Although I’m not a mother, I’ve travelled a lot with babies and little kids (I’m a proud aunt of two nephews and two nieces!) And while they are sweet little darlings at home, travelling with them makes me question my own sanity, LOL.
After a few hits and misses, I feel travelling with children can be pretty fun and a great bonding experience, provided you’ve packed well and are well-prepared for the trip. The ladies at Malini’s Girl Tribe recently had a conversation about the hassles of travelling with a toddler, and how to avoid them. Read on to see their advice and recommendations, to have a smooth and fuss-free travel experience with your child!
1. Carry spare clothes
Packing well is half the battle won! Always carry an extra outfit or two as a contingency. It comes in handy for when you haven’t had time to do laundry on your trip, or when your toddler finds new ways to wreck her clothes.
2. Pack some toys
Okay, I’ll be honest. A bored child scares me. I’ve seen kids get up to all kinds of mischief out of boredom! Be armed with their favourite toys to distract them when necessary. A colouring book or a picture book are other ways to keep them engaged.
3. Snacks, snacks, and more snacks!
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that a well-fed kid is a happy kid. Stock up on some cookies, cornflakes, chips, fox nuts, fruits, lollipops, candy, easy-to-cook packaged food, etc. If your baby is still on the bottle, you could carry some formula too.
4. Medicines
It could be difficult to get medicines without a prescription outside your country, or they could be too expensive. Pack up basics like cough drops, band-aids, antiseptic cream, sickness bags, etc.
5. Diapers
Even if your baby is toilet-trained, it’s helpful to have a couple of diapers in case of an emergency. As one Girl Tribe member shares:
Once, while in the boarding line, my daughter needed to pee but there wasn’t enough time. I just made her wear a diaper and she peed in it. It was a life-saver!
6. Wipes and tissues
Anyone who has been around a child would know the importance of wipes. They’ll help a lot when dealing with runny noses, poopy diapers and mealtimes!
7. Pack for pressure
Carry some earplugs, pacifiers, water, etc. to help ease your baby’s ear pressure during takeoff and landing.
8. Car seats/Strollers
If you’re travelling by car, set up a car seat for your toddler in the back. Not only will she be comfortable, but it’s also a safer way to travel. Also, if you’re planning to walk a lot on your trip, carry her stroller. Your arms and shoulders will thank you!
9. Direct, overnight flights
Direct flights, of course, reduce travel time which is a great plus when travelling with a child. An overnight one would ensure your child sleeps through most of it, making her journey as smooth as possible.
10. Lots of playtime!
Include visits to the beach, pool and/or parks in your trip. Kids enjoy playing in the sand, swimming and running about, and they’d love these places. Besides, it will tire them out, and they’d sleep better at night, which basically means, restful nights for you!
Do you have any tips for mums travelling with their toddlers? Please share them in the comments below!
We often have such conversations in Malini’s Girl Tribe. To be a part of them, join the Tribe here.