朋友们好!去年年底我带着1岁多的孩子回了一趟国,好久没回家了,感慨万千。近来回国政策放宽、机票降价,很多朋友问我当时是如何一个人带着孩子回国、返美,我把经验全部分享给大家。
1. Preparation|行前准备
1) Pick the flight that departs at night – around the kid’s bedtime!|回国机票:带孩子首选夜晚航班
我们从美国飞中国乘坐的是达美DL283,晚上11点左右从底特律起飞,中间首尔经停约2小时,第二天早上6点抵达上海。而从中国飞美国选择的是UA858,夜里8:30从上海飞旧金山。当时买票除了考虑价格,我还特意买夜晚的航班,方便孩子睡觉:孩子果然一上飞机就困得睡着了!
根据我以往的经验,如果坐的是白天的航班,爸爸妈妈就要花很多心思陪孩子玩、哄孩子,所以红眼航班不仅价格稍便宜,还特别适合有娃家庭。
机票在官网预定就好,我一有空就刷刷Google Flights,并把考虑的航班保存到手机主页、绑定邮箱推送,一有降价就抓紧买票。
2) Check the luggage policy|托运行李额
这是我一个人带着孩子顺利坐飞机的生存技巧!划重点:如果不是直达航班,在美国境内还要飞,建议境内段也买同一航司的飞机。我在上海托运行李和拿票的时候主动咨询,好心工作人员帮我把行李全都直挂到最终目的地!!这是什么意思呢?意思是我只需要带着着随身行李和我的孩子,大箱子全都在最终目的地取!
UA允许免费托运两个23kg的行李箱,带孩子可以再托运一个,两个随身携带物品,再加上一个符合飞机机机舱规格的小拖车。
建议在买票的时候咨询客服确定行李额,因为我发现不是每个工作人员都知道正确的行李额度,遇到不太好说话的可能不让托运这么多,工作人员忙起来的时候更不会主动帮忙查是否能够行李直挂。
Tips: When traveling internationally with kids, you may have the opportunity to bring more checked luggage and carry-on bags. Personally, I was able to bring three large suitcases, two carry-on bags, and a foldable stroller for free as part of my baggage allowance. It’s important to check with the airline beforehand to confirm their specific policies.
Additionally, if your international and domestic flights are operated by the same airline, you may be able to have all of your checked luggage delivered to your final destination. This can make your travel experience more convenient and stress-free. Be sure to double-check with the airline to take advantage of this option.
3) Cell phone and SIM cards|手机卡
我在回国之前一直纠结要不要在美国买一张临时手机卡。后来我让家人寄到隔离酒店。这个决定省钱但是麻烦,个人建议除非家人可以保证第二天就寄到手机卡,还是提前买一个卡省心,在亚马逊都可以找得到。当时我微信都没办法加隔离酒店工作人员,也没办法用支付宝,因为手机收不到验证码,很麻烦。如果没有手机卡,上海机场有Wi-Fi,可以问工作人员Wi-Fi密码。
如果你有苹果手机,建议转eSim,就腾出一个卡槽了,回国了国内手机卡插里面就可以双卡双待。做法:设置setting>cellular>convert to eSIM.
Tip: If you’re planning to use a different SIM card while travelling to another country, it might be more convenient to convert your current iPhone SIM card to an eSim. This way, you won’t need to carry two phones with you.
4) Payment methods in China|付款方式
目前中国主要还是用微信支付或者支付宝APP,所以离开美国前建议:1. 美元换成人民币;或:2. 美国信用卡绑定支付宝APP。根据信用卡公司的规定会有不同的手续费,即 Foreign Transaction Fees。我用的是Discover It的信用卡,免国际手续费用。
Tip: I have acquired Chinese Yuan and linked my credit card to commonly used cash payment apps in China. It is important to ensure that there are no foreign transaction fees.
2. Packing List|回国行李清单
往年回家行李箱装的都是给家人朋友带的保健品,这回因为要隔离,还带个孩子,所以行李箱里多了很多物品。以下列出的都是救了我老命的物品,随身行李都是飞机上会用到的东西,托运的则是到了国内会用到的东西。我准备了很多隔离用品,现在不用隔离了大家参考就好。
Because I was traveling with my 1-year-old all by myself, I put all the essentials in my carry-on bags. Thankfully I was over-prepared!!
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1) Carry-on|随身行李
A. Fanny Pack|随身腰包
随身腰包因为特别小,适合把机票护照等贵重物品随身携带,旅行的时候真没时间反复掏尿布包,这个腰包绑上后还可以趁娃睡觉让空姐帮忙看下娃,老母亲上个厕所!
我在亚马逊买的腰包,英文是Fanny Pack:https://amzn.to/3JPmMHA。
Tips: Having a fanny pack really helped me when I traveled alone with kids. I put documents that needed frequent “inspection” in it for easy access, e.g. the flight tickets. I was able to run to the bathroom with it while a flight attendant watched my sleeping child briefly. It felt like a part of me on the trip and made things a lot easier. Just make sure to get a high-quality one and be cautious of potential thieves. Check out this link to find one on Amazon.
B. Diaper Bag|尿布包/妈咪包
给大家看看我的尿布包里装了什么:
其中有几样重点一定要带上 (Make sure to bring):
如果有用安抚奶嘴的习惯就一定要多带几个,一定要带上绑带因为丢了就找不到啦(找到也不要了……)。另外建议带上一个可以遮光的被单或者毛毯。飞机上经常开灯送饭送饮料,孩子很容易被吵醒。
绑带我用的是这款:Pacifier Clips(点击即可购买)
Tips: When flying with kids, I highly recommend bringing pacifier clips as they are essential for not having to constantly search for the pacifier. Additionally, it’s a good idea to pack a blanket to block out any light and allow your child to sleep undisturbed. Click this link to find my favorite pacifier clips that are reasonably priced.
飞机餐就不要指望了,一定要带好干粮!尤其是母乳喂养的妈妈,一定要带好自己吃的喝的。孩子飞机餐除了水果其他都没有吃,所以我带了很多零食以及婴儿能量棒。水果我提前切好孩子可以直接拿着吃,在过海关前吃完就好。
我平时很少给孩子吃零食,但是在旅行的时候为了转移孩子注意力、不打扰到别人,零食管够。
我们比较喜欢的是这个Cerebelly的果蔬能量棒,没有添加糖,我孩子爱吃苹果和紫衣甘蓝口味以及草莓和甜菜口味(点击图片即可购买)。
Tips: Snacks are so important! My child did not like the food provided by the airline and only ate a small amount of fruit. I washed and cut some apples and berries and brought them on the plane. Just make sure to finish them before going through Customs.
We don’t eat a lot of snacks at home. But I packed a variety of options to keep my child distracted on the plane. Along with talking (quietly), snacking helped keep their mouth occupied. My children enjoy these Cerebelly bars (link). I like them because of their natural ingredients and lack of added sugar.
As a breastfeeding mom, I also made sure to bring snacks for myself. The food options on a nighttime plane ride are limited, and nursing moms tend to get hungry quickly.
围在脖子上不仅腾出双手还能保暖,母乳喂养必备:
Tips: Essential! I had to nurse my child a few times while on the plane. Fortunately, my nursing cover proved to be very useful in protecting my privacy and keeping me warm. I highly recommend this one (link) as it doubles as a scarf, saving valuable space.
飞机上的十几个小时是再好不过的亲子互动时光啦!
飞机上穿旧袜子比较舒服,脚也不会肿胀,下飞机前脱了丢掉。
No stinky feet! I found wearing socks on the plane so comfortable. It eliminates the worry of looking for slippers. Plus, I always take my shoes off after using the bathroom for sanitation reasons.
非常重要,到了国内在机场换电话卡用,没有的话就要着急找牙签啦!
I forgot to bring mine one time when I was traveling abroad, and I was not able to put my new SIM card in my phone as soon as I arrived at my destination. Now I learned my lesson!
买小包装的比较方便,每个行李包里都可以放一袋。湿巾擦扶手、安全带、触屏、小桌板……喷雾喷墙和前座背。我给孩子用的根据情况分含酒精和无酒精两种:
These portable ones are so convenient. I always wipe down the seat handles, seat belt, touch screen, and tray. For larger areas, I use a spray. These are the ones I bought: Alcohol free wipes and wipes with Alcohol. Lysol Spray travel size (click the link you will see the products).
C. Foldable stroller and baby carrier|儿童背带和折叠手推车
一个人带一个会走会跑的小孩,想要潇洒走一回是不可能的。很多人问我坐飞机应该带儿童背带还是带儿童手推车。我的回答是——如果孩子能背得动,两个都带!以前我带着1岁以下宝宝坐飞机,那时候孩子轻,我是背带一路背回去的,再加上有孩子爸爸帮忙扛行李,所以手推车根本没用上。但是,这次就我一个人,孩子背到上海我的腰已费,幸亏有推车还能在等登机的时候推着老佛爷遛一遛,让孩子呈半睡半醒阶段!
另外,因为我的推车能够完全折叠,符合上飞机的要求,所以我在登机的时候是这样的装备:
把随身尿布包和吃的放在推车上,孩子用背带背着,推着随身行李上的飞机。不然手或腰真的会断掉!
如果你的推车偏大、需要在登机口托运,也不要紧,到达目的地稍微等等就会送到登机口。当然最方便的还是可折叠手推车,尤其是回国时候赶着排队过海关。我的是gb Pockit:
这款推车非常轻便,基本上单手可以折叠、打开。唯一缺点是因为比较轻便所以减震效果不好,比较适合旅行。遮阳伞基本为鸡肋,但是能够在3秒钟从正方形变形为一辆手推车,而且上公交坐地铁都可以单手操作,这次回国旅行基本天天用!
Tips: Many individuals have asked whether they should bring a stroller or a baby carrier when traveling with small children. I brought both and it proved to be a wise decision! During security, I wore my child in the carrier, which allowed me to avoid removing her from it. I also pushed my child in the stroller to give my shoulders a break.
My gb Pockit stroller (link) met the airline’s carry-on requirements, which was incredibly helpful. I was able to place my heavy carry-on bags in the stroller and carry my child in the carrier during boarding.
Therefore, if your child is not too heavy and you can still carry them, it is advisable to bring both a stroller and a baby carrier when traveling alone.
2) Items in the suitcase|行李箱打包清单
A. Travel size daily products|宝宝的日用品
因为当时回国还需要隔离,所以我带了一些儿童药品,图里还有很多是隔离才需要的,现在回去就不需要带、或者减量,如:宝宝餐盘、尿不湿。
B. Food for jet-lag|大人吃的
我带了鱼罐头,主要是隔离的时候吃,无盐或低钠的鱼罐头可以保证孩子都有优质蛋白。因为行李太重,所以我买了便携鱼罐头:https://amzn.to/3JQAha3.
3. Other tips|其他旅途中的小贴士
行李再多也不能让孩子走出大人的视线。整个旅程我要么把孩子背在儿童背带里,要么绑在手推车上,只有在机场空无一人的时候让孩子在固定位置玩一会儿。转机时间充裕,不慌不忙。
It’s important to always stay alert and cautious, even when you have a lot of baggage and are waiting for your connecting flight. Make sure you have enough time between flights. I made sure to keep my child in either a baby carrier or stroller for added safety.
母婴室一般很小间,但是会有沙发、洗手池,方便母乳喂养或泵奶的妈妈。在门口扫码就可以打开门,一般预约时段为30分钟,如果没有人在等还可以在里面休息一下。安静、安全也保证隐私。
Breastfeeding mothers or those who need to pump can benefit greatly from nursing rooms. These rooms are typically private and may even have a comfortable resting area. To locate nursing rooms at a particular airport, simply search for “nursing rooms at X airport”.
如果带父母一方带孩子离开或入境美国,需要出示没有同行的家长签字的授权同意书。我们准备了英文版的,但是过海关的时候并没有要求出示,也没有问。
If one parent is not traveling with their child, the other parent may need to provide a minor travel consent form. Although I had my husband sign and date the document, I was not asked to show it during Customs. However, it is still recommended to write one as a precaution.
4. Final thoughts|结语
Thank you for reading my post! Hope you have a safe travel and enjoy your trip! Feel free to leave me a comment if you have any questions.
这次带娃回国探亲从申请证件到买机票、熔断、打包、带小孩子坐飞机、隔离……这一路披荆斩棘,难度超越西天取经。历经千辛万苦终于见到了家人,而我亲爱的奶奶也在我回美国两个月后去了天堂,所以再幸苦也值得。好在现在回国政策放宽,希望更多的朋友能够回国和家人团聚!如果有什么问题,欢迎给我留言。
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Joanna is a certified bilingual speech-language pathologist. She has been working with children and their families on various speech, language, and feeding issues. She is passionate about empowering parents and helping them bond with their children. She is a mother, author, and guest lecturer. Her story can be found here.
These are great tips! Thank you for all the details, Joanna!
I’m glad this post helps. Have a great trip!