Travel

Uber-chic baby gear and the umpteen parenting websites and apps have done little to lessen the schlep factor that’s par for the course when traveling with a bambino. As we head into spring break and then summer travel season, you still need to be smart about what you pack.

One item you’ll want to have at the top of your diaper bag is the Pipila. It’s a portable pacifier sterilizer. This gadget uses a UV/ozone lamp that penetrates and kills 99.9% of germs. Developed in Australia, the Pipila is powered by two AAA batteries and doesn’t distort the shape, taste or smell of the pacifier nipple. It takes six minutes to sanitize a paci so it’s best to have a spare for interim sucking. And if you subscribe to the “three-second rule,” consider what a pacifier can collect in the three seconds it’s on a train platform, city sidewalk or supermarket floor.

Would you eat your ____ (fill in the blank with your fave food) if it came into contact with any of the abovementioned surfaces?

Now available at target.com and pipilausa.com.

No matter how much we learn about an infant’s brain, no matter how expensive our strollers become, no matter how hi-tech the baby gear gets, science and technology seem to have no impact on one key aspect of parenting - the schlep factor. Traveling with baby is still one big exercise in inconvenience.

Short of hiring a staff to do your heavy lifting, your next best option is to rent baby gear at your destination (a good way to avoid all the airline baggage charges). The newly-formed Baby Travel Pros Association represents baby equipment rental companies across the country. Members must agree to adhere to various safety and cleanliness standards. The organization’s co-founder and president, Sarah Peters, outlines what you need to know and ask when renting gear on the go:

The real deal: Ask if the product you see pictured on the company’s website is what you’ll actually be getting. No bait and switch. Who wants a pack n’ play when you ordered a full-sized crib!

The recall loop: Ask point blank if the company regularly checks lists of recalled products. Also, inquire if they’re on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) e-mail list for updates and recalls. Find out whether they register all their products.

Age: Inquire how old the equipment is and how often it’s replaced. Car seats should be no more than seven years old. No car seat should be expired.

Shape: Gear should be in “like-new” condition. It goes without saying that nothing should be broken or missing parts. Feel free to ask for the owner’s manual.

Specifics: Let the company know your child’s age, height and weight, and make sure that the equipment (in particular, car seats and strollers) is suitable.

Cleanliness: You may want to ask what kind of cleaning products they use on the rental items. Eco-friendly? Hypoallergenic?

A last word on car seats: All car seats manufactured after September 2002 should have the LATCH system and a five-point harness.

For more information, visit babytravelpros.com.

Traveling or moving to a new town, it’s probably easier to find a local sushi joint or the place with the best Tex Mex than it is to locate a playground with age-appropriate equipment where 100% of the swings are in working order.

We’ve already got plenty of useful restaurant guidebooks and websites to lead the way, but that’s not the case when it comes to similar resources for playgrounds. Now you can help change all of that. A new website in its infancy is seeking to be the Zagat guide of parks and recreation. Kids Play Parks lists more than 4,300 parks and playgrounds across the country. Parents are invited to post comments on everything from the cleanliness of the venue to the safety of the area. The more detailed the comments, the better. One remark about a particular New York City playground warns fellow park-goers to avoid the bathrooms in the afternoon. Good to know. Kids Play Parks co-founder Melissa Goldin started the site after moving with her family three times. Not only did she have to find new pediatricians and pre-schools but also new stomping grounds for her young kids. She now lives in Franklin Lakes, NJ, home to - you guessed it - the stars of The Real Housewives of New Jersey.

Bet they could add some interesting comments.

Before the family hits the beach this holiday weekend, make sure you’ve got all the right sun protection in place. Remember, everyone is at risk: Children especially should guard their sensitive skin, and learn the basics for a lifetime of sun safety. Below are a few expert tips.

Sunscreen basics: Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks UVA and UVB, with an SPF of at least 15. Apply as much sunscreen as you can — imagine the size a golf ball. Use it on any area that’s exposed to the sun, including chest, ears, hands and around eyes and mouth. Reapply every 90 minutes you’re outside, or after getting wet.

Stay in shade: Adhere to the “shadow rule” — if your shadow is shorter than you, that means the sun is directly overhead. Time to head indoors.

Dress for sun: Even SPF and a T-shirt don’t protect you from the rays. Wear sun-protective clothing, like long-sleeved shirts, pants and even swimsuits that are specially designed to minimize sun exposure. Pick up a sun guard detergent that coats clothing in a UPF protection of 30.

Top it off: Go for a broad-brimmed hat, preferably with a back flap, rather than a baseball cap, to protect the face, ears and neck. Complete the look with dark sunglasses with “Total UV” protection.

See a doctor: Visit a dermatologist for a yearly skin cancer screening. Get examined right away if you notice any moles that itch, bleed or change in size, shape or color, or any skin lesion that doesn’t heal.

Visit playsafeinthesun.org.

Everyone is setting sail on summer voyages, but young travelers are tough to please.

Set up a family scavenger hunt that will take your crew all over the urban map. You can take on an entire metropolis, following clues that lead you, for example, from Boston’s notorious North End to the hallowed courtyards of Harvard. Or engage in a more specific hunt that focuses on a single museum, aquarium, zoo or sports arena (companies like Watson Adventures develop scavenger hunts all over the country).

In a contained location you can easily put together your own hunt. Stop by the information desk to pick up maps and brochures, give them a quick once over to get some idea of the treasures to be uncovered within, then come up with a list of five to ten specific things to hunt for: In a natural history museum, for example, a stuffed lion or a T-Rex skull; in an art museum, a still-life with flowers or a painting of a lady with a dog; at the aquarium, the real-life cast of SpongeBob SquarePants. Work together or break into teams. Most importantly…

Plan ahead. Most hunts are around two hours long, Beforehand, visit the bathroom, don’t bring anything heavy, opt for a backpack or infant carrier for younger kids, wear comfortable shoes and eat a snack beforehand.

Get involved. Children from age 7 and up will be able to read and follow clues for themselves, but remember this is a family affair. Everyone’s input is needed. One person may be great with directions, another with getting the jokes. Younger children will feel like part of the action and stay interested only if Mom and Dad are active participants.

Wing it. Don’t feel like you have to know anything beforehand. History, animal facts and discussions about art are contained within the hunt. Just bring an open, curious mind and a willingness to have fun.

The sunshine says summer, but your baby sling screams winter. That black canvas carrier won’t feel so comfy come July. Humidity plus an infant strapped to your chest equals…oh forget it, you’ll just stay inside.

Update for the season with Serena & Lily’s new peacock-inspired sling. This collection features vivid, multicolored crewel embroidery reminiscent of its beautiful namesake. The sling itself is made from one seamless piece of organic cotton without buckles, belts or straps — it’s snug, sleep and easy to wear. It’s a breeze.

You’ll be walking as proud as a peacock.

Available at serenaandlily.com.

You’ve got the picnic basket, the delicious and health lunch, and plenty of games for a family afternoon in the park. The only thing missing is something to sit on, and your old Christmas tree skirt won’t do.

Lina Bean’s Throw & Go blanket from its eco-friendly Green Bean group is a cozy fleece made from recycled plastic bottles. Trimmed with a cotton/bamboo fabric leaf print, the 5-foot throw is sustainable, organic, and low impact dyed. Keep it on hand for any occasion where you need a cop a squat.

Sit back and relax.

Available at shoplinabean.com.

Memorial Day kicks off the summer travel season — and those who find a good deal will be hitting road or taking to the friendly skies. But what to pack in baby’s suitcase? Below, the expert physicians at MommyDocs share their must-haves to avoid a vacation-induced flu:

Nasal aspirator: Babies haven’t quite figured out how to clear their own tiny nostrils and will need help from Mom. A nasal bulb syringe can help remove bothersome boogies from the nose.

Medicine: Talk to your doctor about what is best to have on hand for your child. These may include items such as nasal saline drops, fever reducing medications, and drinks to rehydrate and replace electrolytes. You’ll also want to make sure that any medicine you carry has not expired, and that you’re aware of the appropriate dosages based on your child’s weight. Never give medication to an infant, especially under the age of 3 months, without first consulting your physician. And always contact the doctor for a fever (100.4 F or greater) in an infant under 3 months of age or for any medical concerns in a child of any age.

Thermometer: Make sure you have a good thermometer and know how to use it. For infants, especially under 3 months of age, temperatures should always be taken rectally with a digital thermometer, like a Vicks digital thermometer. A great option once children have graduated from rectal temps is the Braun ThermoScan ear thermometer.

Your doctor’s phone number: Always have your doctor’s number on speed dial or somewhere very easy to find, such as in your wallet or glove compartment.

Hand sanitizer: Limit your child’s germ-spreading and germ-getting by enforcing a strict hand-washing policy. If available, use water and soap, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. Another great option is an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Just be sure it is completely rubbed in and kept out of reach of children.

Tissues: Teach children to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth as much as possible since germs can spread this way. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and remember to throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Also, encourage everyone to direct coughs and sneezes into their elbows, not their hands.

Visit mommydocs.com.

Surfers have their own style, but it’s only fitting that their little groms be equally outfitted.

Get amped for Haiden Surf, a new boys’ swimwear line that does pint-sized swim trunks (sizes 3 months to 7) in the funkiest prints possible. Started by two So Cal surfer moms (of four boys, Haiden included) who were over the idea of boring beachwear, these zebra stripes, polka dots and plaids mix well with pullover short-sleeve SPF rash guards, onesies and flip-flops.

Your boogie boarding baby will look the part.

Available at haidensurf.com.

While you feel entirely lucky to be going anywhere this spring break, the preparation for a week away from home is still a hassle.

Get organized before you go: Little Jet Set is an online store full of thoughtfully designed and well-constructed travel accessories. Founded by two “mom travelers” and attorneys, the site features great gear, games and toys to take on the road, from books and cool activity backpacks to infant travel clothing and kiddie neck pillows. Broken down by category, age or brand, the assortment of product is easy to access while you finish the packing list.

Are we there yet?

Visit littlejetset.com.