Travelling with young children is not always easy: anyone that says differently has obviously never done it. Regardless of the stresses though, you can’t let it stop you from enjoying a precious vacation abroad with your family.
I recently got back from a six-week trip to Vancouver with my fiancé and our one-and-a-half year old son. Travelling there with the help of Dad was easy. But the trip back that I had to brave alone was a different story altogether. I had to endure two long haul flights, a 6.5-hour layover, and a four-hour delay in Heathrow with a tired and frustrated toddler. Can you say, ‘nightmare?!’
Before we left on our journey I tried to ask every mother that I could (both new and old to the parenting game) for some helpful advice. Unlucky for me, the only words of wisdom that I got back either involved drugs, or came coupled with a reaction of shock, horror, and disbelief. Most of them just said, ‘good luck!’
So, as a mother who’s literally been to the other side of the world and back with her toddler, here are my top tips on how to fly with young children.
Organisation is key: if it doesn’t help them, it will help you.
I’m not saying you have to organise your trip like Danny Tanner of Monica Geller, rather just keep toys, food, liquids, passports, and money in their own separate section of your carry-on bags. If you know where everything is, you won’t have to put yourself through an unnecessary breakdown while your child is screaming and you can’t find his/her Tupperware container of raisins (despite this being the fifth consecutive time that you’ve unpacked your bag to look for them or for anything else) – just saying!
New toys and books can be the perfect secret weapon!
Think ahead and buy your child a couple of new toys, or books before you fly. But, do NOT let them see or play with them until you’re really at your wits end. Try to keep them happy with their old reliable favourites as long as you can. Once they’ve had enough, or start getting really bored, then surprise them with something new and exciting to play with. We bought a book with tons of pictures in it and asked our son some basic questions like, ‘where’s the train?’ or ‘where’s the lion?’. It had his attention for a good half hour – pity that there were still 20+ to go!
Pack your child’s favourite goodies.
Some airlines will provide your baby with food if you call ahead, but for the most part it usually includes canned baby food (so nasty that your dog wouldn’t even go near it). Plus, if your baby is past the point where his diet consists of pureed butternut or apple, it doesn’t leave them with a lot of necessary nutrition. In addition to sharing a bit of our meal with our child, we brought along a few things for him to snack on like crackers, cheese, and raisins. We also brought along a cup for juice, and a spare bottle. Just make sure to check with customs and airport security beforehand and find out what you’re not allowed to bring.
Purchase a harness and keep them close.
I know at one time or another we all said that we wouldn’t do it, but trust me when you’re in an airport with thousands of other travellers and you only have two hands to carry your luggage, your travel documents, your laptop, and your curious child; a harness will be your best friend. I bought one in Vancouver that doubled as a stuffed monkey: its tail was the strap that I held onto. Instead of being heckled by those around us, surprisingly enough, I kept receiving compliments on how cute it looked. Phew!
If you want to stay seated on the plane, then make sure to walk your socks off at the airport.
During your layover or just before your flight, try to walk around with your child as much as possible. If you’re in a terminal with lots of room and very few people, then let them run around a bit too. If you do this, your kids can burn off some extra energy, which may also make them sleepier on the plane. On our way home from London, my son and I walked around the airport for 6 hours straight. He loved being able to help Mommy push around his pram and our rolling suitcase.
And lastly…
Don’t ever be afraid to ask for help.
Most people are more than happy to help others in need. When my son and I were travelling we had a lot of people ask us if we needed any help.
The stewardesses are also there to assist you. So, if you need some help washing your baby’s bottle out, some extra milk, some snacks, or some toys for your child, then by all means make sure that you take full advantage of their services while you can. Believe me, you’ll be glad that you did!
