12 Tips (Learned the Hard Way) for Traveling with a Small Child

You'll need them more than ever. In airports, train terminals, and ports, you'll be asked to present documents at every turn. Passports, tickets, boarding passes, and birth certificates should be kept in a safe, easy-to-reach place such as a fanny pack or travel pouch. Small backpacks and shoulder bags work best as carry-on luggage; and, if your child is young enough, a baby carrier, which leaves your hands free, will be invaluable. Also—particularly on cruises—you'll need to fill out a number of forms before you board (including a questionnaire pertaining to SARS). If possible, try to get them ahead of time and fill them out, but always make sure that you have a pen handy in case you missed something.