13 Considerations for International Travel with Your Baby

13 is not considered an unlucky number when it could be potentially life-saving tips!

1. Passport – Your child needs one to travel overseas.

2. Visas – If you are an American citizen, you get a free pass into most places, but you still need to check up on visas. If you are an expatriate in another country, make sure your child is able to re-enter the country of residency once you leave.

3. Language – While it’s really fun to be adventurous is non-English speaking countries, it might not be such a great idea while you are just getting into the parenting thing. At least ensure that you know how to say basic words like “taxi”, “doctor” and “food” in the local language.

4. Travel Time: If you have to take a 12 hour flight with 2 stops and then drive 2 hours to your destination, you probably want to hold off till your child is a little more independent because you might be suicidal at the end of your trip.

5. Vaccinations – Before you embark on exotic travels, check with your doctor about recommended vaccinations for that area.

6. Epidemics – Avoid all places that have been used in the same sentence as “SARS”, “Swine Flu” or any other serious epidemic.

7. Fares -Babies under 2 travel for 10% of the price of your ticket, which is a good reason to get some traveling done while they are young. Beware, however, if you are booking through miles. They will charge you 10% of the MOST EXPENSIVE fare to accompany your miles ticket or the full number of miles. May make sense to buy your tickets now and save the miles for later.

8. Accommodation – Book it before you arrive at your destination. The last thing you want to be doing is “inn hopping” after an international flight.

9. Availability of products – While you can stock up before you leave, camping in the Amazon with your baby is not a good idea if you don’t have access to basic baby products like medicines, diapers and creams.

10. Foods (particularly if you have special dietary needs) can be difficult with babies and young children. Ensure you know what the staple foods are and what you are in for. Otherwise ensure that your accommodation with a kitchenette so you can cook for your baby.

11. Babysitting – Countries have different standards for screening and hiring babysitters, even in 5-star hotels. Ask your hotel about their screening and hiring process and guarantees before considering leaving your child with an unknown babysitter.

12. Political stability – This may sound a bit dramatic and obvious, but in today’s day and age, it is important to assess the political stability of a country before planning a trip there with your baby. While nothing gets you more familiar with a country than using its emergency services, it is not a situation you want to be in with a new baby.

13. Travel Insurance – It’s worth it when you are traveling overseas with a family. Kids are accident-prone, if you haven’t noticed, and nothing ruins a holiday faster than an unexpected bill.