Children under the age of 2 years travel free on most airlines, but this means that they may have to sit on your lap if the plane is full. When you make your reservations, try to avoid a full flight.

Hints for Air Travel:

• There are FAA-approved child restraints. Check on this when purchasing your car seat. It is best to let the airline know ahead of time that you will bring a child restraint.
  
  
• If possible, reserve a bulkhead seat (just behind the bulkhead that separates coach and first class), since it has the most room. Ask the airline if they have bassinets that attach to the bulkhead wall.
  
  
• If you can, schedule your flight to avoid the busiest times of day at airports (8 to 10 a.m. or 4 to 7 p.m.).
  
  
• Give yourself plenty of time--arrive at the airport and check in early so that you can get the baby settled before others board the plane.
  
  
• If you are traveling by yourself and won't be met at your destination, a portable stroller is a lifesaver. You can generally fold it up and take it on board with you.
  If you have to change planes, be sure to schedule additional time for the connection.
  
  
• For takeoff and landing, put the seat belt just around you and hold your baby on your lap or put it in a front carrier. Don't place the seat belt around the baby.
  
  
• Remember that your baby's ears may plug up or hurt on takeoff or landing due to the change in cabin air pressure. Swallowing helps equalize the air pressure: you can help keep your baby's ears clear by nursing or feeding when the plane is climbing and descending.
  
  
• Diapering can be a hassle on the plane. Try to double-diaper or use ultra-absorbent disposable diapers just before you board the plane, and then change in the airport bathroom after the flight arrives. (If you do change diapers on the plane and are using disposable diapers, you can use an airsickness bag to dispose of them.)
  
  
• The flight attendants can warm food and bottles for you. Be sure to also bring small snacks your baby can nibble on and play with: Cheerios, bagels, etc.
  
  
• Be sure to clean up your seat area before you deplane.
  
  
• Given all the equipment you have to carry when you travel with a baby, it is easiest to let other passengers deplane before you.
  
  
• Car rental agencies generally have infant seats available with their cars. You need, however, to reserve the seat when you reserve the car. It is also wise to call ahead to the local agency where you will pick up the car to confirm that the car seat is available.
  

Written by Kate Capage.

Traveling with a Baby: Car Travel

State law requires that you ALWAYS use a car seat when you take your baby or child under 4 years of age in the car. When your baby learns from the beginning that car travel is always in the car seat, there won't be much protest. If you are not consistent, you can expect continual problems.

Hints for Car Travel:

If you are planning a long car trip (over an hour), here are some ways to keep your baby interested and occupied:

• Use ribbons or yarn (no longer than 12 inches) to hang toys from the clothes hooks in the back seat.
  
  
• Tape some pictures facing your baby so he has something interesting to look at.
  
  
• Tie some toys on elastic or short string and pin or tie them to the car seat. Your baby can enjoy the toys without requiring retrieval every 5 minutes.
  
  
• Take a break at least every 1 and 1/2 hours unless the baby is sleeping--then stop as soon as he wakes up.
  
  
• Cover the car seat with a beach towel or a purchased seat cover to prevent the metal parts of the car seat from getting hot in the sun and burning your baby. A cover is also much more comfortable in winter than cold, brittle plastic.
  
  
• Babies don't like the sun in their face any more than we do. Use either a wide brimmed hat or block the sun with cardboard taped to the car seat and/or window. (Make sure you can still see out of the car!)
  
  
• Keep a wet washcloth or towelettes in the car for sticky, sweaty baby hands and faces.
  
  
• Bring snack foods for your baby. Bagels are good for babies who are teething because they don't make many crumbs.
  
  
• Bring snack foods for yourself and for older children in case your baby decides to sleep through scheduled dinner stops and you decide to make time rather than stop and wake the baby up.
  
  
• Always keep cold water in a Thermos and bring disposable plastic cups.
  

Written by Kate Capage.

Traveling with Children

There are a number of practical ways parents can make trips with children more enjoyable for the kids and less stressful for themselves.

The most important thing to remember when traveling with children is to try to maintain normalcy as much as possible. Examples are:

• Get the children up as close to their normal hour as possible and put them to bed at the usual time.
  
  
• Always maintain discipline during an outing or extended trip. Children need and want to have the familiar structure. Parents should not bend their normal rules just because they are away from home.
  
  
• Avoid the temptation of substitution meals of junk food during trips or outings. If you are taking a long trip in a car, stop regularly for food.
  
  
• Find the time while traveling to give your children some exercise. Most children are used to getting some exercise each day, but they may be expected to remain seated for hours while traveling. If you have airplane layovers, take long walks in the airport. When you are traveling by car, stop regularly for walks, foot races or a swim if possible.
  
  
• Take along little packages of soft toys and nutritious snacks for children. Airlines don't always cater to the tastes of children, so snacks can come in handy.
  

Written by E. Christophersen, Ph.D., author of "Pediatric Compliance: A Guide for the Primary Care Physician."