What to take for the little guy

[Delta]

I leave in a little over a month and I'm trying to get everything packed and ready to go (I'm OCD like that - but only with packing). I have all of the little guys clothes set aside, his shoes, his snacks (wheat allergy so he only snacks on certain things) and of course his swim trunks and swim diapers. What else should I definitely have for a toddler?

I am going to bring some tried and true toys of course as well as the Elmo dvd -very necessary! I'm trying really hard not to overdo it but as this is our first time having this experience I thought I'd ask those of you that have been in my shoes.

Oh the waterproof sunscreen is already in the bag! I have also purchased everything I think we will need for the first aid kit (never travel without one!)

[Luvsdaislands]

hey girlie,

I've never traveled with a toddler but I would bring everything that I use at home for him. (you know I'm OCD too, lol).

Stroller
Sippy cups or bottles
Baby Blanket(s)
Beach shoes
Beach toys (balls, bucket, rake, etc. etc.)
Insect repellent (he is new meat so I know the skittas will have a field day)
His spoons and folks
Baby bowls and plates
Baby folding chair
Swiming diapers
Sunhat
Little blow up rings for babies
Arm blow up thingees

[Delta]

The stroller and car seat are thorns in my sides. I'm tryiing to decide if I want to get a little umbrella stroller there or if I should bring one from here. The carseat is huge but I'd rather have him safe then not. I'm only gonna be gone a week and I feel overwhelmed by the luggage already!

Beach toys we are gonna get there (trying to save at least a little room in the luggage) and just leave them there. I have bought 2 kinds of repellant for him. Trying to do the natural thing. His diaper bag has the bowls and other feeding utensils. I'm wondering if I should get a life jacket. I don't go in the water pass my knees (I can't swim and Jamaica isn't the place for me to learn!) so he won't be going in the water too far at all! Maybe the life jacket may be too much. Got a blow up ring for him and for me (its an all in one) but now I'm on the search for arm rings that will fit him! Your OCD and my OCD have just increased my luggage LOL!

[Luvsdaislands]

OK I am anti umbrella stroller...I hate those things!!! LOL! My son brought one for my grandson and I put that thing in the closet and that's where it sat!! but I think one regular stroller should be ok. What about the juices that he drinks?

[marley9808]

I have never travelled with a toddler either but I would probably recommend bringing some medicine or something.
You mentioned he had an allergy so I would definitely bring some childrens benadryl as you never know if he might have a reaction to something there, either something blooming, or bug bites, etc.
Maybe even some children's tylenol or things along those lines if her were to get sick or have a fever.

Just a thought.
I tend to overpack too because I always want to be prepared for everything.

But don't stress it too much. If needed, you can surely find just about anything (or at least a close facsimile) while in Negril.

[Delta]

Luvs I hate them too but his regular stroller is huge and heavy (I was reading reviews trying to find the safest one. The safest was one of the heaviest). Umbrella strollers are light. A stroller may be unnecessary as its not gonna be feasible to stroll on the beach LOL

Marly - you right, I need to just relax! The medicines are taken care of as I'm a stickler for having the proper first aid kit for both of us! So if you need bandaids, antacids, gauze or anything else, come see me. I will have it!

[marley9808]

Sweet....one less thing for me to pack, I will just come visit the Delta First Aid Store! :)

[SweetSue]

Delta - I have never brought little ones to JA but I think it sounds like you got it all covered. The likelihood of you needing a stroller is slim HOWEVER I did see the cutest thing - its a carry on suitcase that looks like an animal with wheels and a pull handle designed for the kid to ride. I saw a mom with one in Miami airport and her little guy was was riding along like a champ.

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[yetta]

Sounds like you have the most important things covered. I don't know if your toddler has flown before but if he hasn't....got a tip or so that will help out on that. I flew once with my 2 year old grandson. I was really concerned for him since he had never flown. So, I went on line and found several sites that showed take off, landing, sounds, etc. I watched them with him several days before we flew. Even printed out some jet pictures for him to color. I wondered before I left hoping he would not be one of those that cried all the way, or was obnoxious.....Well, Nana was so proud of him. He did great!! He was so excited to be on the plane and the take off...excited him to the max! Once we landed, he cracked everyone up that was around us...he said, "OK, Nana, lets get this party started!!" Granted this was only about a 50 minute non-stop flight to Myrtle Beach where his older sister was in a Softball World series game...but to this day, I am still proud of the likkle fellow. Good luck and enjoy!! You are so blessed to be able to expose him to another culture so young. I've got 6 grandpickney, so doubtful that I can ever be able to take them all.

[jasperpso]

Coming from a guy who has travelled with my 2 daughters as a single father since my now 10 try old was 14 months old.. the single most important item, you said you already have, is 90+spf waterproof sunblock.. put i on every time you think about it.. I have always been ocd about this.. and not much else.. I worry about a room when get somewhere, sunblock I have planned.. nothing worse then seeing little ones suffer from blusters and burns when it is totally avoidable.. and I've seen so many kids burned over the years when parents don't get the uv is stronger in the carribean..
Otherwise, sounds like you have a good start.. there is so much activity in Negril, you won't need as much entertainment as you might think.. my kids love Negril.

[Eden]

I would pack a small ziploc with some of those individual packets of powdered Pedialyte. They can be added to bottled water to reconstitute. So much better than lugging those big bottles of Pedialyte in your suitcase, and they really help to keep the lil one hydrated during the hot days. Instead of a life jacket, you might want to consider getting one of those all in one swimsuit with floaties built in. This one has the advantage of SPF+50 sunscreen built into the fabric: http://www.amazon.com/Floating-Swimsuit-Protection-Flotation-1-5-3-5/dp/B004C5JX7A/ref=pd_sim_t_4
The stroller might be helpful to you in the airports, because you can safely strap him in without worrying about him in crowds and you won't have to carry him around. Also, you can easily gate check it when you board the flight. However, I don't think it will be that useful in the sand, or that safe to use on the sides of road with those crazy fast drivers!
Just try to keep your little one in the shade as much as possible, and keep him hydrated with fluids. You will both have a wonderful trip!!!!

[Delta]

Thanks everyone!!!!!!!!

I feel a bit better now as I see I was truly on the right path. He has flown before but he was truly a little baby so he slept there and back but that was a domestic flight.

I will order the floaty suit and his water socks. He hates the feel of grass on his feet so I'm getting the water socks as a precaution in case he hates the sand as well!

[Babalew]

That powdered pedialyte sounds a great idea.

[cassidygirl]

I would go with the swim vest. You would be able to put it on and take off as needed, while a floaty suit he would have to keep on, and may feel bulky and uncomfortable while just playing on the beach. A jogging stroller works great on the beach. The smaller umbrella strollers are not good for that. My child has a wheat allergy as well, so bring plenty of gluten free food. An epi-pen is a great thing to keep on hand just in case. Have a great time and take lots of pix :D

[Babalew]

Love the epi pen suggestion too. you never know.

[Delta]

The Epi pen is a must even going to the grocery store!!! So far haven't had to use it (thank you Jesus) but I'm really dilligent about what I allow him to eat. I went to a Jamaican restaurant here for dinner last week and fed the chickn rick and peas ans calaloo to him and there were no issues. Gonna do it again this friday and the next couple just to make sure.

Thanks Cassidy. Now I hope we get to use this thing! LOL. He likes water and likes splashing but once it gets in his face he is done! I do know one of the days I'm supposed to go to the waterpark (sooooo not my idea) so the life vest would be better so he can have his own instead of wearing one that would be provided.

Thinking about it more, gonna forego the stroller. That's too much stuff. I have a little push thingy that attaches to his car seat that would help me maneuver him through the airports. So if you see us I will be the one walking at .5 miles an hour while my little one runs at .4 miles an hour. We will probably stop at just about every place before we make it to our intended destination! LOL

[Eden]

I meant to add that another hidden secret of the Pedialyte packs is that it's also great as a hangover remedy for adults! :) Rehydrates your body very quickly after a night of drinking :-) You can easily find the packets in the baby aisle of grocery stores or pharmacies. Amazon sells them too if you want them shipped to you. My boyfriend is a CrossFit fanatic, and he and his gym buddies apparently prefer Pedialyte over Gatorade. They say it's more effective in replenishing electolytes and is lower carb than Gatorade.

Also, make sure to pack an extra outfit in your carry- on for both you and baby. You never know if baby might get sick or spill something on you during flight. And, always carry more diapers/wipes than you think you will need in the carry-on. I've been on delayed/grounded flights before with a baby and went through what I thought would be my extra diapers/wipes rather quickly :(

But, most of all, remain flexible, and I think you and your toddler will have a blast! :)