According to the song, going to Grandma's house used to be as easy as riding "over the river and through the woods." Nowadays, the trek could easily include long plane flights, passport checkpoints and customs agents. International travel has become commonplace in today's society, and there's no reason why a traveling lifestyle should be abandoned once young children are brought into the picture. Traveling internationally with a newborn can seem daunting, but it's easily accomplished with proper planning and packing.

Obtaining A Passport and Visa
Everyone traveling abroad needs a passport, even babies. The State Department issued 6.7 million passports during 1999. Apply for your infant's passport as soon as you begin to make plans for your trip. You can apply for a passport at many Federal and state courts, post offices, some libraries and a number of county and municipal offices right in your hometown. Apply early and include your date of travel on your application. Routine processing takes about six weeks. If you need the passport earlier, you may pay an expedite fee of $35 to ensure that it is completed within two weeks.

Here's what you need to apply:

• Completed Application Form DSP-11 (Visit http://travel.state.gov/get_forms.html to download passport forms -- do NOT sign it in advance!)
• Application fee of $40 (for children ages 16 and younger) plus $35 to expedite.
• Two professional passport photos, size 2"x2". Some passport photo centers are not equipped to take photos of a newborn. Be sure to ask your photo center in advance so they can make special arrangements.
• Two forms of identity/citizenship. For babies: a certified copy of birth certificate (must be long-form in California and Texas), Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship, AND a person who can vouch for you, such as a parent with two forms of valid ID.

Your child need not appear in person. You, as parent or legal guardian, can apply for your child. When you receive the passport it must be signed immediately. In the space provided for the signature, a parent must print the child's name and then sign their own name. Then, in parentheses by the parent's name, write the word "mother" or "father." Your newborn's passport will be valid for five years but may be renewed as needed.

Many countries do not require tourist visas if entering from the United States. Some only require a tourist card that may be obtained on the plane prior to landing. Check with your travel agent or airline when making reservations or visit the State Department's Web site to see if the country you're visiting requires one and how to apply.

Flight Reservations
The most important tip when traveling with infants is to maintain a flexible schedule and allow for plenty of "down time." Babies can become over-stimulated and fussy during travel. Try to schedule your flights during off-peak hours or during the week when it is less crowded. Aim for flights during routine nap times or overnight on the "red eye" flight, where the child may fall asleep naturally.

Cathleen Farrell, who resides in Columbia, traveled with her daughter, Maria Carolina, to more than 14 countries before the baby turned 8 months old. She recommends that parents book non-stop flights when possible and consider bulkhead seating at the front of each section. These seats have no other chairs in front of them, providing more legroom for easier diaper changing and more room to play. Many planes also have a car-bed or a bassinet that can be attached to the wall after takeoff and removed prior to landing. Request bulkhead seating and the bassinet when you book your flight, if desired.

You may want to buy your baby his own ticket (usually at a reduced rate of 50 percent to 75 percent of an adult fare). This will give you extra room for maneuvering and storage and the peace of mind that he will have his own seat even if the flight is crowded. You may either board early to get settled or wait until all passengers have boarded to get a better chance at empty seats together.

If your child has his own seat, you must use an FAA approved child restraint device (such as a car seat) for your infant to keep him safe. Some restraint devices have been banned by the FAA for use in planes: Booster seats, safety belt extensions (or "belly belts") and vests or harness devices that attach to an adult or to the seatbelt of the child's own seat are no longer allowed on flights. These may have been manufactured before the FAA's ban and may still carry a symbol indicating they are approved for aircraft use. For a list of FAA safety recommendations for air travel with children, call the agency's consumer information hotline at 1-800-FAA-SURE.

Packing List
When it comes to packing, Farrell recommends that parents "avoid tons of gear! You are going to be walking for miles and what seems like hours in airport terminals. Only take what is absolutely necessary and what you can handle." A good rule of thumb is to streamline all items into one backpack.

Veteran traveler Ashly Marquez of Venezuela also believes that "hands free is the only way to travel; don't bring gear unless it's packed." She has traveled internationally with her infant daughter, Taylor, about 10 times last year and believes a small stroller is definitely needed at the airport and can be gate-checked easily. A baby backpack may also be useful for smaller infants. Other packing tips include:

• Estimate one premium diaper for every hour of flight. They absorb better so you won't need to change as often.
• Bring plenty of wipes and one or two cloth diapers/ receiving blankets to help clean up messes!
• Plenty of plastic baggies to store dirty clothes, diapers, clean outfits, etc.
• Pack Cheerios, Zwieback or other snacks for teething babies. Fruit and water or juice in bottles or sippy cups are also helpful.
• Pack an extra set of clothing for the baby as well as an extra shirt for Mom in case of spills!
• Keep pacifiers, ready-mix formula and bottles easily accessible if needed.
• Entertainment essentials include teething toys, favorite blanket/toy as a comfort item and homemade photo albums for baby to look at.
• Farrell also recommends parents "bring blankets or covers from baby's crib. The feel and smell are familiar and that will calm baby, but remember -- that stuff is bulky!"
• Be prepared for differences in formula and baby food in other countries. Bring along extra formula to gradually introduce to your baby so as not to upset her tummy. Pampers and Huggies are fairly universal and can be bought at your final destination, but you may want to bring your own wipes.

• Immunizing Children for International Travel
• Packing 101: Suitcase Savvy for Parents on the Go!
• Flying with Babies and Toddlers
• Have Breasts, Will Travel
• Traveling with Toddler: A Quiz for Parents Who Dare -- test your knowledge!