By Louise Flanagan
WITH summer on the horizon, there’s a good chance some of us will be hopping on a plane and saying ‘adios’ to the rain for a while.
Making that trip with babies and toddlers can add another dimension to the airport experience. Gone are the pre-boarding cocktails and 20kg of heels and bikinis. Every dog has his day!
It can be daunting travelling with smallies, but with a bit of preparation and the right mindset, lots of the stress can be alleviated.
Before the trip, research airline policies regarding child travel. Many airlines offer special services for families, such as early boarding. Mind you, I’m not sure how I feel about early boarding. It’s not like you need to rush on to grab a seat – it’s all allocated anyway. I think it might be better to hang back and hop on board at the end of the queue. The less time you spend on the runway, the better.
If possible, opt for flights during your child’s naptime or bedtime to increase the chances of them sleeping through the journey. There have been times I’ve selected the early morning flight because it’s a bit cheaper – but oh my god, in the moment, you’d pay any extra money for a proper night’s sleep before you fly with small kids.
Pack a well-stocked bag with all the essentials; nappies, wipes, bottles, dodos, a change of clothes, and any necessary medications including good old Calpol.
Don’t forget to bring entertainment such as toys, books, and fully charged electronic devices to keep your child occupied.
And to hell with what the experts say about screen time – whack on their favourite show and let them binge watch it all they like during the flight.
I’ve also found that young kids like scrolling through photos in your phone. Let’s face it, it’s going to contain hundreds of photos and videos of them.
Pack all the snacks of the day and let them graze shamelessly throughout the flight. A mix of their favourite snacks and some new treats tends to work well. Pack a plastic bag to bin all the wrappers and used baby wipes. It’ll help keep your space in order and trust me, it’ll be full by the end of the flight.
It’s also a good idea to pack some sort of large foldable bag to quickly bundle in all the items that you took out during the flight. It’s so much easier to fire them into that, rather than trying to squeeze everything back from whence it came as the plane touches down.
Dress your child in comfortable clothing and layers to accommodate changes in temperature onboard. Also, consider bringing a cozy blanket or favorite teddy to provide comfort during the flight. Make sure you keep it safe though. Adding your contact details on a little tag could make all the difference if the worst comes to the worst and it’s misplaced.
Help alleviate ear pressure during takeoff and landing by nursing, bottle-feeding, or offering a dodo to babies. For older children, chewing sweets or sucking on a lollipop can help relieve discomfort.
Remember that travelling with children can be unpredictable, and things may not always go according to plan. If they cry, they cry. I think as parents, we can be overly conscious of disturbing other passengers. In reality, there’s only so much you can do if your baby gets cranky. Let it wash over you; this too shall pass.
Lastly, don’t forget to take care of yourself when travelling with young children. Stay hydrated and don’t be afraid to ask for help or accept offers of assistance from flight attendants or fellow passengers.
Bon voyage!
Louise Flanagan is an admin of Letterkenny Babies Facebook page and the author of the children’s book series, Dragonterra. www.dragonterra.ie You can read her weekly column every Thursday in the Donegal News.
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