When taking a trip with baby there are special considerations to remember. Follow our advice for a smooth ride.

Sucking is Essential
If traveling by plane, remember to pack something for your baby to suck on during take-off and landing. The sucking motion will help his/her ears. This might be a pacifier (even if he normally doesn't use one), or you can nurse your baby or give her a bottle.

Expect Delays
Whether traveling by car or plane be sure to pack extra finger foods and bottles. Single serving cereal packets are great for pulling out of your bag. You might even find that the unopened package makes a great toy too.

Your Best Friend: A bottle of water
Not only does a bottle of water help with plane dehydration, but it's great to have on hand for spills, dirty faces and messy hands. In extreme cases of child boredom you can drop shiny dimes into the bottle, tighten the lid and children will entertain themselves shaking the bottle and watching the coins inside.

Bring a baby blanket
No matter where your newborn sleeps, the familiar scent of the blanket will provide some comfort in the new environment. It can also be used to pad a dresser drawer as a makeshift bassinet. Alternatively, most hotels will have cribs or you may have your child in bed with you. A portable crib is not necessary and is awkward for traveling. .

Be a back-row mom on a less-full flight
Try to travel on flights that are booked more lightly (midweek/midday), and when you get your seat, choose one near the back of the plane. Although the engine is much louder, it drowns out the sound of your child and also masks noises in the cabin that can wake baby up. Also it puts you near the flight attendants' station so you can get as much milk warmed up as you need, extra napkins for spills, etc. Plus, they can easily keep an eye on the baby when you need to use the toilet. BONUS: There are usually more free seats in the back.

ASK!
EVEN if you don't have a purchased seat for your child, ALWAYS ask the flight attendant if you can have an empty one. Ask at the counter when you check-in. Ask at the gate when you board. You can always say very sweetly "everyone on this plane will be much happier if my daughter isn't confined to my lap and grabbing the person next to her's things during the whole flight".

Pack extras
Don't forget to pack plenty of diapers and a change of clothes for baby (and even for you if you can fit them into your carry-on!) You just never know when a baby's going to have an extra messy diaper or meal.

Also see: Traveling with Toddlers