Some tips for traveling overseas with infants
“ Babies younger than a year old fly free on most airlines if they sit on an adult’s lap. When making reservations, let the airline representative know you have an infant along and if you’re traveling with another adult, ask for the window and aisle seats in a three-row seat. You’ll have more room if the middle seat isn’t taken. If it is, the occupant will probably be happy to trade seats.
“ Prepare for emergencies. Even though I knew diapers and baby wipes are readily available in Mexico, I didn’t want to find ourselves in some remote fishing village with nothing to cover my baby’s bottom. So I packed about 70 diapers, more than enough for 11 days. I also brought along sunblock, a thermometer, Baby Tylenol and Natrapel, a citronella-based insect repellent without the DEET, along with dozens of other items. Keep a detailed list of everything you need to pack and don’t wait until the last minute to get it together.
“ Depending on your destination, a stroller isn’t always the best way to sightsee with your baby. Consider using a sling or a backpack. In some of the towns we visited, most of the roads weren’t paved. In Guadalajara and bigger cities, the streets were sometimes a steep drop from the sidewalk, the traffic relentless and the crowds sometimes overwhelming. I wore our son in a sling for most of the trip, while my husband used a backpack when it was his turn. It was a good way to maneuver through the masses, as well as walk along the beach.
“ Although we’re big fans of public transportation as a way of learning more about a place, we opted to rent a car. Gas and rental fees can be expensive, but traveling with kids takes more time and you never know when your kid might have a meltdown. Having your own vehicle allows you to move about on your child’s schedule, without having to hold up an entire busload of people. Don’t forget to bring your own car seat, since safety seats aren’t readily available in many developing countries.
“ Instead of a hotel room, consider staying at a bungalow, cabana or any free-standing place with a kitchenette. That way, you can cook occasional meals and not have to worry about other guests if the baby wakes up multiple times in the middle of the night.
“ Co-sleep. Sharing a bed with your baby can be very convenient and less of a hassle if you don’t want to drag the playpen along. Cribs aren’t readily available in Mexico.
“ Continue breastfeeding. Nursing your baby during take-offs and landings can reduce ear discomfort from changes in air pressure. Breastfeeding was also especially handy since our baby was teething and refrained from eating solid foods for a few days. During that time, breast milk provided him with all the necessary nutrients despite the lack of other food. And we didn’t have to drag bottles around and worry about sterilizing them.
“ Suggested reading: “Gutsy Mamas: Travel Tips and Wisdom for Mothers on the Road” by Marybeth Bond (O’Reilly & Associates, 1997) and “Adventuring With Children: An Inspirational Guide to World Travel and the Outdoors” by Nan Jeffrey (Avalon House, 1995).