February | 2011 | Travels With Baby Tips

Pack This! BedBugz inflatable bed rail for travel with toddlers and little kids

On February 24, 2011 · Leave a Comment

What I love best about the BedBugz inflatable bed rail – aside from the fact that thanks to it I no longer have to sleep with one eye open, ready to leap out of my hotel bed to make sure my toddler or preschooler doesn’t spontaneously flop out of hers – is that it helps you make the most of extra beds where you find them as you travel with toddlers.

If you find yourself in any of these situations when you travel with your family, chances are you’ll be glad to have a BedBugz onboard (or in your suitcase at any rate):

Will you co-sleep during travel?
Will you stay in hotels where two double/queen beds are an option – but a Pack ‘n Play may not be?
Will you stay with relatives who have an extra bed – but not a portacrib or Pack ‘N Play?
Will you stay anywhere that offers a pull-out sofabed you could use – if you had one of these?
Will you stay in a cruise ship cabin or train compartment where berths are narrow and fall-out risks are even greater?

Since it straps around the mattress and adjusts to fit a variety of mattress sizes, you have a snug fit that is far safer than piling pillows or sofa cushions, or pushing chairs up alongside of the hotel bed (trust me, I’ve tried it all). The cover is also removable and washable – also definite pluses.

Clearly there is a good case for traveling with two of these, and since they pack down to almost nothing and weigh very little, that’s do-able. However, we have done pretty well with just one (which I paid for myself, BTW). Great applications you might try for your BedBugz inflatable bed rail:

Turn it sideways to create a narrow and cozier sleeping zone for smaller children between the headboard and bed rail of a queen-size hotel bed.
Use it in the center of a queen-size hotel bed to help keep siblings from waking each other.
Use it as a soft bumper that goes the length of your toddler bed at home (much more kid-friendly than the metal frame rails).

Worried about huffing and puffing? Have enough inflatables to fill on your next resort vacation? Go with the BedBugz deluxe that comes with its own lightweight foot pump.

> See more “Pack This!” features

Safe journeys,

Shelly Rivoli
Author of Travels with Baby and the new Take-Along Travels with Baby
www.travelswithbaby.com Travels with Baby on Facebook

All content of this blog (c) Shelly Rivoli 2007 – 2012

Tagged with: gear • Pack This • sleep

Traveler beware: Car seat laws in Costa Rica are stricter than those in the U.S.

On February 22, 2011 · 6 Comments

Many travelers are surprised to learn that Costa Rica, though still categorized as a developing nation and famed for its rugged and largely unpaved roads, has car seat laws. What may surprise traveling parents even more, however, is to learn that those car seat and safety booster laws are actually stricter than current child passenger safety laws in California—or elsewhere in the United States.

Specifically, where California state law currently requires all children up to 6 years and 60 lbs. (27 kg.) to ride in a car seat or safety booster seat appropriate for their size and age, Costa Rica now requires children to ride in an appropriate car seat until they outgrow it (typically 110 cm or 43 inches) and then to use a safety booster until they are 12 years old and 145 cm (57 inches).

While every state in the U.S. requires children to ride in appropriate car seats or boosters to 4 years, the laws concerning the upper height, weight and/or age requirement for booster seat use still vary widely by state. For example, in New York booster seats must be used until a child is 8 years and 80 lbs, but in Florida children 4 to 5 years may be either in a federally approved child safety restraint… or a safety belt. At this time not one of our states requires boosters to be used until age 12.

If you are traveling to Costa Rica from the U.K., however, this law should sound very familiar.

What are your options?
Fortunately, most major airlines still grant passengers free checked or gate-checked car seats and boosters (call your airline if you’re not sure). But if you have already discarded your booster once used by your 11-year-old and have no immediate plans of travel to the U.K. or anywhere else he might still need one, or you want to travel as light as possible to Costa Rica, you can opt to rent a car seat or booster along with your rental car, with rates ranging from $5 per day per car seat or booster from Thrifty SJO to Avis’s unknown rate TBD at time of rental (no thanks!).

As for me, traveling to Costa Rica with three children in this age bracket and a total of six passengers, I was happy to discover Vamos 4×4 (www.vamos4x4.com), a car rental agency that not only quoted less for the 7-seater SUV we require than other agencies I tried (even with a corporate discount), but that also includes one child safety seat or booster free with your rental—along with some other complimentary items I know will come in handy. Plus, we adults can take turns driving for no extra fee.

For my bigger kids, I was planning to bring along their RideSafer travel vests, which for those who are unfamiliar replace booster seats and fit nicely in the side pocket of the suitcase—though on second thought I don’t expect Costa Rican traffic police are very familiar with these. They are, however, probably quite familiar with the enormous, easily identifiable 7-seater SUVs mostly rented by tourists with, ahem, children.

Rather than risk a spirited debate on the subject in a language I never formally studied – and a potential car seat fine x 2, I may make other arrangements, including bringing along our GoHybrid travel car seat/booster (shown above), which has the advantage of working for any of our 3 children at this time and folds into its own travel bag (in which I can always manage to fit a few extra things) for a free ride with our airlines.

Fresh Costa Rica tips for travel with young children!

If you are planning travel to Costa Rica with young children – especially to the Santa Teresa area with babies, toddlers, or preschoolers – don’t miss our “5 Best with Children Under 5: Costa Rica” and other tips and suggestions at www.TravelswithBaby.com.

How about you?
Do you have a helpful Costa Rica travel tip or suggestion for families? Comment below or contact me about sharing your recommendations.

Safe journeys,

Shelly Rivoli
Author of Travels with Baby and the new Take-Along Travels with Baby
www.travelswithbaby.com Travels with Baby on Facebook

P.S. I should mention that I found Vamos 4×4 on my own and they did not sponsor this post, nor are they giving me a free set of wheels in Costa Rica.

Copyright notice: All content of this blog (c) 2007 – 2011 Shelly Rivoli

Photo Fave: Jamaica sea kayaks – don’t worry

On February 20, 2011 · Leave a Comment

Two if by sea – and with help of Vacation Nanny.

This blog has been sailing along at a pretty steady clip since the new year, but last week my little guy got hit by the flu and some things had to slide–including a little childcare I was planning on to help get some projects finished. As I started to stress out about some deadlines and other things I had imagined going vastly differently last week, I had to remind myself, “What good is being self-employed if you can’t take a couple of sick days now and then–especially for your kids?” I know, self-employed people and stay-at-home moms everywhere laugh heartily.

Nevertheless, as I held my feverish tot to me in the 48th hour and stared at my nelected laptop across the kitchen where my screensaver flashed images of past travels, this one from our stay at Franklyn D. Resort caught my eye. “Oh, yes. Jamaica.”

It was within my first two hours of being in Jamaica that I had a blazing flash of insight: Americans walk like they have sticks up their butts! Forgive the crude, Middle-school-esque phrase, but if you have spent some time in “Mediterranean time,” or “Tico time,” or “Island time” in general, you probably know what I mean.

I think you carry yourself differently when you spend your days in a highly litigious society founded largely by Puritans. This is not to discredit the litigators or Puritans who have contributed much to the United States’ culture and history… but thank goodness we’ve had other influences for our music and dance heritage.

And on that note, you just try leaving Jamaica without strains of, ”Don’t worry… about a thing… ’cause every little thing… is gonna be all right,” passing through your mind–and even your body–both night and day. So as the Jamaica slide show continued on the abandoned computer and I fought a cramp in my bicep supporting the 23 lbs. or pure love in my arms I’d worried over for two days and nights, I took a deep breath, loosened up a little, and I began to sing.

You know the tune.

How about you?
Where have you gone that made you rethink how you handle situations at home?

Safe journeys,

Shelly Rivoli
Author of Travels with Baby and the new Take-Along Travels with Baby
http://www.travelswithbaby.com/ Travels with Baby on Facebook

Tagged with: Photo Fave

Announcing Q2U winner + Benadryl poll results

On February 15, 2011 · Leave a Comment

Thanks to everyone who participated in the first Q2U giveaway and poll of 2011, “Would you give your child Benadryl to help him sleep on a flight?” It was interesting reading your responses and watching the poll in progress. In the end:

35% said they absolutely would not their child Benadryl as a sleep aid when flying

35% said they would, but only as a last resort

21% candidly offered that they would, and have no problem with it

4% said they already have, and they will again
2% said they have – and they won’t again!

Remember, regardless of how you voted, you’ll find more tips for helping children sleep on airplanes–and enjoy the ride–in the new Take-Along Travels with Baby (see note on availability below).

Congratulations to “beth,”

the second comment to the post and our randomly selected winner of the book. Beth, please contact me within 3 days and I’ll get a copy out to you ASAP.

Update on Amazon’s new book availabity –
Take-Along Travels with Baby has temporarily sold out from Amazon’s standard stock, but additional copies are still available from Amazon.com with an extra discount from “Travels with Baby Books.” Go to “More Buying Choices” and select Travels with Baby Books to get the discount and qualify for FREE Super Saver Shipping (Amazon Prime also available) – or just click here. You can also download it immediately in the Kindle edition with apps for “take-along gadgets.”

Safe journeys,

Shelly Rivoli
Author of Travels with Baby and the new Take-Along Travels with Baby
http://www.travelswithbaby.com/ Travels with Baby on Facebook

Photo Fave: The ferry from San Juan Island

On February 11, 2011 · 1 Comment

To spice up any family road trip, add one ferry boat ride. In the San Juan Islands, a ride from Anacortes will not only lead you through spectacular scenery freed from your car seats and seat belts, all with the chance of spotting orcas and other wildlife, but you can eat hot dogs and popcorn, and drink a cold beer at the same time. With kids, the entertainment is clearly built-in. After exploring multiple levels of the ferry, getting snacks, and waving to sailboats, there will inevitably be a playdate with other young kids onboard at this helm for wee-skippers-in-training. Let everybody have a turn, please!

How about you?
Have a fun family travel photo to share? Post a link below or add to the Travels with Baby Facebook page. This post is also part of Photo Friday at http://www.deliciousbaby.com/.

Last chance! “Would you give your child Benadryl to help him sleep on a flight?”
Just a few hours left to post your comment, take the poll, and be entered to win a free copy of the new Take-Along Travels with Baby. Click here for the post.

Shelly Rivoli
Author of Travels with Baby and the new Take-Along Travels with Baby
http://www.travelswithbaby.com/ Travels with Baby on Facebook

Tagged with: Photo Fave

Ask Shelly: Advice for travel to Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand with two babies?

On February 10, 2011 · 5 Comments

Dear Shelly,

I am from Quebec and I just bought tickets for a trip to Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong with my two babies (one will be 6 months and the other one will be exactly 2 years old). The trip will take us 28 hours including the connections. I was wandering if you had any good tips to survive such a lonnnnnng flight with TWO babies and also how to cope with the big jet lag (13 hours) !?

Thank you soooo much for your help !!! I just discovered your blog and website and i love it ! I already wrote down a few interesting tips and suggested baby gears from it, although I don’t see how we can bring too much stuff, as we’ll change location often.

I am quite used to travelling, having visited more than 30 countries, but with two babies it is quite a different game and I am a bit nervous about that (especially long flights, jet lag, but also hygiene and health safety over there) !!!

I will be travelling with my husband so we’ll be two adults with the two babies. I am mostly concerned with the oldest one (which will turn two years old) as he seems to be already in his “terrible two” phase (hahaha). The other one I am planning on breastfeeding but might have to introduce cereals while travelling as he will have between 5 months 1/2 and 6 months 1/2.

Again, I really really appreciate any tips and comments and thank so much for putting it as an “Ask Shelly” on your blog !!!

Have a good day,
Caroline

As a seasoned world traveler, I’m sure you already have a good idea of what to expect from the countries you will visit. And as a mom, I’d say you’ve got the right idea when you think travel with your turning-two-year-old may be far more challenging than taking your infant overseas. Here are my thoughts:

Normally with such long flights you would jump at the chance to get bulkhead seats with an airline bassinet for your infant. This may backfire though if your turning-two-year-old has a hard time settling in with all the stimulation that can come from this seating position, being near all the friendly people visiting the lavatory, the noise of the kitchen, flight attendants flipping the curtain between sections of the aircraft, and so on. With a breastfed baby, you might also feel more exposed in this location, especially when, due to cultural differences, other travelers around you may not be so accustomed to public breastfeeding.

You might instead opt for seats near the rear of the aircraft, where the airline may also be better able to arrange your family next to an empty seat if still available at check in. If you haven’t already, look at the FlyeBaby air travel hammock as a possible alternative to the airline bassinet (or skycot) for your infant (read about my experience with it here). To help weigh your options of seats and any options you may still have for flight times or airlines, see the Air Travel section in Travels with Baby.

You will have the usual challenges of long flights with a toddler who can’t yet appreciate there will be a payoff for the long hours spent in his airplane seat. Try to plan your in-flight entertainment in segments you can introduce as if there is an actual planned schedule you are following so that you can stay two steps ahead of him.

Health is an extremely important consideration, and just one of the reasons you should be sure to check with your pediatrician well in advance to make sure both children’s routine vaccinations are sufficient for international travel. For example, your doctor may advise giving your not-yet-two-year-old the Hepatitis A vaccine, which is not normally given in the U.S. (not sure about Canada) until the 2-year-check up. Likewise, your infant may not yet have received vaccinations against illnesses largely unseen in Canada, but still common in some other parts of the world.

Keep a supply of travel-size anti-bacterial hand wipes ready as places to wash hands can be much harder to find in these areas, and you’ll need to be prepared for many strangers touching the hands of your children in admiration–in addition to whatever else your little ones may put their own hands to. You may also find it much simpler to just continue breastfeeding exclusively through your trip for a variety of reasons, food and water safety among them. I think it always wise in situations like yours to also look at a traveler’s medical evacuation insurance plan (like Medjet) as a back-up in the event that any member of your family, child or adult, should need serious medical treatment–you’ll all get a private and expeditious ride to the hospital of your choice back home.

Some key safety considerations for your 24-month-old, aside from the childproofing-on-the-go considerations, would be traffic and dogs. As I’m sure you’re aware, motorcycles on the sidewalk and the like are not uncommon, and drivers are accustomed to everyone giving them the right of way in much of Asia. Street dogs may also cross your path in some places, and young children do not understand the difference between these and pets. A child carrier like the Ergo will help keep him elevated and out of harm’s way while you are on the go, and won’t bog you down with extra gear like a stroller or framed backpack. You’ll also have the advantage of wearing him on the front or the back depending on the situation.

I could go on, but this is already quite a lengthy post! I’ll be sending you a copy of the new Take-Along Travels with Baby, which should help with several on-the-go situations you’ll face, including food and water safety with your little ones, childproofing during travel, dealing with sleep and jet lag issues, and keeping both baby and toddler entertained during the long flights—and layovers in airports. Hope it helps!

Good luck! We’d love to hear how it goes for you and any tips you have for the rest of us after your return.

How about you?

Do you have any helpful tips or advice for Caroline? Please feel free to chime in with a comment below or post to the Travels with Baby Facebook page.

Related posts and pages:
Breastfeeding in Bangkok
Photo Fave: Thailand elephant with baby
FAQs and Popular Topics

Safe journeys,

Shelly Rivoli
Author of Travels with Baby and the new Take-Along Travels with Baby
http://www.travelswithbaby.com/ Travels with Baby on Facebook

Tagged with: Ask Shelly

A cure for rainy vacations with kids

On February 8, 2011 · 3 Comments

No one likes to imagine a family city stay among magnificent parks and outdoor landmarks only to end up huddled like pigeons under the eaves until dashing to the next museum or café—particularly when you’re on vacation with a small child who needs exercise, fresh air, and… adventure.

My husband still recalls the week his family spent in Kaui… holed-up in a hotel room playing cards and Connect Four instead of snorkeling and frolicking on the beach. We’ve huddled under redwoods more than once when the camping got a bit soggier than expected, and on our trip to Andalucia where they get a record number of sunny days per year… we got a couple of the other kind.

On break in glorious Spain, it was no time for moping. There was only one thing for us to do: get kid-friendly bubble umbrellas and go adventuring.

With a kids’ clear bubble umbrella, we’ve learned, your pint-sized navigator can still see the sights above and below—not to mention the taller pedestrians, including you as her guide—all while managing her own umbrella (with pride). Not to mention, the vertical shield of a bubble umbrella helps keep the wind out of her face and better protects her from rain.

Old world adventures? Head to the park and stomp in puddles, seek out storm clouds, and behold the glory of rain shooting through the spouters of an ancient cathedral.
Big city breaks? Go on a walking tour of intriguing hotel lobbies around the city center, and don’t miss the rides up in glass elevators where available–fun, even in rain.
Beach vacations? Even a walk on the beach, docks, and boardwalk in the rain beats the heck out of holing-up all afternoon with a stack of DVDs, which you’ll no doubt have time to watch in the evenings.

After while, you’ll both be ready to settle into that cafe and enjoy a hot chocolate, and later a warm bath, knowing you’ve seen at least one side of your destination.

For the best kid’s travel umbrella, look for:

A clear cover that won’t inhibit your child’s visibility
Covered safety tips that won’t be poking hazards to your child or others
Pinch-proof mechanisms for opening and closing
A hook handle that is easy for your child to use and can hang from your stroller handle when desired, your hotel room’s door knob or shower rod while drying.

Most of these children’s umbrellas are very lightweight and small enough to fit length-wise in your suitcase.

For tips on family road trips in foul weather, see Best-Bet Rainy Day Road Stops in the new Take-Along Travels with Baby.

Safe journeys, Shelly Rivoli
Author of Travels with Baby and the new Take-Along Travels with Baby http://www.travelswithbaby.com/ Travels with Baby on Facebook

Photo Fave: Thailand elephant… with baby

On February 4, 2011 · 8 Comments

Do I really need to explain why this is a Photo Fave of mine?

You can see why I had a good chuckle the first time I saw Amazon.com had paired Travels with Baby (the ultimate guide for planning) with How to Fit a Car Seat on a Camel (and other misadventures).

My solution in this case was the ever-versatile Moby Wrap.

Here’s wishing you all a very happy Lunar New Year and great luck in the Year of the Rabbit!

How about you?
If you have a fun family travel photo you’d like to share from your own blog, feel free to post your link below or post to the facebook page. This post is also part of Photo Friday at DeliciousBaby.com.

Related posts and pages:
Breastfeeding in Bangkok

Safe journeys,

Shelly Rivoli
Author of Travels with Baby and the new Take-Along Travels with Baby
http://www.travelswithbaby.com/ Travels with Baby on Facebook