Traveling Tips

Traveling with little ones can be a little overwhelming. Whether it is interstate, overseas or local, there can be many logistics parents struggle with. My overall consideration is to lower your expectations and know that there will be limits to your routine and sleep when traveling with children.  Keep calm and positive.

Here are some generalized P2B tips that you may want to consider when planning your travel

If possible, use a travel pram – one that you can board with. Or if your little one is under 2 a front (or back back). Both these options allow you to have them secured when going through a busy airport and/or boarding.

A smooth boarding is always a positive, so if you are traveling with a partner always get them to board first. This way they can get the bags etc on board first and have everything ready for when you board with you little one(s).

Always request a bassinet.  The basinets are limited in numbers available so be sure you request one when booking your ticket.  I am a big fan of the CoziGo Sleep Easy cover however recently some airlines will not allow you to use them. They are great however when you are out an about on holidays and a pram sleep is required.

A sleep when traveling should be celebrated.  Forget the ‘time’. If your little one wants/needs a nap – let them have that nap. You can’t create a ‘bad’ habit in a day! Travel, an airport and a plane can be very overstimulating for children and the last thing you want/need on a flight is an overtired little one.

Unlike us, your little ones can have issues adjusting to the pressure of landing and taking off.  Encourage them to be swallowing will help equalize their ears.   Breastfeed or give your baby a bottle/dummy. With older children, constant sipping on water, sucking on a lollypop (age dependent) or eating will assist. Easier said than done I know – but if they start screaming don’t worry too much – screaming is sometimes how babies equalize, and it will settle once the plane has landed or reached altitude

Always pack more nappies than you think you will need. And at least one change of clothes for YOU and your little one. You never know when a #3 or a vomit is going to come.

I would carry some disinfectant wipes and lean the surface of the trays and change tables while you travel.  Make sure you drink only bottled water.

And don’t forget your SAS: Snacks. Activities and Sleep aids. (I cannot take credit for this acronym – one of my mums told me this a few years back!).

All toddlers love to snack on food that is familiar to them.  Remember declaring food at the other end can be a long process – so probably plan what isn’t eaten might be thrown. Plane food is very adult focused – so pack snacks they know.

Activities – don’t give them all at once. Spread them out.  Change them up.  Have some activities they know and love and throw some new ones in there too. Work on one new activity every hour and remember, although I am never a fan of screen time, it is there, and you need to pick your fights.  Snuggling in with headphones and a movie can be what overtired little ones (and parents) need on a long-haul flight!  And don’t forget some books!

If your little one uses a sleep aid – do not forget it!  If they are not into sleep aids, a few weeks out introduce one as a ‘holiday friend’.  When they become overstimulated or overtired their comforter or friend can offer much needed comfort.

Try to avoid bringing things you don’t need on your trip. Check with the hotel what they provide, make that phone call or email as often they may not be advertised. You may even be able to hire a pram, car seat or cot – many companies offer this as a service now.

Whether you are traveling overseas or local with a time difference I encourage you to FORGET the time at home and get on local time as soon as you land.

Remember your little one is already out of routine from the travel (and probably tired) so getting them on local time, no matter where you are, will help them adjust quickly.

If you keep thinking ‘but at home its only #$% O’clock’ it only gets confusing and adds much unnecessary stress.

If you land in the evening – do the bath and bedtime routine. Resettle overnight (if no feeds are typical). Then wake at 6am in the next morning and start your day. Get outside as much as possible in the light to help the body clock to adjust.

If you land during the day, get outside as much as you can. Do not overcompensate for ‘being tied’ or at home its ‘6pm’.  Little ones cope so much better with times changes than adults.  They can’t tell the time.

Remember traveling with little ones can be, at time, a little frustrating and harder, but the memories and experiences you will have as a family are unforgettable

 

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