Baby Gate Safety
Babies are notorious for getting into the things you don’t want them to, and my child was no exception to that. Constantly, I’d be running over to stop her from chewing on the computer wires, or trying to get into the kitchen. I tried blocking her way with a makeshift “barrier” consisting of her exersaucer and learning table. Well, babies adapt. She found her way around my pathetic wall, either crawling through them or simply moving them. Every day was beginning to seem like I was constantly pulling her away from wires and anything else I didn’t want her to touch. It was time to come up with a new solution that wouldn’t infringe upon her exploration.I bought the North State Superyard XT Portable Playard for about $60. Others were priced MUCH higher and I felt happy to find one within my price range. Let me tell you, of all the baby items, from furniture to toys, this was the very best purchase I made.
Why? Well, featured in the pictures you see of baby gates (also known as Configure Gates), it encloses the baby in a hexagon. I knew my child would not like this, as she is big on exploring and having a lot of space to run around. The gate doesn’t necessarily have to connect in a hexagon. In fact, what I did was wrap one end around my entertainment center and across the room and behind my couch in a semi-circle, leaving my daughter to be free to run up and down the hall and have the entire family room (minus the area the computer and those pesky wires are in) to herself to roam and explore. Pictures are very misleading, making you think you can only ‘configure’ this gate into a small pen.
Also enormously helpful with this playard is that you can buy ‘add-on’ pieces for your gate. If you wanted your child’s playpen to be larger, or to extend the length of the gate to stretch around your family room. Each extension is $20, sometimes less, and is an extra 35 inches of space for you little one.
Simply putting a typical sliding gate between a walkway was not going to work for us, as the computer would be fair game for our child. For the longest time, I couldn’t figure out how to keep her happy…and me. Now, I don’t have to worry about her safety, for the most part. The gate is almost impossible to climb, the diamonds being very narrow, even for little feet. The gate itself is extra tall (26 inches high).
Another big plus on this gate is that it is completely portable and not hard at all to play up and take to a beach or park. You simply fold the interlocking pieces down and clip the carrying strap together and you’re good to go. It’s a little on the heavy side when carrying it condensed, but not overly so.
Overall, I want to impress upon you what a lifesaver this product has been for my stay-at-home-mom lifestyle. I don’t feel afraid to leave my daughter for a moment while I get her some food from the kitchen or wonder what she’s getting into while I use the bathroom. This is just one big stress relief for me and it really has changed my day-to-day life with my daughter. Pretty good for sixty bucks, huh?
While booking your ticket, ask what your airline’s guidelines are regarding infant travel. Most times children under age 2 are considered lap babies, and you do not have to purchase an additional seat for them, as long as you can keep them in you lap throughout the flight. Some airlines require that the child be in a carseat (but some airlines have carseats available).
It is important to carefully pack your carry-on bag. Make sure to bring enough diapers (then add a couple for good measure, because you may get stuck somewhere) and wipes, and a plastic bag for the soiled ones. Having been trapped in an airplane with a baby that had her second diaper blowout of the day at 35,000 feet, I recommend that you pack two changes of clothes as well as an extra shirt for yourself. An extra receiving blanket or two will give you somewhere to put baby during an impromptu diaper change. Of course a favorite toy or blanket to give them comfort is important.
Because babies cannot change the pressure in their ears as the cabin pressurizes, you may want to bring a pacifier or feed your infant during takeoff and landing to encourage them to swallow. If your baby is formula-fed, bring enough formula and bottles for the trip, and then add a couple more. If your baby is breast-fed you can breastfeed your baby upon takeoff and landing. If this is not practical or desirable, you can bottle-feed your baby expressed breastmilk. Breastmilk can stand at room temperature for up to 10 hours, so it can be expressed at home and used on the trip. TSA regulations allow for breastmilk volumes greater than three ounces to be carried onto the plane, as long as the baby is there with you and you keep the breastmilk separate from all the other items going through screening. You will not be asked to taste your milk.
I recommend that you not check your baby’s stroller, and use it to get around in the airport. It can be checked at the gate, and it will be waiting for you outside the door of the plane when you arrive at your destination. Having a stroller is somewhat cumbersome when going through airport screening, as you have to place it on the conveyor belt. However, it is my experience that people are very helpful will offer to help you fold the stroller or set it back up on the other side of security, and having it while going from gate to gate is useful.
Make sure to accept any help anyone offers. Whether it be holding an elevator, putting your bag on a security conveyor, or letting you have a particular seat any help you can get will help ease your burden. Take advantage of early boarding calls. This will give you the chance to get situated without having to climb over anyone or worry about not having space in the overhead compartment.
Traveling with an infant can be very stressful, so it is important to remain calm and not get frustrated. Being organized and having these tips in hand will help make traveling with your infant a stress-free experience.
