July 6, 2007
 Travel Savvy
The thought of traveling with an infant is daunting. One misstep and a parent could be left with a screaming, inconsolable baby 35,000 feet in the air.
Christina Chan, author of "101 Baby Travel Tips," says the key is being prepared (think Boy Scouts). Below, she shares some recommendations for making a getaway painless, safe and fun:
Smart Booking: Bulkhead seats are a favorite of parents traveling with kids because of the extra legroom and the ability to hook up airline bassinets. The drawback? No storage under the seats.
International Expeditions: Check out the website for the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs for info on finding American doctors in a foreign country, travel safety, and legal issues concerning traveling out of the country with children.
Supplies: Heading to a major city? No need to schlep dozens of diapers when there is a drugstore on every corner. Large Ziploc bags to toss in messy diapers, dirty spoons and the like are a must, as is an extra change of clothing for the baby.
That's Entertainment: Bring two toys – one that's an old favorite, plus a new one that's just begging to be explored.
Car Seats: Taxis usually don't have car seats, but many car rental companies and car services will supply one for a small fee. Reserve the car seat when booking, and give the company your child's age and weight. Ask the year and make of the car seat, as well as the criteria for replacing it.
Baby Proofing: Call the hotel before the trip to ask about baby proofing (some offer this service). Pack extra outlet covers (masking tape works in a pinch), or pipe cleaners to secure drape cords. Inspect the room for dangerous objects that could be within a baby's reach.
And don't forget to relax – after all, that's the point of vacation.
Available online at amazon.com.
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