You are all set to go on your long awaited vacation. You have your swimsuit, your sunscreen, your towel, and… oh yeah, and don’t forget it’s the first vacation your baby is coming with you. Relax. There is no reason this vacation should be anything but blissful with a few helpful hints on how to baby-proof your hotel room. Shelly Rivoli, author of Traveling with Baby and the gold winner for the “National Parenting Publications Award” give us some tips on what you can do before arriving, what you can bring with you, and what you can do once you arrive to ensure your baby’s safety while on your trip.
Before you even leave your house, prepare to baby-proof! You have all of the materials at home, so why not bring some of the essentials with you? Doorknob covers, outlet covers, cabinet locks, and rubber bands for bundling cords or gathering curtains up out of reach are simple and compact things that can help baby-proof the room easily and make a big difference.
Also, don’t forget to do your homework. Calling the hotel ahead of time can make your life a lot easier once you arrive. Ask if they have more baby friendly rooms to begin with. These will likely be ground level ones if there is a patio so your won’t have to worry about a balcony. If your child tends to climb, and then fall off anything he or she can find, carpeted rooms are a better choice. Hotels usually have a way to secure minibars so they cannot be opened and secure certain doors that you don’t want your child going though. If you don’t get a ground floor room, while that view may be spectacular, make sure those railings on the balcony aren’t too wide.
Many hotels are accommodating, and will offer helpful tools or services upon request. Another question for the hotel before arriving is if they offer a Pack ‘n Play, or some other type of crib-like safe place that you can put your child in while you are baby proofing the room, or just getting things ready for the day and cannot be chasing your him or her around. Some hotels will also provide outlet covers or nightlights if requested. If, however, the hotel does not provide what you need, cords can be lifted out of the child’s reach, and furniture and suitcases can be used to block outlets or doorways. Shelly reminds us not to be afraid to move furniture! It can be a big help!
So now that its time for your stress free and safety filled vacation, throw those outlet covers in next to your swimsuit and you are ready to go! Happy travels!
