Easing Travel Stress With Kids

Did you know more than 100 million people traveled in the United States during the 2017 holidays, according to AAA? With near-record cold temperatures in some locations, traffic jams and flight delays, coupled with massive crowds at many airports, it’s safe to say that, for many of us, getting there wasn’t half the fun.

Whether you were among the traveling hordes or are just planning ahead for your next family adventure, here are five tips for easing the stress of traveling with children, courtesy of Amanda Vega, founder, Baby Product Marketing, which curates products for families with young children, including those with special needs.

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• The FAA and National Transportation Safety Bureau do not recommend parents let babies sit in their lap on a plane. This is especially important during take-off and landing and during episodes of turbulence, when infants are most vulnerable to injury. If you don’t want to fly with a car seat, consider the Kids Fly Safe CARES Airplane Safety Harness, the FAA-approved child safety restraint system that replaces a car seat on an airplane. This harness is also now approved for use with children who have developmental disabilities.
• Consider renting baby gear and equipment at your destination rather than struggling to bring it along with you. In nearly every major city around the world there are companies that offer rental cribs, strollers, car seats and even toys. GABERCO, the Global Association of Baby Equipment Rental Companies, can connect you with certified companies at your destination.
• Keep hands, toys, equipment and everything else you can think of clean and sanitized. This might seem like a no-brainer, but staying clean while traveling can be tricky, especially if you don’t want to resort to chemical hand sanitizers. When hand washing with soap and warm water isn’t readily available, take advantage of non-toxic, antimicrobial cloths to not only keep hands clean but also to sanitize things like pacifiers, cups and even stroller handles. You can also keep pacifiers and sippy cups from hitting the ground in the first place by using PaciGrips or SippyGrips.
• Ever notice how sometimes air temperatures on planes can vary from uncomfortably hot to downright chilly? Traveling with baby blankets and shawls is a great solution, but they can be bulky and add to the general clutter of traveling with young children. Consider using a muslin blanket like these from Austin Tie Dye Co. that even mom can use as a head scarf. Because they aren’t bulky, they pack well and are versatile enough to multitask for mom and infant. Dry air can also be enemy No. 1 on airplanes, so consider bringing along a portable humidifier, which you can also use in-flight and at your hotel or final destination.
• Pack essentials, especially if your child is prone to illness. Valuable tools can include one of the 30 thermometers offered by MOBI Technologies, which go beyond the drugstore brand by even tracking your child’s heart rate.