"Are we there yet?"
Fewer words strike more trepidation in the hearts of parents than these. Traveling with a baby can seem daunting, but if you plan ahead, the trip can be a smooth one for both you and Baby.
Keep Them Entertained
Your baby does not yet have the capacity for patience that you do, and conversation can be very one-sided at this age. Seek out toys designed specifically for travel. Small, loose pieces are bound to end up on the car floor, so choose items that can clip or snap onto the front bar of your baby's car seat. Be sure to try out the item at the store before buying it: that cute noise may be fun once or twice, but two hours of it might just make you turn around and head back for home. Look for items that Baby will enjoy and that you will be able to put up with. The right travel accessory for your baby can make for a much smoother trip.
When Hunger Strikes
If your child is an infant and is bottle-fed, bring along separate containers of powdered formula and clean water, as well as two or three bottles. Or purchase ready-to-drink bottles of formula. These are pricer than formula mixes, but can add convenience to the occasional trip.
You can cut down on clutter by pre-mixing the desired amount of powdered formula and storing it in a few cleaned, dry baby food jars. These will be much less unwieldy than a large can.
Older babies will need snacks--or may just want them, depending upon their boredom level. Eating out of boredom is never a good idea, but on trips, you may want to relax your standards a bit. Bring dry snacks, such as crackers or oatmeal cookies. Avoid snacks that need to be refrigerated.
Consider juices rather than cow's milk or soy milk, which can spoil on a trip even when packed in ice. If Baby absolutely must have milk, pull the car into a fast food restaurant drive-through and buy some to drink on the spot. Or, if on an airplane, order milk from the steward or stewardess.
Soothing Sounds
Singing in the car is a family vacation tradition. You can make this much more fun (and easier on the adults, who may not have the patience to sing for hours on end) with some well-selected song tapes or CDs. Depending upon your baby's age, you can choose songs that encourage involvement, such as "Bingo" (with clapping for the missing letters), or familiar tunes you've always enjoyed singing with Baby.
If your car is equipped with a rear-seat VCR or DVD player, your job will be even easier. Buy engaging tapes that keep Baby clapping, laughing, singing or counting along. If your child already has a favorite, be sure to include it on your trip. What seems repetitive to you can be joyful to babies, who love anticipating what they know comes next.
Airline Travel
Entertaining your baby on an airplane can be a little tricker than in the car. You will naturally be more worried about noises and crying than you would have been in the company of your own family. You are also more restricted, as you can't stop the journey to stretch your legs and give Baby a change of scenery.
Many parents choose an airline that offers on-board television, or at least a movie; this way, fellow passengers can "drown out" any noises by plugging in their earphones. Check in advance whether your airline offers these services.
Don't be too concerned, though. Airline travelers expect some sort of distraction on the flight; a fussy baby will come as no surprise. Pack a few toys in your carry-on bag. As with car traveling, avoid small pieces that can be thrown or lost, and don't bring a toy that is overly noisy and bound to aggravate the entire crew and passengers.
A portable DVD player can be an enormous help on an airplane. These can be pricey; consider borrowing one from a friend. Portable DVD players can be small and thin enough to fold easily into your carry-on bag, and of course, the DVDs themselves take up hardly any room. Turn the volume up loud enough for your baby to hear, but don't blare the sound; be considerate.
Pick up Baby periodically and carry him up and down the aisles. (Be sure it isn't serving-time when you do this, and check to see whether most of the other passengers are seated and engaged in a movie or reading.) This small change in scenery can distract Baby at least for the moment, and may change his mood when you sit him back down for the remainder of the flight.
Traveling with your baby doesn't have to be a painful experience. Bring the right accessories, and your trip may go more smoothly than you could have imagined.
