“As soon as I saw you, I knew an adventure was about to happen.”
A. A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh
www.sophiesleep.com
We have officially hit summer holiday season and you are probably thinking is it worth going away with your little ones or do we stay at home? Travelling and going on holiday with children, is a real luxury, if you are able to book and spend some unforgettable memories together, then do, whether it is abroad or in the UK! However, I do appreciate it can be a very daunting and stressful experience for some. I have put together some tips and information that you may find useful to try and make it as smooth as possible;
#1 Allow plenty of time: The last thing you want to be doing is rushing and panicking about getting out of the door with everything and everyone to catch a flight. Try and plan your timings and leave extra time for traffic jams etc. Have a time in mind when you are all going to get up and get ready to leave and try and have everything packed and ready to go at the door for the morning. Even get your little ones outfits laid out ready if you want to be extra organised. Another tip is to ensure your little ones have eaten before you leave, the last thing you want to be dealing with is a hungry baby or toddler.
#2 Lots of snacks! Whether you are travelling by car, boat or aeroplane, it is essential to pack lots of snacks that you can whip out wherever you are. Try and avoid anything that is very messy! Things like breadsticks, oat bars, crackers/ rice cakes, dried fruit (figs, apricots, dates etc.) and of course any sweet treat favourites to keep them quiet. It is best to go with the flow and allow them to eat when they want, regardless if it is their actual 'lunchtime' for example. Travelling can make everyone feel very drowsy and tired, so extra snacks here and there can help with energy levels. For longer haul flights, do not feel guilty for taking and offering your little one some ready made pouch food, not all children get on with cabin food, so it is good to have a back up.
#3 Toys: Anything not to big and bulky to pack is essential. Anything like re-usable stickers, fidget toys that you can stick onto the plane windows, books with flaps, travel activity books with some pencil crayons, small compact puzzles. Also do not feel guilty if your last resort is an iPad with their favourite show, we all need some time to sit back and relax and if this is what helps, then go for it!
#4 Packing: I love a list! Whether you hand write or type a list on your phone, I find this super helpful in trying to avoid forgetting the essentials! Sometimes it can be useful for your toddler to have their own little backpack that they take on board with them, with all their small toys and snacks to keep them entertained. Getting them to help you pack this can make it exciting for them. When it comes to choosing what clothes you take away for your little ones, it is best to dress them in clothes that are comfy and easy to access for quick nappy changes (pull-ups can be easier). During your travelling days, you also want to stick to light, airy clothes that are not bulky and do not take up too much space. Make sure any liquids are packed into a sealed bag to avoid something leaking onto all of your clothes.
If for whatever reason your checked in baggage goes missing, it can be helpful to pack some spare clothes and any other essentials you may not be able to buy in a foreign country into your hand luggage. Remember things like nappies and wipes you can always buy when you arrive at your destination to save on space in your checked baggage, lets face it - the majority of nappies all do the same job!
#5 Milk: You can travel with breast and formula milk in your hand luggage in containers up to 2,000ml. It will all need to go through security and may need to be tested. You can check the rules and regulations here; https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/baby-food-and-baby-milk.
#6 Carriers & prams: Some prams are small enough to be taken on as over head luggage. You may also want to think about bringing a baby carrier if your pram has to go down the conveyor belt and you still need to carry your baby around. They can also be very useful for rocking and walking around with your baby on the plane. For toddler's, 'Trunki's are a super fun ride on suitcase that your little one can use around the airport and take on board full of activities. https://www.trunki.co.uk/
#7 Aeroplane: Consider booking a flight over nap time or during the night or early morning, so they are more likely to sleep. You can request a seat with a bassinet, which is very helpful and more comfy and safe for your little one. Have a think about booking a window seat for your child, this can help avoid temptation of constantly walking up and down the isle. If you are lucky enough to book all three seats, this can help with more space to roam.
Encourage your little one to drink water and suck on something if possible e.g. dummy, breast or bottle to avoid their ears becoming super painful. It can be helpful to pack some travel Calpol sachets, just in case they are in a lot of pain.
#8 Time zones: When you are travelling to a country that has a small time zone difference, it can be helpful to stick to UK timings e.g. when in Spain, you can stick to a 7pm UK bedtime and on holiday that would be 8pm. This allows you to stay out a bit longer as a family e.g. going to a restaurant, but also does not impact your little ones body clock.
When you have a large time difference, sometimes it is easier to just go with the flow and use the current time zone you are in. It is likely the first couple of days will be a bit topsy turvy, but you will all adjust before you know it.
#9 Pack essentials to re-create the bedroom environment: We are all creatures of habit, whether you like it or not! Packing your little ones sleeping bag, comforter or cot sheets that smells of home can all help with bedtime on holiday run smoother. If your baby is used to black out blinds, you can take portable ones with you.
#10 Bedtime routine: Try and re-create your bedtime routine on holiday, whether that is giving them a bath, reading a story, brushing teeth etc.
#11 Consider your accommodation: If your baby is used to sleeping in their own bedroom, have a think about this. Room sharing is not a problem, but it maybe that they get used to this when you return home and they then cause a fuss going back into their own bedroom. It is also useful to double check if where you are staying provide travel cots and request them in advance so it is ready in the room for you when you arrive.
#12 What will happen when we get home? Good question! Your little one is more than likely going to feel a bit groggy for a couple of days, don't we all after travelling? Be accepting that their sleep may be disturbed whilst adjusting back on UK time zone. They may also need to catch up on sleep they may have lost from a busy holiday. Try and get back into your usual routine, it maybe that they need an early night and a longer nap for the next day or so.
Lastly, do not worry about other people, if your little one cries on a flight, you will not be the first and certainly not the last to have been in this position. It will all be worth it when you get there!
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