*NEW* Even Momma Needs a Change of Clothes!
I learned the hard way (after being barfed on) that not only does your kiddo need a change of clothes (or 2!) for the plane, but Momma should have one as well! From now on, I will be bringing leggings and an oversized top with me in my carry-on bag. And even a change of underwear! After Brayden vomited all over me on our flight home from Cancun, I had to sit in my barfy clothes until I got my luggage–which was AFTER we stood in line for Customs & Immigration–because I didn’t have a change of clothes with me on the plane. Never again! Always be prepared, parents!
Washington, D.C. Travel: Holocaust Memorial Museum
This is a must-see museum in my opinion. Unlike all of the Smithsonian’s in D.C., you need a ticket to see the permanent exhibition. (No ticket is required to enter the museum, or to view some of the other exhibitions.) You can request tickets online if you know the date and time of your visit. I was never sure when I would be able to get my group there, so we would line up outside the museum by 9am in order to get tickets for that day. They start handing out passes at 9:45am and you can choose what time of day you want to return. This has been what’s worked best for me over the years. And we never had to wait more than an hour to get to the front of the line.
Washington, D.C. Travel: Accommodations
There are so many hotels in the DC area that it’s very difficult to know where the best location is. You are going to want to stay somewhere that is relatively close (miles) to the DC area. Otherwise, you will be sitting in traffic for way too long trying to get in and out of DC…like everyone else! Avoid hotels in the Silver Spring, Maryland area as the traffic is just silly. Aim for a hotel in the Crystal City or Arlington, VA areas. These cities are much closer to DC and are very nice areas. My favorite hotel over the years has been the Key Bridge Marriott, and this is due to location and walkability. I’ve been fortunate enough to stay there three times now, and the best part is that it’s located right across the Key Bridge from Georgetown! Georgetown is a great little college town with tons of shops and restaurants. And I may have picked up Georgetown Cupcakes for students in the past!! Overall, great spot to stay so you can get around to all the sites with minimal hassle!
Must Have-Headphones!
Something you might not think of needing, since you don’t use them at home, are headphones for your little one when they are using their tablet. This is a must when you are on the plane because no one wants to listen to nursery rhymes for hours! We found a great pair, Nenos, on Amazon. They are padded, fold up, and come in a variety of colors. They’re awesome. Just make sure to have your little one practice wearing them at home before your trip so they don’t freak out and constantly pull them off!
Rent the Big Stuff
I found an amazing rental company, Maui Baby Rentals, that rents cribs, highchairs, strollers, beach toys, etc! They are outstanding! They deliver and pick-up the items so you have nothing too worry about. This service is such a necessity if you stay at a condo or rental home rather than a resort. We rented a crib and high chair for the week and I think we paid around $90. Their pricing is totally reasonable and let’s face it, the convenience is worth the money! You must check them out if you are staying in West Maui!
Travel While They Are Immobile
My number one tip for parents who are considering traveling with little ones is to travel while they are still young enough that they can’t squirm away! Sure, taking an infant on a flight to anyplace that isn’t home sounds like a daunting task, but it’s actually the best time. You can lug them anywhere, they sleep a ton, and their tiny clothes take up very little space in your suitcase!
Choose Accommodations Wisely
Who doesn’t love a beautiful resort setting with serene pools overlooking the clear blue ocean? Exactly. But may I suggest a location that has a full kitchen and it’s own washer and dryer? (And other amenities, of course! I have stayed at the Kahana Villa Resort, where my mom owns a timeshare, six times now and it feels like home!) You can pack many fewer clothes for baby (and yourself) when you have a washing machine readily available. It’s also a lifesaver for burp cloths and the inevitable diaper blowout situation. And I don’t know about you, but I certainly didn’t want to take Brayden out for dinner if he was already sound asleep at the condo. Thank goodness for the kitchen and the BBQs! We were able to whip up easy dinners with fresh and delicious island ingredients. And save a boatload of money while doing so.
Pack Only The Essentials
Anyone who’s traveled with a child for the first time knows that you don’t really know what you’ll need until you return home and have to unpack all the things you didn’t use! The truth is, babies don’t require much. And if you’re traveling anywhere that has stores, you can buy anything you may have forgotten.
The basics? Carseat, stroller, carrier.
Most car rental companies offer carseats for rent, but these tend to be the larger seats and aren’t ideal for babies four months and under who are typically in an infant carseat. Your airline will check your carseat for free, so just buy a cover bag for it and you’re set! Pro tip: Leon wrapped our seat in bubble wrap prior to placing it in the cover bag just to keep it from getting too banged up in transit.
I know many people who swear by their umbrella stroller, but we wanted something a bit more sturdy. Get something lightweight and that folds down easily. Gate check for free! We bought the Baby Jogger, City Tour Stroller because it weighs only 14 lbs., folds into thirds (not half, like an umbrella) and fits into a bag that can be worn as a backpack! WHAT?! It is amazing and has turned into our everyday stroller!
And don’t forget your carrier! Brayden still loves being lugged around in his Ergo Baby carrier at 16 months. My back…not so much! We found the best way to deplane is with baby in the carrier so that both hands are free to grab luggage and anything else. And walking along the beach was Brayden’s favorite activity because he could watch the waves in comfort.