I have been a big proponent of babywearing as a way to make traveling easier. Recent changes in TSA policy have thrown a wrench in my travel style.
You can no longer wear a baby in a sling through security. Sigh. Here's the TSA fact sheet. And a quote (emphasis mine):
"All child-related equipment that will fit through the X-ray machine must go through the X-ray machine. Examples include: strollers, umbrella-strollers, baby carriers, car and booster seats, backpacks, and baby slings."
New routine
1. Show ID and boarding pass to TSA gatekeeper.
2. Approach screening area. Take a bin.
3. Remove laptop from carry on bag and place in bin. *Nothing can be placed atop the laptop in the bin. I can use only 1 bin because I carry a mini-laptop.
4. Remove clear 1 quart zip top bag from carry on bag and place in bin.
5. Remove (slip on) shoes and place in bin. *Baby shoes must also be removed!
6. Remove baby. If he can stand, stand him up between you and the belt. If not, you might want to have an extra bin handy to contain the baby - do not put the bin through the x ray!
7. Remove sling and put it in your carry on bag, in another bin, or on the belt - consideration is whether or not straps and buckles might become caught in the belt.
8. Walk through metal detector carrying baby - or have baby walk in front of you. I made Q walk on principle.
9. Wait for your stuff to pass through the x ray.
10. Return baby to a safe spot while you retrieve and don your sling.
11. Return baby to sling.
12. Replace your shoes.
13. Replace laptop and 1 quart zip top bag into your carry on bag.
14. Proceed with your day.
TSA website specifies that you may not ask TSA personnel to assist with your baby. In my experience, kind male officers offered to help which I politely declined.
Not making traveling easier for families.
In SLC the other day, I declined to remove Q and experienced the new enhanced pat-down search. If you are wondering how that was, let me tell you that following the pat-down I am fairly certain not to have breast cancer.
Showing posts with label babywearing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label babywearing. Show all posts
Friday, November 12, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
New (to me) back wrap
Q is getting heavy for one-shouldered carries, so I have been experimenting.
I learned from a youtube video!
Click here to view these pictures larger
I learned from a youtube video!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Baby transportation, continued
People ask me sometimes...
So why not use a car seat carrier or car seat that snaps into a stroller?
The answer is simple. I like to choose the path of minimal effort and cost.
With Z we didn't even have one of those infant car seats because we didn't want to pay for something that she might outgrow in a few months. Turned out that she was tiny and could have easily stayed in one for quite a long time, but we didn't mind. It was still one less thing to buy. Those carriers are heavy and awkward to tote around. We drive a small car, and I don't want to fill up the trunk space with a stroller. When we left the hospital with Z, the staff were fretty about our lack of a bucket. They insisted that we must bring the carrier into the hospital and buckle her into it to carry her out. Not possible, so one of the staff accompanied us to the car to witness Z being buckled into the seat.
Now, we have an infant car seat that we inherited from someone else, and it stays in the car.
Recently we traveled by air and planned to rent a car at our destination. That entailed bringing car seats for both kids along with our luggage. Important - car seats don't count against your luggage allowance. We did it without using a cart at the airport. Here's how - drive to the airport. Put Z in the front seat so that her car seat can be taken out and put into a bag (easier to carry and protects it a bit) while I am putting Q on my back in the Ergo. Then his seat goes into a bag. J carries Z's seat and one piece of luggage, a big duffel. I slide the handles of the bag with Q's seat over the handle of a rolling suitcase and roll them together. I hold Z's hand and have the diaper bag over my shoulder. We have never brought a stroller when traveling as a family - it would just be one more thing to carry.
You might be wondering, what carriers did you bring on your vacation? For this most recent trip, three: Maya Wrap ring sling, Maya Tie, and Ergo. Balance of comfort and utility.
See my earlier post about traveling with kids and the comments for more tips.
So why not use a car seat carrier or car seat that snaps into a stroller?
The answer is simple. I like to choose the path of minimal effort and cost.
With Z we didn't even have one of those infant car seats because we didn't want to pay for something that she might outgrow in a few months. Turned out that she was tiny and could have easily stayed in one for quite a long time, but we didn't mind. It was still one less thing to buy. Those carriers are heavy and awkward to tote around. We drive a small car, and I don't want to fill up the trunk space with a stroller. When we left the hospital with Z, the staff were fretty about our lack of a bucket. They insisted that we must bring the carrier into the hospital and buckle her into it to carry her out. Not possible, so one of the staff accompanied us to the car to witness Z being buckled into the seat.
Now, we have an infant car seat that we inherited from someone else, and it stays in the car.
Recently we traveled by air and planned to rent a car at our destination. That entailed bringing car seats for both kids along with our luggage. Important - car seats don't count against your luggage allowance. We did it without using a cart at the airport. Here's how - drive to the airport. Put Z in the front seat so that her car seat can be taken out and put into a bag (easier to carry and protects it a bit) while I am putting Q on my back in the Ergo. Then his seat goes into a bag. J carries Z's seat and one piece of luggage, a big duffel. I slide the handles of the bag with Q's seat over the handle of a rolling suitcase and roll them together. I hold Z's hand and have the diaper bag over my shoulder. We have never brought a stroller when traveling as a family - it would just be one more thing to carry.
You might be wondering, what carriers did you bring on your vacation? For this most recent trip, three: Maya Wrap ring sling, Maya Tie, and Ergo. Balance of comfort and utility.
See my earlier post about traveling with kids and the comments for more tips.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Babywearing -- everybody's doing it (?)
Another article from the NYT has overcome my inability to blog. This time, it's about babywearing. And in the Fashion section. Who knew?
Many people ask my about babywearing, and I have helped a lot of moms and a few dads learn to wear their babies. The most frequent question is "Which carrier should I get?" To which I must reply, "Different tools for different jobs, my friend. In our house we have several."
Which do I like and why, here goes:
1. A ring sling, such as a Maya Wrap (get the lightly padded, it is much better than the original), is really useful for: brand new babies in a vertical position against your chest, bigger babies in a sitting position, breastfeeding in the sling with or without using the tail as a cover,and strapping babies into shopping carts or restaurant high chairs with broken buckles (all of them). This is not an exhaustive list. J carried Z in a ring sling until she was well over 2. It's great for the up-down stage, doesn't take up a lot of space in a bag, and is a good value for the money. Not good for carrying baby through the airport because of the metal rings. You will have to take baby out to go through security. A ring sling will always be in my stable of carriers.
2. A soft structured carrier, such as the Ergo. I really like this for putting babies old enough to have head control on either the front or the back. It has a pocket that zips, and I find it pretty comfortable. Breastfeeding is possible (with baby in front), and this is how I managed to deal with Z's tendency to switch nurse, especially when shopping. This is currently my choice for hikes up to about 3 miles. Great for travel and you do not need to remove baby to pass through security at the airport. The downside? J hates it. "I know how a backpack should fit, and that feels terrible." I recently ordered a Beco which is a similar carrier with a higher back because Q has a tendency to try and arch his way out of the Ergo. Will update once I know how I feel about it.*updated April 2012 - loved, loved, loved the Beco for Q. J never liked it. Recently acquired a Boba brand soft structured carrier, and for the first time ever both J and I can agree on a carrier. SSC are still my go to devices for a nearly 3 year old*
3. One or more wraps. For newborns, stretchy wraps such as a Moby are great. Tie them on once and pop the baby in and out all day. Some people can successfully nurse in them (I never got the hang of it). Good value, and pretty easy to learn. For bigger babies, I like a woven wrap as well. We have tried several including Didymos (our first sling!), Ellaroo, Merry Carry (made by Bebina), and Gypsy Mama Bali Baby Breeze. Woven wraps have a little more of a learning curve, but they are very supportive and comfortable. We reach for the Ellaroo in the summer and the Didy in the winter. J never uses the Merry Carry because it is red.
4. We now have two mei-tais. One was made by my mom, and the other is commercial from the Maya Wrap people. It is called the Maya Tie. This category shares many nice features of the woven wraps and soft structured carriers. Wear on the front or the back, slightly easier to learn than a wrap, and less bulky to tote around. This is J's favorite for keeping Q calm during the day and the place where Q sleeps the most (on J's back).
5. I do have a pouch sling. It is a Lucky Baby brand, and it lives in the car as an emergency backup. Not comfortable enough for me to reach for it often, but doesn't take up much space, and I am glad to have the backup.
Do it yourself-ers can have many field days with baby carriers - some great patterns are available free from the amazing Jan at SleepingBaby.net.
Never pay full price!! There is an active used market for most baby carriers, and you can find them often on Ebay, Craigslist, and on the TheBabyWearer.com, a website dedicated to babywearing. Look in the Forums (you have to register), and for the For Sale or Trade (FSOT) thread.
Do we have a stroller? Yes. Does it see much use? No. Strollers have their place. I put Z in one once when I needed to try on pants. That's hard to do effectively when wearing a baby. Lots of other things are much easier though - grocery shopping, public transit, carrying bags through the airport, cooking dinner...you get the picture. J tends to put small kids in the stroller when they are sleeping and he needs to do yardwork, gardening, or work on the car. Be sure to park them in the shade!
Many people think that it is hard to learn to wear your baby, and it does take practice, but help is available from other parents, from websites like TheBabyWearer.com, and there are even lots of demo videos on YouTube. I just finally learned to wrap a baby on my back in my Didymos yesterday after watching a couple of YouTube videos!
You may notice that I didn't mention Bjorns...we do have one but don't use it. Not very comfortable, they are spendy, and you can't breastfeed in it. Fails my tests.
In summary, different strokes for different folks, and choose the right tool for the job.
Let the questions and comments begin.
Many people ask my about babywearing, and I have helped a lot of moms and a few dads learn to wear their babies. The most frequent question is "Which carrier should I get?" To which I must reply, "Different tools for different jobs, my friend. In our house we have several."
Which do I like and why, here goes:
1. A ring sling, such as a Maya Wrap (get the lightly padded, it is much better than the original), is really useful for: brand new babies in a vertical position against your chest, bigger babies in a sitting position, breastfeeding in the sling with or without using the tail as a cover,and strapping babies into shopping carts or restaurant high chairs with broken buckles (all of them). This is not an exhaustive list. J carried Z in a ring sling until she was well over 2. It's great for the up-down stage, doesn't take up a lot of space in a bag, and is a good value for the money. Not good for carrying baby through the airport because of the metal rings. You will have to take baby out to go through security. A ring sling will always be in my stable of carriers.
2. A soft structured carrier, such as the Ergo. I really like this for putting babies old enough to have head control on either the front or the back. It has a pocket that zips, and I find it pretty comfortable. Breastfeeding is possible (with baby in front), and this is how I managed to deal with Z's tendency to switch nurse, especially when shopping. This is currently my choice for hikes up to about 3 miles. Great for travel and you do not need to remove baby to pass through security at the airport. The downside? J hates it. "I know how a backpack should fit, and that feels terrible." I recently ordered a Beco which is a similar carrier with a higher back because Q has a tendency to try and arch his way out of the Ergo. Will update once I know how I feel about it.*updated April 2012 - loved, loved, loved the Beco for Q. J never liked it. Recently acquired a Boba brand soft structured carrier, and for the first time ever both J and I can agree on a carrier. SSC are still my go to devices for a nearly 3 year old*
3. One or more wraps. For newborns, stretchy wraps such as a Moby are great. Tie them on once and pop the baby in and out all day. Some people can successfully nurse in them (I never got the hang of it). Good value, and pretty easy to learn. For bigger babies, I like a woven wrap as well. We have tried several including Didymos (our first sling!), Ellaroo, Merry Carry (made by Bebina), and Gypsy Mama Bali Baby Breeze. Woven wraps have a little more of a learning curve, but they are very supportive and comfortable. We reach for the Ellaroo in the summer and the Didy in the winter. J never uses the Merry Carry because it is red.
4. We now have two mei-tais. One was made by my mom, and the other is commercial from the Maya Wrap people. It is called the Maya Tie. This category shares many nice features of the woven wraps and soft structured carriers. Wear on the front or the back, slightly easier to learn than a wrap, and less bulky to tote around. This is J's favorite for keeping Q calm during the day and the place where Q sleeps the most (on J's back).
5. I do have a pouch sling. It is a Lucky Baby brand, and it lives in the car as an emergency backup. Not comfortable enough for me to reach for it often, but doesn't take up much space, and I am glad to have the backup.
Do it yourself-ers can have many field days with baby carriers - some great patterns are available free from the amazing Jan at SleepingBaby.net.
Never pay full price!! There is an active used market for most baby carriers, and you can find them often on Ebay, Craigslist, and on the TheBabyWearer.com, a website dedicated to babywearing. Look in the Forums (you have to register), and for the For Sale or Trade (FSOT) thread.
Do we have a stroller? Yes. Does it see much use? No. Strollers have their place. I put Z in one once when I needed to try on pants. That's hard to do effectively when wearing a baby. Lots of other things are much easier though - grocery shopping, public transit, carrying bags through the airport, cooking dinner...you get the picture. J tends to put small kids in the stroller when they are sleeping and he needs to do yardwork, gardening, or work on the car. Be sure to park them in the shade!
Many people think that it is hard to learn to wear your baby, and it does take practice, but help is available from other parents, from websites like TheBabyWearer.com, and there are even lots of demo videos on YouTube. I just finally learned to wrap a baby on my back in my Didymos yesterday after watching a couple of YouTube videos!
You may notice that I didn't mention Bjorns...we do have one but don't use it. Not very comfortable, they are spendy, and you can't breastfeed in it. Fails my tests.
In summary, different strokes for different folks, and choose the right tool for the job.
Let the questions and comments begin.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Travel Tips
This grew out of a comment thread on Facebook. Given time, I am sure that I will think of more.
Travel tips:
1) Wear a skirt - it makes taking care of your own toilet needs while wearing a baby in a sling much much easier
2) If on a plane and you can possibly do it, skip the carseat in the plane for the older child, it just puts them within kicking reach of the seat in front, prevents them from using their tray table, very hard to fasten in because the buckle is inevitably on the far side (and how will you do it while monitoring older child and wearing baby in sling?)
3) If you buckle an older child in the carseat in the plane, take their shoes off -it makes kicking the seat in front much less appealing;
4) Wear the baby through security in a metal-free sling - you don't have to take the baby off if there is no metal. ** Edited in November 2010 -- new TSA regulations prohibit wearing a baby through the metal detector in a sling. Baby and sling must be removed **
5) Overalls have enough metal to require extra screening, very cute, but what a hassle for a little one.
6) Nurse nurse nurse those children to keep them happy and quiet on the plane.
7) Airplane magazine and Sky Mall catalog = hours of amusement "find a dog" "find something green" followed by tearing said magazine to shreds
8) Wear your child as long as possible to get through the parking lot and airport. I would wear Z well-past age 2 on my back in an Ergo or MT, basically gave it up when too pregnant. Now with an infant in a sling, I hold Z's hand.
9) Test out your carry-on and sling combo at home while fully packed to make sure that you can do it. For example, Ergo + backpack doesn't work too well. Can you real deal with only a ring sling if you get stranded in an airport for 24 extra hours?
10) Pack 1.5 to 2 times as many diapers as you think you need and extra clothes for all in your carry-on. BTW - diaper bag doesn't count against your carry-on allowance.
11) If traveling with a companion adult, the male should have the job of diaper changing on the plane. He can fold down the changing table, change the baby and then take care of his own needs without moving the baby. Much harder for mom. Usually only one of the airplane lavatories has a changing table, except for Frontier Airlines that has them in all lavatories.
12) If you bring a sippy cup onto the plane, the attendants will fill it for you. No need to pour from one cup to another. Keep in mind that orange juice clogs the sippy cup. Cranberry juice cocktails stain. Apple is the correct choice. How dismayed I was the last time we flew Delta and learned that apple juice had been discontinued! Perhaps it will have returned the next time we fly.
13) If your child doesn't drink everything from the sippy cup, you should drink it before attempting to put the cup away unless you are very confident about the spill-proof nature of the cup. Frankly I take the cheap 'take and toss' variety with us so that I am not sad if it accidentally remains in some seat back pocket. Those are not very spill proof.
14) Wear slip on shoes! Makes the security line much easier. Also, you do have to take off baby's shoes.
15) If you are wearing a cardigan or jacket, they will make you remove it for security screening, even if it is under your babywearing device. My tip - take off the cardigan/jacket before you are in line or wear it over your babywearing device. **Edited in November 2010 to add that on my most recent flight I didn't have to take off my cardigan, but I did have to remove the babywearing device and baby**
My cred: flew with Z on 48 planes before she turned 2; have flown with a 3 year old and 8 week old alone
Travel tips:
1) Wear a skirt - it makes taking care of your own toilet needs while wearing a baby in a sling much much easier
2) If on a plane and you can possibly do it, skip the carseat in the plane for the older child, it just puts them within kicking reach of the seat in front, prevents them from using their tray table, very hard to fasten in because the buckle is inevitably on the far side (and how will you do it while monitoring older child and wearing baby in sling?)
3) If you buckle an older child in the carseat in the plane, take their shoes off -it makes kicking the seat in front much less appealing;
4) Wear the baby through security in a metal-free sling - you don't have to take the baby off if there is no metal. ** Edited in November 2010 -- new TSA regulations prohibit wearing a baby through the metal detector in a sling. Baby and sling must be removed **
5) Overalls have enough metal to require extra screening, very cute, but what a hassle for a little one.
6) Nurse nurse nurse those children to keep them happy and quiet on the plane.
7) Airplane magazine and Sky Mall catalog = hours of amusement "find a dog" "find something green" followed by tearing said magazine to shreds
8) Wear your child as long as possible to get through the parking lot and airport. I would wear Z well-past age 2 on my back in an Ergo or MT, basically gave it up when too pregnant. Now with an infant in a sling, I hold Z's hand.
9) Test out your carry-on and sling combo at home while fully packed to make sure that you can do it. For example, Ergo + backpack doesn't work too well. Can you real deal with only a ring sling if you get stranded in an airport for 24 extra hours?
10) Pack 1.5 to 2 times as many diapers as you think you need and extra clothes for all in your carry-on. BTW - diaper bag doesn't count against your carry-on allowance.
11) If traveling with a companion adult, the male should have the job of diaper changing on the plane. He can fold down the changing table, change the baby and then take care of his own needs without moving the baby. Much harder for mom. Usually only one of the airplane lavatories has a changing table, except for Frontier Airlines that has them in all lavatories.
12) If you bring a sippy cup onto the plane, the attendants will fill it for you. No need to pour from one cup to another. Keep in mind that orange juice clogs the sippy cup. Cranberry juice cocktails stain. Apple is the correct choice. How dismayed I was the last time we flew Delta and learned that apple juice had been discontinued! Perhaps it will have returned the next time we fly.
13) If your child doesn't drink everything from the sippy cup, you should drink it before attempting to put the cup away unless you are very confident about the spill-proof nature of the cup. Frankly I take the cheap 'take and toss' variety with us so that I am not sad if it accidentally remains in some seat back pocket. Those are not very spill proof.
14) Wear slip on shoes! Makes the security line much easier. Also, you do have to take off baby's shoes.
15) If you are wearing a cardigan or jacket, they will make you remove it for security screening, even if it is under your babywearing device. My tip - take off the cardigan/jacket before you are in line or wear it over your babywearing device. **Edited in November 2010 to add that on my most recent flight I didn't have to take off my cardigan, but I did have to remove the babywearing device and baby**
My cred: flew with Z on 48 planes before she turned 2; have flown with a 3 year old and 8 week old alone
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