Little Gulliver – Page 8 – Little Gulliver

As seen in Mother & Baby magazine

If you’re flicking through the *Dec/Jan2011 ‘Mother & Baby’ you might notice our great travel bed…

“Travelling with your bub is challenging enough without the added worry of transporting baby paraphernalia from one location to another! Lightweight and easy to asssemble, a travel cot is a sanity-saving essential, especially for parents constantly on the go.”

Goldbug Pea Pod Travel Bed, 4kg, $74.95

The brightly coloured Pea Pod fits into a suitcase or the back of a car. Lightweight and compact, the collapsed Pod pops into a bed in seconds, Suitable from birth until bub can sit up unassisted.

*See page 145 for a ‘5 Minute Guide to Travel Cots’

Available now at Little Gulliver.

Dreaming of the Pacific?

If you’re wanting to escape Christmas / end of year planning, maybe a short break is what you need! And hooray, you can take your CARES Child Aviation Restraint! Pacific Blue have updated their online ‘Travelling with Infants and Children’ policy to specifically mention CARES. See Pacific Blue; Travelling with Infants and Children.

Update;

logo

Pacific Blue relaunched in December 2012 as part of the larger Virgin Australia brand making it easier to book international flights with Virgin. Operating as Virgin Australia, the airline still offers discount flights to major island holiday hot spots across the Pacific, including flights to New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Papua New Guinea, Bali and Phuket from major Australian airports like Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney.

Win an Aquadoodle Travel n Doodle!

Little Gulliver and Bubs About Town have a great giveaway for November – win one of two Aquadoodle Travel n Doodles!

To win one of these fantastic products visit Bubs About Town and tell them (in 50 words or less) your best way to entertain your child on long plane or car trips. Entries close 30th November and the winner will be chosen on the 1st December. And while you’re there, check out their Aquadoodle Travel n Doodle product review..

Bubs About Town started after some mums met at their local Mothers Group – now its Newcastles no 1 Parenting website! Their aim is to inform “parents about all things relating to babies and children, and for families to experience and use the great services in Newcastle.” Visit them for some play ideas, savings or even a good park if you live in or are planning on visiting the beautiful Hunter Valley.

For more information on visiting Newcastle, seeing what’s on and even booking some accommodation, visit the tourism website here.

New 'Gulliver's Travels' movie

Gullivers Travels – the novel by Jonathon Swift was the inspiration for our business name, Little Gulliver – Travel Essentials for Kids.

We have been eagerly anticipating the new movie, being released in the US in 3D, December this year. Its starring Jack Black and also has Emily Blunt, Jason Segel, Amanda Peet and Billy Connolly…

Can you travel on a bus with a 20 month old?

Lynn said: November 3rd 2010 3:10 PM

hello i am looking to catch a train and a bus with my 20 month old daughter and i am wondering if that is allowed or if there has to be some form of childcare restraint?

Donna @ Little Gulliver said: November 3rd 2010 8:22 PM

Hi Lynn,

That’s a really good question! It can be confusing, with the rigorous child restraint laws for cars and the lack of for trains, buses, planes and taxi’s…that being said though, yes it is allowed in Australia, sort of!

caboose-476382__180 Trains – I have not heard of trains having any restraints to date. There is no legal requirement that I know of. From a mums point of view, it is a lot of fun. My kids love it whenever we travel by train. My son was around that age when I first took him on a train, we had a window seat and I can still remember those wide eyes. He loved it!

Depending on how stable the train is travelling, you may feel more comfortable with her on your lap, or at least with an arm around beside you. I would also set your rules such as “we need to sit down on the train”. If you have a stroller with you, you may like to leave her strapped in it, if you are able to stand or crouch nearby (especially if she’s asleep)!

Strollers and trains – I should also mention the obvious things about strollers and train platforms, after the recent incidents…many platforms run downwards towards the tracks. If your stroller doesn’t have a wrist strap, grab one – they are a bit of peace of mind whenever you step out (trains or not).

Buses – These can be a little complicated and can depend on the size of the bus etc. Generally though, the law is that if a seatbelt is fitted the child (and yourself) should be seated using it. If the bus is under 12 seats an approved child restraint or booster seat should be fitted.

Sounds like you’ve got some fun outings ahead, take a camera!

Regards,

Donna

Some references include;

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/childrestraintlaws

http://www.kidsafevic.com.au/news-and-media-releases/114-pram-safety

The Best Way to Potty Train

Paediatrician Robert Needlman M.D. talks about The best way to potty train on Yahoo.

Potette Plus_outdoors — Potette Plus 2 in 1 Potty

In the interest of full disclosure, I need to tell you that I get no money from any maker of diapers, drugs, or potties. Well, to be honest, no one has made me an offer. But I am talking with a publisher about writing a book on toilet training. And even though there are already a million toilet training books out there, mine will be different, because I really believe that there is no one right way to do it. There is, however, a right way to toilet train your child, and you know best what it is.

Ideas about toilet training keep changing. A hundred years ago, for example, the general idea was that mothers knew best; babies were ready to train when their moms thought they were.

Later, in the 1930s, most experts took a tougher stand. A U.S. Government publication told moms to start training at birth and be done by 6 to 8 months. It recommended using a “soap stick rectal conditioner.” I don’t even want to know what that is! Mothers were supposed to hold children to a strict schedule, “not varying the time by as much as five minutes.”

In the 1950s, “child centered” toilet training became popular. The main idea was that training should be about the child’s needs, not the parents’ convenience. This was the era of psychoanalysis, which taught that early parenting mistakes could mess children up for life. No wonder parents were nervous!

Potette Plus_inside — Potette Plus 2 in 1 Potty

Lots of mothers, and fathers too, have been watching and watching and… watching some more. In the last half century, the average age of toilet training has inched up, both in the U.S. and many other places. Super-absorbent disposable diapers might have something to do with it. Sometimes even I find it hard to tell whether or not a baby has peed, and I have my hands in diapers all day long. For whatever reason, it’s not unusual to find three- and even four-year-olds who still don’t feel comfortable on the potty.

In response, perhaps, some modern parents have started toilet training when their babies are still, well, babies. The idea that babies can control their sphincters even before they can walk is far from new. Way back in 1977, the top pediatric journal ran an article about the toilet training practices of the Digo people of Kenya. There, bowel and bladder training began in the first few weeks of life in 88 percent of households, and “reasonable night and day dryness” was expected by four months.

How did they do it? The authors observed, “The Digo baby’s first two months are spent in almost constant physical contact with the mother, in her arms or strapped to her back for comfort, sleep, and maternal convenience.” This constant contact allowed the moms to learn to read their babies’ cues, and to teach the babies to link certain positions and sounds with the act of “going.”

The techniques aren’t difficult to learn or to adapt to modern settings, and many parents are choosing to do just that. Parents who go this route also often say that they feel a special closeness with their babies. I suspect that they sometimes feel a special dampness, too.

Anyhow, like I said, there clearly are many paths that lead to the same dry, clean end. You can choose whichever way fits you and your baby best.

What I take on the plane

I use a great nappy bag, it’s a satchel style by day and converts to a back pack – ideal when travelling with a baby. Strap your baby into an Ergo Baby, put your back-pack on and you’re set to board (and have a free hand if you have toddlers). Together, these work really well in smaller airports where boarding and disembarking may entail a number of stairs.

The gear

Our ‘baby’ is 18 months old now, so our nappy bag also has his lunch box with snacks.

One back pack, comfort toy and lunch box each for 3 & 4 year old. They’ve each travelled with their own back pack from 2’ish
Heinz disposable bibs for baby and Sticky fingers wipes
Drink bottle each
a selection of Crayola or other colouring books and large washable crayons (comes in an 8 pack so I’m covered if some get lost or roll down the plane aisle)
Medibuddy

Back Packs

Our 3 and 4 year old carry their own back-packs and have been comfortable to do this from around 2+. I have read other people suggesting that kids wont carry their own backpacks and that you’ll end up carrying them yourself? I haven’t had this problem, my kids love their backpacks and insist on having them on. I’ve found it’s all about routine.

We range the Little Beetle backpacks because they fit all our criteria. They are gorgeous, comfortable and have lots of zip pockets. Easy to use for the kids and even come with a pop top drink bottle. Great quality, great designs.

In the kids back packs for these short flights I have a lunch box and a comfort toy. In the lunch box I always pack a few serviettes and numerous snacks. I generally let them pick “1” thing to eat at various intervals (otherwise they will just eat everything – been there, done that).

The comfort toy is seldom used, but handy to have in case they get sleepy or distressed. My eldest son is really keen on his teddy, but I asked my daughter to choose which toy she wanted to bring. So dolly is coming too.

For these ages I generally keep the play activities in my satchel. This way I can pass them out, based on timing in the flight and moods. It’s also easier to keep track on what they have. For older kids and longer trips I would keep a checklist of the activities we have with us (to make sure we don’t leave any) and only let the child use one or 2 at a time before putting away.

This is a short trip and we will be picked up at the other end by family. For longer trips I would look at Potette Plus (ideal to ensure you always have a clean toilet and no line up), colouring / sticker books, a selection of small cars or animals and I would consider a walking harness (especially when travelling with a baby and a toddler in busy areas like airports and shopping centres).

Little Gulliver have harnesses that range from wrist straps to cuddly toys. We understand that parents and children’s needs are varied and therefore have plenty to choose from.

Lunch Boxes

Drink bottle (water), serviettes, vegemite and cheese scrolls, pre-packed sweet biscuits, banana, apple and cheese sticks. This seems like a lot of food, but if you’ve read some of my other posts you will remember I have been stuck on the tarmac and run out of food on more than 1 occasion. Now, I pack big and limit ie – “you can pick 1 thing out of the lunch box now”. This seems to work well.

I also always try and travel over a meal time. I find having lunch or tea helps to pass the time. The scrolls work well, I usually have them ready frozen in the freezer to take out the night before. Of course you can buy food on the plane, but that just seems like extra work so I don’t tend to. Maybe when they’re older.

Diaperbuds — Vacuum -packed to save space and keep them fresh and clean

Now that our youngest is much more capable I carried him easily and use a satchel style nappy bag for him. Spare nappies, travel wipes, disposable change mats, disposable bibs and a lunch box full of snacks. I also put a snack for myself in his box. I have travelled before with no food for myself and then have been busy changing a nappy when the food cart went by or trying to stop someone from having a tantrum! And have arrived hungry with a headache!

Next instalment will be more about the flight – choosing flight times, airlines, boarding and using a CARES.

Joan Lunden on Kinderkord

Ever wondered who invented the Kinderkord? Here’s an episode of ‘Dad Labs’ where Clay sits down with former Good Morning America host, Joan Lunden, at the ABC Kids and Baby Expo in the USA.

Joan is a mum of seven children and the inventor of the KinderKord. This patented safety product is a wrist to wrist connection to connect parents to their kids. Mums and dads keep their hands free while kids stay safe and connected.

Kinderkord is back in stock at Little Gulliver and available at our online store here (this product is hard to find in Australia). We find our Kinderkord customers are generally families with multiple children, have older children they feel have outgrown a 2-in-1 harness buddy or are about to undertake some long stoppovers and connecting flights.

The Breastfeeding Blanket – UV

I love the Breastfeeding Blanket!

While I absolutely support breastfeeding anytime, anyplace – sometimes you may want to be a little discreet (speaking from experience). This may be because of what you are wearing or where you are. The Breastfeeding Blanket can give you peace of mind, so you only need think about your baby and yourself.

Little Gulliver stocks the UV version, as it is such a versatile option, making breastfeeding in a sunny spot less of a concern and making an ideal pram cover to boot (its nice to be prepared for anything when you’re travelling). The video shows below how easy it is to use.

Ten steps to choosing the right family resort

This article was written by Deborah Dickson-Smith and can be found at Ninemsn’s Travel Blog.

Lots of resorts and hotels claim to be family-friendly, but the key to a happy, stress-free family holiday lies in the detail.

There’s nothing worse than arriving at your hotel after a long flight to discover the kids’ club doesn’t accept kids under two years of age. Or your accommodation consists of one room that you have to whisper in and watch TV with the sound down while your kids get to sleep. The best advice for a holiday you can all enjoy is to prepare and do your research.

So, before you go, make sure you get these details right.

1. With or without kids?
Decide what kind of holiday you want with your kids. Do you want to laze by the pool with a big fat crime novel while your kids go wild at the kids’ club? Or do you want to play with your children and explore your chosen destination together? Or a combination of the two? Think about it.

2. Rooms
Check that the hotel offers suites or adjoining rooms, and what deals they offer for families. Sharing a standard hotel room with two kids is doable but not enjoyable — especially for a week. To test out your level of endurance, get the family to camp out in the living room for a night and see how much you enjoy it.

3. Cooking
It’s best to choose a room with a kitchenette, or at least a microwave, so you can prepare meals for the kids in your room and avoid eating out every day. It’s not just a matter of expense; the kids won’t want a full meal three times a day so it’s useful to be able to make them sandwiches or two-minute noodles on occasion.

4. Bottles and baby paraphernalia
If your baby is bottle-fed you’ll also need a microwave or a bottle warmer to warm bottles. Have a plan in place as well for sterilising bottles and dummies. Make sure you request a cot and it’s worth asking if the hotel has highchairs.

5. Nappies
If you don’t want to take supplies for the entire length of your stay then find out in advance if there’s somewhere nearby you can purchase them. I once spent an entire day in Bali searching the shelves of all the local mini-marts trying to find diapers … A diabolical waste of time.

6. Kids’ clubs
They may have one, but what ages does it cater for? Some kids’ clubs don’t cater for under-twos at all and it may be even harder with older kids. Ask about what activities they have planned for kids of different ages — especially older kids. Remember, they’re on holiday, too, and may not relish the idea of spending all day colouring-in. Some resorts will have two to three different clubs for different ages.

7. Babysitting
Ask how readily available babysitters are and how far in advance you have to book them. It’s also worth checking credentials — especially with younger kids so you can feel comfortable leaving your kids with a stranger and enjoy a night out.

8. Restaurants
Check out the kids menu and buffet options. Some resorts charge $1 for each year of your child’s age (which seems reasonable) and some provide free food for all kids under 12 years of age. It’s also worth checking if there are any family-friendly restaurants nearby so you’re not stuck at the resort buffet every night.

9. Activities and entertainment
Find out the range of activities available at the resort that you can all enjoy, whether that’s surfing, sailing, volleyball, kayaking or wet weather entertainment such as movies and video games. Some resorts will provide DVD players and even games consoles in your room, with a range of DVDs and games for hire at reception. A DVD player is a much better (and cheaper) choice than in-room movies — pack your kids’ own favourites before you leave home.

10. Health
Ask about the nearest medical facilities and how quickly you can access them in an emergency. Whether that’s a broken limb or Delhi belly, it’s comforting to know that there is a doctor available a quick phone call away. And make sure you choose the right travel insurance.

This article was written by Deborah Dickson-Smith and can be found at Ninemsn’s Travel Blog.