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Go Baby Go
Traveling with your Infant or Toddler
Let's begin this discussion with a basic truth. Traveling with your infant is a bit of a hassle and requires more gear and planning than traveling with your older kids. Still, traveling with babies is one of my favorite ways to go, since we both get right-in-the-now, undivided time together. Moreover, infants' charm is negotiable worldwide, making all your travel plans easier and more fun. And, of course, because I can never get enough of my little ones. BEDDING DOWN No one sleeps like a baby, and babies generally sleep very well on the road. The rocking, lurching, chugging motions usually knock them right out. Still, having a familiar bed or bed gear reassures infants and small children. For infants, we travel with a small portable crib that can fit under our legs on public transportation, or on our laps. We've also used (and like) little zip-up buntings that keep baby in a cozy, manageable bundle. By the time baby is six months, it's time to graduate to a portable crib. Our favorites are the Evenflo (easiest to set up and take down) and the Graco, which umbrellas up and fits into a canvas traveling case. The Graco is heavier and takes a bit longer to set up (it's still easy, though) but it's quite a bit larger, making it suitable to do double duty for those outings to grandma's house or as an extra play pen at home. Portable cribs are also very handy for taking to the beach or pool. A familiar blanket and toy can make all the difference for traveling children. As they get older, they can continue to treasure their favorite blanket. (Our 15-year-old's favorite blanket now resides on a chair in his bedroom where he frequently uses it as a lap warmer while working on his computer.) GETTING AROUND We like child-carrying backpacks for traveling with kids up to 3 years old. The Gerry has an inner sling for younger ones that can be dispensed with as they grow. We also travel with the lightest umbrella stroller we can find, which we push right onto the plane and store in the overhead compartment. Wheeling your baby or toddler aboard can really save your back on the half-mile long concourse. CAR SEATS We find it much more convenient and cost-effective to take our own car seats with us on vacation. They are also handy for keeping junior in one place in the hotel rooms during feedings and quiet time.
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