Advice and Products for Traveling with a Baby
One Friday in my mid-20's, I decided to escape a particularly nasty January in Minneapolis by taking a solo trip anywhere warm. I arrived in Miami the next day and rented a mini-van, which served the purpose of both transportation and accommodation for a week in Key West. Having a baby changes everything... including the places you stay when you travel. Gone are days of escaping on a whim, resigned to a course of fate's choosing. … [Read more...]
Unless you are traveling to and from a major city, it is likely you will have a connection before arriving at your final destination. Each airline has hubs through which it routes the majority of its connecting flights. When choosing your flight, it's handy to know which hubs offer kid-friendly options for traveling families. … [Read more...]
You paid more for luggage than the actual price of your airfare, you shoved your over-large stroller through the security checkpoint, and you watched in resignation as your child did laps around the moving walkways. As the plane boards, most parents suffer some degree of anxiety about the potential public humiliation they will endure if their child throws a tantrum on the flight. Whether your flight is a puddle-jump across the state or an epic trans-Pacific voyage, you'll need a strategy to keep the little one(s) entertained. … [Read more...]
The majority of parents traveling with young children worry about airplane ear. What Is Airplane Ear? A short anatomy lesson will help you understand airplane ear and how it develops. Ear pain is caused by a difference in pressure in the middle ear and the cabin of the airplane. This occurs most often and most intensely during descent, but it can happen during take-off as well. … [Read more...]
It was a running joke amongst friends that our family moved every time I got pregnant. Though it was a daunting task to move babies from Michigan to northern California, to Colorado and back to Michigan in a 3 year period, the experience provided tremendous depth for sharing baby-friendly destinations. Cities When choosing a place to vacation with young children, consider visiting a city. Most large cities offer an abundance of activities for parents traveling with young children. Whether you enjoy zoos, aquariums, fabulous playgrounds, children’s museums or a variety of dining options, … [Read more...]
This article is reprinted from Amazon.com's "Stroller Buying Guide". It is a very well-written, comprehensive review of the many factors to be considered in choosing a stroller. Overviews of each stroller category are followed by potential features and appropriate age ranges. It is a must-read for anyone considering the purchase of a stroller. A stroller is one of the most frequently used and indispensable items you'll need for baby. These wheeled wonders come in all shapes, sizes, and fabrics, with every feature imaginable. From prams to joggers, travel systems, lightweights, and more, … [Read more...]
Successful Car Trip (suk-ses'ful kar trip) - A trip by automobile in which all passengers arrive at a given destination (though not necessarily the originally intended destination) alive and in one piece. Now that we've established the definition of "success" as it relates to taking a car trip with a baby, we can discuss some ideas that will make the experience truly enjoyable for both parent and child. … [Read more...]
It is always shocking to see what is required to take young children on a vacation. Since most airlines are charging $15-$25 for EACH bag in EACH direction, lightening your load makes travel more efficient and more affordable. … [Read more...]
Picking the right bag for your carry-on is important. The key word is “accessibility”. A bag with several compartments is a great choice. The things you need most frequently should be in an outside pocket or near the top of the pack. Examples of these might include bottles, burp cloth, a quick snack and something to read. Diapers, wipes and a change of clothing will not be used as frequently, so those can go deeper inside the pack. … [Read more...]
Make Your Trip Better Using 3-1-1 3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3.4 ounce (100ml) bottle or less (by volume) ; 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3.4 ounce (100ml) container size is a security measure. … [Read more...]