Traveling with children can also be a tricky. If you are prepared ahead of time, you can make this task much easier and safer for everyone. At Child Safety Store, our top goal is helping to keep children from harm.

Today, we’ll provide you with some tips on what to look for so that you don’t find yourself stuck in an uncomfortable predicament while you’re traveling with children away from home.

Before You Go: Prepare

Make sure you have the necessary paperwork.

If you are planning an international trip, make sure that you have passport and immunization paperwork for your child. Be aware that if you are the only adult traveling with children, you may be required to provide custody papers or written consent from the child’s other parent as well.

While packing, plan for delays.

Extra snacks and clothes can prove to be lifesavers if you end up with a delayed or cancelled flight, or lost luggage. Even more important are any necessary medications your child may take on a regular basis. Be sure to have these items on you or in a carry-on bag, but keep in mind TSA regulations as well. In addition, it never hurts to pack some extra games and books as well, just in case the wait is longer than you expect. 

Avoid medical concerns by consulting a pediatrician.

Before your trip, check in with your child’s pediatrician. It may not seem necessary, but the doctor may impart some advice based on where you are heading.  They may discuss motion sickness, necessary vaccines, food and water precautions and more items to watch out for. 

Travelling

When flying, do your research.

All airlines are different. That's especially true when it comes to traveling with children. You’ll want to look into each airline’s accommodations (or lack thereof) for kids. Some flights provide free snacks and extra entertainment. Most will allow you to board early if you have small children with you. But bear in mind that each airline is different and have different requirements. For instance, pre-boarding sometimes has an age limit.

Check on breastfeeding regulations.

Check beforehand about bringing breast milk on the flight with you. While most airlines are okay with breastfeeding, you may have trouble bringing milk through the security screening.

Understanding car rental requirements.

If you’re planning to rent a car in order to reach your destination, or once you get there, we suggest that you bring your own safety seat. You never know whether the seats provided are working properly, are up-to-code, or are installed correctly. We've explained the proper use of a child safety seat in this blog post. But it’s best to check with your provider ahead of time, because some places require that you rent a car seat. Let them know beforehand that you’ll need one, since some places tend to run low on supply.   

Once You Arrive

Check on amenities.

It’s always a good idea to check the amenities of the hotel or rental you’re staying in. If there is a pool, make sure there’s an active lifeguard on duty. If there are babysitting services, ask questions to determine your comfort level (and budget, since many charge by the hour).

When it comes to perks, note the fine print.

Some hotels host children for free. Some can even eat for free as well! Be sure to note the fine print, which sometimes limits the number of children or has exclusions like room service 

Don’t be afraid to ask the right questions.

If a hotel offers free accommodations such as a crib, be sure to ask details about these items. For instance, ask if the crib comes with crib sheets. Some items, like bibs and night lights may not require further questioning, but you may want to request them when you check in so you don’t end up with a sleepy infant and no amenities for them.

There you have it. Traveling with your little ones can be a blast… if you’re prepared! Follow these steps for a safe and enjoyable trip!