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Wanted: Tips for traveling with a 1 year old
Wanted: Tips for traveling with a 1 year old
This is our 2nd trip, but the first with our daughter. Im really just looking for general advice on anything. Just to throw a few topics of interest out there: jeep rental w/ car seat, beach suggestions ( pretty sure Maho is choice for kids ), dining / food options, entertainment, creative / easy sunscreen options, etc. We are leaving in 6+ months and getting ready to book car rental, we are staying at Maho Bay Camps for 2 weeks 
and want to get a few ideas in our heads so it doesnt turn into last minute craziness. Thanks for your help!
and want to get a few ideas in our heads so it doesnt turn into last minute craziness. Thanks for your help!Don't worry be happy! 
Re: Wanted: Tips for traveling with a 1 year old
We been hauling our kiddo since 3.5 months. A few quick suggestions/comments:
I would take my own carseat. If you aren't getting a ticket for your daughter, check with your airline as I remember that lap babies get a free baggage allowance to gate check a seat.
Maybe rental supply has changed but I remember hearing about shoddy and age-inappropriate seats being provided on arrival - like a backless boster for an infant.
We took our son to all the beaches. I wouldn't go to Salt Pond with a small child again as the heat and the walk back was brutal.
We found all restaurants (except Zozo's) to be kind and welcoming to kids. Not all had high chairs.
Our son had his own travel bed http://www.kidco.com/main.taf?p=4,5
The Pea Pod. Loved it! We purchased the kid size one after he grew out of the first one. It is lightweight, packs down well, will keep the bugs out. You could take it to the beach for shade.
For sunscreen, we used the spray type and basically just spray painted him all the time. I use the dry, sport versions as I find them to not attract too much sand. I bought a baby version one time that was absolutely awful. Sand stuck everywhere and the sunscreen was impossible to wash off.
We used a framed, backpack carrier for foot transportation.
I would take my own carseat. If you aren't getting a ticket for your daughter, check with your airline as I remember that lap babies get a free baggage allowance to gate check a seat.
Maybe rental supply has changed but I remember hearing about shoddy and age-inappropriate seats being provided on arrival - like a backless boster for an infant.
We took our son to all the beaches. I wouldn't go to Salt Pond with a small child again as the heat and the walk back was brutal.
We found all restaurants (except Zozo's) to be kind and welcoming to kids. Not all had high chairs.
Our son had his own travel bed http://www.kidco.com/main.taf?p=4,5
The Pea Pod. Loved it! We purchased the kid size one after he grew out of the first one. It is lightweight, packs down well, will keep the bugs out. You could take it to the beach for shade.
For sunscreen, we used the spray type and basically just spray painted him all the time. I use the dry, sport versions as I find them to not attract too much sand. I bought a baby version one time that was absolutely awful. Sand stuck everywhere and the sunscreen was impossible to wash off.
We used a framed, backpack carrier for foot transportation.
I'd bring a backpack and plan on using it a lot. I also brought a pack-n-play as checked luggage for sleeping and confinement, but PA Girl's Pea Pod is pretty darn cool. We've always brought our own car seat.
Remember that the parking lot at Maho can get pretty full during high season and you may end up parking up the hill a bit and having to walk the rocky road down to the board walk. If you're there for two weeks it may be worth dividing your things up and leaving some items in the vehicle for later trips to your cabin. There are carts to move your gear, but after a long travel day tempers can get short.
My youngest daughter had trouble sleeping at Maho due to night noises - the doves moaning in the trees freaked her out. Once I put the box fan near her she had no problem sleeping.
Mornings at Maho are made for small people who wake up early. I put the coffee pot on the fire, take the youngster for a wash up and get back in time for a hot cup of coffee on the balcony.
Have fun!
Cheers, RickG
Remember that the parking lot at Maho can get pretty full during high season and you may end up parking up the hill a bit and having to walk the rocky road down to the board walk. If you're there for two weeks it may be worth dividing your things up and leaving some items in the vehicle for later trips to your cabin. There are carts to move your gear, but after a long travel day tempers can get short.
My youngest daughter had trouble sleeping at Maho due to night noises - the doves moaning in the trees freaked her out. Once I put the box fan near her she had no problem sleeping.
Mornings at Maho are made for small people who wake up early. I put the coffee pot on the fire, take the youngster for a wash up and get back in time for a hot cup of coffee on the balcony.
Have fun!
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
We had a crawler/cruiser at Maho and Concordia--one thing i would recommend (in addition to all the great advice here regrading pack n plays and back pack carriers) is some kind of mesh netting to secure the deck--my guy was of a size that he could have easily slipped between the deck rails--(it's been a while so maybe that has changed) --but we were able to find some safety netting that we carted down with us.--maybe it's overkill..... Also the corners of the beds and the furniture are SHARP-your little one will probably be either toddling or really wanting too at 1 year--so keep that in mind.....
< leaving on the 22nd of march...but too lame to figure out the ticker thing again!>
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dtenel
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Another really good idea is thin, light weight, long sleeve and long pants outfits. They really can help prevent sun burn. Also remember you can get a sunburn even from the reflection off the water! I really like the shirt type bathing suit tops that keep their backs and shoulders protected from the sun! Also a brimmed hat is a must.....had a friend that didn't think the sun in Mexico was as brutal as I told her and her son got blisters that were HUGE on his ears. No one thought to put sunscreen on them. Have fun! It is always an adventure to travel with kids;)
