[2boysmom]

I need some advise from others who have adopted and had to travel out of state. Our second adoption will be occuring any time in the next few weeks and I am starting to get anxious. Our first son was born in the same state that we live in, so we only had to travel a hour to the hospital. Our next son is going to be born in another state (a three hour airplane ride). I know I will get more info from the "professionals" as we get closer but I want some real life advise. Any insight anyone can provide will be appriciated. I'm starting to get really nervous. This adoption is just so different from our first one. Ok, enough rambling here are my questions:

How was staying in a hotel with a newborn? What kind of hotel did you stay in? What was the most important thing you brought with you?

How old was the baby when you flew home? Is it safe for a 5-10 day old baby to fly?

Did you bring any other children with you? (We are bringing our 2 1/2 year old son) How did you cope with a newborn and toddler in the hotel.

Thanks in advance for any help. The clock is ticking, and like everyone else out there waiting, I'm starting to go a little crazy...

[bumpkin]

2boys -

We were out of state for 3 weeks with the birth of our first son. It was very important to stay in a hotel that was a studio style - had a kitchen, sitting area and bed area.(after about 3 days you tire of rest. food) The hotel had cribs so that wasn't a problem. We did not spend alot of money was a very modest chain - knights inn, it was actually less expensive that the hotel that we had the first few nights.

I would stay in a hotel that had in indoor pool if possible - that way one of you can take the 2 1/2 year old swimming for distraction - they all love the water and it will tucker him out.

If you can stay someplace that has things to walk to - that would be helpful too - try not to stay in a hotel that's just off a highway ramp that you can't go anywere.... even a small park will be a relief for a toddler.

we bought a carriage while we were waiting at a consignment shop - but actually a sling that we got there was more helpful.

We didn't bring alot, (was short notice - we flied in 24 hours of finding out) but almost everywhere in the US has aWalmart or Kmart that you can get to to buy things that you need. Don't worry about packing and bringing everything - especially if you will be traveling with a toddler.

We flew to the other state - but drove back. It was less expensive and we had accumulated alot of stuff in the 3 weeks! It took us 2 days to get home, but the airfare was going to be $1200 for 2 of us to fly with a baby and we only paid $150 drop off fee to drop our rental car off in another state. Don't know how far away you will be. I think if you have to fly I would ask my pediatrician and or the ariline that you are traveling on if they have any restrictions.


Good luck and let us know if you have any more questions.

Bumpkin

[tobeafamily]

Ryan was born in Texas, we live in Virginia. Here's my thoughts:

1. Find an extended stay hotel or short-term corporate apartment. They can be less expensive than regular hotel rooms, have kitchens, pots, pans, and laundry on site. All these will be an asset.

2. Be sure to tell the hotel staff you're here to adopt. We got the weekly rate even though we weren't sure how many days we'd be there (Extended Stay America hotel) and they gave us 'free' daily room service even though we were only supposed to get weekly. The housekeeping staff even helped with laundry once, though I think that was because of Ryan's dimples.

3. Also tell the hospital - they sent us home with 2 weeks worth of premixed formula and sterile nipples, along with tons of diapers.

4. Bring a carseat (for travel and for sleeping), a few blankies (2-3), about 12 cotton onesies. Everything else - diapers, wipes, cream, etc. can be bought while there. LOVED those Johnson's disposable bath wipes, they had just came out when Ryan was born and were wonderful.

5. As to airlines, most won't allow an infant under 14 days to travel without a doctor's certification that it's healthy. Definitely check though as each airline is different. Southwest was OK with 7 days, AirTran though wanted 6 weeks and we almost got stranded in Atlanta with our 17 day old when they told us he was too young to fly (my response: well he's three hours older than when he got on your plan in Houston).

We didn't buy the extra seat for Ryan and it wasn't a problem - he wanted to be held anyway. He was fine - slept most of the time, we nursed him on the ascent and descent to help with his ears and he 'anointed' one of the bathrooms when I changed him. NOTE: Newer airplanes have diaper decks - wonderful!

Can't give you any thoughts on having other children with us as Ryan was our first.

HTH,

Regina, AMom to Ryan Joshua Thomas

[#1Mommy]

I would definately reccomend Extended StayAmerica It is a great place to stay and is fairly inexpensive (about $49 a night or $249 a week depending on where you are). Plus it would also help pay my hubby's paycheck (he is a manager for them), lol!

[taggrr2]

Ditto the studio style room. Ditto also that a lot of stuff can be bought there. I packed one extra soft side bag and was going to buy another there to take back.

I had never heard of the age restriction until after we got back, unfortunately, we didn't have the baby with us.

ONe thing we found is that a lot of airlines no longer charge change fees, or are minimal, as long as the cities stay the same. It is much cheaper to make your reservations around the due date and then call and change as things happen, even if you do have to pay a fee. Talk to them about this.

[Support2Adopt]

We had to travel out of state for one of our adoptions and things went just fine. Just make sure in advance to check out the drinking water and find out if you will have to boil the water or not.
I would get a AAA book for the area and see what things there are to do while you wait for your paperwork to clear.
JJ

[Calebsmom]

The one most valuable item: a hotpot to sterilize baby bottle/pacifier items and to boil water. We used nursers with the disposable bags because of the sterility and fewer actual plastic bottles to bring. Bring a list of all your important phone numbers on one sheet. Request a refrigerator. Our agency recommended our motel, it was within walking distance of their office, the mall, and reasonable restaurants. We did get the baby's seat home on the plane. He was nine days old and nobody mentioned any problems. It must be a new policy.

What we wouldn't do again: we brought canned formula by the case. It was heavy and in the way, and turned out to be the wrong kind. We brought the fold-up bed part of our metal bassinette, but the baby preferred his carrier/carseat.

What we bought while there: a lightweight, reclining stroller. Diapers and formula, camera film, baby hygiene items. Preemie sized clothes. His baby book, and started to fill it in right away. Announcements.

Don't worry! Everything has a way of working out. You can do it! Sending you lots of positive thoughts!

[2boysmom]

Thank you everyone for all of the valuable advise. You've all made me feel better already. It's been a very stressfull two weeks and all of your replys have helped a lot!

[nawlinsmom]

Just wanted to add that everything I accumulated throughout the stay, I shipped home via, UPS. It helped so much, I had stayed in California for 3 weeks awaiting the okay to return to Louisiana. During that time I had purchased a bassinet and a car seat and then when I left the hospital with my son they also gave me a car seat so I had alot to ship and not wanting to have to get it on the plane the UPS idea worked great, everything arrived home the day after we did. Good Luck.

[taggrr2]

One thing I forgot that I had planned on doing. Save some of the small premade hospital bottles for the way home. It will be much easier to do than to worry about a big can!

[lmdsykes]

wow- I don't have advise for you , but we expect our phone call sometime before the end of the year. BUt those are exactly the questions I had!! I have one bioloigal son (10) he would be coming with us. I too worry about traveling w/ an infant and we would be going NY to TX. Have you heard anything about ways of financing airfare? I was thinking maybe companies might donate frequent flyer miles for this reason.?? (Wishful thinking??) That would be great, but I'm just trying to come up with ways to cut expenses. If you know of anything, let me now. Good luck w/ your soon to be new baby and I will be watching to see answers to your questions!

[MyGrlnme]

Hi! I received my call and was on my way to the airport 12 hours later! lol....
I used a travel agent that specializes in adoption travel (you can email me if you want the information)
They were wonderful ! Even gave me a list of things to take along. A car seat was # 1. Then, I took along an extra suitcase, so I had room to bring home things I bought there. I was in another state over a month. I took: diapers (one pack so I didn't have to run right out and get them) a few outfits, mostly pjs'... wipes (love those johnson baby wash clothes too) because no bath for the first 10 days! dr. brown bottles, since they are great for colic and newborns... my diaper bag, which was empty... lol receiving blankets ( a few) and a baby blanket) I also took crib sheets because the hotel had a crib.
I was very lucky as far as hotel went. We stayed at Marriot Hotel suites... They knew we would be there over a week.. and gave us a great rate of $60 per night... since we were there longer.. and adopting... they reduced the rate to $50 a night.. that included breakfast every morning... housekeeping each day.. it had a fridge and microwave and a kitchenette! Enterprise car rental also gave us a great deal.... and for airlines... we used US Air.. they were very accommodating.. and we had a 5 hour flight home and had to change planes! The captain even took a picture with the baby... I did not need a certificate and did not have to pay for a seat.... they let me put the car seat right in a seat since it wasn't a full flight home... they warmed the bottles and I also got a care package from the hospital for the flight home.. save those small bottles and disposable nipples from the hospital and the small cans of formula or bottles... they are a real asset ! The baby was fine on the flight... I just made sure I was feeding her when we took off and gave her a pacifier when we were going to land.... I didnt bring other children with me.. my I had lots of family fly to where I was since I was there a long time.. (stayed to finalize right in the state she was born in) and we made sure there was a pool and a game room... ( I even got to use it once myself.. lol) You can feel free to PM me if you have other questions... good luck

[hpoefull2003]

Sounds like you got a lot of good suggestions the only thing I can add is. Get a microwave steam sterilizer (avent). It worked wonders and it was so easy I used it until mine where 6 or 8 months. It was a dream to travel with and at home. 4 min to sterilize. I hope where ever you are traveling to it is warm so you can walk the 2 1/2 yr around.

Mona

[mlbsands]

2boys,

well.. it now seems as if this post is going to be very useful to me as well.. We are matched with a birthmom due May 2nd.. so.. how is your planning going? When is she due?

Do you all think we should buy the car seat now, or just go and get one once we get in the town where our baby will be born? We were trying to decide since we will have to travel across the country and change planes?

Thanks

Mandy