You and your partner were drawn to each other by your shared wanderlust. No place was too far, exotic or dirty for your insatiable appetite of adventure. Now that there is a baby in the mix, get a passport, stat! The wanderlust must continue. Traveling with a baby takes a little extra planning to make sure everyone is safe and having fun. Here's my top 5 tips to getting it together and getting out in the world.
1. Passports
- Get it sooner than later. It will be one last thing you have to worry about when planning a trip.
Everything you need to know about getting the proper documentation, to the baby's identification picture, can be found on the U.S. Department of State site. Note: You and your baby must be present to apply for a passport. If both parents cannot be present, here are your options. Some countries require more than just a passport. Check here to find out what you need. Don't forget to check the expiration on your own passports! Many countries require your passport expiration to be within six months of your travel dates.- If you insist on letting the direction of the wind lead you where you may, unless it's a sailing adventure, then this article is not for you. A little planning goes a long way with a baby in tow.
Consult friends (via phone or FaceBook) who have traveled to your desired location If that does not pan out, Lonely Planet guides have been my go-to since college and have never lead me wrong. For our last trip, I discovered passported.com. It's a chicer version of Trip Advisor written with families in mind. My favorite feature is an Itinerary builder with the option to share -- say, with your mom, who will be a nervous wreck while you take her grandchild to a foreign country. This is our Itinerary from our trip to Tulum. An itinerary, even a loose one, can help optimize your fun. 3. Resources
While planning the fun stuff, take some time to plan for the What Ifs.
- Consider looking at some of these sites for any red alerts or health concerns: Travel Warnings,Center for Disease Control (hello, Zika). Also call your health insurance provider to know what is covered out of the country and if you should consider travel insurance.
Make copies of your passports and pack them separately from your actual passports. Perhaps even jot down a note of the closest embassy. Utilize the hotel concierge before you get there for all the specific information you may need like car rentals, local doctors, and babysitting services. 4. Luggage and Packing
Face it, for now, you have to haul more stuff. While it's a pain to lug this stuff around, it would be more of a pain to be a million miles from home without it and no way to procure it.
- Pack the family in one large suitcase and check it curbside. The secret to enjoying travel with children is convenience - Think security lines, going to the restroom...running to catch your flight! Most airlines will check your car seat, stroller and baby carrier at the curb or gate for FREE. Check with your airline before you go.
While you can wear the same outfit more than once, a baby cannot. Don't skimp on the extra clothes for the baby. If your baby is eating solids you may want to bring some along. In some countries, you have to be very cautious about food and travellers' sickness. Prepackaged pouches are very convenient as they are lightweight and quick on the draw. Though, a huge part of traveling is experiencing the cuisine. So pack an OriginalSqueeze to fill with local smoothies and purées on the go. - Put your baby in night time diapers. When the fasten seatbelt sign is on and you are stuck in your seat, they will buy you some extra time.
My favorite plane toys include wind up toys that can hop around on the tray table, interactive books, and soft fabric blocks. If your baby is under 30 pounds (depends on airline), you may be able to get a bassinet for the flight. Check with the airline as these need to be reserved ahead of time and require a bulkhead seat. If you get one, and your baby sleeps in it, IT'S WONDERFUL.You have done a lot of work to get here. Now try to relax, make beautiful memories and show your offspring what a pleasure it is to travel the world. You might be in bed/hotel room every night at 8 ..... But on this vacation, take the time to catch up on your sleep, read a book or spend some alone time with your partner.
This piece was originally published by Jenée Paquin on Well Rounded NY. Jenée Naquin is a Fashion Brand Builder, an Adventure Seeker and now, Mother. She resides in Brooklyn with her toddler and husband navigating a Cajun-Jewish household. Just before giving birth, she helped launch a new fashion company 1 Atelier which is Redefining Luxury. She always makes time for a great adventure from staycations to the exotic, now with baby in tow. Growing up Cajun, making it in New York and figuring out how to raise a healthy interfaith family takes a lot of "Jenée" Sais Quoi which she pens on her personal blog jeneesaisquoi.com and photo documents on Instagram.
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