travel with your kid
путешествияCохраняю несколько статей для себя, но может кому-то еще пригодится. Собираемся в Турцию в июне (Лизе будет 9,5 месяцев).
Packing checklist for traveling with a toddler
Remember all the stuff you carried around when your child was an infant? Double or triple that load. Now you're approaching the amount of toys, snacks, clothes, and gear you'll need to keep your toddler comfortable and entertained. Here's a checklist of things you'll need on the road, plus tips for easy, efficient packing.
Diapers
Bring extras in case of emergencies or delays
Wipes
Pad to put under your toddler during diaper changes
You can buy disposable changing pads at supermarkets or reusable ones at baby stores
Blanket(s)
Bring a few for comfort, shade, and warmth
Plastic bags
Carry a variety of sizes for storing soiled diapers, clothes, and shoes
Small bottles of disinfecting hand gel and toiletries
Tissues
Toys and books
Your child's favorites, plus several new toys for surprises along the way. Bring sturdy toys that don't have easy-to-lose parts
Your child's lovey
Clothes, socks, and shoes
One to two outfits per day is a good guideline. Denim and dark colors are good for hiding dirt and stains. Prepare for weather changes by dressing in layers.
Bathing suit
Lightweight and easy to pack, and you never know when it will come in handy
Washable bibs
Sun hat and sunscreen
Sippy cups, canteens, or bottles
Encourage your toddler to drink plenty of liquids to avoid dehydration, especially when flying
Lightweight plastic feeding set with utensils
Portable highchair to use at your destination
Snack food
Don't forget high-energy snacks for yourself, too!
Nightlight
(If your toddler uses one)
First-aid kit
Pain reliever and supplies for treating minor injuries
Laundry soap
For handwashing soiled clothes en route
Socket protectors
For childproofing rooms at your destination
Portable crib or play yard
Unless your toddler sleeps with you, or you've arranged for a crib at your destination
Car seat for travel by car or plane
Collapsible stroller
Can be gate-checked or stored in the overhead bin of an airplane
Where should my baby sleep in our hotel room?
Expert Answers Christine Loomis, family travel writer
You have two main options: Rely on the crib that your hotel provides (if it provides one at all) or bring your own portable bed and bedding with you.
Hotel cribs are obviously the most convenient, but there's a big caveat: You have to check them out carefully before using them. Many are old (some predating safety regulations) and structurally unsafe, and others come with bedding — such as folded full-sized sheets — that could present a hazard to your sleeping child. A few years ago, the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission ran a spot check on cribs at some 90 hotels and motels across the country; more than four out of five were found to violate federal safety guidelines. Since then, some hotel chains have agreed to upgrade their cribs, but the watchword remains: Parents beware.
Here are some things to watch for when inspecting a hotel crib:
To avoid crib collapses, check the hardware to make sure none of the screws or bolts are missing, loose, or bent, and that your small child can't release the safety latches.
To avoid head and limb injuries, the side slats should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart (about the width of a dollar bill). Also, make sure none of the slats are loose, cracked, or missing. (If the sides are mesh, the mesh should not be torn or have holes.) Headboards and footboards should be solid, without cutouts, and the crib should be free of sharp or jagged edges.
To prevent suffocation and strangulation, the mattress should fit snugly into the crib and be on a support that's securely attached to the headboard and footboard. It's also crucial that it have a fitted sheet especially designed for cribs, not adult-sized sheets. Avoid other dangerous bedding such as pillows, heavy comforters and blankets, and bedding that's too soft.
Call in advance to ask what kind of crib your baby can expect. Then check to make sure it meets current safety standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you're not sure the crib will be safe, or if you don't know where you'll be staying each night on your trip, it's best to bring your own portacrib or play yard, as long as it meets safety standards. (The modern play yard is a combination of an old-fashioned play pen and a portable crib. It's safe for sleeping, often has a removable bassinet for the youngest babies, and folds compactly to fit in the trunk of your car.) Even if you plan to use the hotel crib, it's wise to bring your own crib sheet and lightweight crib blanket, since many hotels don't supply them. They're also a comforting reminder of home for your baby.
A final option is to bring your baby into bed with you. While many experts regard this as unsafe because adult-sized pillows and sheets present suffocation hazards, it's probably a better choice than placing your baby in a crib that might collapse. If your baby is too young to push up or roll over, you may want to purchase a portable folding bed with its own fitted sheet or mattress pad. These beds, which are easy to assemble, nestle between the pillows at the head of your bed and keep your infant safe.
Tips for helping your child adjust to travel
New sights and sounds can be overwhelming to a young child. Vacation excitement can quickly turn to temper tantrums if you try to do too much too soon, so set realistic expectations and let your child soak up the experience at his own pace.
Bring a blankie and cuddly toy
A favorite blanket, special sheet, burp cloth, or stuffed animal can help a child feel safe and secure. It can ease his anxiety about getting to — or being in — a new place. While keeping track of yet another item may seem like an extra hassle for you, your child will be happier, and thus more pleasant to travel with, clutching something soft and familiar. Keep a replacement lovey on hand in case the original gets lost.
Start — and end — your day early
Traveling with a baby or toddler is not about sleeping in or staying out late. Young children are at their best earlier in the day, so plan to travel, sightsee, or explore in the morning. Afternoons and evenings are a good time for playing outdoors or relaxing back at your hotel. Respecting your child's inner clock will make him less likely to throw a tantrum in the car, the street, or a crowded museum.
Establish a routine and stick to it
Travel can wreak havoc on a child's daily routine and your little one may get upset if his physical needs for regular eating and sleeping are not met. Keeping your child's nap and meal schedule perfectly on track may be impossible, but he'll be a happier traveler if you establish a routine. This doesn't mean watching the clock the whole time you're away from home — eating meals and taking naps at the same time each day may be all the routine he needs to feel comfortable in his new environment.
Changing time zones can complicate the adjustment process, and children do get jet lag, but not to the same extent as adults. A well-rested child — or adult, for that matter — copes better than a tired one with time changes, so have your whole family rest up before you travel.
To minimize the effects of jet lag, plan to arrive at your destination in the evening and stick to your usual bedtime routine: For example, give your child a bath, read him a book, and put him to sleep at his usual bedtime in the new time zone. If you're in, let's say, London and it's 7 p.m. there, put him down to sleep even if it's eight hours ahead of his normal bedtime. It will take a few days to adjust.
Toddlers are notoriously picky eaters, and it's hard enough finding foods they like at home, let alone while you're traveling. You may be looking forward to sampling the local cuisine at your destination, but your child may be less excited about conch fritters and sautéed snails. If you're going out to a restaurant, bring a supply of your toddler's favorite foods (such as goldfish crackers, O-shaped toasted oat cereal, fruit, or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches) to keep him satisfied and entertained while you enjoy your own meal.
Your child's mood may be more unpredictable than usual when you're traveling, so it makes sense to establish a home base you can return to quickly and easily. Short jaunts away from your accommodations are less likely to tax your child's patience. And if the weather turns foul, someone gets sick, or your baby just wants to nap, you can quickly head back to the room.
Schedule running-around time for toddlers
After being cooped up in a car, plane, or stroller all day, most toddlers are eager to be let loose. New walkers especially hate being confined, so spend time every day at a park or playground where your child can release some pent-up energy. A bonus: The more he races around during the day, the better he'll sleep at night.
Expect the adjustment to take several days
New faces and surroundings can be scary for a young child and make him cling to you more than usual. Combine fear with a dose of jet lag, a strange bed, new food, and all the other disruptions of travel, and you may end up with a child who's fussier and more demanding than usual.
Once you arrive, expect to spend extra time making your child feel safe and secure in his new surroundings. After all, you're the best security blanket your child can have.
At what age is it safe for my baby to fly?
Expert AnswersLane France, pediatrician
Ideally, your baby should be at least 2 to 3 months old before he flies. This will give his immune system a chance to grow strong enough to resist the germs that often make the rounds in airplane ventilation systems. It also gives the two of you enough time to settle into a routine and master the art of breast- or bottle-feeding.
If you can't wait that long, your baby should be okay to fly after his 2-week checkup — provided he has a clean bill of health and you had a full-term pregnancy without complications. Premature babies are especially susceptible to germs, so it may take longer before they're ready to go on an airplane trip.
If you have any questions about whether your baby is healthy enough to fly, ask his pediatrician for advice. Note that airlines do not allow any baby younger than 1 week to fly without a doctor's note.
Many parents worry that the changes in air pressure that happen when you fly can harm their baby's ears. It's true that "popping ears" during takeoff and landing can be a bit painful for infants, but it won't cause any lasting damage. (The pressure changes can be very uncomfortable if your baby has an ear infection, however. If so, you may need to postpone your flight.)
Your baby will feel more comfortable if he has something to suck on during takeoff and landing, so you may want to breastfeed or give him a bottle or pacifier. You can give him some infant pain reliever (such as acetaminophen) if his ears really seem to bother him.
Editor's Note: To minimize disruption to your baby's schedule when crossing time zones, you may want to keep one watch set to your home time so you'll know what your baby is expecting next. Caring for a baby full time is stressful even while staying home, much less at 30,000 feet in the air. If possible, travel with your mate, another relative, or a sitter.
Seven secrets to successful travel with a young child
As you gear up for a trip with your toddler, we suggest you think of your young traveling companion as someone who'll add a whole new dimension to your travel experiences. Be sure you dial down your expectations, set realistic goals, and take it nice 'n' easy. Here are some parent-tested suggestions for traveling with a young child:
Traveling with children can be a wonderful experience — if you go with the flow. Your toddler might get bored having to sit still or sightsee for long periods of time instead of being able to run around and explore at her own energetic pace, so keep your itinerary simple. Limit it to one activity a day and you'll find it much easier to make last-minute adjustments if your child gets tired or just wants to spend time splashing in the hotel's wading pool.
Pick a family-friendly destination
Choose a relaxing destination that's used to young visitors, so you don't have to sweat the details. We recommend a lazy beach retreat, family camp, nature resort, or similar kid-friendly place. Skip the crowded, over-stimulating tourist destinations, places without shade, and other spots that will pose an added challenge when you have a young one in tow. Look for family-friendly hotels and resorts that let kids stay for free in their parents' rooms and provide free meals to children or buffet-style breakfasts included in the price of the room.
Make sure to tote along plenty to drink and a bag of snacks on any trip. Children can get dehydrated during a flight, and toddlers can't always wait for food service (or they refuse the airline meal when it arrives). You might be able to pre-order a children's meal — check with your airline to find out. Whether you're in the air or on the road, best bets for toddlers include easy-to-pack snacks like baggies of whole grain cereal, precut fruits and vegetables, small cartons of fruit juice, animal crackers, and other age-appropriate nibblers. Dispensing snacks at pre-announced intervals will give your toddler something to look forward to. Consider bringing along moist towelettes for easy cleanup.
Plan frequent rest stops If you're driving, break up your trip so your toddler can stretch her limbs and move around to blow off some pent-up energy. Pack a rubber or foam ball for rolling or kicking around and some simple board books for quiet time. Pick out parks and picnic areas on your route by using an online mapping service such as Google Maps, Yahoo Maps, or MapQuest, or city guides like GoCityKids or CitySearch. End your driving day early so all of you have time to unwind after a long day on the road.
When you pack for your toddler, be sure to include a basic childproofing kit to use at your destination. If you're taking a road trip, make sure your child's car seat is properly secured. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, up to 85 percent of car seats aren't installed correctly. Use removable window shades to keep the sun off your child. You may want to dress your toddler in a brightly colored outfit so she's easy to spot in a crowd, and put a small card with identification information on it in one of her pockets in case you get separated.
A good way to keep kids content on a trip is to take along a goody bag filled with more toys and doodads than you think you'll need. Your toddler might like an array of puzzles, dolls, action figures, puppets, brightly colored paper, nontoxic crayons, books, and favorite toys. Wrap some of them before you leave and present your child with a surprise every once in a while. Start building your toy cache a few weeks before the trip.
To get a feel for what works and what doesn't when you're on the road and away from home, you might try leading up to a big trip with some short day trips or weekend getaways. The trial runs could provide key insights — about things like what supplies you should pack, how long your child can last in a car seat, and which toys keep your toddler happy (or drive you nuts).
