As any parent of a toddler or preschooler knows, small children don’t like change very much.  They like things to be known and predicable.  Travel is therefore quite a challenge for them.  But there are many things you can do to make it easier for them.

Perhaps the best thing you can do is to simplify your itinerary.  Slow down.  This is not the time to do the whirlwind tour of 3 countries in 2 weeks.  Rather, pick one or two spots, and stay there for a longer time.   Go to a small town on a beach and relax.  Find a family-friendly hotel in a city, and enjoy going to parks and the zoo.  Remember, children don’t need big attractions – riding the bus or the subway is a big adventure when you are 3 years old.

Consider doing small day trips from a base location, instead of packing up and moving to another place.  Most children like to come back to the same place every night – it becomes the new home, nice and familiar, where they know where the bathroom is and where their toys are.  There are many places in Latin America where you can do a big variety of things in a small area.  Your Exito agent can help you find an appropriate spot.

Now the nuts and bolt of travel with toddlers….first, your flights.  This is one age where you might actually want a flight with a change of plane rather than a nonstop.  Yes, it’s an ordeal to get on and off a plane with a toddler, but it’s even more of an ordeal to try to keep a toddler amused on a flight.  Toddlers need to move, and consider any attempt to keep them quiet as a personal affront.  Changing planes, especially if you have a bit of a layover, can give your wee one a chance to run around, yell, and create mayhem without annoying people who will be sitting next to you for another 4 hours.

Keeping a toddler or preschooler occupied on a flight is definitely a challenge.  I usually bring a little present for each child, for each flight.  This gives them something new to play with, and something to look forward to on each flight.  Keep it very small and inexpensive – a coloring book and crayons, a new little car, a plastic horse.

Other plane-friendly toys are Woodkins dress-up dolls, magnetic toys such as airport scenes or race track scenes, small stuffed animals, and of course, paper and crayons. Toys that play tunes or make lifelike siren sounds will earn you the undying wrath of your fellow passengers – leave those toys at home.

While I am not a proponent of the idiot box, a movie can be a sanity saver on a long flight.  Depending on where you are going, and the length of your trip, you might consider bringing along an iPod or portable DVD player and headphones (don’t forget the headphones!).  Mexico, for example, uses the same electrical setup as the US, so you can easily recharge your electronic babysitter for the flight home.

The next issue is where to stay.  If you are going to be in one spot for a while (highly recommended), consider renting a condo, house, or hotel room that features a kitchenette of some sort.  While these are rarer in Latin America than in the US, they do exist, and can make a huge difference in your stay.  Even having a mini-fridge is a big benefit – anything that allows you to have food on hand at all times for snacks, or even a simple meal (not to mention cold beer for mom and dad).

If you are planning on going to an all-inclusive resort, find out what special services they may offer for families.  One all-inclusive resort that we stayed at in Brazil offered a special baby pantry, stocked with milk, fruit, cereal, and soups, open 24 hours a day.  Others are less accommodating, and you might find yourself with a starving toddler an hour before dinner service starts.

A final big consideration is getting around in Latin America and, specifically, what to do about car seats.  Car seats are now required for infants in Mexico, but are quite unusual elsewhere.  Seats for toddlers and preschoolers are almost unheard of.

If you will be primarily traveling by bus or train, don’t bring car seats – there is no way to use them, and no room to do so.  If you will be renting a car, definitely do bring them – the car rental company is unlikely to have them, but your child will be much safer in a car seat.

If you will be primarily traveling by taxi, it becomes a bit of a judgment call.  For long taxi ride such as between towns, you will want the car seats.  If you are only doing a few short hops within town on occasion, well….. I have to admit that they are a nuisance to drag around while sightseeing or shopping all day.   OK, I admit it, I have bundled my kids into taxis without car seats for a trip across town.  And they survived. But that’s me.   You know what your own comfort level is.  If you are uncomfortable with your child being out of a car seat, stick to your guns.  You may have taxi drivers act like you are crazy, but honestly – who cares what they think?  It’s your child and your peace of mind.

Finally, don’t forget the ultimate cure-all, a nice nap.

The biggest adjustment is relaxing. Babies are a full part of society in Latin America, and people are not reluctant to approach them. I have had the waitress at a restaurant ask if she can take our baby across the street to show her mother, or the waiter whisk the baby to the kitchen to show off to the cook. Relax. They are not dangerous criminals seeking to steal your child – they just think babies are cute, and like to share them. If your baby happens to be blonde and blue-eyed (my oldest child had blonde ringlets as an infant), the attention will be twice as intense. Take it as the compliment that it is. Your baby is adorable — of course people want to admire. You don’t have to let people “borrow” the baby, or anything else you don’t feel comfortable with, but don’t be offended or frightened by the attention.

You will also receive lots of unsolicited advice, just like you do at home. I have had little old ladies in Belize assure me that my 4-month-old was freezing and that I needed to put a sweater on her (it was 80 degrees out!). To this day, when I am at a beach in Latin America with my blonde children, every mother who walks by will worriedly ask me if they have sun screen on. Once again, relax and take these comments in the spirit in which they are intended – true, honest concern for the child. They know you are a visitor, and worry that you may not be aware of how strong the sun is, how cold it actually is (yeah, right!), etc. They say something because they really do care. So, smile, reassure them, and thank them for their advice.
Once you have taken a deep breath and relaxed, it’s time to pack. Don’t go overboard – remember, they have babies in Latin America. Lots of them. So anything that you truly need for a baby, you will be able to obtain down there.

For example, disposable diapers are widely available in Latin America. Even if you usually use cloth diapers, consider using disposable diapers for the trip. Washing diapers is a hassle in the best of circumstances, so make it easy on yourself. Baby wipes are also widely available unless you are in really rural areas.

Don’t worry about bringing every possible medicine along for every possible thing that could happen. Children get tummy aches and teething problems down there too – they have medicines available for all of these. Don’t be afraid to venture into a farmacia (pharmacy) and explain what the problem is – you will get lots of sympathy, advice, and whatever medication you need.

The one exception is sunscreen. Good quality sunscreen can be hard to find and very expensive. I strongly suggest you bring sunscreen from home.

I would, however, suggest leaving the Pack-n-Play at home. Hauling a portable crib around is really kind of a hassle. Even if your baby doesn’t usually sleep with you, you might try it on a trip to Latin America. If you truly need one, bring it, but you might instead find out if your hotels can provide one.

It’s a good idea to trim down on extra stuff in general. Latin America is the land of stairs, uneven sidewalks, and broken elevators. So try to resist the urge to bring everything and the kitchen sink. Just bring what you actually need. For example, you don’t need four changes of clothes for every day of the trip – it’s pretty easy to get laundry done in Latin America. Even the cheapest hotel will know someone who does laundry.

Strollers are often not that helpful in Latin America. In many places the sidewalks are either nonexistent or very uneven, making strollers impractical If you do take a stroller, take a lightweight umbrella-type stroller that can easily be picked up and carried, if necessary. Baby carriers such as a Baby Bjorn, Snuggli, or a backpack are more useful.

If your baby is still exclusively breast-fed, congratulations – your trip logistics will be pretty easy. Your baby’s food will always be safe, available, and just the right temperature.

If your baby uses formula, infant formula is widely available. With all the safety issues with formula that have come up recently, though, you might want to take formula along. In big cities you can usually purchase formula made by reputable companies, but you might want to have a supply along with you. Be sure to always use purified water to wash the bottles and mix the formula.

If your baby has started to eat solids, you will find plenty of options. Most restaurants will be happy to bring you plain rice or sliced banana, if it’s for the baby. Bananas and avocados are widely available in markets or stores. Larger grocery stores will also have jars of baby food.

Once you are packed, it’s time for the trip itself. Where you go and how much you do will depend a great deal on your baby. Some babies easily nod off on the bus, making long bus trips a snap. Others sob from the noise, crowds, and smell. You know your baby better than anyone. Don’t be afraid to be a bit adventurous, but at the same time, be realistic. You may have a more relaxing trip if you just go to one or two places, and stay there for several days or even weeks. Many babies like routines, and you can get into a little vacation routine if you stay in one place for a while.

Beach vacations are often a big hit. Just be careful with sun exposure. Mountain trips are a bit more problematic. Some children do great, others have problems with the altitude. Unfortunately it’s hard to know in advance if you child will have trouble with altitude sickness. One of my children has no problems adjusting, and the other one gets horribly sick at high elevations. Which brings me to my final point….

Don’t be afraid to change the plan. If everyone’s miserable, scuttle the current plan and do something different. Maybe your baby is having a horrible time with the heat. Changing hotels to a place with air conditioning is not a sign of moral weakness, and it just may save your sanity. Be flexible, and you will all have a wonderful trip – parents and baby too!

But traveling with children also has it’s own challenges and special considerations.  Here are a few of the basics to cover before you depart on your trip.

Passports – Every child, including infants,  must have his/her own passport.  US passports may be obtained through most US post offices.  Apply well in advance, particularly for summer travel – it can take several months to get a passport (you can get a passport in less time, but it is more expensive).

In order to get a passport for a child, both parents must be present when you hand in the application, and give their permission.  If it’s not possible for both parents to apply together, the absent parent can give permission via a notarized statement of authorization.

You will also need a certified copy of your child’s birth certificate ( a simple photocopy will not due, it has to be an official copy), and two passport photos.  Passport photos for an infant can be a bit of a problem, as the baby can’t sit up.  Try going to a portrait studio that specializes in baby pictures.  These are often found in malls or near stores like Sears or Penny’s.  They will have ways to prop the baby up in order to get a proper passport photo.  Their prices are usually quite reasonable, too.

Visas – If you are visiting a country that requires visas, such as Brazil, all children (including infants) will need visas as well.  Most countries charge the same amount for children as for adults, so be prepared – it can be costly.

Permission to Travel -If both parents will not accompany the child on the trip, get a notarized letter from the absent parent giving permission for the child to travel.  Many countries, such as Mexico, absolutely require it – your child will not be allowed to board the plane if you cannot prove that both parents have authorized the trip.   Even if a country does not officially require it, take one along – I was asked for permission to travel for my infant daughter when entering a country that did not officially require any such thing.  Fortunately, being paranoid, I had it.

The letter of permission should include the trip dates and destination.  I usually include a line authorizing the traveling parent to seek medical care for the child if necessary, as well.

Vaccinations.  Infants are often too young for many vaccinations, but be sure your child receives any that he/she is able to get.  Remember, vaccinations are not widespread in many parts of Latin America, so there is no “herd immunity” – diseases spread faster and are more serious.  Infants who are still breast-feeding will get some immunity from their mothers, but vaccinations are still the most effective deterrent.  Check with a travel clinic to find out what vaccinations are recommended for the countries you will be visiting – the usual US vaccinations may not be sufficient.

When to travel – it’s always nice to travel on off days, but even more important when flying with children.   Statistically, Tuesday and Wednesday tend to be the lightest travel days.  Try to avoid travel on Fridays and Sundays – flights tend to be packed, and tensions flare more easily.

Where to go – Anywhere!   Don’t be afraid to take children away from resort areas.  Children can have fun at the beach, in the mountains, or in the city.  Markets, ruins, and bus rides are all an adventure for them.  Don’t be nervous – buy your tickets and start traveling again!