5 Tips for Traveling with Your Baby

Summer is upon us and many families are currently traveling or plan to travel within the next month.  Here are a few tips when traveling with your baby:

1. Book the aisle & window seat (if the plane seats 3-across) .  Then call the airline to let them know you will be traveling with a baby, the airline will take note and if it's not a full flight will leave the middle seat available.

2. Pack enough formula/food on your carry-on for 24 hours.  It's best to be prepared in case your plane gets diverted or you are stuck on the tarmac for a long period of time.

3.  Bring an empty pillowcase on the plane.  Ask the flight attendant for pillows and blankets.  Stuff your empty pillowcase with the pillows and blankets.  This creates your own boppy for breastfeeding and a nice comfortable cushion on your lap where your baby can sleep. 

4.  When loading the plane, do not immediately sit down.  Typically parents traveling with small children are in the first group of people to board the plane.  When you board, stand near the back of the plane holding your baby.  If you sit down too soon, by the time it's time for takeoff your baby will have ants-in-their pants.

5.  When the plane is ascending or descending make sure your baby is sucking.  Sucking can be on a bottle, pacifier, etc.  The "sucking" should begin once you personally feel the plan ascending/descending.

Bonus:  Bring fun-size chocolates to pass out to those sitting closest to you.  A great way to break the ice and help ease they pain of a screaming baby.  Everyone loves chocolate!!

The Book EVERY Expecting Parent Should Own

The new book ALL all parents, baby nurses, nannies, and baby planners must read:

BABY BARGAINS!!!!

http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Bargains-Secrets-furniture-maternity/dp/1889392405

This book has EVERYTHING there is to know about baby gear. The book, without bias,

reviews & rates every kind of baby gear you can imagine.

I'm a little OCD about harmful chemicals and trying to keep my home as GREEN as possible. So, when I was searching for a new crib and dresser, I read every review of every crib in the book- literally. Of course, I asked a handful of nannies and baby nurses what cribs they did (or did not recommend), and all their recommendations aligned with what the reviews in BABY BARGAINS had to say.

I did not read BABY BARGAINS in hopes to find the best "deal" on baby products. I read the book to find the best quality products on the market. For example, a crib that one of our VIP clients uses for their new baby cost $1500, and they have had nothing but problems with this particular crib and (according to the nanny) the customer service for this particular brand has been a "nightmare." BABY BARGAINS gives this brand a "C-rating". (A= BEST, F= WORST)

Three other VIP clients have purchased a different crib which retails for $400 and each client (separately) raved about their purchase. The nannies had positive reviews as well. BABY BARGAINS gives this particular brand an "A-rating".

If you know a mommy who is expecting, especially a 1st time mom, this book is an invaluable resource! The cool thing is, the book updates every year to stay on tops of the ever changing baby market- new brands, new designs, new products, etc. BABY BARGAINS is all you need!!!

Warner Bros. Recommends VIP Nannies to one Happy Dad

"A friend from Warner Bros. recommended VIP Nannies. As a single father with a baby on the way, my stress level was pretty high. They helped me find the perfect nanny who loves to sing and read to my infant daughter and helps take great care of her. And when my entertainment industry job throws a curveball that requires after hours help on short notice, they've come through for me with very qualified baby nurses.”

~ Michael Donkins, Prime

National Nanny Recognition Week-THIS WEEK

More Ways to Appreciate Your Nanny

*A pay raise

*An IRA

*A card and framed photo of the family

*Membership fees to local nanny support group or other Professional Organization

(www.nanny.org)

*Pay for Conference fees to INA (International Nanny Association) Conference with paid professional days to attend the event.

*Gift Certificate for manicure/pedicure or massage

*Gift Certificate to favorite store

You may be surprised as an employer, but these "tokens" of appreciate speak volumes to a nanny!!

LA City Controller Wendy Greuel Mentions her Nanny

Today, I was honored to attend the Step Up Women's Network Power Breakfast with guest speaker LA City Controller Wendy Greuel. Wendy spoke candidly to a small group of 40 successful women at Morton's Steakhouse in downtown Los Angeles. Wendy mentioned, "It's the little things (in life) that matter," in regards to making an impact in the world. Wendy has definitely made and impact on the city of Los Angeles, thus far.

Also, Wendy mentioned not once, but twice the nanny who takes care of her son, Thomas. It's not often that high profile individuals or celebrities mention their children's nanny in a "public setting." But the few times she did it brought a smile to my face!

Thank you Wendy Greuel for taking time out of your busy schedule to spend a few hours with women who truly care about our city!!