Traveling to Canada with Baby

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Hi everyone!

We are starting to plan baby girls first trip to Canada. If all goes well, we'll be making a trip mid-February. She'll be almost 5 months then. A couple of questions for those of you with experience travelling with a youngster:

First, if i'm understanding correctly since we will be driving across the border, not flying in, she won't need a passport, correct? We will be getting her once sooner rather than later, but the fact she needs to have a photo taken makes me want to wait. A 3 month old posing for a picture can go one of two ways, one of those ways being very bad!

Regarding car seats. I know that Canadian laws differ from US laws on car seat safety. My initial plan was to check her car seat on the plane, and then install it in a rental car and drive to Canada (from the airport in Buffalo). Would this pose an issue if the car seat is not "Canada safe"? Anyway for me to know if her car seat meets Canadian standards? The alternate plan would be to have my dad pick us up from the airport and borrow a Canadian car seat from a family member.

Any tips to soothe a baby in an airplane? I was always one of those jerks that would cringe when I would see a baby board the plane, because there is nothing worse than hearing a screaming baby all flight. She is a pretty calm and happy baby, but if she is uncomfortable she lets you know! We took her to a family members house in the mountains the weekend before Christmas, and I think her ears popped... she lost it. I would like to avoid a similar melt down if possible. She won't take a soother either.

How about airport travel? Anyone bring a stroller and check at the gate? Or should I just suck it up and carry her? Another idea would be to strap her to me (or daddy) in one of those baby carriers.

That's all I can think of for now. Your advice is appreciated as always

[canadian_wife 1,822]

The only one I can help you with is feeding during take off and landing. The swallowing will help her ears.

good luck

[NikLR 13,227]

Hi everyone!

We are starting to plan baby girls first trip to Canada. If all goes well, we'll be making a trip mid-February. She'll be almost 5 months then. A couple of questions for those of you with experience travelling with a youngster:

First, if i'm understanding correctly since we will be driving across the border, not flying in, she won't need a passport, correct? We will be getting her once sooner rather than later, but the fact she needs to have a photo taken makes me want to wait. A 3 month old posing for a picture can go one of two ways, one of those ways being very bad!

Regarding car seats. I know that Canadian laws differ from US laws on car seat safety. My initial plan was to check her car seat on the plane, and then install it in a rental car and drive to Canada (from the airport in Buffalo). Would this pose an issue if the car seat is not "Canada safe"? Anyway for me to know if her car seat meets Canadian standards? The alternate plan would be to have my dad pick us up from the airport and borrow a Canadian car seat from a family member.

Any tips to soothe a baby in an airplane? I was always one of those jerks that would cringe when I would see a baby board the plane, because there is nothing worse than hearing a screaming baby all flight. She is a pretty calm and happy baby, but if she is uncomfortable she lets you know! We took her to a family members house in the mountains the weekend before Christmas, and I think her ears popped... she lost it. I would like to avoid a similar melt down if possible. She won't take a soother either.

How about airport travel? Anyone bring a stroller and check at the gate? Or should I just suck it up and carry her? Another idea would be to strap her to me (or daddy) in one of those baby carriers.

That's all I can think of for now. Your advice is appreciated as always

She will need a passport. Experienced people are pretty good about taking the pictures of babies but everyone needs a passport.

Canada does have different restrictions on car seats but generally speaking you'll be using a rear facing infant seat correct? So you shouldn't have too many problems. You're not coming up here to live but just visiting. If you want you can see if the make and model are the same as in Canada which probably means it's okay to use it vs a brand we don't carry. We're stricter up here on regulations which is why buying US car seats isn't allowed but if you're visiting they're not expecting you to go out and buy a whole new carseat! LOL

Do you have a travel system? If so you can often check the stroller and car seat right at the plane (or at least a stroller.) I've travelled with my daughter quite a bit and never had a problem with this. I've used an umbrella stroller, one that folds in half and the fullsize one. You will probably want to use a stroller vs carrying her unless you use a sling regularly and are used to it. I don't recommend the other types of carry systems. They're much too awkward to take on and off.

For flying if you use a soother that would be the best but also feeding (nursing or a bottle) during take off and landing helps oodles. They do want you to hold your baby a certain way when you take off and land for safety which is why I recommend a soother/pacifier first but you can generally manage it otherwise. Don't worry about her crying if she does. Everyone is stuck on the plane and people in general, understand. I don't understand children who are misbehaving and who's parents just let them do whatever (like kick seats or run around) but babies are babies. People know they cry and it's not their fault or the parents. It just is what it is.

[hikergirl 277]

Hi everyone!

We are starting to plan baby girls first trip to Canada. If all goes well, we'll be making a trip mid-February. She'll be almost 5 months then. A couple of questions for those of you with experience travelling with a youngster:

First, if i'm understanding correctly since we will be driving across the border, not flying in, she won't need a passport, correct? We will be getting her once sooner rather than later, but the fact she needs to have a photo taken makes me want to wait. A 3 month old posing for a picture can go one of two ways, one of those ways being very bad!

Regarding car seats. I know that Canadian laws differ from US laws on car seat safety. My initial plan was to check her car seat on the plane, and then install it in a rental car and drive to Canada (from the airport in Buffalo). Would this pose an issue if the car seat is not "Canada safe"? Anyway for me to know if her car seat meets Canadian standards? The alternate plan would be to have my dad pick us up from the airport and borrow a Canadian car seat from a family member.

Any tips to soothe a baby in an airplane? I was always one of those jerks that would cringe when I would see a baby board the plane, because there is nothing worse than hearing a screaming baby all flight. She is a pretty calm and happy baby, but if she is uncomfortable she lets you know! We took her to a family members house in the mountains the weekend before Christmas, and I think her ears popped... she lost it. I would like to avoid a similar melt down if possible. She won't take a soother either.

How about airport travel? Anyone bring a stroller and check at the gate? Or should I just suck it up and carry her? Another idea would be to strap her to me (or daddy) in one of those baby carriers.

That's all I can think of for now. Your advice is appreciated as always

I checked on the WHTI website and you will only need a Birth Certificate to travel by car with baby across the border. You haven’t said if hubby is coming with you or not. If not you will need a consent letter, Canada is strict with regards to children travelling.

There should be somewhere to check the brand and model of a carseat to make sure it meets Canadian regulations. I’ll see if I can track one down.

I second the feeding baby a bottle or have a soother handy as the jaw movement is needed for the ears to adjust pressure.

[Alaska2012 462]

Flying with babies when they are that young are usually easier then when they are around a year. At that young age they usually sleep most of the time anyway. I flew with my youngest the first time when she was 3 months, from Sweden to Alaska, went super well. I put a pacifier in her mouth during take off and landing. You can check in the stroller at the gate!

[hikergirl 277]

Could only find this on what they want for car seats:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safedrivers-childsafety-notices-2007c09-menu-353.htm

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safedrivers-childsafety-faq-1131.htm

Hope this helps.

[EminTX 131]

I would recommend that you don't nurse the baby at all while in the airport so that she is good and ready for some quiet relaxation once y'all are ready for take off. The longer you delay it, the more of the actual flight she'll spend distracted and relaxed. (And hopefully worn out enough to sleep!)

I would personally avoid any stroller. It is bulky and has to be dealt with and is just one more thing to carry, store, and haul around. Baby carriers are much easier. Years ago, when I traveled with my then-7-month-old son, the carrier worked out perfectly. (So did the nursing trick.)

One small suggestion for just-in-case-the-diaper-gets-wayyyyy-overwet. When you are closing it, fold the upper "lip" of the front inside so that there is a bit of a "stop" to the front. This way, if you are cornered and unable to get to change her safely and she pees like a monster, you are much less likely to have it soak through her clothes and onto yours. (The idea is to not have any of the absorbent inside that faces outward at all. Most people simple close the diaper and leave this part free.)

[Hugglebuggles 60]

I did read the WHTI website and it does say a birth certificate is sufficient, so I'm going to work based on that. If anyone has experienced any problems doing this, please let me know. We still have time to get the passport, it's just a headache I was trying to avoid.

Hubby is travelling with us, so no worries there. I don't think I would attempt doing this without him. An extra set of arms goes a long way.

She has a rear facing infant seat. I think I will do some reading and decide what to do there. If you check it, will they charge an oversized bag fee? She has a travel system, but her stroller is huge. It's a Jeep all-terrain stroller. I may go buy something a little more compact, if I deicide not to use the carrier. She is used to the carrier though, I use it when we go shopping and she likes it.

Thanks for all the tips! Lots to think about...

[Rob & Monika 87]

I've crossed by car using a birth certificate for my daughter, and a notarized letter from her mother since she wasn't with us. You don't need a passport for under 16 yrs.

[Ms Hogan 295]

But what about getting back into the US? A passport is required for children entering the U.S. Even if Canada doesn't need it won't you need it to come back?

I have traveled by plane with my children and when I brought my stroller it was VERY convenient. We pushed it all the way to the entry of the plane and then left it there. They would put a tag on it and take it down with wheelchairs/walkers which are put on the plane at the very last minute. Then when we got off it would be waiting for us at the door.

Also, if the timing doesn't work out with giving her a bottle or nursing, is there anything she chews on or a toy she frequently gnaws on? LOL I know it seems silly but if she's chewing and drooling and swallowing then that will help with ear pain during takeoff or landing.

[Marilyn. 340]

Children: Beginning June 1, 2009, U.S. and Canadian citizen children under age 16 arriving by land or sea from contiguous territory may also present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate, or a Canadian Citizenship Card.

http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/lang_eng/eng_sa.html

[Ms Hogan 295]

http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/lang_eng/eng_sa.html

That's good news! I was under the impression that the U.S. required a passport no matter what. I have always had one for my kids.

[Marilyn. 340]

That's good news! I was under the impression that the U.S. required a passport no matter what. I have always had one for my kids.

if you are traveling by air to and from Canada they will need a passport

Edited December 31, 2012 by Marilyn.

[Ontarkie 14,218]

Your US car seat is fine for visiting, you just can't use it if you were to live back in Canada. They are structurally made different that is why it is illegal to us an American made car seat when living in Canada and vise versa.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Your US car seat is fine for visiting, you just can't use it if you were to live back in Canada. They are structurally made different that is why it is illegal to us an American made car seat when living in Canada and vise versa.

It seems kind of silly considering there is nothing wrong with them, but that's the rules!

She won't take a soother, she just spits it out. But she likes to chew on bibs and blankets, so that might work. She's also the type of baby that will not eat unless she's hungry, no "topping off" She just won't have it, so the timing of a feeding may not work. But who knows what she'll be doing in 2 months, she changes so much week to week!