 Travel
tips for small children
Travelling with a young family can be either a nice experience
or a nightmare, depending on how well you plan. We've compiled a list
of top tips from babyworld members, parenting experts and holiday and
travel companies to help you get the most out of your holiday from the
moment it starts!
Calm cars
"First, change the way you think about travelling. Before I had children,
travelling was about getting from A to B as quickly as possible. Now I
see the journey as part of the adventure and plan this as well as the
holiday itself. Breaks are essential and the number of these will depend
on your children's ages. Why not stop somewhere halfway and have a picnic
and let the children have a good run around.
"Music and story tapes are good. When you really feel like you can't
listen to another round of The Wheels on the Bus bring out a new tape
they haven't heard before. For younger children, I pack a small bag of
little cheap toys that I collect before we go away and wrap them each
up individually. Give out one toy for every half hour.
"One thing that used to drive me crazy was bending backwards in the car
picking stuff up that the children had dropped. A simple answer is to
invest in one of those pocketed covers that hang over the back of the
seats so children can reach things themselves. I also used to tie toys
to my babies' car seat so they couldn't be dropped." Debbie Lewis,
Parent Coach
In-flight entertainment
"The advice we found invaluable was to have little gifts which kids
can unwrap during the flight - if at all possible, something new for each
hour of the flight. These do not have to be big presents - little things
like colouring pencils are as good as they're something different to grab
their attention.
"We also found it important to have a supply of snacks and drinks with
us in addition to what was provided on the flight. That way, our daughter
always had something when she wanted it and we didn't have to keep bothering
the crew. Finally, have a familiar blanket and soft toy for the times
when you want to encourage them to sleep/nap. We also found it useful
to have a change of clothes for our daughter as we flew back overnight
both times and so changed her into her PJs for the flight and then 'day'
clothes for when we landed." Rach
"Breastfeed if you can - so easy, no hassle, no risk of things not being
sterile, no issue of changes in water and keeps them really quiet! Also,
I would recommend that you take tiny babies in a baby carrier around the
airport etc - really cuts down on the risk of loosing a buggy on the plane
especially if you have stopovers or changes of plane where luggage can
be mixed up. Sometimes buggies or anything that is stowed in the hold
at a later time than the main baggage is not labelled properly and will
therefore go missing. Also, try to keep to the same routine - the same
clothes, toiletries, bedtime stories. I think that smell is a huge thing
- if in a strange place you can have things with familiar and comforting
smells, things aren't so strange after all. This is why I'm such a fan
of the Nature's
Nest - we were able to take it wherever we went so that Xander always
slept in the same bed." Caroline
Trauma-free train trips
Do reserve seats if going by train - although you don't pay for under-fives,
you may be able to book them seats for a nominal sum. Call the train company
to let them know that you are travelling with a baby and hopefully they
will book you into a compartment near the buffet, the disabled toilet
and corridors where you can leave your buggy. babygoes2.com
"If you are travelling with a baby, and therefore not needing a seat
for them, do make sure you are given a good seat. I was travelling on
my own with my 6-month-old and was given a fold-down disabled seat. They
probably thought this would be helpful as there was space by it for the
pushchair, but it was a nightmare when my baby wanted to be cuddled. There
were no arm seats and the seat was narrow. They also booked me into the
quiet carriage which meant every time my baby cried I tensed as people
looked at us in annoyance! If you don't travel by train much, and are
travelling at a weekend, I highly recommend the first-class supplement
you can purchase on the day. It's about £10 or £15 but it's money well
spent - the seats are more comfy, the carriages are air conditioned and
there's free tea, coffee and other drinks and refreshments. My daughter
slept nearly the entire journey because it was much quieter." Sam
Fun ferries
Reduce chances of your toddlers succumbing to sea sickness by avoiding
greasy food on the day. Also to be avoided: chocolate, although mints
may help distract some toddlers from their nausea (ensure they are soft
mints to avoid choking). Fresh air helps so bring warm coats if you want
to stay on deck. babygoes2.com
Travel sickness
"Try natural ginger seasickness tablets or, if this is difficult, try
some of the ginger lollies that you can buy to help morning sickness."
Caroline
"My youngest suffers from car sickness and we give him some travel pills
called Sea Legs. I think they are suitable from age 2. These work a treat
for him. He only needs half a tablet and they are effective for at least
12 hours, maybe even 24 hours. He's never been sick when he's taken one.
He did start to object but I asked him if he wanted to be sick in the
car, he said no, I told him he needed to take his tablet and now we have
no bother. I know not everyone likes giving their children tablets, but
it makes him feel better and he gets it more on longer journeys so has
it then, not every journey." Andrea
Taking or making formula abroad
"Take microwave steriliser bags if you're bottle-feeding and if you
know you have a microwave. It made life so much easier and didn't take
any valuable luggage space. Only downfall was that we could never fit
two 9oz Avent bottles, teats, collars and caps into one bag at a time
so had to do it in stages. I'd avoid taking ready-mixed formula cartons
as they weigh so much. I used to sterilise the bottles, put them in the
fridge empty then put the water and formula powder in when I needed it.
It made going out so much easier. We just filled the sterilised bottles
with mineral water and took powder in an Avent powder dispenser. It meant
that we didn't need to take a cool bag/insulated bottle bag for mixed
up formula and worry about heating it up." Su
"If you are bottle-feeding and want to take Steribottles abroad with
you to save on sterilising your normal bottles, try them out at home first.
I bought four packets for my daughter for a long weekend in France and
she absolutely refused to take a drop out of them! Luckily we had a travel
kettle and had to make do sterilising the bottles and teats in that before
and after every feed. They don't work for everyone, so be warned." Sam
Nappies and wipes
"Nappies and wipes are no problem abroad as they are available from
the local supermarkets. However, it's worth making a note of the weight
range in kilograms of the nappies you use at home so you know what to
get abroad!" Su
Travellers' tummy
"We took Calpol for my daughter just in case but it's worth checking
with your health visitor or GP about something like Diarolyte. If you're
breastfeeding and you get a dodgy tummy, in theory you could pass it to
your baby so it's worth thinking what you'd do in those circumstances."
Su
Don't forget first aid
Even if you won't be far from shops, pack a decent first aid kit for
your holiday so you won't have to hunt for supplies when feeling unwell.
- Remember to pack antacids and diarrhoea remedies for upset stomachs
- Pack calamine lotion and antihistamine cream for soothing rashes,
burns and stings
- Pack motion-sickness treatments for children on car, ferry and train
journeys
- Carry insect repellent in the summertime
- Take plasters - fabric ones tend to stick best - for blisters.
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