On the plane

Babies under two years still travel free on the lap, though there are rumors that this perk may soon be coming to an end. Most airlines charge a hefty service fee ($100 on United) for overseas flights for the same privilege, of traveling with babies. Before you even consider buying that extra seat until they are over two, remember that the baby will probably be on your lap anyway during the entire flights. So, unless you need an expensive place to keep your unread newspaper and magazines, take advantage of this free ride for as long as possible, while traveling with your baby. Don’t forget the sippee cup, bottle and binkey. If you do, the plane ride will be a descent into hell, because little ears often can not handle take-offs and landings without sucking on something. If mom is there and still nursing, you’re in luck; you can read the paper in peace. If not, you’ll be playing hot potato with the baby for at least a half hour up and a half hour down. We lost the sippee cup one time on the way to the airport and were able to get one at Travelers Aid at the last minute.

One gadget (and we love gadgets) you may want to consider sticking at the bottom of the diaper bag, while traveling with babies, is a water bottle adapter. This small piece of plastic allows you to use a soda or water bottle as a baby bottle and includes an extra nipple. At $.99 on eBay, its value to you, while traveling with babies, as an always prepared dad, would be immeasurable.

While often harried, I’ve always found airline service staff to be very good at warming bottles or fetching hot water for formula, when you’re traveling with your baby. Don’t expect them to wait on you, but they can be very helpful.

A word to the wise on diapers for the plane: carry many extras while traveling with babies. Planes get delayed or cancelled, and some end up sitting on the tarmac for hours. Don’t become a horror story of a panicked parent down to the last diaper with a diarrhetic baby leaking all over you and your neighbors. We have asked strangers to borrow a diaper when really stuck, but wouldn’t want to start bartering for one in a closed market environment where demand might really far exceed supply.

Dining out

We’ve eaten at dozens of great restaurants over the years, sometimes with a dozing child on our lap. However, the biggest caveat here is that kids will behave in a strange restaurant the same way they will behave at home. If you know your child will never sit through a dinner at home, don’t do as we do. We’ve never been afraid to finish up a dinner quickly if the kids have really had enough, but we’ve also never shied away from having a full meal. Go to eat as early as possible, while the staff is fresh and accommodating. We’ve always found wait staff to be super-understanding and welcoming to our kids.

A day with baby

Finally, you’re now traveling with a third person who has input into the activities of the day. Luckily, babies enjoy many things parents do: a walk through the park, a trip to a museum, or just people-watching from the luxury of their stroller. And, unlike us, they can just close their eyes and nod off whenever they get bored or tired. If you time it right, during those moments, you and your wife might even have a little bit of time to yourself to muse about life before children and all the freedom you had.

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Traveling with baby in tow need not be a nightmare. Although, we have
all been on aircraft where there is a fractious baby howling for hours
on end, much to it’s parents embarrassment. Remember most of the people
around you are either parents or grand parents so they are probably
sympathising with you. You can try to minimise the possibility of
problems and help your baby to be happy and comfortable. This will make
the flight better for baby, parents and all others in the vicinity.

Of course there really is not much you can do if a baby is ill, teething or
just plain grumpy other than use whatever product your family
practitioner has prescribed or recommended. But you can try to
minimize the tears. A late flight could mean baby sleeps through the
whole process. Make sure junior is clean, comfortable and well fed
before boarding. Get baby well settled before take off and give him
something to chew so the change in pressure does not hurt his/her ears.
Settle yourself down and relax. Babies pick up on tension. If possible
before your meal see baby has a bottle of milk or juice whatever is
usual before sleep and then get him settled down. Remember to take
plenty of diapers/nappies, wet wipes and something to put the rubbish
in. You don’t want to hand the stewardess a wet diaper or worse!!
Remember favourite toys, teddies or comfort blankets. If your baby
will be quiet sucking a dummy/pacifier then for goodness sake and
everyone else’s let him have one. Now is not the time to worry about
his misshapen teeth. Remember just because you think letting a child
cry is good for him, it is not good for the other passengers nerves or
the happy spirit of the crew. Pick him up or rock him don’t let him
howl, ward off the truly terrible screams early.

At your destination remember babies don’t know where they are or that
this is the happy holiday Daddy has worked and saved for all year. Pack
some familiar things. His own pillow and blanket, familiar toys and
familiar food just in case you can’t buy the usual wherever you end up.
Also this next advice is particularly needed by babies from northern
countries. Sunshine may be a rather unfamiliar thing to junior
especially if you are from the UK. Hats with a neck and eye shade are
practical, plenty of sun screen applied frequently not once a day, and
even when being jiggled up and down in the sea keep at least a t shirt
on him. Babies soon burn and also have trouble with extremes of heat.
They don’t like to lie in the sun baking. A nice shady spot, cotton t
and diapers/nappies and frequent drinks of water. Someone beautiful
waving a fan would be nice too or is that for Daddy?

So you see traveling with baby is not so difficult. Relax and enjoy
the holiday with your little tyrant and have a great time.

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Once you start making preparations for traveling with a baby, you may begin to have second thoughts about the trip. But, do not despair! Parents have been traveling with a baby in tow for thousands of years, and that experience is available to help you now. Here are some of the simplest tips for traveling with a baby:

1. Get a passport. You may not know that if you are traveling with a baby out of the country you need a passport. The baby cannot travel on your passport. You will need documentation such as a certified birth certificate to get the baby a passport, but the baby will not need to be present in person at the passport office to apply. You will also need proper identification for yourself to get your baby a passport. Alternative identification methods are listed on the government’s passport website.

2. Do not get caught without diapers when traveling with a baby. Whatever number of diapers you think you will need for your trip, add 3 per day more. It will not hurt and it can be a lifesaver. Bring several changes of clothing when you are traveling with a baby-both for the baby and for yourself-because accidents happen. You should also bring some plastic bags to put soiled clothing and diapers in until you can take care of them. Bring lots of wipes and hand sanitizer for diaper changes and other messes as well.

3. Bring plenty of food when traveling with a baby. You should bring formula, finger foods, etc. in individually packaged portions so that they are easy to use and accessible. Again, bring more than you think you will need. You should also bring any medication that your baby needs with a dosing spoon or dropper.

4. It is always a good idea to have some new toys or books to bring out at stressful or boring parts of the trip.

5. You can buy a seat for your infant on an airplane at up to a 50 percent discount. Although this is not required for children under two, it is highly recommended. Make sure the seat is rated safe for air travel.

6. There are many companies which will deliver diapers, strollers, wipes, etc. to wherever you are staying on your vacation if you don’t feel like packing yourself.

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