[blparent] Question/Suggestions to parents only!!!!

[Dena Wainwright]

Sara:

you can bring whole milk on a plane. I've done it several times. also, when 
you travel with formula internationally, you have to declare it with 
customs. this is because there are certain countries whose formulas are 
banned in other countries. E.g., Canada banned formula from China for 
awhile.

Dena

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sarah Johnson" <sjohnson331 at gmail.com>
To: "NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 4:28 PM
Subject: Re: [blparent] Question/Suggestions to parents only!!!!


Hey Ronda,
I know you only asked for response from people who have specific
experience with international travel with toddlers, but  I have recently
flown domestically several times with our three month old, and am in the
middle of planning a trip to Switzerland in a few weeks. As such I have
recently received lots of advice on flying with children from friends
who have done it before.
So for what it is worth, here is my advice.


there always seems to be an issue with what kind of stroller or car seat
to bring.  while this is mostly dictated by what you have and by what
will be useful at your destination, it is useful to know that most
airlines will check your car seat and or stroller at the ticket counter
or at the gate for free. if you have a travel bag for your stroller it
is useful to use it, as  they can get quite dirty in the hole. A large
trash bag will also work, just as long as the  luggage tag is  sticking
out.
Also for when you are going through security, if you are taking a
stroller, everything has to be out of the stroller before it can go on
the conveyor belt . so don't load up the stroller bag with lots of loose
things that can't be pulled out easily.
bring lots of snacks!   I know that it does not apply to your situation,
but I am pretty sure that the only liquids that you can bring through
security, in the snacks category, are expressed breast milk and  formula
You can get  juice and milk in the terminal, and they should have some
on the plane, but just know that usually airlines only have 2%, not the
whole milk that a lot of children drink.
  bringing lots of little toys  or things like activity  books to keep
your kids occupied really helps. This really can be anything, one mother
said that she brought a roll of tape, because her little girl loved
playing with it. another mother recommended wrapping each toy in paper,
because the very act of unwrapping each little thing made each new
activity's seem more fun, and more  importantly kept her child quiet for
longer.
  for longer flights it is  nice if you can get seats in the bulkhead so
that you can have that little bit of  extra floor space for your
children to play in, or just to stretch.
some parents like to Bord early, but I know  others who like to have one
parent Bord early with all of the luggage and such, while the other one
waits to the last minute with the kids to try to give the children as
much  time in the terminal to get their energy out.
  for international flights if you can get an over night  flight then
your children are more likely to sleep- always a  good thing.
and lastly, if you are blind a flight attendant should come over and
brief you individually on the flight safety stuff. Personally I find it
useful to be as  animated and friendly as possible to the flight
attendant, making sure to get his or her name, and the names of the
other flight attendants before the conversation is over. I also like to
go ahead  and ask about any  thing that I anticipate I might need. for
example I have been breastfeeding my daughter, and thus am  more thirsty
then normal. so I have been asking flight attendant's about getting
extra water sometime during the flight when they come to brief me. this
way I can get a feel for how friendly or accommodating that particular
flight attendant is, and if I happen to ask  the same flight attendant
later for assistance, she or he is usually more likely  to give me
timely assistants.
  so if you get a personal briefing, you might want to ask about any
thing you think you, or your family might need during the flight.

  I hope this helps, and have fun in Germany.

Take Care,
   Sarah, mother to three month old Isla


On 8/24/2010 11:19 AM, Rhonda Kubehl wrote:
>
>
> This Christmas, we are flying to Germany to visit the hubby’s side of the
> family …
>
>
>
> I haven’t flown in 4 ½ years, nor have I ever flown with a toddler.
>
>
>
> Any suggestions on what to pack?
>
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> My son is compleately sited, and my step daughter is autictic.
>
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> Do I need anything special for Livie because she’s autistic and 4?
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> Only answer if you are a parent, grandparent, or if your children  fall 
> into
> the age range 2 and 4, or if you have flown recently.
>
>
>
> Sorry to be so blunt …
>
>
>
>
>
>
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>
>
> R
>
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