Tips for Travelling

I did get a new haircut for our new city!

Well, we are finally pretty much back to normal- new house, 90% unpacked, and we even now have Internet!  It was quite difficult to keep the blog updated without access to the Internet...

         Over the past 2 weeks, Q-ball and I have traveled over several states, slept in five different beds, lived out of suitcases, and without regular access to a kitchen and washer and dryer.  Should you suffer the same fate with an infant, here are the top ten ways that I survived...

1.       Parenting on demand- Crossing time zones, day-lights savings time, and major shake-ups to a normal schedule obviously affected Q-ball's sleeping, eating, playing, moods, etc.  We had to be extra cognizant of her needs and wants to prevent meltdowns (hers and ours, obviously...)

2.       Breastfeeding- Can't get much more convenient. Nothing extra to pack or carry.

3. Babywearing-

a.        I thought this was essential to get through the airport.  My hands were free for check-ins and security, Q-ball was happy, and I wasn't banging around a heavy carseat while running past crowds.  

b.       Also, this became totally necessary as days when naps just weren't going to happen under a roof (movers coming and going, maids in the hallways, another new place.)  Some days the only way she would sleep was for me to go on a walk with her in the Ergo. It ended up being great for both of us as I got fresh air and exercise (needless to say, we weren't eating our healthiest.)

4.       Hand-washing station/cloth wipes- Q-ball was crawling all over the hotel room. After just a few minutes of being on the floor her feet, legs, and hands were be black.  It was gross, but there was little we could do except wash her.  In addition to her normal baths, I would wipe her down with cloth wipes and a pre-made solution of 2 parts water and 1 part baby soap (I keep it in a water bottle with a leak-proof valve top) several times a day. 

5.       Plan your diapering system.  I already discussed this in a previous post.  If you use cloth have a detailed plan for washing. 

6.       Pack a nightlight.  The rooms are new to you and baby- not friendly for moving around at night with the lights off.

7.       Work with the hotel staff.  We often requested room service at specific times to try to accommodate Q-ball’s anticipated naps.  It didn’t always work, but at least we tried.  This was also necessary because we were travelling with our darling cats who needed to be caged for housekeeping.

8.       Baby-led solids.  I didn’t worry about packing or buying any special solid foods for Q-ball for this trip.  Frankly, I didn’t put much emphasis into her eating solids at all during this trip, but with BLS she ate some toast and bananas from the hotel breakfast bar and some pieces of fruit at lunches.

9.       Pack an extra-duty  garbage bag to cover the car seat when it is checked on the plane.  I did this previously, but didn’t this time and ended up with a big spot on the car seat.  (Which I subsequently have not been able to wash without a washer and dryer…)

10.    Pack outlet plugs.  Again, we didn’t do this.  But, it would have been great to have in the rooms we were visiting as the outlets were the first places Q-ball headed for. 

I did it! Cleanin' Cloth Diapers by Hand

We are in the midst of a move.  So, I knew that we would be without easy access to a washer and dryer for awhile (currently 10 days...)  But, I had planned to used cloth diapers throughout the process.  Or, I thought I had.  I made a few grossly inaccurate assumptions.  Actually, just one- that my home-owning, nearly 40-year-old cousin with whom we would be staying for 2 nights owns a washer and dryer.  

Upon arrival, I discovered he didn't.  Then, I learned fact two- also does not own stopper for his tub.  I guess those things are easily lost.  So, we used disposables for two days.  And, I remembered why I hated them- they are stinky, and we have constant blow-outs. 

So, when we moved into a hotel, I wanted to get Q-ball back in cloth.  But, I hate hotel washers and certainly don't trust them with washing diapers.  So, I decided to handwash.  This was a bit of an impulse decision on my part (in my defense, I had some poopy diapers that were a few days old.)  I hadn't done any research on how to do it, and I really didn't have the right materials (detergent type, gloves, drying rack.)  But, before I knew it, the diapers were in the tub and my hands were jumping in right after them.  Thankfully, I have a patient husband.

It didn't seem to be a complete failure, but I have since bought some Rockin' Green (usually just use a free and clear) just to avoid possible chemical burn on hands and because I am more worried about build-up with this method.

So, if you are traveling and planning on using cloth diapers, here's some advice that should have probably been common sense: 

1) Make sure there's a washer.

2) Have a contingency plan, just in case.