Travelling With Children

General tips to make travel with children a little easier include :

• If traveling by plane, ask for bulkhead seats or seats near an exit to give your child a safe spot to play on the floor.
• Choose appropriate accommodation, such as self-contained apartments with two or more bedrooms.
• Hire baby furniture items, such as pram, stroller, cot and high chair, rather than lug your own.
• Use disposable rather than cloth nappies.
• Use any babysitting facilities at your hotel from time to time so you can have a break.

General Safety tips include :

• See your doctor about vaccinations beforehand, if appropriate.
• Pack sunscreen, hats and insect repellent.
• Take all sterilizing equipment with you if your child is bottle-fed.
• Take a medical kit containing items such as baby paracetamol, thermometer, anti-itching lotion, oral rehydration preparation and band-aids.

Suggestions to keep children amused while you travel :

• Pack plenty of toys.
• Offer the toys one at a time, replacing each toy with a fresh one, once the child shows signs of boredom.
• To cut down on fights over sharing, make sure each child has their own stash of toys.
• Play family games such as 'I-spy'.
• Pack a picnic lunch.
• For older children, show them a map beforehand and point out landmarks as you go.

Toddlers and young children are notoriously fussy eaters; traveling to unfamiliar places with new foods and different mealtime routines can further disrupt your child's eating habits. Suggestions include :

• Relax and remember that a healthy child will never voluntarily starve themselves. Trust them to eat when they're hungry.
• If flying, arrange in advance for children's meals.
• Try to keep a little bit of familiar mealtime routine, such as having breakfast in the usual way.
• Don't assume you'll always find something they'll like on a restaurant menu. Carry plenty of their favorite snacks and drinks when touring around.
• Ring ahead and see if the restaurant you're planning to visit has a children's menu.

• Check in advance with travel agents, airlines and your accommodation for child-friendly suggestions.
• Remember that children have short attention spans and get tired very quickly.
• Make sure there will be enough family events and child-oriented activities to keep them amused while away.
• Take a medical kit containing items such as baby paracetamol, thermometer, anti-itching lotion, oral rehydration preparation and band-aids.

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