The Babble List: 25 Family Travel Tips
Stress-proof your next vacation!
by Annie Bacon
May 18, 2009
The Holy Grail of oversea trips is the bassinet that can be attached to the wall on some aircrafts. Not only does it allow the baby (and you!) to sleep more comfortably, it also works as a play-pen once he's
awake. Inform yourself on its availability, your baby's eligibility, and any possibility of reserving it in advance. Every aircraft company has a "traveling with children" webpage (view American Airlines, and United's) that should be consulted before booking. Never hesitate to call for additional information.
Things to know before booking:
- Is it free for children under 2?
- Are there bassinets?
- Are there baby meals and do you need to order them in advance?
- Can you choose your seat in advance and at what cost?
- Is your car seat allowed on the plane?
- Can you bring your stroller all the way to the plane's door?
- Is there any baby equipment that can travel for free?
If you're traveling alone with the kids out of the country, you might be required to have a letter from the other parent stating that they're aware of their children's trip and that you're not smuggling them away to avoid sharing custody! Find a sample
letter here.
Do online homework before booking your flight. Sidestep.com or Kayak.com allows you to compare airplane prices and availability, while others like Seatguru.com inform you as to the plus and minuses of every single seat on the plane.
Of course, if you can find and afford one, aparthotels with a bedroom and a kitchen are by far the best accommodations when traveling with kids. When comparing prices, consider that the kitchen will allow you
to cook homemade meals instead of going to the restaurant three times a day. (Then again, maybe cooking is the last thing you want to do on your vacation.)
Being able to feed your progeny at the hotel once in a while makes the trip easier to manage. If you're traveling with a baby, make sure that your hotel room has either a coffeemaker or electric kettle in the room. This simple apparatus will allow you
to easily warm up milk, purees, and water for the cereals. Some purees, such as avocado, banana and tofu, can be made with a simple fork and eaten cold.
A child's bed, while traveling, can take many forms. It can be a portable tent like the pea pod, a hotel-offered crib or a rollaway bed (most hotels have the first for free and the latter for a fee), or even just
a folded bedspread on the floor. Most of those options work better than a second bed, since you can move it to an out-of-the-way spot in the room: the entrance, an open-wardrobe, the tiny space between the second bed and the wall, anything goes! Your child
will be happy to have a secret hideout, and you'll be able to stay up past 8:00.
About the Author
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Annie Bacon is a freelance game designer living in Montreal. She's also the author of the french youth novel series Terra Incognita and akidstory.com personalized books. |
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