Becoming a parent is one of the greatest events that will happen to you, but what you don’t always get told is that it is a logistical nightmare! Gone are the days when you could just pop to the shop or out for lunch with some friends. Planning a trip out with a newborn baby requires planning and lots of accessories and of course nappies!
With so much to carry you want to check out the types of baby changing bags available, from large bags to totes, from funky patterns to leather these bags are worth investing in as they are so practical that they make trips out with the baby so easy.
Changing bags are designed to be functional so they have ample room for nappies, wipes, creams and padded changing mats, meaning that wherever you are you will be able to change your baby in comfort and with the greatest ease possible. Further features of these bags are extra pockets for bottles and food. If you can I also recommend trying to find bags which have insulated bottle pockets and for adding ease a mobile phone pocket, believe me when your hands are full and your phone is ringing this feature is a blessing!
Of course a pushchair will be one of the key items you buy prior to the birth of your baby but when shopping for a pushchair there are a few things to consider. If you use public transport a lot, such as the bus or tube, you should consider buying a smaller pushchair and ideally one which folds up.
The new designer pushchairs look great, but there bulky size and inability to fold up mean that they can be extremely impractical when trying to travel on public transport. You should also make sure that your pushchair will fit in your car, it seems obvious but if you have a small Ford Ka then it will be harder to fit in a pushchair than if you are driving a larger estate car.
The range of products available for new parents is greater than ever so I would advise that before you go shopping you make a list of the essential items that you need and remember to consider the more practical aspects too, your car is only so big! It may seem daunting at first but there is nothing more enjoyable than taking your baby out in the summer through the park, and of course a few little items such as changing bags can just help make the whole thing that little bit easier.
Dubbed as the ‘Windy City’, Chicago is the third largest city in the United States. The erstwhile home of American gangsters, the city has since let go of that reputation and has turned itself into one of the United States’ top tourist drawers.
If you and your family are planning to visit Chicago, here are five tourist attractions that you shouldn’t miss.
- The Hancock Observatory – located at the John Hancock Center at the heart of the city, the Observatory offers visitors a glimpse of areas as far as 80 miles, spanning four states. This isn’t for the faint-hearted though. At 1,000 feet above the ground, visiting this area can be a real challenge to those who fear heights.
- Sears Tower – used to hold the record of being the tallest building in the world. A lot of buildings have since surpassed the Sears, yet it remains as one of the most popular tourist attractions in Chicago. Like the John Hancock Center, it also has a viewing deck that allows visitors to see the city’s skyline.
- Orchestra Hall – if you and your family are fans of classical music, the Orchestra Hall is a definite must-see attraction in Chicago. This place is home to the world-renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra. You can contact the place to schedule tours or you can also reserve tickets for concerts.
- Wrigley Field – is home to the Chicago Cubs, which is one of the most famous baseball teams in the world. Your family can catch them here during their home games and be a part of the spirit of the stadium.
- Chicago History Museum – your visit to Chicago would be incomplete without taking a peek at its history. It has a vast collection that ranges from the political, like Abraham Lincoln’s death bed, as well as the politically irreverent items such the letter P from Playboy’s old building.
San Francisco is one of the most populated and the most famous cities in the United States. If you plan to take your family here, make sure you have enough time to check out their famous attractions because there are a lot of them to be found in this city. Not sure where to begin? Below are five that will help you get started.
- Golden Gate Bridge – if New York has its Statue of Liberty, San Francisco has its Golden Gate. It is one if the city’s famous landmarks and is well-known throughout the world. It is a suspension bridge that connects the city to Marin County on the other side.
- Haight-Ashbury – used to be an enclave of hippies in the late 1960s. Today, it remains the center of alternative lifestyles. If you want to check out the place where the Summer of Love began, this is definitely a place to check out.
- Bay Area – simply known as The Bay, this area is the center of immigrant communities in the city. But aside from that, it is also home to a number of museums, observatories and zoos. Some of the Bay Area’s famous attractions include the Fisherman’s Wharf, Six Flags Marine World and the San Francisco Cable Cars where you can catch a demo of how they work.
- Chinatown – ranks among the largest Chinatowns in North America and is the oldest in the United States. If you want to get a feel of the area, make sure to eat in its numerous restaurants and check out its markets.
- Alcatraz – a mention of its name immediately conjures images of a maximum security prison where no one escapes alive. Also known as The Rock, this island used to be a federal prison although it has since been turned into a National Historic Landmark.