Baby Travel Tips
When it comes to Baby Travel, we've been there, done that, now serving 161 tips in 15 categories ranging from Air Travel with Babies to Road Trips with Baby.
Road Tripping with Babies
Traveling in a personal vehicle is typically preferred to traveling on airplanes, by bus or on trains when you have an infant in tow. Take advantage of the conveniences of road tripping by stopping often to give your baby a break from a car seat. Rest areas and truck stops dot highways, and they provide everything you need from scenery at rest areas to showers at truck stops.
When road tripping with babies, plan to drive when the baby is sleeping. If this is not possible, say because you are driving solo, tack on an extra 8 hours of driving time for every 24 on the road. In addition to sleep for yourself, you will need to stop every hour at a minimum for diaper changes, feedings and play time.
Plan ahead with packing as you will need lots of things just for your baby. If you have made plans to stop along the way at friends' houses or hotels, ask if they have larger items that you can use while there, such as cribs and playpens. Bring along toys that are new to the baby, as well as a couple of favorites, such as stuffed animals or security blankets. Dress your infant in comfortable clothing and in layers, so you can peel off layers or change diapers with ease.
Keep a copy of the baby's birth certificate and Social Security card to provide identification in case of an accident. If you are crossing borders, research the passport requirements for babies. Also, if you are traveling as a single parent you will most likely need a document of permission from the baby's other parent stating you have permission to take the child into another country.
Say Aloha, Baby!
Warm waters. Tropical breezes. And all the modern conveniences to make your trip much more comfortable. If it sounds as good to you as it does to us, plan a trip with your baby to Hawaii. But don't just pick any island or location. There are a few that are perfect for bringing little ones in tow.
Ka'anapali Beach – Located on the western part of Maui, it's a great place for families with a baby. You can have access to white, sandy beaches, and gentle waves – perfect for taking little ones. Not only that, you'll be visiting a resort area wtih renowned snorkeling opportunities. Ka'anapali Beach topped the list during 2003 as America's Best Beach, according to Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman. Stay at one of the luxury hotels or make your home away from home at family friendly condo rental.
Baby Beach – This area is another great find on the western shores of the island of Maui. The calm waters on Baby Beach make it a popular area for families with little ones. A protected area keeps waves from crashing in and the flat stretch of sandy area makes it ideal for tots. Parents can choose vacation home rentals or resort hotel accommodations and everything in between.
Five Tot Friendly Activities By Stroller
If you're trying to decide where to take your toddler out around town, there's no better way to go than a stroller – if you pick the right venues. Whether you're visiting a new locale for a few days or looking for someplace to spend the afternoon, here are some ideas for parents looking for some stroller friendly places to go.
- Go on a walking tour. With a young child in tow, you don't necessarily want to join the crowd. Map out your own route or try one by cell phone. Talking Street is one company that offers cell phone tours in several cities throughout the U.S.
- Join a fitness group. You can sign up for just the day to get a workout with child in tow. Stroller Strides (www.strollerstrides.com) and StrollerFit (www.strollerfit.com) have numerous locations to choose from.
- Go on a hike. You'll need a stroller that can handle the terrain and not every hiking trail can accommodate a stroller, but there are some that do. Check with the local Parks and Recreation department to find out which ones do. It's a great way to enjoy the fresh air and scenic view.
- Explore the local neighborhood. It's easy to miss all the nuances of a community when you're going by car. Whether you're in your hometown or vacationing in a resort town, it's a refreshing experience to take a walk on foot.
- Go to a botanical garden. Tots and parents alike will enjoy the landscaped environments, colorful flowers, and serene environment that a lush botanical garden has to offer.
Stroller Accessories In Any Kind Of Weather
When traveling, it's always a good idea to find out about the climate and weather conditions of your destination ahead of time. That way, you can be prepared to dress both you and baby appropriately for the trip. If you're bringing a stroller, keep in mind that with a few accessories, you can protect your infant from many of the elements. Some strollers come with these accessories, but if yours doesn't, you can always find them at a stroller specialty shop or one of the major infant retailers, like Babies R Us.
Foot Muff – Many of the better stroller lines come with these, but if yours doesn't, you can always purchase one separately. Ideal for cold weather days, the boot cover attaches to through the harness of your stroller and wraps around your baby or toddler for warmth. JJ Coles makes a version for infants as well as toddlers that fit most types of strollers.
Rain Cover – If a rain cover comes with your stroller, you'll likely snap it on for a custom fit. It provides a clear vinyl shade to keep the rain out, but let baby enjoy the view. If you need to purchase it separately, you can get a one size fits most version, which rests on top of your stroller. Especially For Baby at Babies R Us makes stroller rain covers.
Sun Shade – These might snap on to your stroller much like a rain cover does if your stroller comes with it. The best ones are UV filtered to keep the sun's harmful rays away from your child. They're typically made of a soft woven fabric that drapes over your stroller and allows your infant to see out.
Sun Canopy – Just about every stroller has a sun canopy with the exception of some of the most basic umbrella strollers. However, if you've ever toyed with one of these, you know it takes some adjustment throughout your walk to keep the sun out. Short of using a blanket to cover baby up, if you want to go the canopy route, you can purchase a canopy attachment that'll block out much more sunlight than a standard stroller canopy will. Protect A Bub makes a canopy shade attachment maintains visibility for your child while providing sun protection.
Mosquito Net – If you're going somewhere tropical where mosquitoes are abound, this is one handy stroller accessory to have. It's typically a mesh fabric with attaches snugly to your stroller via an elasticized bottom. They're much more common on European models of strollers, but you can purchase them separately. See if your stroller manufacturer carries them. If not, baby retailers or places selling outdoor gear do carry them.
Stroller Accessories To Keep You Organized
When you're on the go with your stroller, it's always nice to have somewhere to stash your stuff in a convenient, organized place. This is especially true if you're sprinting through the airport with your toddler to get the gate; you'll want to have all your documents on hand when you get there. If you're looking for stroller accessories that'll keep you from juggling a drink in your hand and travel documents in the other, try one of these nifty organizational accessories for your stroller.
Carry You Milan Deluxe Stroller Organizer ($40) – Carry You makes a line of practical organizational bags for the stroller, including cup holders, saddle bags, and organizers. The Deluxe Stroller Organizer accommodates two cups – a sippy for your tot and a drink for you. But it also provides a large mesh bag and smaller organizers for papers, keys, small toys, and any other loose item you need to store. It attaches to the back of your stroller and is constructed of a nylon mesh material. It works nicely for travel because it packs flat and will collapse with your stroller as well.
Skip Hop Dash – Skip Hop makes organizational tools for the modern parent, from a sculptural bottler drying rack to diaper bags that do double-duty as stoller bags. We like the Dash because it looks deceptively like a messenger bag, yet it attaches to the rear of your stroller with its own stroller straps. Plus it's the ideal size for boarding on a plane, but has enough room for all your essentials. There's a total of 10 pockets to keep you organized as well as convenient outside pockets that'll fit baby's bottle.
Stroller Wheel Maintenance
If you're taking your stroller on a trip, likely you'll encounter a lot of terrain with it from airport floor tiles to urban sidewalks. In most instances, you'll find that your stroller won't need any special care or maintenance. However, there are a few things you can do to keep your stroller in top shape, compliments of Strollerqueen, Janet McLaughlin.
- Every 6-8 weeks, lubricate the wheels of your stroller. Different manufacturers have different suggestions. Peg Perego recommends you use Pledge furniture polish.
- For general cleaning, if you have a stroller with quick release wheels, you can simply pop them off, scrub them with a brush, and rinse them in the sink.
- Every time your stroller goes in the sand, you should clean them off. All you have to do is hose the wheels and dry them off.
| Guru Spotlight |
| Christina Chan |
