Travel Tips: Best Gear for Traveling with Babies and Children

Traveling with Babies and ChildrenYou can travel with a baby and have a great time, with a little preparation and a lot of patience. The trick is to balance traveling light with having the essentials. Here are my tips for traveling safely and in style with your baby. And check out the coupon codes at the bottom of each section!

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Getting around:

1. Bring your infant car seat: If you are using an Infant Car Seat, you can transport your seat in a lightweight and convenient frame that converts the seat into a stroller. I've tried out my friends' and I am definitely getting one the next time around. I really like the Kolcraft Universal Infant Car Seat Carrier ($60--a great buy!). Kolcraft Universal Infant Car Seat Carrier
2. Bring a car seat for your older baby or toddler: For a Convertible Car Seat, the best option is the Go Go Babyz Go Go Kidz Travelmate ($90 at BabyCenter). I've tried some less expensive options and ended up with a toddler seat dangling off my luggage. Although on the pricier side, the TriplePlay Products Sit 'n' Stroll ($220) is also worth a look. It transforms from a stroller, to a car seat, to a booster seat. So, it is the only seat you'll need for your toddler on your trip. Go Go Kidz Travelmate
3. Wear Baby Close and Safe: Up the stairs, off the beaten path, or dancing under the stars, baby carriers provide the easiest, safest, hands-free way to take baby along. For traveling, I like a versatile baby wrap with a newborn or a BabyHawk or ToddlerHawk Mei Tai for an older baby or toddler. If buckles are more your thing, check out the Ergo (a Dad favorite) and add the Ergo backpack accessory for extra storage

BONUS LINKS: Check out Babywearing While Traveling. Then, depending on where you are going, you’ll need “Tips for Winter and Cold Weather Babywearing” or “Tips for Summer and Warm Weather Babywearing.”

BabyHawk
4. Pack your bags: Teach kids responsibility by allowing them to pack their own choice of toys and extras in a case they carry on their own. Keep it small and light and get a rolling case, because there is a good chance you will have to add the weight to your load at least briefly at some point in the trip. Check out Trunki, the suitcase your kids can pull or ride-on ($50) and the rest of Little Jet Set's great selection of children's luggage and suitcases. Trunki

Deals:

Stay safe and comfortable

5. Have Safe Fun in the Sun: Don’t forget to bring the “three S’s”: sunhats (check out Old Navy), sunglasses, and sunblock (for safe and effective baby sunblock we like California Baby and Blue Lizard Australian Suncream for Kids, both frequently on sale at Drugstore.com)! Baby can stay cute and healthy! And on road trips, keep the car cool while you are out sightseeing with a car sun shade. And check out Secure2Me's Eclipse Solarveil Clip-On Baby Stroller Blanket for extra protection! Baby Sunhats
6. Take along a portable infant or toddler bed: You never know what sleeping arrangements will be available, so consider one of these options.

Deluxe Inflatable Bed
7. Have fun in the car:

8. Bring a portable booster seat: Feeding a squirmy baby on your lap can be a challenge and also make it difficult for you to eat your own meal. Some lightweight and portable booster options are:

Chicco Travel Seat Adventure
Carry a Few of Kiddo's Favorite Things: Don't forget baby’s favorite lovey, pacifier, blanket, and books!

  • We love the Zoobie Pets: part pillow, part blankie, all cuddly. If your baby is attached to a particular soft friend, make sure you bring or can easily find a duplicate. ($30 at Little Jet Set)
  • Secure2Me clip-on stroller blankets are high-quality, cuddly, and chic--and they won't fall off your stroller. Plus they double as a carrier cover and a nursing cover...perfect for travel! (read our full review)
  • Older children will be comfortable traveling with these neck pillows and travel pillows from Madallie.
  • Amazon.com has great deals on baby board books and children's videos–most are included in their 4 for the price of 3 promotion.
Zoobie Pets Blanket Pillow

Deals:

Air and International Travel

10. Book It

  • Use Orbitz for a discounted plane ticket for baby: If you are traveling by air, experts recommend purchasing a plane seat for your infant. Many airlines offer discounts for a baby under two, but only Orbitz allows you to book the reduced rate online. Check out the Orbitz Family Travel Home Page
  • Consider a Cruise: Cruises make it easy to get around from place to place without having to worry about loading and storying baby’s gear at each stop. You may be a great culinary adventurer, but your tot may have other plans: cruises offer a wide variety of familiar foods for fussier toddlers.
  • Don't Forget Your Passport: Passports are required to take baby out of country and you will need to have the consent of both parents or legal guardians to get that passport.
Passport
11. Get There Safely and Comfortably

  • Fly Safely: Use a car seat (see tip number one) or, if you will have a car seat waiting at your destination, consider CARES: the FAA-approved airplane harness for children over 1 year old and over 22 lbs.
  • Get an Escort: It is perfectly legal! Call ahead and request an escort pass for someone who can help you get baby to the gate.
  • Save Time: Print out your boarding passes in advance when possible and find out what you can and cannot take on the plane with the most up-to-date Permitted and Prohibited Items list. If you are traveling with another adult, one can board ahead of time to install the car seat or stow items.
  • Keep Baby Comfortable: If you have a newborn, you may request a bulkhead (front row) and a bassinet. During the flight, pressure can cause baby discomfort. If you are nursing, you have a natural, readily available way to alleviate ear pressure. Otherwise, try feeding baby or using a pacifier. If all else fails, ask your doctor about administering a small dose of infant Tylenol.
CARES Airplane Harness

Don't Forget the Essentials!

12. Stay Healthy, Organized and Clean:

  • Baby Friendly Snacks: If baby is eating solids, bring some convenient snacks along, just in case you cannot find appropriate foods where you are. The Snack Ball by Boon ($6.99) ensures baby's treats won't get squished. Choose snacks that will not spoil and will stay tasty even if left in the car, such as veggie puffs, dried fruit you can tear into strips, or raisins (for older kids only, raisins can be a choking hazard for little ones).
  • Travel-Sized Baby Safe Shampoos: You never know what you will find at your destination. Circle of Friends' "Little Docs" Starter Kit ($5.50 at Little Jet Set) is specially formulated for infants and children with eczema and sensitive skin. The products are dermatologist-tested, allergy-tested, clinically-tested and non-irritating. Products are free of sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates, synthetic fragrances, dyes, propylene glycol, alcohol, soy, nut oils, gluten, oat and dairy that can cause an allergic reaction.
  • A First Aid Kit: Depending on the age of your child, your Baby First Aid Kit should include an aspirator, thermometer, calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream, petroleum jelly, antibacterial cream, tweezers, scissors, nasal aspirator bulb, adhesive tape, cotton-tipped swabs (Q-tips), liquid soap, oral syringe or medicine dropper, a hot-water bottle, an ice pack, butterfly bandages, band-aids, cotton gauze, tylenol. Ask your doctor for more ideas.
  • Laminate It: Consider laminating any really important documents or keeping them in a waterproof pocket…because you are traveling…with a baby.
  • Ziplock Bags: You can store food items, garbage (including stinky diapers), and wet clothing in these. Of course, being a parent you already know this–just don’t forget them!
  • Medications and Prescriptions: If you are traveling out of country, or plan to leave baby with a babysitting service, make sure you have a copy of up to date vaccination records.
Boon Snack Ball
Little Docs Sensitive Skin Set

Boutiques and Stores Specializing in Travel Gear:

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