It is simply a fact that contemporary parents move more often, and live farther apart from their extended family, than was true for parents in the past. It is also true that, thanks largely to low cost air travel, families travel to visit relatives hundreds or thousands of miles away. In the northeastern US, for example, many parents take their young children to visit parents in Florida during the winter. And often, because one parent works or is in the service, it may only be one parent accompanying the children. Traveling alone with children, particularly with infants and toddlers, is not easy. On a recent trip I watched, and tried to help, a young mother with two children struggling with her baggage, an infant in her arms and a preschooler following her with a back pack...

In traveling with young children there are some preparations you can make in advance that will ease some of the stress and strain.

1. Arrange things so that you have free hands. You will need them to present identification, boarding passes, and to take off your shoes. A shoulder bag or light back pack can help.

2. For infants, you can bring your stroller to the door of the plane and leave it there, and pick it up as soon as you get off.

3. Get to the airport way ahead of time so you are not hurried and rushed going through security where you will need to be doing a lot of things.

4. Infants are particularly sensitive to changes in air pressure on taking off and landing. This can cause pain and discomfort. Try to nurse or bottle feed your infant at these times both to relieve pain and avoid crying fits.

5. When traveling with an infant less is more. Don’t take more than you need or what you can pick up once you arrive at your destination.

6. Do bring your baby’s favorite toys (small ones) as well as books to read to him or her.

7. Keep a small medicine kit for you and your child and include any prescription medications, along with a few bandages and over the counter pain killers.

Traveling with an infant can be stressful, even if you have done all you can to prepare in advance. It is okay to ask strangers for help if you really need it. Most people are more than willing to lend a hand but may be reluctant to offer help out of shyness or fear of offending. If you have done all that you can to prepare for your journey, you have done all that you can so relax and enjoy the trip.