Sharon's Question:

My husband and I will be on a self-supported bicycle tour abroad with our six-month old. Do we need to get her a passport?

Also, what would be a good lightweight bed substitute for her? We may take camping equipment, but if better sleeping options are available in B&B;'s and hostels, then we'd opt for that.

I've seen folding bassinet type things, but I'm not sure if they'd bee too flimsy for a 6-month-old. I've also thought about a Therma-Rest camping pad, but that would mean placing her on the floor-which I suppose would work if we're in a tent, but if we're in a bed, she'd have to be on the floor. I suppose she could also stay in bed with us, but that makes me nervous.

Any suggestions would be great!

Sharon Wilbraham
Bath, Maine

Alice's Answer:

	Alice Cary Alice introduced her oldest child, Will, to the outdoors at a very early age by climbing New Hampshire's Mt. Washington—in winter—while pregnant. And she and her family haven't stopped experiencing the joys of outdoor adventure, even with newborn twins. Meet Alice Answer Archive Family Forums

Sharon, you and your husband are definitely ambitious! Hats off.

First of all, yes, your child will need a passport.

Sleeping Babies on the Go
The sleeping issue is more complicated.

When our son was an infant, we borrowed a wonderful portable bassinet that was excellent for travel. However, as you indicated, he was much too big and active for such a thing by the time he was six months old.

Babies develop at vastly different rates, but six-month-olds typically roll over. Some can crawl and even pull up to a standing position.

In my opinion, the best, safest place for your baby to sleep is in a crib or a port-a-crib, such as those made by Graco and other companies.

However, these are no doubt too big and heavy for either you or your husband to haul on a bike trailer along with your child and all the other gear and luggage you'll need.

Perhaps you can arrange to have some of your luggage, including a port-a-crib, transported to your subsequent destination, or you can arrange to stay in B&Bs; or hostels that have cribs available for guests. If the latter works out, then all you'd need to take are crib sheets. Tents & Beds?
If you decide to camp, you could use a sturdy Therma-Rest pad for your daughter, provided she had the proper clothing for the evening temperatures-not too hot or cold. You'd also want to put a large blanket or unfolded sleeping bag on top of the pad to act as additional padding and insulation. We camped with all three of our children as babies-they slept between us on a large unfolded, sleeping bag and pad.

In many cultures the"family bed" is standard practice, with infants sleeping between parents.

However, I have heard warnings about both sleeping in a tent or a bed with an infant, especially the latter. For instance, in some cases parents have reportedly rolled over and suffocated sleeping infants. Also, blankets and sheets also pose suffocation dangers for infants.

As a result, I don't recommend that you sleep with your baby in a bed. And by no means put her on a camping pad on the floor if you are in a bed! By that age she could roll anywhere in the room and injure herself in the process.

Sharon, you sound like an organized, thoughtful woman who will make such a grand adventure work. Please let us know about your trip and what sleeping arrangements you end up using.

Bon voyage!

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