Mobile node registration with the home network of the mobile node is delayed when the mobile node moves to a foreign network. The mobile node has a home network in which the mobile node has a home address. In response to the mobile node moving to a foreign network (such as by being turned on in the foreign network), the mobile node receives a care-of address. Where the mobile node has no ongoing communication sessions, the mobile node waits to register its care-of address with its home agent in the home network until the mobile node initiates a communication session within the foreign network, which may not ever occur. The mobile node by registering the care-of address with the home agent informs the home agent where to forward data sent to the mobile node's home address.