Never think that your child is too young to travel. Children nearly always surprise us and rise to the occasion in ways we never think possible. Traveling with young babies is a hobby in my family; I am told that when I was only six weeks old, my mother and father took me camping, living in a tent for two weeks by the sea! When my third son was only ten weeks old, we took him to Italy, and while we were finding out lost luggage in Rome, he was by far the best behaved of all of us. He even philosophically accepted my efforts to find the right formula for him, which took three days.
Before You Go: A golden rule for hotel vacations is to ensure there are facilities for children, and that children are really welcome. Things to look for in a hotel include such child facilities as a day-care center, a place where you can take your child for early supper, a children’s menu, high chairs and cribs, a playroom, and an outdoor play area with trained attendants. It is worth going to some trouble to ensure that these things are available because if your child is not happy, you will not enjoy the vacation yourself. If you are going to the seaside, make sure the beaches are safe.
Immunizations If you are traveling outside the U.S., find out well ahead of time- six months at least- if additional immunizations are needed, though in most areas of the world, the same immunizations are required and your baby will be fine if his shots are up to date. The reason for starting early is that some vaccines need time to become effective, and for others, as with hepatitis, you may have to wait four to six weeks between injections or you may not be able to follow one vaccination immediately with another. Ask your pediatrician if water treatment tables or liquid are recommended for the area you’re going to.
Food Introduce your children to any exotic food at home so you can determine their likes and dislikes well in advance. If they like experimenting with food, as long as it is well cooked and sanitary.
