Baby Entertainment & Hopefully a Cat-Nap!
Crawling babies tend to be more alert. Because they are curious about the world, they will most likely find the new environment of the plane interesting at first. A window seat may be fun for your baby at this stage. Come prepared with a bag of goodies to entertain them. Most parents also reported that their crawler did get a cat-nap in from time to time too. Some items you many consider bringing are:
* A few new toys & some oldies but goodies
* Stories
* Comfort toy or blanket
* Fun snacks and even a new snack never tried before.

Car Seat
Depending on your baby's weight, you may opt to bring an infant car seat/stroller combo but don't forget the car seat base. If your child has graduated to the next size a 5-point harness car seat we highly recommend a light-weight umbrella stroller too. You can opt to bring your 5-point harness car seat or you can rent one from a car rental agency if you are renting a car. If you bring your car seat from home, you may be interested in the Go-Go Babyz Travel Mate it turns your car seat into a wheeling seat for transport in the airport. Check it out our Baby Boutique.

Car Seat Safety
Selecting the right car seat is an important part of taking your child on any trip, especially when driving in unfamiliar cities. We have put together a comprehensive report to help you select the right car seat for your child! Here you will find all the facts you need to know concerning Rear-Facing Car Seats, Forward Facing Harnesses, as well as Booster Seats! Read theCar Seat Safety Report

Consider the Stroller
Your choice in stroller is best made by thinking about where you are going and how much walking you are going to do. For a quick trip to see family an inexpensive umbrella stroller is the best choice because it is light weight and if it gets damaged it did not cost you too much. If you are going to site see a city with a lot of walking like New York or San Francisco, bring a stroller with lots of storage will help keep your hands free. We recommend bringing a Jogging stroller with large wheels to European destinations like Rome or Austria because of the cobblestone walk ways. Also a jogging stroller may also be a smart to use at certain National Parks especially if you plan to go off of the trails to enjoy a nature walk. When flying, you can bring your stroller all the way to the gate, and the staff will check it for you there as you are boarding the plane. When you land it will be waiting for you outside the plane.

To buy a seat or have baby sit on your lap
When traveling with your crawler they are at a new stage of exploration and can still probably travel on your lap. But you may opt to buy a seat or see if one is available for free upon check-in at the airport. Kids do fly free if on your lap until age two. (Check with your airline to be sure.) We have found through our interviews that most parents prefer holding their crawlers on their lap.

Many parents opt to buy a seat for their child, especially when they become more mobile around 12-18 months of age.

Ears Popping
Dealing with ear pain from changing air pressure remains a big concern for parents of crawlers and toddlers. Just as for an infant, you parents can help the child adapt, by nursing or bottle-feeding baby during take-off and landing. When you notice air pressure changes in your own ears your baby is experiencing the same thing, this is the perfect time to, nurse, bottle feed or use the pacifier. Not just necessarily when you take off or land but when you notice air pressure changes in your ears throughout the flight. The last thing parents need is to run out of milk before you get off the ground during a long take off. You can also ask your doctor about using ear-numbing drops for your baby; they can help balance osmotic pressure and also have a numbing and pain-killing medicine in them.

Recommended Baby Gear for Happy Traveling:
* Car seat & stroller
* Baby sling or baby carrier (depending on baby's weight)
* Compact, small diaper bag with a change of clothes, 3 diapers, and lots of wipes
* Nursing cover-up Nursing cover-up
* Bottles with disposable liners
* Pacifier
* Bibs
* Snacks
* Baby food & spoons (Try to feed before the flight if you can.) Check out the Boon Spoon in our Baby Boutique
* New toy and a few old favorites
* Blankets & bedding for your hotel crib
* Extra burp cloths (1-2 per day)
* Plastic bags for soiled items
* 2-3 outfits per day (unless baby is very tidy)
* Masking tape for baby proofing your hotel or grandma's house

Hotel Safety & Baby-Proofing Techniques
Baby Safe Travel is actively working with many hotel chains to improve infant safety in their rooms. Look for hotels that are certified by Baby Safe Travel this means they have baby proofed rooms available on request. If a certified hotel is not available at your destination you can use the rattle rating system and reviews left by other parents as a guide.

When traveling with your crawler, where your baby is going to sleep is still a big concern. You can use the hotels cribs or pack 'n' play, but we recommend bringing your own bedding and mattress pad. Some hotels will bring you a pack 'n' play or crib with a king-sized sheet instead of a sheet that fits their crib. Using a large adult-sized sheet in a baby crib can pose a strangulation risk. To be on the safe side, bring your own mattress pad and fitted sheet in your bag. Some parents opt to bring their play-yard from home.

Hotel Safety & Baby Proofing Techniques
When you check into your hotel room, think like your baby. Get on your hands and knees and scope the place out. Are there any small items not picked up by the cleaning staff - a pill or food items on the floor, etc?

Get out your masking tape and start taping off problem areas. Electric sockets can be covered. Loose wires can be taped together and to the wall. Window blind pulls can be taped up out of babies reach. Drawers can be taped closed, too. Read 5 more tips for baby proofing your hotel room.

If you are staying at a condo or house with stairs, you may want to bring a baby gate or purchase one once you get there.

Now sit back, relax, and let baby explore this exciting new environment.

Remember as the parents it's your responsibility to watch your children while on vacation. Please never leave your child unattended.