10 Things You'd Be Really Sorry If You Forgot To Put in Your Carry-On Bag

Flying with an under-two-year old this summer? Does having a root canal sound more fun? Actually, parents say that if they're prepared, it's not so bad. Keep your expectations realistic - forget trying to get any serious work or reading done. Try to be rested at the outset; a sense of humor will come in handy. And pack your carry-on bag carefully. Of course you'll remember Blankie, food or formula, and diapers. But here are 10 other suggestions to carry with you that are worth their weight in gold:

1. Two to three changes of clothes for Baby and an extra shirt for you, in case of spills or over-air-conditioning.

2. Enough diapers and supplies (diaper rash ointment, pacifiers, formula, bottles, nipples, water, food) for the whole trip, plus extras (in case the flight is delayed), plus a bit more (because consider how awful it would be if you ran out); if your child is the right size, bring the pull-on kind of diaper as they may make changing the diaper easier

3. Several small "receiving blankets" (one for Baby to lie on, one to keep her warm, and one to protect your clothing) are also suggested

4. A plastic bib that can be wiped clean.

5. Snacks that are not sticky, do not stain when spilled, can easily be brushed off when sat on, are easy to give in small portions, and are relatively healthy in case they end up substituting for a meal are also wise considerations.

6. Bring a small cloth that can be rinsed out using warm water - for wiping face and hands.

7. Several empty re-closeable plastic bags of different sizes (for that small face-wiping cloth, a half-eaten banana, used diapers, dirty clothes, etc.)

8. If you use them, drugs for mild discomfort or fever (acetaminophen/ paracetamol), saline solution for stuffy nose, medicine for sore gums, ointment for dry lips - for everyone in the family

9. Ways to entertain Baby - bring a combination of old favorites and novel items; a few weeks before the trip take away a few small toys from your baby's stash and wrap them up in gift wrap to be opened in the air; consider letting your baby waste a box of band-aids or stack of PostIt notes just this once; if you're buying new toys for the trip, "more" is more important than "expensive;" don't bring any sound-making toy that you and your seatmate cannot stand to hear hour after hour.

10. A small flashlight, to change diapers or find objects hidden in the bottom of your bag without waking Baby by turning on the light

Anne P. Copeland is a psychologist with expertise in families in intercultural transition, and is Executive Director of The Interchange Institute in Brookline, Massachusetts, USA. Read more suggestions for managing a long flight, and for how to relocate internationally with an infant, in her latest book, Global Baby: Tips to Keep You and Your Infant Smiling Before, During, and After an International Move, available in July 2004 from www.interchangeinstitute.org.