3-1-1 is the aviation industry’s catchphrase to help you remember easier how to pack liquids. If you’re going to keep your liquids in your checked bag, there’s should be no problem, but if you’re planning to take the liquids through the checkpoint and onto the plane, then you’ll need to follow the rules for packing liquids. The rules are actually simple:

• 3 - only 3 ounce or smaller containers of liquid or gel are allowed to be carried on.
  1 - these containers are to be placed in a 1 quart-sized clear plastic baggie.
  1 - only 1 bag per passenger is allowed

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Once you get to the security checkpoint, you need to take your baggie out of your carry-on and put it in a bin. If you need to bring liquids more than 3 ounces, you’ll have to place it in your checked bags. The 3-1-1 rule applies to toiletries like perfumes, toothpaste, shampoo and lotions, as well as to drinks like water, juices or liquor. It also applies to food, such as jams, jellies, dips and dressings. Certain items, like medications such as insulin, ointments and medicine in syrup form, as well as infant needs like breast milk and baby formula are considered exempt. You can bring them through the checkpoint in larger amounts (but in reasonable quantity), as long as you declare them to a security officer.

• Arrive on time – the general rule is to get to the airport at least 3 hours before your flight if it’s international, and 1 ½ hours if your flight’s domestic. Also be sure to give yourself enough time to check your baggage and get through security.
  Have all your necessary documents ready – make sure you have your boarding pass and valid government IDs (at least two) ready when you get in line.
  Dress appropriately – remember that you’ll have to take off all coats, blazers or sweaters along with your shoes, and place them in a bin. Try to avoid wearing bulky sweaters, and shoes that are hard to remove and put back on. Be conscious of any metal in your belt or any article of clothing.
  Loose metals belong in your carry-on – make sure to put any loose metal items, like coins, loose change, keys and jewelries in your carry-on bag.
  Large electronics DON’T belong in your carry-on – oversized electronics like laptops, DVD players and video cameras that use cassettes should be taken out of your carry-on and placed in a separate bin. Cellphones, iPods and other smaller electronics can stay in your carry-on bag.
  Follow the 3-1-1 rule – liquids, aerosols and gels should be kept in the 3-1-1 format. Your one quart-sized clear baggie goes in a separate bin. Exempt liquids like medicines, baby formula and other items should be declared.

I guess the best advice I can give you is to keep your cool and follow all the security guidelines. And for heaven’s sake, don’t ever joke that you’re carrying some kind of bomb with you. After 9-11, airport personnel lost all sense of humor, and you’ll most probably end up being thrown out of you’re flight and being detained by authorities!

Before your trip:

• Pack light – this may be challenging, especially for the ladies. But it’s basic common sense: the less baggage you have, the less time and effort you’ll need during check-in. Packing light will also ensure you won’t go over your baggage limit, otherwise, it’ll cost you time and money.
  Pack smart – pack your carry-on bag as neatly as possible, and layer items. For example, a layer of clothes, then electronics, then toiletries, then heavier items. Packing smart will help security officers see what’s in your bag, and will help you get through faster.
  Don’t wrap gifts – wait until you get to your destination before wrapping your gifts. If a security officer decides to inspect your package, you’ll go through a lot of unnecessary hassle, and end up having to rewrap your gift anyway.
  When in doubt, leave it out – bringing prohibited items can cause delays in the screening process for you and the other passengers. If you’re not sure whether an item can be put in your carry-on, put it in your checked bag. Or, better yet, leave it at home. If you want to check which items are allowed or prohibited, you can check TSA’s website for the complete list of permitted and prohibited items.
  Try to get your boarding pass online – this will save you precious minutes. If you have access to a computer, log on to the airline flying you out 24 hours before your flight, and try to print out your boarding pass from there.

To be continued…

If you’re crazy about Christmas, and count St. Nick as one of your heroes, then it’s time for you to visit Santa Claus, Indiana. This town, which was established in 1856, has the world’s only post office to bear the name of Santa Claus. Chances are, the letters you sent to Santa has been routed to their post office. Because of this, a group of volunteers known as “Santa’s Elves” ensures each child receives a reply from Santa Claus, a tradition that has been around since 1914. The Post Office also prints the only official Santa Claus postmark, a Santa Claus picture postmark that’s available only during the Christmas season.

Of course, the whole town has capitalized on the whole Christmas theme. There’s Christmas Lake Village, where the street names are all themed after the season as well. The area’s 3 lakes are called Christmas Lake, Lake Holly, and Lake Noel. There’s also Holiday Village and Santa’s Lodge, a Christmas-themed hotel.

There are a lot of attractions to be found in the area as well, majority of which are also themed towards Christmas. There’s the Santa Claus Museum, Frosty’s Fun Center, Mushie’s Car Museum, Christmas Lake Golf Course, Lake Rudolph Campground and RV Resort and Santa’s Candy Castle. You can also find the Lincoln Boyhood Home & National Memorial and the Lincoln State Park here.

The biggest draw in this area is the Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari. This park, which was originally built by the late industrialist Louis J. Koch in 1946, holds the distinction of being the world’s first theme park. It offers three wooden roller coasters, water rides, even free sodas and sunscreen!

Visiting during the month of December has added perks, of course. You’ll get to join in an old-fashioned Christmas celebration. And there’s the town’s annual 14-mile Festival of Lights which takes place around the first or second week of December.

In case you’re planning to fly with Qatar Airways, and assuming you can afford it, buy first-class tickets so you’ll get a chance to check out their Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport. It was rated as one of the best first-class lounges for 2007 by Skytrax, the iindependent airline industry’s monitoring agency. It opened last November 26, 3006, a week before the start of the 15th Asian Games that took place in Doha, Qatar.

The 10,000sqm Premium Terminal was built in just nine months, at a cost of US $90 million, as part of a US $200 million expansion at Doha International Airport. Designed to pamper and delight First and Business Class passengers, the terminal is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s located before the main departures building.

As one of the privileged First Class passengers, you’ll experience the Premium Terminal as another choice destination of your trip, rather than being simply a waiting room for your flight. There’s a concierge to welcome you assist you. You’ll have access to the spa treatment rooms, Jacuzzi, sauna and massage treatment rooms. For shopoholics, there’s duty-free shopping. There are fine dining restaurants with a wide choice of hot and cold Arabic and international cuisine. For business travelers, there’s a business centre with free internet access stations and secretarial services, as well as the use of conference and meeting rooms. And for families with kids, there’s a nursery and a dedicated play area for older kids. You can even leave your kids to the care of nannies while you shop or relax to your heart’s content. There’s also a 24-hour medical centre manned with doctors and nurses. And if all these still sounds like too much work for you, you hibernate in their exclusive sleep cabins, then freshen up with a shower when your flight arrives.

• infant with or w/o seats – this is another discount ticket that may be purchased online, but again, not all online sites can offer these. These discounts are offered for infants under two years of age. You’ll have to indicate the birthdate of the child, and bring a birth certificate as proof when you check in. There are two kinds of discounts for infants:
  • lapchild – if you don’t want to get a separate seat for your infant, babies under 2 can be seated on your lap. The ratio is 1 parent per kid. For domestic flights, tickets for infants are free, but for international flights, you’ll need to pay 10% of adult fare, or taxes, whichever is higher.
  • infant with seats – if you’re going to get a separate seat for your baby, you are required to supply an FAA-approved infant car seat. It’s very important to make sure the car seat will fit the plane seat, and that its FAA-approved, otherwise, the staff will not allow you to use the car seat, even if you’ve paid for your baby’s ticket. For domestic flights, you’ll get a 50% discount, while international flights offer 25% discounts.
• charter and promotional fares – this category includes other discount fares an airline might offer. Some discounts, called webfares, are only available online, and are very rare. Sometimes, airlines may offer a discount at the last minute if there are still a lot of seats available. Or, you may also be lucky enough to get discounts on chartered flights, if the travel agency that prepaid for the tickets still has a lot of tickets left.

Hope these tips can help you get a better deal and put you in the holiday mood. Have fun shopping for flights!

I’ve already covered some of the ways you can fly for cheap on my previous post. However, with the coming holiday, the travel industry is approaching their peak season, and tickets won’t come cheap. But there are still some ways to get airfare discounts, which aren’t usually advertised by the industry. Here are some discounts you can look into:

• senior citizen’s discount – if you’re 65+, you’re eligible to get this discount. Almost all airlines honor them, and you can get these even through booking at travel agencies. If you’re purchasing your tickets online, though, be warned that not all online travel sites can offer this discount. And be prepared to show your senior citizen’s ID when you check in.
• military discount – this is strictly for military personnel, and depends on the discretion of the airline. You’ll also have to book this directly with the airlines, since not all travel agencies, especially the online ones, can offer this discount. You’ll also need proof to back this up.
• bereavement/compassion fares – this is one discount I pray you’ll never need. This discount applies if any in your immediate family passes away. As with the military discount, this is also upon airline’s discretion. You’ll need to show a copy of the medical or death certificate to validate your claim.
• companion fares – this is a special kind of discount not commonly offered. However, you can try with your travel agency or airline, and sometimes this is even offered online. There are restrictions to this ticket, however. You must travel together on all parts of the itinerary, and you or your companion won’t be allowed to change or cancel the ticket without changing the other one’s as well.

To be continued…

• Prepare a first-aid kit, that should include medicines for fever, colds, flu, allergies, and any prescription medicines your child needs. Include bandages, gauze & motion sickness medicines just in case.
• Always pack a lightweight blanket. Aside from the obvious, it can serve a variety of uses, such as a shade from the sun, a spot you can lay your baby down, or extra cushion for baby.
  Bring along a foldable, small umbrella. The weather is always unpredictable, and it can be used both for rain and shine.
• Hats and caps are also musts for any type of weather.
• Don’t forget the sunscreen, both for the face and the body. Use one with both UVA and UVB protection, with an SPF of at least 15. You can also check for products specifically formulated for infants and kids.
• Pack an extra set of clothing for you and your baby. It’ll sure come in handy if baby spits-up or throws up on you.
• Pack a few of the essentials with you on your carry-on as well, such as toothbrushes and underwear. You wouldn’t want to be caught helpless if your luggage suddenly goes missing.
• Don’t forget to bring some of your kids’ favorite toys. Don’t go overboard, though. For older kids, a puzzle or coloring book can keep them occupied for hours. And curious babies can find even the most mundane things interesting, so you’ll really only need to bring a couple of familiar toys, like a lovey or blankie.

You can also make your own checklist of the things you need to bring. There’s no hard or fast rules, just remember to keep your family’s needs in mind. And remember to look at packing not as a tiring chore, but as the beginning of your adventure. Enjoy!

• If you’re traveling on a plane and you have an infant with you, be sure to bring along a bottle or pacifier for your baby to suck. This will relieve your baby from ear pain caused by air pressure changes during takeoff and landing.
• Be sure to bring only as much baby food as you’ll need for during the journey, with a little allowance for good measure. For the rest of the trip, you can stow the extra baby food in your checked-in baggage. Or better yet, check if there are groceries or stores where you can buy baby food at your destination, that way you’ll minimize the things you’ll need to bring.
• As with the solids, remember to bring enough formula you’ll need for the journey. Baby food and baby formula are exempt from the 3-1-1 rule, so don’t hesitate to carry-on as much as your baby needs.
• My battle-cry for travel is: use disposables! It’s very convenient, hygienic (since you may not always find time to clean or sterilize baby’s things), and a great space-saver. Disposable bottles with drop-in liners are perfect for jet-setting infants!
• Again, if your baby is eating solids, it’s always a good idea to bring bibs along. There are a lot of disposable bibs in the market that, along with paper towels, will save you from the mess and hassle of having to launder them.
• Don’t forget to bring along enough diapers for the journey, as well as plastic bags for you to throw used diapers in. And be sure to bring along a changing pad for those icky public bathrooms and changing tables.
• Anti-bacterial baby wipes are great for cleaning up sticky messes. You should also consider bringing disposable cleaning wipes to clean surfaces of places with questionable sanitation.

To be continued…

• If you’re traveling with an infant or a toddler, a car seat is always a must. If you’re traveling on a plane, make sure the car seat you have is FAA-approved.
• A baby sling or a baby carrier is a great idea for lugging your baby around. It keeps your hands free, but still keeps baby close to you for security, especially useful for crowded places. Plus, it’s easily stowed in your bag when not in use.
• If you feel like you’re going to do a lot of walking, and may not be able to handle carrying an active toddler around, consider bringing a foldable, lightweight stroller.
• Make out an emergency medical information sheet for your family. List down your doctor’s contact numbers, and any pertinent medical details like medications and their dosages, allergies, blood type. Be sure to include the usual prescribed medicines if your child gets a fever or colds, in case you can’t contact your doctor immediately.
• As a general rule, try to make sure the ratio of your kids’ clothes are 2:1; 2 outfits per day. I think that’s a reasonable precaution, considering how apt kids are to get dirty and messy. To minimize the load, check if there’s a laundromat, or a cheaper alternative to hotel laundry at the place you’re staying. If there is, you can cut your packing in half.

To be continued next post.

In one of my last posts, I wrote about the new trend in luxury travel today: airport first class lounges. I said that I would write more about the different first class lounges and the amenities they offer. As promised, here’s the first of the series.

For my first post about first class lounges, I’m going to start with the one that was voted the best first class lounge for 2007 by Skytrax: the Thai Airways Royal First Lounge at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand. This ultimate status symbol of prestige and exclusivity caters primarily to first class passengers of Thai Airways flights or members of the international Star Alliance. It’s located at the Concourse D in Level 3 of the airport, with 1,400 square meters allocated to accommodate 174 first class passengers at one time.

For travelers on business, the lounge has a business center with services like phones, fax, wi-fi internet, printers, etc. Passengers will find themselves entertained with TVs, newspapers and magazines. Other special facilities include an exclusive music room, cigar and smoking rooms, a mini-library and private corners for those who want some privacy. And for the ultimate in relaxation, there are slumber rooms for those who want to catch a few winks before their flight. Restrooms are en suite, including four luxury shower rooms for travelers in need of freshening up.

Hungry? There’s an A la Carte dining room that serves a full range of meals and drinks. Even premium alcoholic drinks are free, such as cognac and whiskey. Probably the best pleaser, however, is the Royal Orchid Spa at the opposite end of the First Class Lounge. Again, the spa primarily caters to first class passengers, but Royal Silk passengers may avail of the facilities, subject to space availability, and with extra charges to be made. Here, passengers can have full use of the Gym room, and experience services like foot massages and traditional Thai massages (neck and shoulders only). A must to experience is the 3 Spa Suites, with Jacuzzi and tropical rain falls that enclose passengers in a tranquil atmosphere. Ahh, sheer bliss!

Thanksgiving is one of America’s favorite holidays, and the official start of the holiday season. Thanksgiving is also a long weekend, something which overworked folks in need of rest always look forward to. This Thanksgiving, instead of stressing out about the turkey and the guests, why not revisit the place where it all began?

The place where it all began is in the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts. This is where the Pilgrims established a colony after arriving in the Mayflower. This is also where “The First Thanksgiving” started, after the first harvest in 1621.

Visiting Plymouth is a great way to experience history first hand. You can visit Plimoth Plantation, the living history museum that re-creates and keeps the records of the lives of the Pilgrims. There’s also a 1627 Pilgrim Village and a Native American Homesite. Or, visit the Mayflower II, a replica of the ship that carried the Pilgrims to the New World. Lovers of history can also visit the Pilgrim Hall Museum, the oldest public museum in the United States.

There are also a lot of activities in Plymouth that can help you relive history. You might want to participate in a harvest home dinner, where you’ll experience a recreation of the 1627 feast. Actually, just being in Plymouth during Thanksgiving week is like stepping back thru history, as the townspeople faithfully recreate the lives and events of history.

Of course, Thanksgiving in Plymouth wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the famous Plymouth Rock. This is also one of the best times to view it too, since the Rock is scheduled for renovation next spring, and will be covered from March till May.

Happy Thanksgiving!

• Double-check your reservation- to err is human, and sometimes reservation agents can make mistakes with your reservation. To avoid unnecessary inconvenience, make sure you call your hotel or resort 24 hours before you leave to double-check your reservation. Also, if you’re unfamiliar with the hotel, and you know someone in the area, have them check it out for you beforehand. Issues about cleanliness and security, which you might normally let pass if you were traveling alone, can suddenly become a big deal if you have kids along. If you have any special requests, such as non-smoking rooms or an extra bed or crib, it’s always better to let the hotel know beforehand, so they can be sure to reserve it for you.

• Make a list of things you need to pack, and bring it with you – I’m a great believer in lists. Not only does it help get things organized, and less likely for you to forget an important item, it also helps you decide whether something is really important, or if you can afford to leave it behind. Make sure you bring your list when you travel too; this is one trick to make sure nothing gets left behind when you’re ready to go home.

• Bring along an adequate supply of food, drinks and toys – the key word here is moderation. Make sure you won’t run out of food and drinks, especially if you’re traveling to an exotic locale and you don’t know where to buy supplies, or if they’ll have your brand. But if you’re traveling to a place you’re fairly sure has supermarkets and malls, you might want to consider just carrying enough for the trip. You’ll have a lighter load and more room for other things. Go easy on the toys as well. You don’t need to bring a whole arsenal of toys, especially since you want your kids to interact with you, not with their toys. Just bring enough to keep them occupied during the ride.

• Most importantly, see the world thru your kids’ eyes – what may seem boring and banal to you will be unusual and exciting to your kids. Planning a trip that kids will enjoy may seem like a bad idea for the adults, but believe me, you’ll start enjoying your vacation once your kids start enjoying themselves too.

• Pick a family-friendly destination or experience – choose a destination that will appeal to all ages: kids, teens and adults. Although you might find it intellectually stimulating to visit museums, your kids might be (very) vocally opposed to it. Also skip places that might be potentially dangerous, such as overcrowded tourist spots, places with extreme weather conditions and places with inaccessible medical care. Most times, comfort is preferable to excitement, when you have kids. Recommended places are beaches, family camps, zoos, family cruises, nature spots and theme parks.

• Choose family-friendly resorts, hotels and cruises – some hotels & cruises (especially luxury ones) cater primarily to couples or businesspeople, and may not be as understanding at having a bunch of rowdy, noisy kids with them. Make sure the hotel, resort or cruise you pick welcome kids, and have special programs or services for them. Oftentimes, these places will offer free babysitting services, fun activities tailored for kids, and have buffet-style or kids meals. Kids usually get to stay free with their parents as well.

• Plan your trip, but leave room for unforeseen circumstances – the vacations I remember fondly are usually the ones that have funny, unplanned, even embarrassing moments. Do try to make some sort of schedule for places or sights you want to visit, but leave plenty or room for impulse detours. Also try asking your kids’ opinions on what they want to visit or see next. If you can manage it, try to follow the schedule your kids normally have, especially if you have toddlers. This way, you’ll avoid meltdowns and tantrums when the kids get overtired, or if it’s way past their naptime. For safety’s sake, always have a map of the area and directions to the place you’re going to. It’s never fun to get lost in an unfamiliar area, especially when you have kids.

To be continued…

When you’re searching for hotels, aside from the room types, you might also come upon different meal plans. Although most hotels will indicate if breakfast is included in the price, some hotels (especially resorts), may also say the room rate includes a European plan or is all-inclusive. It can get pretty confusing, so here’s a quick translation of the more common meal plans:

• European plan – room rate does not include meals
• American plan – room rate includes 3 meals a day
• modified American plan – room rate includes 2 meals a day
• table d’hote – a fixed price menu w/ limited choices
• continental breakfast –coffee or tea, rolls/bread w/ butter, jam, no juice
• English/Dutch/ German breakfast – full breakfast w/ juice, eggs, meat, cheese, yoghurt, beverages, all according to the customs of the country
• all-inclusive – means accommodations, meals, snacks, beverages & recreational activities are included in the resort price.

Again, don’t assume that just because the service is a standard in most hotels, that you’ll get the same thing as well. Be sure to double-check the amenities and services included in the room, especially if you’re staying in a place overseas that might have different customs. I know about one family that ended up staying in a room with no air-conditioning, just because the hotel offered rooms both with and without air-conditioning. Since the place was fully-booked, they couldn’t transfer rooms, and ended up having to sleep 2 days in the heat. Not an auspicious beginning to their vacation!

The world is getting smaller, and more and more people are choosing to travel by flying. In this coming holiday season alone, the Air Transport Association is projecting that roughly 27 million passengers will be flown by domestic carriers worldwide over 12 days, beginning Nov. 16. Planes are expected to be about 90 percent full. With that many passengers waiting for their flight, airport lounges are bound to be one of the busiest and most crowded places around. Airport lounges used to be simple waiting areas, where passengers can get drinks, snacks or newspapers while waiting for their plane to arrive. But as airlines continue to strive to provide a better experience for their customers, airport lounges are beginning to evolve into travel experiences themselves. Some first class lounges have even started to offer the ultimate in luxurious living.

The survey organization, Skytrax, has even come out with their results of the Best First and Business Class Lounges around the world for 2007. Not surprisingly, the winners of this survey are the airlines that present the most extensive choice of options for passengers, ranging from the standards, such as internet facilities and dining options, to the sublime: sleeping rooms and spa services. The best performer for the first class lounge category, Thai Airways’ Royal First class lounge at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, offers an exclusive Spa facility with the full range of services.

For those who want to get a better idea of the amenities these airport lounges offer, I’m planning to post a series about the different first class lounges around the world. Who knows, the next time you travel, these first class lounges might have a factor in the airline you choose to travel with. After all, we’re talking a minimum of 2 hours you’ll be spending waiting for your flight. What better way to while away the time than to spend it being pampered and catered to?

There’s an urban legend floating around in the airline industry, that babies born on board a flight get a lifetime free ride with the airline. It certainly tickles the imagination, the idea of being able to go places anytime you want, all for free! Unfortunately, it’s a legend that has no basis in fact; airline agents I’ve spoken to deny that the airline has any such policy. In fact, airlines strongly discourage pregnant women to fly during their third trimester.

In general, airlines require a pregnant woman traveling during her ninth month to present a doctor’s “permission-to-travel” letter signed within 72 hours of travel. This is enforced based on an “honor policy”, however. It’s the passenger’s decision to inform airline agents that she’s expecting and how far along she is. So if the passenger misleads the airlines about her due date, or any risks her pregnancy might be having, she’ll have nobody to blame but herself. However, the airlines have the prerogative to restrict the passenger from boarding anytime they have doubts, or if signs of labor exists.

In some cases, though, some passengers do get away with it (especially if she’s carrying small). Most of the babies born on planes are also said to be “premature” babies; babies don’t necessarily follow the timetable, after all. So it’s always wise to just postpone any travel plans you might have, unless it’s an absolute emergency. Aside from the medical risks, imagine the discomfort you’ll feel being squeezed into a seat for hours, with the bathroom not so easily accessible. And if the plane encounters turbulence, all that shaking definitely won’t be good for the baby!

Just last May, a baby was born on a Delta Air Lines flight from Germany. The mom, who was nine months pregnant, went into labor enroute to Atlanta, forcing the plane to make an emergency stop in Charlotte, N.C. Luckily for the parents, there were two doctors onboard who delivered the baby. They even had to perform CPR since the baby wasn’t breathing or moving when he was born. By all accounts, the baby seems to be doing ok now, but it still doesn’t take away from the fact that the whole experience could have resulted in a preventable tragedy.

• First, I liked the fact that the ring sling can be used from birth through toddlerhood. Most carriers in the market are not suitable for newborns, while some are not big enough or can’t handle a toddler’s weight. A ring sling can support a newborn’s head and neck, and can be adjusted to fit your baby’s size.
• Ring slings are very good for breastfeeding moms. The sling can be easily adjusted to position the baby for easy access to the breast, and the tail can be used to cover the baby and the breast. For bottle-feeding moms, the ring sling is also ideal for feeding, since it can fully support the baby’s bottom, and you can use your hand to hold the bottle instead.
• Because of it’s ample fabric and it’s easy adjustability, ring slings can fit all sizes and types. I’m 5’2”, and my husband is 6 feet, yet we can exchange the ring sling back and forth between us. And it’s so easy to get in and out of, just pull the sling over your head and arm, unlike other carriers where you have to unbuckle a lot of straps. Very convenient especially when my baby feels like playing musical chairs with mommy and daddy. It’s also very easy to get my active toddler in and out of the sling as well.
• I love the fact that I can carry my baby in several, different positions. There’s the cradle position for newborns, where baby can fully recline on the sling. You can carry your baby tummy to tummy, on your hip, or even on your back. My curious baby loves the front-facing position, where she Indian-sits on the sling in front of me.
The best thing about my ring sling? It allows me the freedom of movement and the use of my hands. And since the baby’s weight is distributed evenly around the back and torso, my arms aren’t killing me anymore!

Although there are several different kinds of slings and baby carriers in the market, I decided to choose a ring sling. Ring slings are baby carriers that are composed of a length of cloth and two rings made of metal or tough plastic. One end of the cloth is sewn to two rings. Starting from the shoulder, you wrap the cloth around the wearer’s body like a sash, with the end threaded through the rings like a buckle to form a loop. The baby sits or lies in the resulting pouch. The ring sling can be adjusted by simply pulling the fabric through the rings to tighten or loosen the sling. The baby’s weight puts tension on the fabric and the rings, and the resulting friction serves to “lock” the sling in place. The best part of this is that you won’t need another pair of hands to adjust the sling; you can support the baby with one hand while adusting the sling with the other hand. Some ring slings have padding in the shoulder and in the edges or ‘rails’, and can have closed or open tails.

If you’re thinking of buying a ring sling, be sure to check that the materials used must be of sufficient strength to hold your baby’s weight. Check for multiple layers of stitching on the fabric that connects the rings, to be certain of your baby’s safety. I also suggest that you try it on before purchasing, so you can get the feel of it and ascertain if it’ll fit your lifestyle.

It’s best for baby

Baby slings encourage kangaroo care for newborns and premature infants. Babies who are carried more tend to cry less, sleep more, grow faster and get less sick than babies who are carried less. Baby slings are also great for colicky babies. My younger daughter had food allergies, and she was always soothed when she was wrapped up with me. Baby slings are also ideal for keeping babies warm during cold weather, and doubles as a good shade from the sun. For older babies, baby slings will give them an opportunity to interact with other people, as they are on the same level as adults. It provides toddler with the ideal conditions for development, since being carried provides them with stimulation, movement, and the physical contact they need for learning.

Studies also show that the use of baby slings is better for the baby’s hips and may actually reduce hip dysplasia. This is compared to some carriers that support baby’s weight many by the crotch. The suggested ideal wearing positions for babies in slings and pouches, which puts the baby’s knees higher than the baby’s bottom and spreads them wide (the frog position) is the best position for a baby’s development.

Next posts, I’ll tell you about our ring sling, and the reasons I choose it over other baby carriers.