Another important TIP is to travel LIGHT. Babies don't need toys. They just want to look at you. You can entertain your baby with faces, fingers and even folk songs all day long. Plus, some international airlines have toys to hand out. The only thing I remember schlepping was a "Bjorn" carrier AND a stroller. The stroller was slightly sturdier than an umbrella stroller. It was light, folded up small and would recline for sleep, sit up for strolling and it had a cover for sun. And, I could keep my bag and baby blankets in it when we walked. We would check it in at the gate and it would be waiting for us right as we stepped off the plane and onto the jetway. We usually did not take the car seat as it was such a pain. We took turns holding our daughter in our laps. Plus, I didn't want to pay for another seat until we had too! We always called ahead to reserve a car seat with the car rental agency.
In San Francisco, we stayed in a friend's apartment. He was young, single with NO crib. So, I remember creating one out of an extra sofa. The biggest lesson I had to learn was that my day (& night) wouldn't always go as planned. That is of course, true with kids of all ages, but more so when they are little as there are unexpected diaper & nursing stops. And, we were lucky that our daughter usually fell asleep in the stroller for her naps. That is when we would try to eat somewhere ourselves. But, I can remember holding or nursing my daughter at many restaurant tables. I got pretty discrete at nursing. Plus, no one should have to eat their meal in a bathroom. So, nursing should be allowed anywhere. That's philosophy I stuck with for my entire "nursing" career which lasted 15 months for each of my children. I admit, I loved it. Plus, it kept me skinny. ha!
