Get prepared for the plane ride
By Charlotte Pozo
A successful trip with children is achievable through good preparation by pre-living the holiday in your mind from the moment you leave the front door to arriving at grandma’s in London.
For starters, when you leave the taxi at Perth airport how will you cart your child through the terminus and do London taxis provide child seats on request?
"Keeping young children occupied during long trips is where you need to be creative"
Keeping young children occupied during long trips is where you need to be creative. A variety of toys is a must-have and try to exhaust one before introducing the next. Books are always a winner and young ones can look at pictures and listen to rhymes again and again. Herb-filled teddies are available to assist in relaxing children, with lavender the most popular filler. Don’t rule out play dough as a suitable toy as it is easily removed from fabrics if they become soiled and a magna doodle ensures drawing materials never run out.
Before you fly
• Visit your GP – little ones’ ears can be affected with increasing altitude so a check-up of ears and throats can rule out any possible compounding factors. Specific vaccinations or first aid products relevant to your holiday destination can be sourced from your GP. Feeding babies and getting children to drink during take-off and landing can assist in preventing ear discomfort.
• Check your child’s immunisation status is up-to-date
• Organise with the airline any special needs including dietary requirements if specific
• Be aware that bassinets are limited so pre-book
• Ask your travel agent to pre-book bulkhead seats or exit seats so you have some extra space for your child to play
• Consider a stopover if enduring a long haul flight, depending on the age of the child and his/her temperament
• Pre-live the trip in your mind to highlight potential problems
• Try to arrange window seats for older children
At the airport
• If travelling alone, ask for assistance with baggage collection etc
• Dress your child in easily recognisable clothing and an ID band
• Use a stroller or carry pouch to transport your child between car and plane
In flight items and tips
• Wipes, wipes and more wipes!
• Change of clothes – for you too
• Favourite snacks and treats
• Nappies, rash creams, change mat
• Dummy
• Colouring books, activity books, sticker books or colouring-in pages from favourite characters taken from the internet
• Picture books featuring babies faces are a winner with little ones
• Download and print short stories that can double as drawing paper on the reverse side
• A box of surprises can include anything relative to your child’s age and likes, dislikes.
• Bottles, spillproof drink cup that is resistant to cabin pressure changes
• Bib
• Favourite teddy, blanket or comfort item
• New surprise toys and pressies
• Ask for help: the crew will be experienced in entertaining children and providing goody bags
• Bring out new toys, books and presents and wait until one has been thoroughly exhausted before introducing the next
• Don’t bring noisy toys, sticky snacks, boxed drinks or games involving small pieces
• Keep up fluids as children can dehydrate rapidly.
Taking care of you
• Ensuring your own health and wellbeing is the most important part of travelling with kids because without you they can’t be properly cared for. Your mental health is of upmost importance and alcohol is not the way to keep calm! Try to remember the flight may seem like forever but really is just a small part of the holiday and the only way to get where you want to go. You can only do your best to keep your children from running laps through the plane so just breathe through it and do what you can.
• Keep well hydrated
• Roll those ankles and flex feet back and forth to keep the blood flowing to your extremities
• Try to share the load with your partner, or if alone, allow the flight attendants to
assist you.
Jet Lag
• Try to get your child into their new time zone as soon as possible
• Use light and dark, reflecting the new time zone, to convert the brain into its new sleep/wake pattern
• Alter meal times to the destination times
• Travelling east is preferable over west where possible
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