Thanks to Kelley Maxfield, Associate Channel Manager at Graco for this guest post on holiday travel tips!
Happy Holidays! Most important – we at Graco want to help you with maintaining the “Happy!” It’s that time of year again where people are doing a lot of travel, and traveling with Baby?? Even the most experienced travelers could use some helpful tips.
Car seats – to take or not to take on the plane?
Did you know the safest place for your little one during turbulence or an emergency is in an approved child restraint system (CRS) or device, not on your lap? The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) strongly urges parents and guardians to secure children in an appropriate restraint based on weight and size.
Your car seat will have a label underneath it with FAA approval for use on an airplane. Also, check your car seat instruction manual and contact your airline for specific rules.
Bring an extra infant car seat base
What if you don’t have your vehicle while traveling this holiday? Bring an extra infant car seat base – you can use this in a taxi and in your family or friend’s vehicle.
Nap time – create a home away from home
It’s not always easy to get Baby to sleep when she’s away from home. Create a soothing place to make her feel more comfortable with a few helpful essentials. Kerry Strzelecki, product manager for Pack ‘n Plays, recommends the Graco Travel Lite™ Crib. She says, “This crib folds compactly and easily fits in your car so it’s easier to travel with and has a cozy bassinet giving Baby his own familiar space.” Staying a little longer? The Graco Bedroom Bassinet has built-in shelves for blankets, clothing and other necessities.
A full house can be a noisy house. Graco’s Sweet Slumber™ Sound Machine has white noise and hooks up to your MP3 player.
What if Baby catches a cold?
Sometimes colds come at the worst times, but better to be prepared. Mark Martinez, senior nursery & care product manager, recommends the Nasal Clear Aspirator. “It’s a must have for infants with stuffy noses!” he says. “And Graco’s 5-Second Thermometer is small for travel and is a 3-way thermometer – works for all ages and situations.”
Happy holiday traveling!
In the spirit of holiday travel – today’s Graco Get One Give One is a MyRide65! The MyRide65 keeps your child rear-facing up to 40 lbs, longer than most other seats in the US. It then holds a child forward-facing in a 5-point harness up to 65 lbs. Other features like energy absorbing foam, side-impact testing and more make this a great seat that will grow with your child.
Comment below on who you would donate this seat to, and you could win one for you and for them! For more info on the Graco Get One Give One program, click here!
Today’s contest ends at 4 p.m. – check back daily for additional chances to win and donate.
**COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED. PLEASE RETURN TO THE BLOG TOMORROW TO ENTER IN THE REMAINING 12 DAYS OF GET ONE, GIVE ONE! ALL COMMENTS CLOSE AT 4PM EST DAILY**
**UPDATE: Congratulations to ANDREA KRUSE – You’re our winner!! We will e-mail you to get your address and send you your prize! Thanks for playing everyone – tomorrow’s giveaway and donation is a Graco Sweet Slumber™ Sound Machine!**
I would give one to my sister, who is expecting her first baby and not even close to being prepared!!
I would donate the second seat to our local NICU where my son is right now. There are many parents who do have nor can afford seats and it would be a Godsend to one.
I would donate this MyRide65 to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, OR. They have done so many good things for my nephew and niece who both have a rare metabolic disorder. They also help families throughout the state of Oregon who are in need of excellent medical care for their sick children.
I would donate this to a local organization here called AAA Women’s Services – they help out women who find themselves unexpectedly pregnant and cannot afford certain services.
Wow, I’d love to have this! I have a Comfort Sport but I’d love to be able to keep her rear-facing ever longer.
I would donate to Mercy Ministries, which takes in many pregnant teens and I am sure could use carseats.
I would donate it too my friend that is a a nanny, the family has her using an expired car seat:(
I have a neighbor who is pregnant and having a really hard time right now, she already has 2 older girls (ages 4 and 6) who are not in car seats..which in TX is against the law for one…but they just can’t afford to get them right now and is trying to make Christmas work too. She is due in just a couple months and I would really like to help out and get them a seat that would last them for a really long time for the new baby. I am also going to offer them my extra no back Graco booster and turbo booster in hopes they will use them for their other girls, but I don’t have an infant/convertible seat to offer. This would help them so much
My 10 mos old (well, on Saturday, lol) will need a convertible seat to graduate from her Safeseat into and the My Ride is a GREAT seat. I also sent the link to my BIL for the Alma pattern to try and get him to buy one for their first baby (they’re adopting) who is due in Feb so I would give them the other one to help them further prepare for Raina. Thanks Graco! On a side note, here’s my older daughter (she’s 3 now) in her Safeseat on the plane at 10 mos old. We never fly w/out our carseats! http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f157/carseatqueen/Airplane/Disney002.jpg
I would donate the carseat to a young couple I know who are expecting. They are both still in school and are determined to raise their baby to the best of their ability. They are always looking for things that will grow with them, so being both rear-facing and front facing would make it last a long time!!
I would give them both to my friend with the two surviving triplets in NICU. 2 seats, 2 babies! Perfect!
I would donate one to our local Battered Person’s Advocacy Shelter. So many women are trying hard to make a fresh start for their children.
I would donate the seat to the San Diego Police Department. When the situation arises that a child needs to be taken from an incident scene, the officers often have to wait to get an approved child restraint device. Kids could leave the scene faster if more officers had a seat. The kids are usually taken to Polinsky Children’s Center in San Diego. I would really like the opportunity to make these situations a little easier for everyone.
I would donate it to our Early Mountain States Headstart. When my son needed a carseat they were nice enough to give us one, and now that my daughter is going to need a convertible I’ve fallen inlove with the myride and feel that I should pay back MSEHS for all that they’ve done for us.
I would donate one to a family friend that is expecting her first baby very soon. She is definitely not prepared & I know this would help out!
I would donate one to my sister-in-law who has twins. It is always hard to buy two of everything when you have more than one at a time, especially the expensive things like car seats.
I would give one to my local Catholic Charities. They are a terrific organization that helps Women in Need with counseling, formula, diapers, baby clothes, etc. I have donated to them for years.
Every year, we do a polyanna for Christmas with my mom’s side of the family. This year, since so many people are in need, we decided to “adopt” a family in our area who cannot provide a Christmas for their children. The family provided a list of things they need/want for their children this year. On the list, they have diapers, wipes and food. It makes me so sad to think that these children will be getting that under the tree. I think this would be a FABULOUS gift for this family and a total necessity; As well all know, safety for our children in first!
I owuld love to have this carseat!!! MY 3 year old will still be using his when our 3 month old will outgrow his infant seat!!! I would give the other one to my sister in law who has a 18 month old and 6 month old!!!
Oh how I love this seat! It is amazing! Well…I would donate the seat to a child on our Angel Tree. Since my family does this every year, I think it would help a parent alot! I know how spendy the seats can be and most parents can’t afford them, so they don’t use them! Also, since I am a carseat tech, I would donate the second seat to a family that would be in need at one of our checks! I already have 2 of these seats, so why be greedy…it’s the time of giving!
It would be SO amazing to win this. I would donate two car seats to CPMC – an amazing SF hospital where I had my babe – as a holiday gift.
I would donate this to my sweet friend who is due in January. She’s not even close to being prepared.
Her parents are living overseas and she’s had a very rough pregnancy. Because I don’t need a carseat, I’d donate mine as well to a family in our church who just found out that they are adopting a new baby boy! He’s due to arrive in a few weeks and they just found out and have nothing…yet!
extremely disappointed that this isn’t for Canadian’s as well
We have Graco carseats including the MyRide.
i would give it to my friend who is a single mum .
merry christmas everyone
I would love to be able to give one of these car seats to my sister in law who is currently expecting her secong child, a little girl and is need of a car seat for her. I have only Graco car seats for my children and love them. I would donate the other to a charity in our community that helps mother’s who are victim’s of domestic violence.
I would give the second to the NICU at York Hospital, in York, PA. My son was in there for the first 4 weeks of his life, and while there, I saw quite a few families that could not afford child seats. This would be a big help, in that they can use it much longer than a regular infant seat.
I would donate the first one to my sister-in-law who is expecting her first baby in March and doesn’t have anything yet. I would donate the second one to the Vanessa Behan Crisis Center because they are always in need of items for moms who are not prepared.
I would give the seat to my co-worker who relocating to D.C. because of employment for her husband. The move has happened quickly; she is 6.5 months pregnant and is leaving behind most of her family and friends in AZ. She will have so much to worry about relocating – having this seat sent to her could eliminate one of things off the list of things needed to have the new place prepared for the new baby!
I would gift the other to my best friend, her lil’ one is ready for an upgrade! Or to my local church women’s program!
I’d give one to my teenage cousin expecting her first baby and planning to finish school. I’d donate the other (since we aren’t in need of any new carseats ourselves) to my preemie group for someone with a baby in NICU and facing a mountain of medical bills. From experience, we know everything helps in that situation!
This is a fantastic car seat. I was so excited when Graco extended the rear facing “limits” even further. I’d love to give one to a friend who has an 8 month old and has basically outgrown his infant carrier. (It wasn’t a Graco of course
!) I know she was struggling on which seat to select next for her son to ride in safely. This would be the perfect solution and best choice!
I would donate one to my sister-in-law and brother-in-law for my nephew, who will be outgrowing his infant seat soon.
I would donate one to the MOMS Club that I’m a member of. Our club does charity work and would make sure it got to a charity/person in need. We typically adopt families who have suffered tragedy or are in great need of help.
In 2006, my friend’s 4 month old son, Colby, was diagnosed with Leukemia. Sadly, he passed away shortly before his 2nd birthday. Two short months later, in 2008, she totally unexpectedly found out she was pregnant with her now 8 month old son, Noah. Because she became pregnant so soon after Colby passed, her and her husband decided not to use any of Colby’s things, one to honor his memory by keeping everything of his in his room and secondly because it was just to painful to use and be reminded of the painful loss of their little boy. I would LOVE to give her the MyRide 65 b/c she has had to pretty much start over buying baby items and they have been an awesome blessing to me and my family. They have a caringbridge site which I would be happy to share if you would like to see it. THANKS!
I would donate the second one to our Fleet and Family Support Center here on the US Navy Base where we live that helps Sailors and their families. Because I know some of the JR Sailor’s don’t make that much money and can’t afford allot of things for their kids.
i would give one to my sister, Stephanie. Both of our sons are the same size, only my son is almost 2 years younger then hers! Bigger kids appreciate the high upper limits of this carseat! Charlie weighs 38lbs and he is not 2yo yet! We need a new carseat!
If I were to win today’s prize I would want to donate the car seat to my friend, Janine who is just one week ahead of me in her pregnancy and will be a first time mom. I remember when I had my son 15 months ago how I appreciated getting this type of stuff through a baby shower or whatnot to help me prepare since I was so clueless! Now that I’m pregnant with Twin Boys I would also put that thing to good use!
I would give one to the local hospital. The town I live in has many expectant mothers, and many of them don’t have support or help to get the things they need for their baby. If this could help out at least one mother, that would be a great blessing to them.
I would love to give one to my cousin who is having a hard time financially and can barely pay for food and doctor’s appointments let alone a car seat that could keep her daughter rear facing longer. And I would love one for myself since we will be doing a lot of driving to visit family when my husband gets home from Iraq!
I would love to be able to give one to a little girl I do daycare for, her family is struggling very hard right know, She has outgrown her current infant seat, but they are still using it, as they don’t have the funds to purchase a convertible seat. I would purchase a seat for them, but my situation is not much better. I myself have a little girl who is 38lbs! and obviously very close to outgrowing the weight limit in her current 40lb limit converable.
I would give one seat to our local Police station…they install carseats & check to make sure that others have installed them properly. They also check to make sure that carseats haven’t expired or been recalled. I know that they would be able to give this carseat to a family who can’t afford one.
The other carseat would be a much needed upgrade for my 9 month old daughter. She is still in a carseat/carrier, but is just about ready to make the transition into a convertable carseat…this one would be perfect!
I’m a Child Passenger Safety Technician. If I win this contest, I would donate BOTH seats to our local SafeKids coalition, which does a fantastic job donating free seats to community families in need, but has seen its budget slashed with the economic down turn of the last year. I all ready own two My Rides and know what fabulous seats they are
I would donate one to my sister. She is using my Safe Seat 1 and would love to give her another car seat to help keep her little ones safe. This is her second child and she doesn’t have the money to afford 2 more car seats. I would also love one for my almost 2 year old since her car seat will be expiring soon and we can’t afford another seat.
I would love to have one of these seats for my son. He has just about reached the harness limits of the Graco seat he’s using now. There is a little one on our Salvation Army Angel Tree here at work that needs a carseat, so that is who I would give the other one too. I’d love to be able to help this little girl!!
I would donate one to the Atlanta Children’s Center and give one to my newly pregnant sister.
I would the oppertinity to win one! We are in dier need of a new car seat. And would if you guys could donate one to a loca Promise House it is a home were they assist women with children and pregnant woman . This charity usually assists young mothers. This charity is very dear to my house.
What a great idea, Graco! I love the idea of choosing someone to donate a seat to.
There are many families in my community who can’t afford Christmas presents or even the necessities for their children. I would donate the seat to my township’s Human Services organization. They do a fantastic job working hard to help those in our community. I know one of the women who works there and she goes above and beyond to help others in need. I’m so glad that Graco came out with a seat with extended rear-facing capabilities! My 15 month old son is large for his age and could really benefit from a seat with a 40lb rear-facing limit to keep him as safe as possible. Thank you, Graco! 
I would donate it to a local woman’s shelter and keep the other one for my little man that’s due late next month! Thanks for the chance.
This is such a great carseat and such a great program! I would love to be able to buy a carseat for a person in need, but can’t afford to. If I won I would donate to the local women’s shelter. There are a bunch of great moms there that have come on hard times. This would ensure that the safety of their children would not be compromised as an effect of our economy. Thank you Graco!
I would give one of these to a dear friend of mine who is due in early 2010 because I know money is tight for them, and that they’d really appreciate it. They always give so much to their community that I’d like to give them something nice for their new addition. Times are so tough for everyone that I think it’s really nice of a company like this to sponsor such an amazing prize!
I would give this one to a friend of mine that I met on a local wedding chat board. We became great friends and now we are both expecting our 1st child within weeks of each other. For both of us and our families money is tight and having an awesome quality car seat that will grow with our child would be absolutely amazing!!! Thank you for sponsoring such a great giveaway!