On the Road Again: The Top 15 Tips for Traveling With Babies and Small Children
Travel with kids takes a little extra know-how. Whether going places by plain, train, or automobile, we've gathered 15 of the best tips to get your family on the road with ease. Read on the for the skinny on traveling with car seats, strollers, and fussy babies.
- Check car seat laws in states to which you are traveling. States differ in age, height, and weight requirements for use of a car or booster seat. Check out our chart of child safety seat laws by state.
- Verify that your car seat is FAA approved. Our comparison charts detail whether a car seat is suitable for airplane use. Also, booster seats may not be used on airplanes because airplane seats have only lap belts.
- Confirm your airline’s regulations for car seats. Check out the FAA’s brochure on flying with babies and children for more information on using a car seat on an airplane.
- When driving, make frequent stops. Babies and young children go batty without a little time outside of the car. Check the map before you start your drive and choose convenient rest stops and hotels. Pick a few outdoor locations using www.nps.gov, which lists parks in the United States.
- When driving, do not take baby out of their car seat while your car is in motion. You may be tempted to remove them from the car seat for feeding or comfort, but remember that the safest practice is to pull over before lifting them out of the safety of her car seat.
- Time car trips around baby’s sleep schedule. Start the drive when baby starts their longest nap or before they settle down for the night. You’ll help maintain their sleep schedule and give you more time to focus on the road.
- If possible, have one parent sit in the back seat of the car with baby. Babies get fussy when they’re bored or lonely, and having a friend to keep them company helps.
- Treat motion sickness by stopping the car and getting fresh air. You may also try opening the windows and telling your child to look outside. Should you choose medication, consult your doctor first.
- Make use of a portable DVD player. Your sanity will thank you.
- Bring along games and toys for the road or plane trip. For babies, bring new toys or baby-safe household items for them to explore. Play games like Peek-a-boo and “Where is Thumbkin?” For older children, bring along coloring books, play license plates, or have them keep a journal of what they see along the road.
- Pack plenty of extra outfits for baby and you. When baby makes a mess, and then transfers some of that mess onto you, you’ll be glad of the extra clothes!
- Invest in a baby stroller travel system. Lightweight options such as the Graco MetroLite Travel System make moving quickly through TSA checkpoints a snap. And because stroller travel systems come complete with infant car seats, baby always has a place to rest.
- Make your car seat portable with handy travel accessories. The Go-Go Babyz gogo Kidz Travelmate turns your car seat into a wheeled tote, giving your arms a break. For a hands-free option, consider the Cheeky Monkey Pack Back, which allows you to carry your car seat like a backpack.
- To reduce air pressure on young ears, have babies nurse or suck on a bottle during take-off and landing. Older children can chew gum or eat sucking candy. If your baby or toddler is still uncomfortable, ask the flight attendant for hot, damp towels and two cups. Place the towels in the bottom of the cups and cover baby’s ears with the cups. The steam helps to equalize ear pressure.
- Check the TSA’s website for regulations on flying with baby formula and breast milk. Baby formula, baby food, and breast milk are allowed in bottles exceeding 3 ounces and are not required to be in a zip-top bag. You must declare these items prior to screening. As anyone who has flown lately knows, these regulations change often – confirm the latest rules before flying. Follow these links to the TSA’s permitted and prohibited items and regulations on air travel with children.
