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Travels with Baby Tip #20: Get Liberated from LATCH

On January 29, 2008 · Leave a Comment

Of the many concerns I hear from new parents preparing for their first big trip with the car seat, one topping the list is a fear of having to install their car seat without the LATCH attachments they’ve grown accustomed to in their own cars. It’s an understandable fear–especially considering the multitude of seatbelt types you might encounter in vehicles without LATCH (which are covered in detail in Travels with Baby in Chapter 11: Before You Go By Car). However, I think it’s helpful, and even reassuring to understand a couple of points about LATCH as you prepare to travel with your child’s car seat. First, there is a common misconception that your car seat functions more safely somehow if it is installed with LATCH rather than your car’s seatbelt. However, as long as you car seat is properly installed with a seatbelt, it is equally safe–some people might even argue that it’s more safe with a seatbelt installation, which brings me to my next point. Many parents don’t realize that LATCH anchors are only rated for use with children weighing 48 lbs or less, or more importantly for a maximum combined child + car seat weight of 65 lbs. If you use a car seat with a higher upper weight limit, such as the Britax Marathon that is approved for children up to 65 lbs., you will see the note in your car seat’s manual to “Use vehicle belt (not LATCH connectors) for installations with children weighing more than 48 pounds (21 kg).” The bottom line is, if you aren’t already accustomed to installing your child’s car seat with a seatbelt, practice before you travel. It can save you a lot of time and stress as you try to get the car seat in place on aircraft, in taxis, in shuttle vans, and in the cars of friends and extended family. For help, take a look at your car seat’s manual (find it online here) and be sure to see Chapter 11 of Travels with Baby, which includes sections on Installing Car Seats with Confidence and Seatbelt Specifics, plus Car Seat Laws Across State Lines and Driving with Children in Foreign Countries. For recommended car seats and accessories for travel, click here.

Safe journey,

Shelly Rivoli, author of Travels with Baby
The Ultimate Guide for Planning Trips with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschool-Age Children

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Travels with Baby Tip #19: Electronic Tickets and Infants Flying Overseas

On January 18, 2008 · 1 Comment

UPDATE: I’m happy to say paper tickets are no longer required for lap infants flying overseas! Much simpler for families flying overseas. You will still need to pay your lap child’s fee (usually 10%) to the airline, and he or she will be noted on your ticket.

If you’ll be flying overseas or across international borders from the U.S. with your baby on your lap, be aware that your “lap child” must have a physical, paper ticket for the flight–even if your own airline ticket is an electronic (paperless) ticket. This means that if you are buying e-tickets online, you will likely see an extra shipping fee to have your child’s ticket sent to you by mail. If you are working with an agent, make certain he or she knows your lap child’s ticket must be issued in paper. We almost missed this lovely flight to France learning this important lesson, although we had paid the 10% fare for our daughter’s international airline ticket as a lap child and she was included in our reservation. More questions? Don’t miss the sections dedicated to flying with a lap child, flying overseas, choosing the airline, seats, and flight–and using an airline bassinet in your copy of Travels with Baby!

Safe journey,

Shelly Rivoli, author of Travels with Baby
The Ultimate Guide for Planning Trips with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschool-Age Children

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Travels with Baby Tip #18: Pack "Glow Sticks"

On January 8, 2008 · Leave a Comment

Having the power knocked out here at home for 17 straight hours was a great reminder of one very good item to have tucked into your suitcase while you’re away. In Travels with Baby, I recommend packing emergency glow sticks as a help while camping in tents and staying other places where nightlights are not an option. For preschoolers, they can also be a comfort to keep by the bedside and carry to the bathroom should nature call at night—and of course they’re far more fun for small children than standard-issue travel flashlights (which are also good to have along). While losing electricity at home can be a major inconvenience, the chance of losing it while staying in unfamiliar territory, where you’re already minus many comforts of home, is certainly reason enough to dedicate the smallest corner of your suitcase to a couple of glow sticks. Tealites and other candles may also take little space, but keep in mind that many hotels won’t allow them, and with curious toddlers and children in the room, they could be more of a nuisance and a hazard than emergency glow sticks, which can be placed virtually anywhere and even carried in the hand.  

Safe journey,

Shelly Rivoli, author of Travels with Baby
The Ultimate Guide for Planning Trips with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschool-Age Children

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