Traveling with a baby can be a delightful lark, an impossible mission, or both -- in a single hour of the journey! But if you're intrepid (and prepared), a family trip can be a fun adventure. We've gathered wisdom from road-warrior (and plane-Jane) moms about getting there with smiles and giggles intact.
Get it Together
Whether it's wheels or wings that will carry you to your destination, preparation is key. Heed these tips and get packing.
Check it off. "I write down everything I need, then cross it off as it goes in the bag," says Maryse Cassamajor of North Lauderdale, Florida. "That way, I can remember what I've put in, since I start packing a week in advance." Keep a master list of what went where, so that in an emergency, you can find the backup Binky in a flash.
Think small. Little things can be tremendously helpful. When her son Lucas was a baby, Maura Rhodes of Montclair, New Jersey, took a handful of outlet covers on trips to childproof the hotel room. Bungee cords and garbage-bag ties can gather drapes and cords. And it's no secret, but you can never have too many plastic baggies!
Choose carefully. It's tough to envision life sans baby bathtub and bouncy seat, but it won't all fit. "After many trips, I figured out the bare minimum," says Georgia Hallinan of Richmond, California. "You need a way to transport the baby, a place for the baby to sleep, and a car seat." To her list, we'd add a front or backpack carrier and your child's best lovey. That's it. Really! Be inventive: A stroller can triple as a high chair and a napping nest.
Carry on! If you're flying, realize that with a baby comes exemption from the "toothbrush, prescription meds, and a change of underwear" rule. Take enough diapers, wipes, and snacks to start a daycare center. "Don't forget extra T-shirts for the adults," advises Minneapolis mom Julia Litton, recalling a flight to Florida with then 14-month-old Patrick, who threw up all over her.
Invest in Sanity
Trade ill-timed flights or poorly equipped hotel rooms for the right tickets and accommodations.
Don't connect. When traveling by plane, look into direct or nonstop flights. A slightly higher ticket price may be preferable to the plight another Montclair mom, Andrea Messina, found herself in: lugging a double stroller, three car seats, two carry-ons, a 4-year-old, and infant twins as she and her husband tried to make a connection. "We did it, but swore never again," she recalls. Unavoidable stopover? Try to time it so it isn't at naptime; your child can burn energy crawling around the airport (and hopefully snooze on the plane).
Book a kitchenette. Room service is expensive. Oatmeal in the microwave is cheap, and your baby might actually eat it. Knowing that you can cook mac and cheese if you can't handle another meal out can also help lower stress levels. At the very least, "request a mini-fridge," suggests Melissa McLaughlin of Washington, DC; you'll want it for juice boxes and ready-made formula.
Spring for a suite. When it comes to hotel rooms, bigger is better. "With Patrick, we spent much more time in the room," Litton says. And trust us, taking a bottle of wine into the bathroom and whispering as you huddle on the tile isn't so cozy; neither is going to bed at 7:30 p.m., when your child does. Choose a cheaper hotel's suite over tiny digs at a fancier spot -- you won't regret it.
Stay Tuned,
I will post more this week....
