Are we there yet? Tips for stress-free travel!

• In general
• In the car
• In the plane
• On the train
• On the boat
• On foot
• Babyworlders' top tips!

• 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!

• 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!

• 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.

• 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.

• 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