As I packed for Maine last month--for what was roughly Eddie's 11th trip, I began thinking of all that has changed--no traveling with the breast pump and those 'singles' of formula for the 'just in case' scenarios. Still lots of stuff to tote, but much more of it is optional and for our conveinance rather than necessity. Now that we've finished packing for the oddessy that will be Alaska (we leave Sat.), I marvel at how much more relaxed we've become and confident in our abilities to entertain Eddie--which is why you see two oversized toys poking out of my backpack--clipped by something that the designers at Kelty never likely envisioned their backpack would be used for--it's not one of those diaper backpacks, but a regular backpack that we've found works great on our trips, pulling double duty.
Tomorrow (Sat.), we will be traveling for 16 hours before finally arriving in Sitka, Alaska. First we were going to pack last weekend, then it was by this Wednesday. Then Thursday. Then Fri. by around 2:30, then 5:30 and we finally finished at 9pm. It took only an hour to put it all in the bags, but putting that first item in took some warming up to. Now the real photo will be all the bags AFTER we return. I'm a little nervous about my ability to repack exactly as we packed for fear something won't fit exactly. Now I do have 1/4 of Ed's suitcase filled with 62 diapers that we really hope to not have to bring back, but I am a bit nervous.
Things I've learned along the way that work for us:
1. Do what the experts on travel in general suggest: set everything out and take 1/2 of what you think you'll need. Really. Or at least do this for yourself so you'll have more room for whatever item you worry you or baby will be miserable without.
2. Once the bags are packed/everything is laid out, try not to add extra toys at the last minute (I think I violate this every trip).
3. I read this somewhere and couldn't agree more: If you are contemplating traveling with your child as a lap baby, practice by sitting in a narrow chair for the period of time you'd be on the plane and don't let the baby off your lap. If you can do this with no problem, you should be okay with a lap baby.
4. With number 3 in mind, if you do take a lap baby, bring your carseat through security (after verifying there are indeed some empty seats on your flight). On all the legs of all the flights, only maybe 3 or 4 times (assuming an average of 3 legs/trip) have we ever NOT been able to take the carseat on.
5. Do NOT travel at naptime (for an older baby--younger babies have naptime all the time) unless you have purchased a seat for the baby. Trust me on this.
6. Bring 2-3 small bath toys so baby feels at home in the new tub.
7. No matter how many toys you bring, they will never be enough to occupy your child. I'm not sure that if you could bring all of the Toy'r'us store with you that it would be sufficient.
8. Bring a list of all the toys you've brought so that you can remember to look in all the nooks and crannies of your lodging for said toys.
9. If you have a lap baby, put your carseat in a bag--either the free ones from the airlines (which aren't always available), or purchase a reusable bag. Protects the seat in the event it sits in the rain awaiting loading into the plane.
10. Bring at least a clean shirt for baby in your carry on bag, and when baby is younger, a clean shirt for you too.
11. Bring all the diapers you'll need with you (unless you'll be gone longer than a week/suitcase full). We've tried buying diapers on-site and the stress of finding the same diapers we are accustomed to combined with paying crazy, non-sale prices drove me to packing in what we needed. An added bonus is that on the return trip home, you have more room for whatever goodies you purchased.
Lots more to add--maybe I should write a book? Nah, that market is so saturated and the travel market changes so much.
What I still have to learn is how to reconcile a travel type (me) that is cram in as much as possible with a husband who is 'no fuss, no muss' and a child's travel style needs? Hopefully both of us (all three of us) adapt to a happy medium.
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