Travel Tips & Products for Making a Family Vacation Simple

Planning a trip to see grandmas, both T & my parents are in Asia for the most part so I am slowly gathering tips, products, & important info as we count down to our baby's first international flight, as well as mini-trips we plan as we explore the world as first-time parents and show our baby how beautiful our world is.

Simple Things to Do:

Use your camera phone to photograph your parking spot, as well as the location sign. Just make sure you brought your phone charger.

Speaking of phone chargers, a general tip is to pack an extension cord with your charging items plugged in. When you wake up and go to grab your cell phone, you'll see it all connected like a spiderweb to your ipod, your partner's cell phone, camera battery, etc. & Keep your extension cord and chargers all together in a smaller electronic/power bag. Remember to pack & to re-pack when you leave your hotel.

Bring Anti-bacteria wipes to wipe down remote control, light switches, door knobs, faucets, telephone, etc.

Always pack a zippered soft nylon bag, like a le sportsac and stash it on an outside pocket. In case you are over the weight limit, you can transfer the heavier items and check this bag in. Or you can pack items you have picked up while visiting your destination. Make sure you include address information on this bag. Stick a sticker in the inside with your office address and phone number so they can contact you. Never put your home information on your bags.

Childproofing hotel rooms with the following: masking/ painters tape for covering exposed electrical outlets, also to tape the darkening blinds to keep the light out until you want to open them-a binder clip works too! Baggie/wire ties for keeping curtain pulls out of the way of your little one.

Scan your passport, tickets, and other important paper along with copies of the back of your credit card in case you lose your wallet, so you can contact your credit card. Then email to yourself with these documents as an attachment so you have access to them whenever you check the internet. If you lose your credit cards, file a police report to prove to the credit provider that it is indeed stolen and allows them to initiate an investigation. Also you need to call the 3 national credit reporting organization to place a fraud alert as well as your Social Security fraud line number. Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742 Trans Union : 1-800-680 7289 Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

Keeping children happy

Pack a small bottle of bubbles to blow for the kids to pop, when you are queuing on an interminable line.

Travel by Planes with Babies

Travel by Car

Travel by Cruise or Boat

Travel by Train

Travel Gear-

On-the-Go car seats, carriers, strollers, hybrids

Lillebaby Eurotote is a modern ergonomic moses carrier, bunting bag, stroller bag, play blanket, and travel bedding.

http://www.amazon.com/l%C3%ADll%C3%A9baby-EuroTote-Essential-Black/dp/B0013938Y2/ref=cm_lmf_tit_1

http://celebritybabies.typepad.com/reviews/2008/02/lillebaby-eurot.html

The Nap-Sac 3-in-1 Baby Bag
http://www.amazon.com/The-Nap-Sac-3-in-1-Baby-Bag/dp/B0006UF43W/ref=cm_lmf_tit_5

Kelty Convertible Stroller
http://www.amazon.com/Kelty-Convertible-Frame-Child-Carrier/dp/B000E82YWK/ref=pd_sbs_sg_1
Mealtime
Sleeping

BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light
http://www.amazon.com/BabyBj%C3%B6rn-Travel-Crib-Light-Blue/dp/B000XDYLEK/ref=cm_lmf_tit_4

Safety
Toys
Baby Friendly Vacations