Kyler-Rose Takes On Florida

As a mommy, you hardly get any rest when traveling with your infant baby. When you are traveling with your baby, the same rules should apply when it comes down to your baby’s routine. When you are traveling, it can be harder to maintain you and your baby's routine. I wanted to share some of my experience with you. At the last minute, I decided to join my parents in Florida for a weekend trip. We were going to celebrate my cousin, for earning his Master's Degree. I was excited for a warm weather getaway. I was also excited to fly with Kyler-Rose for the first time especially since I had help (at least with the traveling part). I also thought it would be good practice, for the trip Ky and I are taking to Chicago for Christmas.

Arriving to the airport going to Florida, I decided not to check the stroller and the car seat at the counter. I did check her car seat base. Instead, I wanted to wait until we got to the gate to check in the other items. I did my research and read all of the horror stories about checking the car seat and stroller at the counter. I flew Southwest airlines and they offer travel bags for $17. The bags are reusable so it was worth the purchase. Having the stroller and car seat was helpful while navigating through the airport. The most challenging part was fitting the stroller and car seat into the travel bag, to be stored at the gate. It was challenging because you need two hands and moving space to get this done. This made me question how would I actually be able to achieve this when I am alone with the baby. Even with Ky strapped to me, I am not sure how I would be able to do it.

Getting through security for this trip was a breeze. My father booked our flight tickets with his ticket which qualified us for TSA Pre-Check. That basically means I didn't have to take my shoes off, wait in long security lines and do all of the extra security things. This was great because with the baby it would have been a hassle. The downfall was that I didn’t have the chance to experience what it would be like going through regular security with the baby by myself. So boarding the plane was awesome.

Being that we had a lap child (a child two and under, who does not occupy their own seat), we were able to board the flight early. On the flight, I was afraid of Kyler-Rose's reaction to take-off and landing. Again, I did my research and many mamas’ said they nursed prior to the plane taking off and landing. I was lucky enough to be in the same row with my parents. I opted for the window seat so I could get more privacy while I was nursing. I found that most moms with small child like to sit in the aisle, just in case they have to calm their babies down by walking. Kyler-Rose was pretty fussy when we first got seated on the plane. The plane hadn’t taken off yet but she was balling. Of course my mom (who was no help at the time), laughed and said “you’re not going to be able to make it to Chicago on your own.” Very annoying while I was trying to calm my screaming baby. I nursed her which kept her calm for a few minutes but it turned out she was just very tired. After about three minutes, of me rocking her and singing her night night song, she calmed down and slept the entire flight. I know everyone on the flight thought it was going to be a nightmare. Lol. I wasn’t embarrassed one bit! Sometimes people forget that baby’s cry. Plus, thanks to Kyler-Roses’ dad and our relatives, she is spoiled rotten! She knows what she wants and when she wants it. Kyler-Rose was the same way when we got on our flight to head home. My biggest advice is to try to make your travel plans around your baby’s regular nap time. It helps a lot.

While in Florida, we did a bunch of activities. We did not go to Disney World because we want to make sure that Keith, is present for her first time. Plus, we planned on taking her for her first birthday. We stayed in Orlando and took a bunch of walks around the resort. We also went to a very nice mall. We went to the beach in Daytona. We didn’t do any swimming because the weather was pretty chilly. So I suck at being a mom. Like everyone knows, you make it all up as you go along. My baby is a breastfed and formula fed baby. Breastfed babies eat when they want. Formula fed babies are more on a schedule. My daughter is both, so you see how things can be complicated for me. During our stay, Ky and I crashed on the pull out couch. This area was close to the bottle station I had setup, making it easy for me to access her bottles throughout the night. At home, I had been working on weening my daughter off of my nipple. Being in Florida allowed me to be consist, but right when I got home, I fell back to the breastfeeding throughout the night. I packed Ky’s sound machine. At home, we use it throughout the night. I thought it would be a great thing to bring so she can feel like she’s at home again and as a way to cut the unfamiliar hotel sounds out. But what I found while I was in Florida, is that, that’s the reason she doesn’t sleep long. She is constantly hearing rain noises, making it hard for her brain to get rest. I stopped using the machine at nighttime all together. The bed was comfortable for the most part, which was a surprising thing because Kyler-Rose can be very antsy about sleeping new places.

As far as packing, I am going to do a blog on that later! I hope me sharing my traveling experience, helps you. If you have any questions, please reach out to me! I love to help.

Check out the pictures:

#travelingwithbaby #newborn #infant #momblogger #momhelp