LakelandGear Travel Tips: Traveling With Baby
Infants, in many ways, are easy travelers. As long as they are fed, changed, and
comfortable, they will sleep much of the time and will allow you to do your own
thing. Many parents consider a reclining stroller indispensable on a trip. Even if you do not use one at home, it will keep the weight of baby and
supplies off your shoulders (literally). In a pinch, it can also double as
a bassinet. Just schedule plenty of time for feeding and changing and do
not feel guilty for taking a lot of breaks.
Toddlers can be a lot of work on the road, but if you plan according to
their abilities everything will run smoothly. Your toddler has a short
attention span so do not expect him/her to hold up through the entire Museum
of Natural History. Try sightseeing in hour long spurts with breaks for
playtime. As with an infant, a stroller can be a godsend,
even if you do not use one ordinarily. Little legs tire quickly and your
toddler will appreciate the ride. Also, new surroundings can be stressful
for a toddler so be gentle and reassuring when he/she is insecure. Some
regression is not uncommon in new environments, so pack diapers if your toddler
has been recently
potty trained.
Finally, a vacation is a tempting time for you to let
go of
the rules, especially with a tantrum-prone toddler. Keeping the same rules and
limits that you have at home is, however, the best thing that you can do
for your child. Your child needs the security of
familiar rules, and often times leniency or inconsistency can do more harm than good.
You need to make extra preparations when traveling with and infant or
toddler. Some extra items you will need to pack are:
- Crib Sheet
- Changing Sheet
- Stroller
- Baby Sling or Backpack
- Car Seat
- Bassinet
- Infant Bed or Crib
- Mosquito Netting & Sun Hat
- Plastic Bags for Soiled Clothing
- Diapers
- Formula & Food (Bring only a small supply and plan to restock during your trip.)
With advance notice, many airlines and hotels provide some or all of
these items for free or for a nominal charge. Be sure to ask when making
your reservations to save yourself the hassle of packing and transporting
large items.
Most airlines allow children under 2 to fly free in a parents lap. This
might be an, acceptable situation on short flights but is probably not a
good idea on longer flights. Consider two things before you jump on the
free airfare: 1) Your child will not be secured and may be at risk during
turbulence. 2) Do you really want a baby in your lap for the entire
flight? Your other option is to reserve a seat for the child and
have them
ride in their car seat. When
making reservations, ask if the airline will provide an infant travel
seat. Airlines will also provide baby food,
formula, bottles, and diapers on request and generally stock them on
long flights. Another good idea is to nurse or bottle-feed your child
during take-off and landing to ease the discomfort of changing air
pressure. If your child has a cold, give them a decongestant about an hour
before take-off.
Hotels also provide many baby items at no additional cost. Ask what is
available for you and your baby before making reservations. When you
arrive at the hotel, tape down loose electrical cords and cover any
exposed outlets. Remove matches and glass objects that might break and
make sure windows are closed and locked. Push the bed against the wall and
line pillows along the other side to keep baby from falling out. A big help
is to give your baby a familiar toy or security item (blanket, stuffed
animal, etc.) to ease the transition to the new environment.
When traveling abroad you will need a separate passport for each
individual traveling, even infants. Apply for these documents several
months in advance. Also, check with
the tourist office or consulate in your destination country to check the
availability and safety of baby supplies and pack accordingly. For
instance, you may not want to pack powdered formula if the water is
questionable. If certain items are not available in your destination
country check with your airline about shipping cases with you when you go.
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