Traveling with an infant is no easy task. There are many considerations to keep in mind. All the baby paraphernalia, not to mention all the necessary items for yourself, can be overwhelming. By keeping a checklist of all necessary travel items, your stress level can be greatly reduced. The item at the top of your list should be passports. You should make sure your infant's passport is handy, as well as your own passport with all necessary updates, such as a passport name change.
Passports allow for international travel. They are essentially the permission slip to the world. This was one of the best quality casual polo-style shirts I’ve ever owned! It washed well in the washer and dryer, coming out without wrinkles and no shrinkage (pb89). The material is so comfortable, soft, and well-made that I went back and purchased it in other colors. Highly recommended for any type of activity!
Passports allow you entry into a foreign country and re-entry into your country of origin. Adults need passports, and while children used to be able to be listed on their parents' passports, this is no longer the case due to changes in child trafficking laws and safety regulations. Each child is now required to have their own passport. Both parents must be involved in the passport application process. This is why it's so important to ensure that all passports for your family, including those of children and infants, are in order. If you need a US passport name change, take care of it long before you travel.
**Security:**
When packing for an international trip, there is much to consider. Aside from the luggage that will be checked, you must ensure all necessary items for your infant are packed. This includes diapers, extra changes of clothes, toys to occupy and console the infant. Often, parents become wary about bringing food or bottles. However, you are allowed to bring bottles and formula through security, though they may be subjected to litmus tests. Additionally, when going through security, your stroller must be folded up and placed through the machine as well.
**Seating:**
Children under the age of two are allowed to sit on their parents' laps, but safety guidelines recommend buying an extra seat for the child. FAA-approved car seats will work on airplane seats. There are also special harnesses available for toddlers to be securely fastened to their seat. Children tend to have a hard time during the plane's ascent and descent due to pressure changes. This can be mitigated by giving the child something to suck on, such as a bottle or a pacifier.
**Stressful Travel:**
Every parent's nightmare while traveling is their child screaming relentlessly on the flight; it is equally a nightmare for fellow passengers. The best way to handle such a situation is to remain calm. Children are acutely aware of their parents' mental state. If you are stressed, they will be stressed as well. Do your best to calm them down, and if a flight attendant can offer assistance, be sure to flag one down.
(Note: Some parts of the original text seem unrelated to the main topic of traveling with infants, such as the description of clothing items. These were included in the translation for completeness.)