 Tips
for stress-free travel with children
Most travel involves a fair amount of sitting still and some children
find this harder than others! So, what can you do to make the journey more
bearable for all of you?
In general
- For any holiday or journey, don't forget to take along your child's
favourite teddy or comforter. If you forget this, forget peace and quiet!
Having something familiar will help your child feel more secure and
content. It's a good idea to attach a label to the toy with your name
and address or phone number on it in case it gets lost, as children
are apt to leave them in the most inconvenient of places!
- A bag containing a few of your baby's favourite toys, plus a couple
of new ones, will help keep her entertained over the journey. You needn't
break the bank in doing this. Most toy shops sell pocket money toys,
which are cheap and, more importantly, don't take up a lot of space!
Or, instead, a couple of weeks or so before your journey, select a few
toys that your child likes and hide them. You can then wrap them up
and give them as little surprises on the day - your child will be delighted
to see them again!
In the car
- Try and coincide your journey with your baby’s usual sleep time.
Most babies will be lulled to sleep by the soothing motion of the car
and may sleep for an hour or two if they’re not hungry or uncomfortable
- Always ensure that your baby or toddler is in an appropriate seat
or safety restraint, however short the journey. Never carry your baby
in your arms, or put a toddler on your lap. If you are hiring a car
book a child seat with it, or take your own with you
- Babies will be happiest in a rear-facing baby seat next to you. They
will stay contented for longer if they can see your face and you can
chat to them without taking your eyes off the road. However, a baby
seat shouldn’t be used in the front if there’s a passenger
airbag
- Check the sunlight isn’t shining in your baby’s eyes, or
making him hot. A sunshade on the car window can help
- Most under-twos can’t follow story tapes, but they’ll enjoy
song tapes, especially if you sing along too
- You’ll find a clip-on playtray (which attaches to the car seat)
useful for toddlers. They can use it for feeding and playing
- A bag containing a few of your baby's favourite toys, plus a couple
of new ones, will help keep her entertained over the journey
- When you have a long way to drive, it's tempting to insist on driving
as much as possible to get it over and done with. However, your child(ren)
will have different ideas. They will be sick of being stuck in the car
for hours on end and will soon make their displeasure known! Take breaks
every couple of hours, not just for the kids but for yourself. It will
boost your energy and concentration levels and will also allow your
children a chance to burn off some energy. Try to stop somewhere with
a playground (many services have these) or an area of lawn so they can
race around while you have a coffee. Even if your child isn't walking
or crawling yet, the change of scenery from the car will improve their
mood!
- If you're travelling with another adult, why not sit in the back with
your child sometimes to keep them company? You can point out interesting
things, play games, sing etc, to keep them amused. Sitting in the back
on their own can get a little lonely, so they are bound to welcome another
partner in crime!
In the plane
- Ask your tour operator or airline what facilities the airline offers
for babies. Some airlines, for example, will allocate aisle-side seats,
for example, and supply play activities for toddlers
- Many airlines will provide a skycot if available. The sooner you book
one the better, but do check the size: they are often only suitable
for very young babies
- Ask whether you can keep your pushchair with you until you board the
plane. It could save you having to carry your baby along miles of corridor
between check-in and boarding. Some airlines will allow you to take
the pushchair to the boarding gate, then take it from you to put in
the hold on the plane
- Confirm pre-booked items at check-in.
- Changing pressure, especially when the plane is taking off and landing,
can cause pain in the ears. Feed your baby on take-off and landing to
ease ear pain. It may also help to bring a dummy. Take soft sweets for
your toddler to suck
- Airline staff will normally warm up bottles and baby foods on request
- Allow for delays at either end. Carry sterling and foreign currency
for meals, drinks and phone calls. Bottled water and some snacks for
your children are also advisable.
- Backpacks are useful, leaving hands free to carry children.
- Keep tickets, passports, keys, baby goods, spare nappies, moist wipes,
bottled milk and any medications in your hand luggage. Put documents
in clear plastic wallets so you can see and find them easily.
- Amuse children with sticker books, puzzles or finger puppets.
- Pregnant women should drink plenty of water during the flight and
do simple leg exercise, such as, rotating the ankles.
- If purchase of a visa is required on entry, ensure you have the cash
handy to pay for it.
On the train
- Some train operators provide special facilities for children. For
example in the UK, Great Western Trains have family carriages available
during school holiday weekends on selected services. Activity packs
are given out, and there is a range of children’s snack favourites
on offer. All toilets have good nappy changing facilities.
On the boat
- Most cross-channel ferries have changing areas and a soft play area
for under-fives
- Some ferries offer families with young children preferential boarding
- If it's even a moderately warm day, bring a hat and sunscreen to protect
your baby from the sun and wind burn. Babies under six months should
be kept out of the sun, and those between six months and a year should
have only limited exposure, especially between 11am and 3pm.
- Don’t forget to pack reins or a wrist link to avoid losing your
child in a busy tourist site or shopping centre
- An identity card may give your child extra security. Protect a Child
UK runs a card identity scheme for parents to help locate lost children.
The credit-card sized card holds a digitised photo plus information
about your child, and a plea for help in six languages. If necessary,
Protect a Child can send the full-sized photo via modem to police and
security anywhere in the world. The scheme costs only £2.50 per card.
For details telephone 01268 752 189.
- If you're walking about on a hot day, remember to give your baby plenty
of water and use high factor sunscreen and a hat or parasol to protect
her from the sun.
- "This will be my first year of travelling abroad with my daughter
(2.5 yrs). I have been given loads of advice of how to keep them occupied
on the plane. Colouring book/crayons, cassette player with tapes (she
loves loves Boo! and Tweenies), chalkboard/chalks, sticker books and
endless amounts of stickers. I'm hoping that she will love flying and,
more importantly, not get bored during the flight." Sue
- "I am also going on holiday abroad for the first time with a three-year-old
and a six-month-old. I have been advised to pack a small travel case
(a child's mini one on wheels, as it will make them feel more important
at the airport! You can buy them in Woolworth's for £10). Pack it with
new things that they haven't seen before, like toys, etcher sketch,
etc I hope it works!"
- "Seasoned traveller, as we've been back and forth across the Atlantic
since our daughter (now 3.5 years), was 4 weeks old lol! We found, along
with the stuff already mentioned, it's helpful to buy a few cheap, small
toys and gift-wrap them with lots of Sellotape. They spend ages trying
to see what's inside! Also, you might be lucky if there is another kid
in the seat in front/behind/near the same age. They can spend ages playing
peek-a-boo or just swapping toys. Bliss!!" Trixie
- "We have magazines, books, toys, teddies, etc but the best one we
came up with was my laptop in the car with a Thomas the Tank Engine
or Bob the Builder DVD playing in the background for him. This seems
to work! Either that or it puts him to sleep." Jennie
- "Why not visit the CBeebies site - they have a new Balamory car bingo
game for slightly older children. Or you could do as my dad does. He
has a competition with my three-year-old. They choose something and
they see who has the most on their side of the road/car. Obviously this
only works if you have your car seat on the other side of the car but
it is a similar idea to the bingo thing. My 15-month-old will only settle
if there is music on and he can boogie. He doesn't like silence and
this applies even if he has company in the back." Kerry
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