| Why is it the minute people find out you are | | | | Extra Clothes: Yes, you simply will have to bring |
| pregnant, they assume you won't be traveling | | | | extra clothes for your infant. They are cute, but |
| anywhere anytime soon? I find that annoying and | | | | they are messy. Good thing those little outfits don't |
| make it my personal challenge to get out and see | | | | take up a whole lot of space in the suitcase. An |
| the world with my kids. Traveling with an infant can | | | | extra pair of clothes for Mom might not be a bad |
| be a challenge though and if you do a search online, | | | | idea either, unless you have stain free-wrinkle free |
| there are dozens of articles out there explaining how | | | | out fits. |
| to travel with an infant, many provide long lists of all | | | | Transporting Baby: Is a stroller really necessary? Well |
| those essentials and must haves to bring along. I fell | | | | that would depend on the size of your infant, your |
| for a lot of that when I had my first child, but now | | | | comfort level, and the structural integrity of your |
| that I am expecting baby #4, I realize that those | | | | back. When I travel with an infant, I prefer a sling or |
| necessities really aren't that necessary. True, if you | | | | baby carrier like the Baby Bjorn. I don't like to be |
| want all the comforts of home then by every | | | | weighed down by all the baby stuff like bulky |
| means, bring it all. But I enjoy traveling light, even | | | | strollers and prefer traveling like the Native American |
| when traveling with the whole family including our | | | | Indians did with their infants in the papoose for long |
| infant. And here is how I do it. | | | | distances and Moms hands free. |
| Hotel Necessities: Think comfort and safety when | | | | Toys, Games, and Extras: Should you bring toys, |
| traveling with an infant. If you are staying over night | | | | games and items to entertain your infant? Chances |
| at a hotel, ask ahead of time if they rent or loan a | | | | are, your little one will be just fine interacting with |
| crib. Then you can save yourself the hassle of having | | | | you and does not need all the extra stimulation that |
| to pack a travel bassinet. If you don't want to take | | | | many infant toys provide while you travel. I have had |
| a chance and feel more comfortable bringing along | | | | the experience of traveling on a long road trip with a |
| that bassinet for your new baby, then there are a | | | | teething baby. Out of desperation, I handed her my |
| few on the market that fold down to a compact size | | | | lavender soothing eye satchel. She held it to her face, |
| that fits in your suit case like the Pea Pod by Kidco. | | | | and instantly stopped crying. Not sure what that was |
| There are also portable bed bolsters that inflate and | | | | all about, but I would recommend carrying some |
| attach to the hotel bed if you prefer to have your | | | | aromatherapy items along just in case. |
| infant in the same bed with you. I have used them | | | | Traveling with kids is a little more complex, though |
| and not only did it work well while traveling, I | | | | and unless you are a stand up comedian with endless |
| continue to use my inflatable bed bolsters at home | | | | energy, then it is advisable to bring along a little |
| to keep my active sleepers from toppling onto the | | | | something to entertain or educate them with. We |
| floor. | | | | always rely on audio books and self contained |
| Diaper Bag: Lets face it, your diaper bag is simply a | | | | coloring kits, a few toys, and a lot of snacks on our |
| necessity, but it doesn't have to be an oversized | | | | long road trips. I am not one for car clutter so we |
| hassle. I've tried out many different diaper bags | | | | use a car travel tray that folds up compact when |
| ranging from big to small, sturdy to flimsy, and none | | | | not in use, and allows the kids to keep there travel |
| of them met my needs for carrying everything I | | | | activities, snacks and such organized in one spot on |
| need in an organized, comfortable manner. That is | | | | their tray while we travel. |
| until I discovered that a diaper bag could be a back | | | | Strive to travel light with your infant. Don't let the |
| pack. My all time favorite diaper bag is a diaper bag | | | | fear of being without something cause you to bring |
| backpack made by Baby Sherpa. I use it as my | | | | everything. Write down the items you feel |
| carry-on luggage on flights, as well as my daily diaper | | | | comfortable bringing, then try to downsize as much |
| bag that also has an insulated compartment for food, | | | | as possible. Whether that means switching from a |
| snacks, and liquids. As an avid backpacker, I love the | | | | large travel bassinet to a small, compact one, or |
| feel of a well built backpack on my back. | | | | loosing the stroller and car seat all together. You will |
| Flying with an Infant: I love to avoid carrying a lot | | | | need to do some footwork to be sure you have a |
| including a car seat. Many airlines allow parents to use | | | | car seat available upon arrival or with your rental car |
| an infant airplane harness like the Baby B'Air so your | | | | company, but it's really not that difficult and only |
| infant sits on your lap and is tethered to the same | | | | takes a phone call and reservation. Call your hotel to |
| seat belt as the parent. This allows you to avoid | | | | secure a crib, and attach your baby to your body |
| lugging around a car seat and checking in a stroller | | | | with a baby carrier/sling to avoid a stroller. Then you |
| while you fly. That's a lot of gear I would rather | | | | can be proud of yourself in knowing that you are |
| leave at home. There are also nifty travel seat | | | | truly traveling light with your infant. The world is a |
| attachments that attach to rolling luggage so kids can | | | | fascinating place to see, so get out their and see it |
| sit on them like the Ride-on Carry-on. These work | | | | without all the extra baggage! |
| great for toddlers. | | | | |