Photo Friday: Lunch at L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon

Lunch at L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Paris

Does this look like the kind of meal you normally eat in a family restaurant? One of our favorite ways to make jet lag with an infant work for us is to take advantage of the extra long naps on the first few days by eating a multi-course meal.

One our second day in Paris, we put E to sleep in his stroller and then hightailed it over to L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon for a two-hour, nine-course meal. The staff politely parked E in a nearby corner while we sat and ate like unencumbered adults. Robuchon also has a terrific reputation for accommodating older kids, and the sushi-bar like seating with a view of the kitchen makes it easy to keep kids entertained.

While the amazing lunch certainly didn't lessen E's night waking that night, memories of each delicious course took the sting out for us.

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Filed Under: eating-with-kids jet-lag photo-friday

14 comments | Posted on May 21, 2009 | Save to del.icio.us

Traveling While Pregnant: Flying While Pregnant

This is the fourth post in a series about traveling while pregnant. The first post was about timing your trip and the second was about questions to ask your doctor before you go, the third covered what to pack for your babymoon

Very pregnant at LEGOLAND

Before You Go
Before you leave on any long flight, it is important to consult your doctor and get his or her best advice about how to fly safely. He or she may want you to wear supportive hose, take a baby aspirin or do special exercises to avoid blood clots. Your doctor may also have special advice or disallow travel in small planes with unpressurized cabins. It is useful to get a doctor's note stating your due date and his or her opinion that it is safe for you to travel in case there are any questions during your trip.

You should also check airline policy on each airline (including any subsidiaries or codeshares run by a different airline) regarding flying while pregnant. Some airlines do not restrict travel at all while others may require a doctor's note or may not allow pregnant travelers to travel close to their due date. If you are traveling very close to the cutoff date, you might want to bring along a printed copy of the written airline policy as well.

You will be most comfortable in an aisle seat (preferably in the bulkhead) and should request one when you purchase your ticket. If no aisle seats are available, you may be able to arrange an aisle seat when you check in at your gate.

What To Bring

In addition to whatever you would normally pack in your carryon bag you might want to bring along a few extra comforts:

• Bring healthy, filling snacks. Even a short flight might be delayed, and you'll probably want to avoid overdoing on the salty or sweet snacks served onboard.
• Bring an inflatable pillow or small blanket (a shawl also works well) that you can use to support your back. If the plane is cold, you can also use the blanket or shawl to help you deal with varying temperatures
• Buy extra water in the airport (some flights stock only a small amount of bottled water) or, to save money, pack an empty water bottle and fill it after you clear security.

Day of Flight

You've planned, you've packed, now there are a few steps you can take to make the flight itself go smoothly:

• Plan to arrive at the airport early to avoid making a last minute rush to a distant gate.
• Stretch before getting on the plane
• If possible, get out of your seat to walk up and down the aisles every half-hour or so. If you must remain seated, flex and extend or circle your ankles (being careful not to give yourself leg cramps)
• Drink lots of water. It is easy to get dehydrated on a long flight.

Filed Under: pregnancy travel-tips

2 comments | Posted on May 21, 2009 | Save to del.icio.us

Breastfeeding and Pumping When You Travel

Babycenter just published an informative article about breastfeeding and pumping while traveling. The article includes a few tips from me based on my own experiences (and what I've learned from my readers). If you're planning to travel with a breastfed baby in the near future, you should check it out. For even more detail, you might also like my own comprehensive Guide to Breastfeeding and Pumping When You Travel which includes advice on finding a quiet spot, packing lists and more.

0 comments | Posted on May 19, 2009 | Save to del.icio.us

Reader Question: Ergo Baby Carriers and Hot Weather

This is a reader question from Krista who will be traveling to Italy with her young during the heat of summer.

First off, I want to THANK YOU! for your website. I am going to Italy this July for a medical conference (my son has a genetic disorder) and was going to leave him at home for fear of traveling with him. But after reading your site (everyone else told me it was impossible) he and I will now be jet-setting!

I currently have a Bjorn carrier and while it's fine for random outings at home, I don't think my back will hold up on a longer trip like Italy. I've been looking at the Ergo & it seems great, but is it breathable? We're going in July & I'm just worried he and I will roast! Also- never used a back carrier before, he likes to face out currently- wont I be blocking his views?

Krista,

Overall I have been really happy with the comfort of the Ergo Baby Carrier. I carried D in it until she was just over 2 years old, and she enjoyed riding in both the back and the front. If I hadn't become pregnant with Baby3, we might have used it longer.

That said, with the Ergo, your baby rests against your clothing and skin. Italy in July can be quite hot, and I think that carrying a baby in the front in that heat would be uncomfortable. Carrying baby on the back is somewhat better, and most children are happy to turn their head from side to side to see the view.

Another alternative is to get a true backpack carrier with a frame that lifts the baby away from your body. For hiking, we own and like the REI Piggyback Child Carrier. It is significantly bulkier than the Ergo, and would probably only be an option if you plan to leave your stroller at home. One nice thing about this type of carrier is that you can remove it from your back without waking a sleeping child. It can also double as a child-seat in a restaurant that does not have highchairs (most restaurants in Italy do not).

An in-between option is this Deuter Kangakid Kid Carrier Pack It keeps baby away from your skin (keeping you cooler) but is not much more bulky than a standard daypack. It also has a built in backpack to carry your gear as you visit the country.

One final note - Roman streets are notoriously tough on strollers. Our Maclaren stroller held up well, but the inexpensive umbrella strollers that people usually recommend for travel often rattle themselves to oblivion on Italy's cobblestone streets.

Have a wonderful trip!

Filed Under: family-travel-gear

4 comments | Posted on May 18, 2009 | Save to del.icio.us

Welcome to the world Eilan!

Deb's husband here. I just wanted to post a little note that Debbie gave birth to a delicious little boy on Thursday, May 14th, at 10:07am. His name is Eilan (pronounced "A-lan"). He is 8lbs 3oz and 20 3/4" tall. He and Deb and doing great. Eilan is a very content little guy. He does a lot of sleeping and loves to cuddle skin-on-skin with mom.

33 comments | Posted on May 15, 2009 | Save to del.icio.us

Photo Friday: Old Tucson Studios Jail

D in "jail" at Old Tucson Studios

My kids seem to be strangely fascinated with jails, and this one - part of an old movie set at the Old Tucson Studios - was no exception. E couldn't resist the opportunity to lock up his little sister and throw away the key. Luckily she packed a snack!

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Filed Under: photo-friday

7 comments | Posted on May 15, 2009 | Save to del.icio.us

Traveling While Pregnant: Babymoon Packing List

This is the third post in a series about traveling while pregnant. The first post was about timing your trip and the second was about questions to ask your doctor before you go.

I usually advocate traveling light, but when you are pregnant, it's a good idea to pack a few comforts from home. Just remember to keep your bag light enough that you can carry and lift it without straining (or have a plan that involves asking for help).

A little bit pregnant at the Disneyland Mom Blogger's event

Here are a few items you might want to pack if you are traveling while pregnant:

• Comfortable clothing and shoes. Sure you want to look terrific, but if you are walking around town in heels that pinch your swollen feet, you probably won't enjoy your trip. Plan to dress in layers so that you can more easily adjust to changing temperatures.
• Any medical records related to your pregnancy along with a doctor's note stating your due date and saying that it is safe for you to travel (if you are showing).
• Your insurance information (be sure to double check that you are covered for your destination - some plans cover you in the US only)
• Emergency contact information for your OBGYN as well as the nearest medical facility to your destination
• Hand sanitizer. It's no secret that your immune system is less effective when you are pregnant, and if you are visiting crowded attractions, you may want to clean your hands more often than you normally might.
• Prenatal vitamins and other supplements. Be sure to bring enough to last for your entire trip as it might be difficult to find your favorite brands at your destination.
• Comfort foods that may not be available at your destination (especially those that help ease nausea) or to fill in as late night snacks after restaurants and room service are closed.
• Maternity Swimsuit. It can be difficult to find a good maternity swimsuit at your destination.
• Anti-Nausea Wrist Bands if you have morning sickness.
• If this is your first pregnancy and you will not have internet access, consider bringing a lightweight pregnancy handbook.
• If you are traveling overseas, consider bringing any over-the-counter medications you might need for common pregnancy complaints (e.g. heartburn) or a cold. It's no fun to be stuck with symptoms that need medication, but being unsure about whether you are properly communicating with a pharmacist about which medication is safe during pregnancy and what the proper dosage is.

Check back for tips on flying while pregnant.

Filed Under: packing pregnancy travel-tips

4 comments | Posted on May 13, 2009 | Save to del.icio.us

Traveling While Pregnant: Questions To Ask Your Doctor

This is the second post in a series about traveling while pregnant. The first post was about Timing Your Trip

Pregnant in Phoenix

You should consult your doctor before any trip while pregnant. If you are flying or taking a cruise, ask your doctor to write a letter giving you permission to travel, specifying your due date, and describing any specific complications with your pregnancy that another doctor might need to know about. You should also ask any questions that you have, including:

• If you are taking a long plane flight or car trip, what recommendations does your doctor have for preventing blood clots in your legs (Deep Vein Thrombosis). He or she might want you to take a baby aspirin, wear support hose, or do special exercises.
• Are there any special food restrictions related to your destination?
• Are there any activities that you should avoid (for example scuba diving or flying in small planes)
• Is it ok to make a few exceptions to the normal eating guidelines? If you know that, for example, skipping the cheese on a trip to France would be heartbreaking for you, ask your doctor whether it is ok to make an exception to the normal guidelines about eating unpasteurized cheeses.
• If you are visiting a different climate (for example a very humid environment) does the doctor have any advice for staying comfortable?
• Are any vaccines or special medication required for your destination, and what is safe to use during pregnancy?
• Does the doctor happen to know a local OB in your destination who you could contact in case of emergency?
• What are common complaints or problems during your stage of pregnancy, and what would you do if you experienced one of them while traveling?

Check back tomorrow for tips on what to pack for your babymoon.

Filed Under: pregnancy travel-tips

4 comments | Posted on May 12, 2009 | Save to del.icio.us

Traveling While Pregnant: Timing Your Trip

I have only a few days left to offer practical advice on traveling while pregnant before travel-related indignities like maternity swimwear, sleeping sitting up, and swollen tired feet disappear from my memory leaving only blissful images of perfect ultrasounds, baby's first movements and the nearly endless stream (once the nesting instinct set in) of homemade baked goods.

Not surprisingly, I have often traveled while pregnant. For the most part, traveling while pregnant is not a big deal, and those pre-baby trips provide especially priceless memories during the relatively less-mobile first few months with a new baby. Still, there are a few things to consider while planning a babymoon or other pre-baby trip.

This week, I will post a series of articles packed with tips for traveling while pregnant, hopefully before Baby3 shows up!

8 Months Pregnant with D in Paris

Timing Your Trip
Recommendations vary, but if you are having a healthy pregnancy, you should be able to travel during any trimester. I have had wonderful trips during all three trimesters. On our summer trip to Chicago with the kids and without my husband I couldn't figure out why I was so fatigued until I returned home and took a pregnancy test! When I was pregnant with D, I took an exhausting solo flight from Paris on the last day of my 8th month with 16 month old E as a lap infant -- a great "war story" now that it's in my past. You might not want to go to those extremes, but here are some factors to consider when timing your own babymoon:

• Some women avoid travel during the first trimester while they are most fatigued and the risk of miscarriage (and therefore the desire to be close to your own doctor) is highest.
• During the second trimester, your energy level is at it's highest. It can also be fun to shop for maternity clothing in a new city just as your body is starting to need more space.
• During the last trimester, complications might mean that you are on bedrest or need more frequent checkups, and some families avoid scheduling a pre-planned trip during this time or make reservations that can be easily canceled.
• Each airline and cruise line has its own policy on traveling while pregnant, with cutoff dates sometimes as early as 24 weeks (Disney Cruises) or as late as 38 weeks (Southwest). Other carries have no restrictions beyond a doctor's approval. Restrictions may also vary based on whether your flight is domestic or international, so check with your carrier before booking a reservation.
• Check with your doctor about the timing of any tests you need to have. Each ultrasound and blood test has a specific time window during which it should be completed, and it is easiest to do these tests at home with a lab that your doctor recommends. With some tests, like amniocentesis, you may not be able to travel for a few days after the test.

Check back tomorrow for tips on what to ask your doctor before you go.

Filed Under: pregnancy travel-health travel-tips

6 comments | Posted on May 10, 2009 | Save to del.icio.us

Photo Friday: Orsay Museum with Baby

Model of the Opéra Garnier at the Musée d'Orsay (Orsay Museum)

The Musée d'Orsay (Orsay Museum) in Paris is surprisingly (and perhaps unwittingly) baby and kid friendly. E especially loved the stage set models from the Opéra Garnier tucked away on the bottom floor. Finally, something smaller than himself!

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Filed Under: museums-with-kids photo-friday things-to-do-with-kids

10 comments | Posted on May 7, 2009 | Save to del.icio.us