Luckily, infants are super-portable -- especially before those little legs (and vocal chords) are up to speed. Get your crew all packed and ready to go with these helpful tips.
How to pack
Packing clothes is fairly simple: Have a spitter-upper? Bring extra bibs and onesies. Fairly tidy tot? You may get away with less duds. Pack the same amount of outfits that your baby would go through at home, and don't forget pj's and socks! For long trips, call ahead to check for laundry facilities. "When we went to Hawaii, tons of moms were washing clothes," says Nest Lori. "I'd never thought of that."
Remember: Unless you're climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, you can probably buy diapers, wipes, and so on once you arrive. You'll only need to pack enough for the flight or drive, plus a few extras for any delays. Do pack the lotions and shampoos that baby needs (be sure to check the latest information on TSA container restrictions) as well as medicines that could come in handy. "You don't want to lug a screaming, feverish baby on a midnight hunt for Motrin, " urges Nest Lori.
And, whatever you do, don't skim on the toys. Carry a nice stash to keep baby distracted along the way, including old faves and a few new ones. Just leave any squeaky, rattly or talking toys at home -- fellow travelers will be grateful. And don't forget the snacks (for baby AND parents)!
Prepping to schlep
Infant clothes are tiny -- it's gear that gives baby trekking a bad name. To avoid an overloaded dash through Terminal B, invest in multipurpose items. Look for dual-purpose gear to lighten you load, like the gogo Kidz Travelmate, which turns your car seat into a stroller ($89, gogobabyz.com).
To further cut down on gear, call ahead to see what your hotel provides (cribs? bottle warmers?). Also, check to see if they offer baby-proofing items. If not, grab a supply of pipe cleaners for tying up loose cords and masking tape for covering outlets and sticking washcloths on table corners.
If you're flying, call the airline to check their policies on baby gear. For long flights, seriously consider purchasing an extra seat and bringing the car seat along. "Infant-in-lap" can get very old after a few hours. "We've always said that if we can't afford a seat for our son, then we can't afford the trip," agrees co18c0. (Vacations are for relaxing, after all.) If you do plan on holding baby for the flight, go for a window seat -- it'll keep those tiny arms and legs out of the aisle.
Traveling by car? Make sure toys and snacks are within arm's reach and have a diaper bag packed for the bathroom, restaurant, and sightseeing breaks.
Whether you're hopping on the plane, bus, car, or train, try to schedule the journey during your child's nap or bedtime (sleeping babies don't get bored), and bring along pj's, books, or anything else included in your usual routine. The more baby feels at home, the easier the journey.
Infant hot spots
Haven't picked your trip yet? These locales are all set up for baby's first voyage.
> Club Med has Baby Club Med programs at nine different worldwide destinations, offering stage-specific child care for babies four months and up, plus special play areas, baby convenience rooms, and lots of available gear for your room (clubmed.com).
> Beaches resorts in Jamaica and Turks and Caicos offer Baby's First Vacation Kids Camp, which provides infant and toddler child care with certified nannies. Also, the resorts' Sesame Street at Beaches programs and Sesame Street Characters Breakfasts are all the rage with the diaper-wearing set.
> Four Seasons hotels are a favorite among baby-bearers -- the luxury chain spans six continents and supplies pint-sized welcome amenities, tiny bathrobes, and baby baths, baby food, strollers, teddy bears, and nightlights too!
Dealing with flight frustrations
Airline restrictions and cutbacks can make traveling with baby a pain. Try these tips for a smoother ride, straight from real moms.
> Liquid limitations: "TSA allows milk, formula, and juice. If you need more than one or two bottles, carry empty bottles and fill on the other side. Airport bars will fill your bottles with water for free." -- mags2041
> Baggage restrictions: "We ordered the diapers, wipes, and formula to be delivered to our destination. That saved a ton of space." -- mrs.peggyhill
> Big delays: "Always make sure you have extra supples: clothes for you and baby, diapers and wipes, small toys/books, etc." -- sirena1124
> Expensive airplane food: "I bring granola bars, animal crackers, Fig Newtons, Goldfish -- stuff we both can eat." -- usvibound
> Security checkpoint madness: "The best thing for us was to keep our son in the stroller until the last minute. I then walked through with him and put him right in the stroller before picking up our other things." -- kristabelle22581
> Crowded planes: "You don't HAVE to board early. Remember that it takes 30+ minutes for everyone else to board, and all of that is just extra time your child will be spending in a cramped seat getting antsy." -- Nest Lori
-- Erin van Vuuren
May 28, 2009
See More: Baby Gear , Newborn Basics , Baby Basics
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