval ought to fly. And Alaska doesn't check all that often.

You'll need a car seat to drive with him in Alaska until he is 4 years or 40 pounds. And while airplanes rarely hit moose, cars and taxis do.

How should I handle my son's grandmother who insists on coddling my 8 1/2 year old boy?

Jillian

So my son is 8 1/2. His dad and I have been split up for 4 years and I have recently gotten full custody of him. His dad lost visitation for a while but has been gaining that back since November. He (the dad) now lives back with his parents while he gets back on his feet but by him living there- his mom (the grandma) is also there, spending just as much time with our son as the dad does.

She does anything and everything that she can for my son. She will ask him what he wants for dinner and then no matter what he says, she will make sure that's what they cook or order. It doesn't matter if its Chicken and a hamburger and fish, they will make it all. If my son brings his backpack and toys over there, she will carry his toys for him-- my rule is not to bring anything you can't carry.

The arranged days that my son goes over there are Wed overnight and one weekend day overnight and then he goes skiing with them on Thursdays. So he is now spending quite a bit of time with them.

Every time my son comes home, I feel like his manners are just gone. He doesn't clean up after himself. He doesn't say please or thank you. He holds things out or holds his hand out if he wants or doesn't want something... doesn't use his words just tries to hand it off.

His dad has asked grandma to stop coddling our son and let him be more independent but she does what she wants. It is driving me crazy! And my son gets in trouble when he comes home if he isn't using good manners and being respectful...

What can I do!?!

I know I need to talk to her but is that enough!? She hasn't cared or stopped yet in these 8+ years :(

Answer
Talk to his grandmother and talk to your son. Make sure he knows what is acceptable behavior and what you expect of him. For example my little brother, who is also around you son's age, has a friend who is spoiled rotten. Like in me and my brother the age gap between him and his older siblings is about ten years, so he is seen as the baby thus spoiled rotten. When he first started going over there I thought that my brother might pick up on his habits and expect things to just be handed to him, for instance one time my brother told his friend that he was saving up his allowance that he gets for doing small chores around the house, to buy a Lego set well his little friend told him that he shouldn't have to do that, that he should just continue to ask for it until he got it and it's stuff like that he is always telling my brother the things that he should and shouldn't have to do, but we talked to brother and he now understands that things aren't just handed to you, you have to work for them. For instance right now we have a deal going on with my brother, if he can get a 4.0 for this school year we'll buy him a new Lego set, which he is working hard for trying to raise his current grade of a 3.6. So like I said just talk to him before and after he spends time with his grandmother, so he knows how what it is you want from him and talk to your son's father too, make sure you guys are on the same page.

Oh and to that one person I dont see how she is ruining her son's life, a lot of kids grow up with divorced parents and are perfectly fine. All kids really need to while growing up is to feel safe and loved which I'm sure is how her son feels.

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How do I handle all the baggage and my child when flying alone?

baby backpack for 1 year old image

Amanda R

I am going to be flying non-stop to Colorado from St. Louis in a couple weeks. I will be flying alone with my one year old. I need to take his carseat(checking) and stroller(would like to keep it so I can use it in the airport so I guess it is like a carryon but it will be held at the front of the plane), and a suitcase (will be checking), and a diaperbag that I will be carrying on. My question is how am I going to handle all of this stuff when I pick it up at baggage claim and until I check it through? Will there be people that can help me get my bags or not?
Will they let me check the stroller so I can have it plane side?

Answer
I'm an ex-F/A who flies now alone with my three between Europe and California about every six months since each was about 4 months old. We also take shorter trips a lot.

1. I don't take a purse. I take a small fanny pack or long strapped small bag with my essentials and a backpack. It's a bit bigger than the standard size (I have one just for flying) and fits the onboard limits. With just one child, consider leaving or packing the diaper bag.

2. Attach the carseat to the stroller. Use bungee cords and perhaps try them back-to-back. Another option is to check/leave the stroller and put the carseat on "wheelie" cart. Make sure it's all metal and there is a gadget sold that fits several carseats. http://www.amazon.com/Gogo-Kidz-Travelmate/dp/B000MWZWV8 It's available on other sites too but that's just to show you what it is. I've done fine with an *all metal* cart and extra bungee cords. My old wheelie from my first airline found a second life by carting carseats!

3. Make sure you have a good carrier for your baby. Forget those fiddly Bjorns and use a wrap, sling or pouch. A Mei Tai or something like an Ergo carrier works well too. Carriers should last to at least 2 years. My 3 year old can still go in her sling. Great for calming babies onboard or getting sleeping children off the aircraft. Check out http://www.peppermint.com or http://www.kangarookorner.com for ideas (I don't work for those sites-they actually represent multiple companies).

4. In baggage claim, load the bags, put the carseat on the top along with any hand luggage and the stroller and push it *all* while the baby goes in the carrier. I've managed alone through customs and two other children this way.

For the record, I've never used a skycap. They're not used for international but use one if available. Tip well so that they'll be nice to the next family ;)

What I do with the backpack is that I wrap diapers, extra clothes, etc. and rubber band them to make room. I bring a cloth bag (the kind you buy in grocery stores as an alternative to plastic and paper) and use that onboard for diaper changes, etc. (so I'm not hauling the whole backpack around). I simply put what I need for each trip to the lav.

I have an article on flying with children that I put on a blog to share with other parents. It's totally non-commercial and sort of my own personal Mitvah. Feel free to check out;
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com for more details on carseats, packing, booking and other tips.

Otherwise, have a good trip (and be grateful you don't have to face Customs!)

What kind of double stroller is better?

mamaof2

i have a 3 year old and a 1 year old. i've been looking at double strollers, but i don't know what to get. i really like the sit and stand strollers, but i don"t know if it would be better to have a side by side stroller so that my kids can see each other. any advice?

Answer
Go to a store and try them out. Look at weights and weight-limits. Consider the ages of your kids. My son was 18 months before I decided I needed a double-stroller... until then he rode in an Ergo on me, and then my daughter wanted to ride on my back so he would ride in the stroller and she would walk until tired, then I'd put her in the Ergo on the backpack position. Tiring for me, but she liked it and would jabber nonstop in my ear since I was so close I could hear every little word from her.

When my son turned 2 and I found out I was pregnant that was it. Need a double-stroller. I tried them out and found that I liked the Baby Trend "Navigator" double stroller, but the cost ($200+) was a lot. Oddly enough I found one at a secondhand store a few months later, $100. What I didn't check was the weight of the stroller... I really didn't think this one through enough. I love the cushioning in it for them, love the design, but it doesn't go through doorways, weighs 40+lbs (note, the light-weight double-strollers weigh only 10lbs less...) on it's own (add in my daughter at 31lbs and my son at 28lbs and you're pushing 100lbs!), and because of the weight it's holding the bar in the middle looks like it will eventually sag and give way. :( The problem with side-by-sides (I'm learning by experience here) is that the instructions say that the kids need to be of close to equal weight too, or else you'll have problems. Not an issue with my small daughter and average son, they're pretty close in weight even though there's a 2 year difference, but your kids may have a greater difference. Once they're seated, they're not going to be looking at one another anyway.

Honestly if I was to do it again I'd look at something more like this. It runs $400-500 though, but you can put a seat in the lower-position as well as a running-board (so you can have it be a stand-alone for your toddler as she gets older, or she can climb into a lower seat.) But to me it looks far more maneuverable as far as what your options are and when your 3 year old is ready to walk all the time you can leave the second seat at home. I'm not sure what I'll have to do with Monstro when I'm down to one rider.

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