12 Tips and Products for Traveling With Baby in Safety and Style

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.”

• For newborns only: you may like the convenience of a a folding infant travel bed, like the Infantino Infant Travel Bed ($40)
• For babies: Depending on how light you need to travel, try a baby tent like the Kidco Peapod Indoor/Outdoor Travel Bed ($50) or a super lightweight playard, like the new Phil & Ted Traveller ($150 at Nature’s Child and at BabyCenter), which weighs in at only 6 lbs.
• For older kids: A children’s tent, like KidCo PeaPod Plus Travel Bed ($80, on sale at BabyCenter) makes every trip into a camping adventure. Or take a child-sized air mattress, like this Deluxe Inflatable Bed for children ($66 at Leaps and Bounds). Convert an adult bed into a kiddie-safe place to sleep with the Bed Bolster to Go portable, inflatable bed rails ($40 at Leaps and Bounds).

• A Baby Safe Mirror for the car is an essential: baby will love to check out her cute self and you can take a quick glance at your sweetie with the adorable Rainforest Baby View Auto Mirror ($13).
• Keep your little artist occupied for hours with The Car Valet by Alex ($28 at Little Jet Set) and you’ll have a neat record of the trip, too. Or, for littler passengers, the Car Seat Gallery ($15 at Leaps and Bounds) keeps babies stimulated and occupied with high contrast images while you drive.
• You can find more car games and other portable toys in the Travel Toys and Games sections for Little Jet Set and at Leaps and Bounds.

• The On-The-Go Booster Seat ($25) is an inflatable seat for your child, 9 +months’.
• With the
  Chicco Travel Seat ($50), you don’t even need a chair, just a table, to hook on this booster.

• 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.
• Older children will be comfortable traveling with these neck 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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).
• 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.