Motherhood ain't easy: here's how to simplify travel

Hotels.com provides new moms with tips for taking your infant on the road

TORONTO, July 9, 2013 /CNW/ - It's not just wedding season, its baby season too! With the recent birth of North, Kim's little lady, and our beloved Duchess Kate about to pop, it won't be long before these jet-setting ladies are back on the road. Inspired by these famous babies, Hotels.com® has partnered with The Nesting Place to share travel tips for other new mommies looking to rack up some travel points.

"No new parent wants to leave the side of their little ones, but travelling with an infant brings on a whole new set of challenges and requirements," says Amanda Spakowski, birth doula and founder of The Nesting Place.  "Babies may be small, but they can be high maintenance, so planning ahead and creating a checklist of must-have items can help lighten the load and allow for a stress-free trip."

When Flying

• Plan feeding time during take-off and landing which will help ease ear pain.

When Driving

• Add removable window shades for your car windows to protect your baby from the sun.
• Make sure to use a rear-facing car seat for safety.

When at the hotel

• Pack diaper rash cream, bags for dirty diapers, enough diapers for the trip and infant acetaminophen* for relieving pain and fever - if your baby is teething consider bringing teething gel.
• Book a crib when making your room reservation - or remember to bring your own travel Pack 'n Play.

When out and about

• Bring hats and SPF 30 sunscreen or higher - if your baby is under six months remember to keep them entirely out of the sun and refrain from using sunscreen.
• If you aren't breastfeeding, bring formula and add cooled boiled water as needed.
• Bring a plastic bib for your baby - it'll save you a change of clothes in case of spills.
• If you'd like a night out without your little one and your hotel doesn't offer babysitting, consider using a service like Nannies on Call which provides 24/7 child caring services across Canada.

General Tips

• Bring a bag containing a few of your baby's favourite toys to keep them happy and distracted, as well as a blanket for park visits.
• It's important to keep your baby on the same sleep schedule, so when on the go consider using white noise to help them ease into a deeper sleep. A Sleep Sheep or other sound machine is a great tool to pack!

Where to stay?

Being a new mom is tiring and you deserve some pampering, but besides the fact that you've earned it, taking your baby away before he or she walks is actually ideal since they're portable. Hotels.com shares some baby-friendly hotels and chains below to help make your travel planning easier:

1. Hyatt
How they help? Partners with Babies Travel Lite so you can order whatever you need in advance (diapers, wipes, formula, etc.) to avoid excess baggage fees.  You can get supplies based on how many days you're travelling and they'll be waiting in your room upon arrival. If you're planning a visit to Toronto, the Hyatt Regency is a great option within walking distance of many of the city's attractions.

2. Ritz Hotels
How they help? Many of the properties are part of a Protecting Our Little Ones (POLO) program which provides safety items for your room such as outlet covers, a tub spout cover and first aid kit.

The Ritz Carlton, Cancun takes it a step further with their three Itzy Bitzy Baby Rooms which include a crib, changing table, miniature hangers, light up telephone and a "shh, baby sleeping" sign for the door.

3. Marriott Hotels
How they help?  In Canada and the U.S., Marriott offers the Tots Travel Too program, which provides travel cribs, tub toys, safety equipment and nightlights, toiletries and disposable bibs. If you're heading to the west coast, the Residence Inn in Vancouver has you covered.

4. Loews Hotels
How they help?  With their Loews Loves Little Kids program, they cater to families bringing their little ones with toys and special menus. The Hotel Le Concorde in Quebec has a kid's closet full of baby blankets, books, car seats and a baby bathtub.

5. Hard Rock Chicago
How they help?  If you're heading to the windy city this hotel is a good option with their Nursing Mother's Amenity program that provides hospital grade breast pumps and accessories. It also features helpful in-room amenities for breastfeeding mothers such as microwaves, mini-refrigerators, ice packs for transportation and mini cooler bags.

There's no need to wait for baby to start walking before planning your next trip! There are many options for new parents to help make travelling with your tot easy and the Hotels.com website is a great resource to use when searching for the perfect family-friendly hotel.

*Be sure to speak with your doctor about the correct dosage for your child.

About Hotels.com^®

Hotels.com (also known in Canada as Hotels.ca) is a leading online accommodation booking brand. Through the Expedia, Inc. global network of websites, Hotels.com, LP connects travellers with 205,000 properties around the world, ranging from international chains and all-inclusive resorts to local favourites and bed & breakfasts, together with all the information needed to book the perfect stay. Hotels.com, LP benefits from one of the largest hotel contracting teams in the industry, obtaining the best rates for its customers, and offers frequent sales, special deals and promotions. There are more than 7 million Guest Reviews on the websites from users who have actually stayed in the hotels to ensure customers can make an informed choice when booking. Through Hotels.com, LP's industry-leading loyalty program Welcome Rewards^TM, customers can earn a free night for every 10 nights stayed at more than 85,000 hotels. Under its Price Match Guarantee, if a customer can find the same deal for less on a prepaid hotel, Hotels.com, LP will refund the difference. Travellers can book online or by contacting one of the multilingual call centers. Special apps for mobile phones and tablets can also be downloaded at www.hotels.com/deals/mobile_app/ enabling customers to book on the go with access to 20,000 last minute deals. Hotels.com publishes an award-winning twice-yearly review of international hotel room price trends called the Hotels.com Hotel Price Index™, which is now produced in 31 individual country editions, with North American data available at www.hotel-price-index.com. Follow Hotels.com on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Hotels.comCA, on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/hotelsdotcomca and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/hotelsdotcom. More Hotels.com news is available at: http://press.hotels.com/en-ca/.Hotels.com, LP is part of Expedia, Inc., the largest online travel company in the world with an extensive portfolio that includes some of the world's best-known brands.

Hotels.com, Finding You the Perfect Place and the Hotels.com logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Hotels.com, LP. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. © 2013 Hotels.com, LP. All rights reserved. CST # 2083949-50

Image with caption: "Take the stress out of travelling with your little one by planning ahead (CNW Group/Hotels.com)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130709_C6141_PHOTO_EN_28868.jpg

SOURCE: Hotels.com

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