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Toting your tot on a trip, whether it's to the nearby park for a picnic or around the globe, can be a safe, stress-free and satisfying experience for both baby and you with a little advance planning and by following the basic travel tips listed below:

IMMUNIZE. Caring for an ill baby while on vacation is the last thing you want to do, so be sure your baby is up to date on routine immunizations. Your child may need additional vaccinations depending on your destination, so check with your doctor.

PLAY IT COOL IN THE SUMMER SUN. A day of fun in the sun at the beach or in the backyard can be spoiled by a painful case of sunburn. A baby's skin is very delicate and will burn more easily than adult skin, even on a cloudy day, informs the American Academy of Pediatrics. Even babies with darker skin need protection.

Experts say babies under 6 months old should be kept out of direct sunlight and in a shady spot, like under a tree or umbrella, or in a canopy stroller. Dress your baby in lightweight clothing made of tightly woven fabric, hats with brims and child-sized sunglasses with UV protection to reduce sun exposure to skin, face and eyes.

PACK YOUR CHILD'S FAVORITE ITEM. Familiar items such as a stuffed animal or security blanket can relieve a baby's anxiety about traveling to or staying in a strange new place.

A favorite toy can also stave off the boredom and irritability that lead to crying spells in young babies and temper tantrums in toddlers, especially on extended flights and long road trips, reports BabyCenter.com, an online advice source.

PLAN FOR THE UNEXPECTED. The short time spent preparing for possible flight delays can prove to be worth the effort. Carry a change of clothing on board for your baby and for yourself in case of food spills and other baby-related accidents, advises the Los Angeles Times. Another air travel tip it gives is to dress your baby in layers since planes quickly can go from cold to hot.

OPT FOR KID-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATIONS. A fancy hotel might not be the best choice if you are traveling with a child, informs Gary A. Warner of the Orange County Register. "A nice big motel room on the first floor next to an exterior hallway is my toddler-travel promised land," Warner says.

BABY-PROOF YOUR HOTEL ROOM. Experts suggest that you bring along socket covers and other items you use at home to make a room safe for your child. If you are on an upper floor, lock the windows. In addition, protect yourself from an expensive damage bill by putting breakables out of your tot's reach.