Traveling Tips for Parents of Infants: How to Pack the Essentials

Do you find yourself packing everything but the kitchen sink just to take the new baby to the park? What's really important? And what's just adding weight to the stroller? Here are 5 tips to help you pare down the excess baggage, and enjoy the journey...

Tip #1 ~ Be realistic. Don't pack nine diapers for a two-hour outing. Don't bring along full-size bottles of anything. Don't feel like you have to fill up the diaper bag with "stuff". Any outing less than four hours shouldn't require more supplies than will fit in a fanny-pack. Here are the basics...

* 2-3 diapers
* a travel pack size package of wipes
* 1-2 drool cloths
* bulb syringe
* a plastic grocery sack or Ziploc bag

That's it??

Yep. Including the diaper the kid's wearing when you leave, that's one per hour. Seriously, you're not going to need more than that. The travel size wipes have 6 to 14 wipes (depending on brand); enough to get you through a couple diaper changes, with a few spares for wiping up messy hands and faces. Two drool cloths should last you the four hours, and the bulb syringe is going to travel with you until kiddo learns to blow his own nose, because you don't want your child to struggle to breathe. The grocery sack is to stick the wet, dirty, icky, or whatever in until you get home or find a trash can.

Tip #2 ~ If you're using diaper cream, put on a good thick layer during the last diaper change before you leave, and then leave the tube at home. If you don't go overboard wiping it off during your excursion, the residual layer will protect until you get home. That's one less thing to carry.

Tip #3 ~ Breastfeed. Leave all the bottles and paraphernalia behind! Breasts are always with you, they're fairly easy to carry, and they keep the food at a perfect temperature. You don't have to refrigerate leftovers and they don't have to be washed and sterilized after every use. Much less fuss and muss to travel with and healthier for your child too.

Tip #3 (alternate) ~ If you're a Dad,or for some other reason cannot breastfeed, at least travel light in the food department. Take ONE bottle. Use pre-measured packs of formula. You can make up your own with Ziploc baggies; it's cheaper. Don't bring the whole can of formula powder! Leave one bottle of bottled water in your car for emergencies, but plan to use water at your destination to mix the formula as needed in that one bottle. (Yes, I know the can says to use "boiled, cooled, sterilized" water. But believe me, a healthy child won't collapse the first time you mix formula with water from a restaurant bathroom or a park's drinking fountain. If you think your kid is that fragile, stay home.)

Tip #4 ~ Plan for the weather. Check the weather report ahead of time and dress the baby appropriately, using layers. Take ONE blankie to wrap baby up in or lay down on. Do not pack as if you're going on a polar expedition! Put a back-up blankie and a dry change of clothes in the car for emergencies, but limit what you carry with you to things you're likely to USE.

Tip #5 ~ Don't pack the whole toy box. Your child is going to be entertained by the people you meet and the sights you visit. Take a pacifier if you're using one, and maybe one small familiar toy from home. You will find plenty of things to capture your child's attention while you're out.

That's it. The bare essentials. With less to keep track of you're free to enjoy the outing. Relax knowing that you've got what you need in your fanny-pack, keeping both hands free to hold your child.

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