Babies
Are you planning a holiday with children, and does it involve air travel? Here are some tips to make the trip easier – for you, your child and your fellow passengers!
1. Plan your trip wisely
As far as possible, try to book a flight that fits your child’s schedule and aligns with regular nap times. An early morning or late evening flight might disrupt their sleep patterns, leaving them (and you!) tired and cranky.
2. Pack sick bags
On the flight, there will be a little paper sick bag stashed in the seat pocket in front of you – but will one be enough? And what about the drive to the airport? Pack a few extra sick bags, plus a change of clothes and plenty of wet wipes. When things go wrong with travelling children, they tend to go horribly, messily wrong. And remember: if the mess happens at the start of your journey, you’re still a good few hours away from your destination!
3. Go easy on the meds
Cough syrup, Stopayne… Every parent has their own not-so-secret medication for sending their child to sleep on longer flights – and let’s be honest, most of the time it works brilliantly. But before you dish up that knockout spoonful, be sure to speak to your doctor first. ‘I wouldn’t just jump in with the sedatives,’ says Dr Ester Schoeman, a paediatrician at Mediclinic Potchefstroom. ‘Most of the time when a child cries on an aeroplane, it’s because he or she has ear pain. So I’d first check whether the problem isn’t earache, rather than just reaching for the sedatives straightaway.’
5. Bring a car seat
Yes, it’s bulky and cumbersome. But it can make the trip a lot easier for your child – and for you. It’s comfortable and familiar for your child and will relieve you of the stress of trying to get a car seat from a car hire company at your destination. For small babies, car seats also make for easy car-to-plane transport. Contact your airline beforehand to make sure your car seat meets all their safety requirements.
6. Eat right
Like Dr Schoeman says, the change in cabin pressure on takeoff and landing can cause ear pain – so give your baby a bottle to encourage them to suck and swallow. For older toddlers, try a sugar-free lollipop. During the flight, offer your child foods that will occupy their time. A small tub of fruit or raisins should do the trick.