Pack the kids, it's family travel time
The thought of family travel with babies or young children often has parents breaking into cold sweats, but it doesn’t have to. The following tips can help make family travel a more pleasant experience for everyone.
What's the best choice of family holiday?
If you have a young baby, the main things to consider in family travel are safety and hygiene for baby and relaxation for you. As your child gets older, the options are endless. Ultimately, your choice of holiday will depend on your family situation and your budget. Ask friends and families with other children for suggestions.
What do I need to pack?
When packing for baby imagine that you’re going for a long weekend to a childless friend’s house and pack your nappy bag accordingly. You’ll be able to buy all the usual favourite items at local pharmacies or grocery stores, but you want to have a good 3 days before making that stop.
Exactly what you pack will depend on your destination and the type of family travel you are planning. Thinking about who is going, where you are going and when you are going will help you determine the essentials that you need. Consider what you must take and what you can buy or hire at your destination.
Family travel airline essentials
- When travelling by air it is important to keep the essential items with you, such as nappies, baby wipes, formula (if you are not breastfeeding), snacks and drinks.
- Make sure that you pack toys and books to keep your child amused. Try to take at least one new toy or activity per 3 hours of flying time. A favourite teddy or other comforter is also a good idea.
- Also pack a change of clothes for your child and, if you have a very young baby, for yourself also (in case things get really messy!).
- Extra baggage fees don’t make it easy for parents travelling with family, especially when you’re not sure what you will need at your destination. Before you travel with family, investigate whether you can hire much needed essentials when you reach your destination.
Why do babies cry so much on takeoff and landing?
The change in cabin pressure during takeoff and, in particular, during plane descent causes temporary changes in middle ear pressure, which can result in pain. This is the same pressure that adults feel, it’s just that babies can’t tell you that’s what it is – so they cry. Sucking helps to equalise the pressure in the ear, so feeding baby during takeoff and landing may help. If your baby isn’t hungry, try offering a pacifier. Older children can be given something to eat or drink.
An infant with a recent ear infection may be very uncomfortable when flying. Check with your child’s doctor before leaving if you have concerns. Your doctor may suggest pain-relieving eardrops, in case your baby experiences ear pain.
Dealing with jetlag
When you reach your destination (or even as soon as you get on the plane), try and establish the new time zone as soon as possible by re-organising mealtimes and bedtime. Depending on your destination, your child may also be jetlagged. If your baby is unsettled for more than a couple of days after your arrival talk to a doctor.
Family Travel Car Rental Tips
If you need a car seat at the other end, and it is a foreign country, take a photo of the car seat you require and email it through so that the car rental company at the other end knows the level of restraint that is required.
Do I need a passport?
If you are going overseas, travel documents are essential no matter how young your baby is. Depending on your destination, you may also need a visa. The smart traveller website (http://www.smartraveller.gov.au) can help you to determine what your particular needs are.
Other useful sites are
http://www.dfat.gov.au/visas/ and
https://www.passports.gov.au Does my baby or child need immunisations to travel abroad?
You should ensure that your child’s basic immunisations are up to date before you travel. Check with you doctor of early childhood health nurse to see if you need any additional vaccination for your family travel destination.