usvi-on-line
Trip with Baby - tips
Agree with everything flip-flop said (although our experiences from 13 years ago) one thing to think about is buy an inexpensive stroller that you can leave behind if logistics is a concern. What we found very useful was a portable playpen with the cabana on top. Used it as a bed at night and a playpen on the beach during the day (had stayed at sapphire beach on STT wth 9 mt old). Also don't forget your baby monitor it is nice to sit outside and not worry about not hearing your child in the room.
Just got back from our trip with our 11 month old. Just a few tips from our trip.
We did not take a stroller, but did have an Ergo baby carrier. We only used it at the airport in Los Angeles on arrival to get all bags, etc in one place. The majority of the time we held him or in our case he is walking so we had that to deal with!
It is a long flight for us from CA so I highly reccomend begging, borrowing, or stealing to get into first class if possible when flying long distance with a fairly mobile child. We used points and flew on American and it was seamless, even sat next to Jessica Alba on the way to Miami and got to watch K-Fed walk back to coach! That also got us 2 free checked bags each. We checked a carseat (free to check carseat) in a nice big backpack style carseat bag (bought on Amazon) and stuffed the extra room in that bag with diapers, blanket, etc... We took a Peapod bed, beach pop up shade with bug net, and a swim floatie with canopy for the pool, all in our big checked bag.
Made sure to bring some new books and toys to occupy him in the villa which was good since we spent more time there than previous trips. Baby just could only take so much water and beach, not like previous trips were we just beach hopped until exhausted.
Also took a roll of blue painters tape to cover all the outlets. Your babe isn't mobile yet, but it is a great tip I got off the internet for babes in un baby proofed places. Worked great!
On Little Lameshur in the bug tent.
We stayed at a villa, Aurora, which came with a Pack and Play and a highchair. Very convenient.
Places I can remember for sure that had high chairs when we visited: Skinny Legs, Spyglass, Jake's (just one, but super kid friendly). I don't think High Tide had one, but not sure. Of course none at Tourist Trap, Woody's, or Beach Bar at least not that we used while we were there.
Enjoying the grilled cheese at Skinny Legs
Outside of Chelsea's drug store there is a cabin like plastic playhouse , by the stairs I think, that my son loved to play with. He liked pushing the doorbell.
He also liked napping on the beach which was awesome.
Sleeping at Trunk.
Also of note, when we went through Customs in STT the agent asked for his birth certificate which I only had a copy of and she wanted the original. Ended up not being a big deal, but she reccomended bringing the original next time. I almost didn't even have a copy since the airline said we didn't need it. Getting him a passport for next trip.
Anyone else looking to use DEET free spray on a baby may want to try the Burt's Bees product. It is really oily, but my son got 0 bites on the trip somehow. Others in the group got eaten up, but weren't as diligent with application.
Was much easier traveling with the baby than I ever would have imagined, even with having to evacuate early due to Earl! If I can think of other stuff I will update.
We did not take a stroller, but did have an Ergo baby carrier. We only used it at the airport in Los Angeles on arrival to get all bags, etc in one place. The majority of the time we held him or in our case he is walking so we had that to deal with!
It is a long flight for us from CA so I highly reccomend begging, borrowing, or stealing to get into first class if possible when flying long distance with a fairly mobile child. We used points and flew on American and it was seamless, even sat next to Jessica Alba on the way to Miami and got to watch K-Fed walk back to coach! That also got us 2 free checked bags each. We checked a carseat (free to check carseat) in a nice big backpack style carseat bag (bought on Amazon) and stuffed the extra room in that bag with diapers, blanket, etc... We took a Peapod bed, beach pop up shade with bug net, and a swim floatie with canopy for the pool, all in our big checked bag.
Made sure to bring some new books and toys to occupy him in the villa which was good since we spent more time there than previous trips. Baby just could only take so much water and beach, not like previous trips were we just beach hopped until exhausted.
Also took a roll of blue painters tape to cover all the outlets. Your babe isn't mobile yet, but it is a great tip I got off the internet for babes in un baby proofed places. Worked great!
On Little Lameshur in the bug tent.
We stayed at a villa, Aurora, which came with a Pack and Play and a highchair. Very convenient.
Places I can remember for sure that had high chairs when we visited: Skinny Legs, Spyglass, Jake's (just one, but super kid friendly). I don't think High Tide had one, but not sure. Of course none at Tourist Trap, Woody's, or Beach Bar at least not that we used while we were there.
Enjoying the grilled cheese at Skinny Legs
Outside of Chelsea's drug store there is a cabin like plastic playhouse , by the stairs I think, that my son loved to play with. He liked pushing the doorbell.
He also liked napping on the beach which was awesome.
Sleeping at Trunk.
Also of note, when we went through Customs in STT the agent asked for his birth certificate which I only had a copy of and she wanted the original. Ended up not being a big deal, but she reccomended bringing the original next time. I almost didn't even have a copy since the airline said we didn't need it. Getting him a passport for next trip.
Anyone else looking to use DEET free spray on a baby may want to try the Burt's Bees product. It is really oily, but my son got 0 bites on the trip somehow. Others in the group got eaten up, but weren't as diligent with application.
Was much easier traveling with the baby than I ever would have imagined, even with having to evacuate early due to Earl! If I can think of other stuff I will update.
Thanks so much everybody. I never thought about using the stroller as a high chair for feeding.
We were able to beg a backpack carrier from a friend, and I think we'll bring our umbrella stroller as well. We went to FL for the weekend and it was a great trial run. It was his first flight and he did pretty well.
I am encouraged!
We were able to beg a backpack carrier from a friend, and I think we'll bring our umbrella stroller as well. We went to FL for the weekend and it was a great trial run. It was his first flight and he did pretty well.
I am encouraged!