Traveling With the Small Child

The hustle and bustle of the holidays can sure be stressful and when you add traveling with small children into the mix, it can add to the stress of the season. Whether it is by car, plane or train, here are a few traveling tips I hope you find helpful in making your travel enjoyable and as stress free as possible.

Child Safety

Safety is our number one concern when it comes to our children. There are a few extra precautions one should take when traveling with a small child.

•     Traveling during the holidays can be a very busy time due to the amount of people traveling all at the same time, so if your child is mobile, I suggest you outfit them in brightly colored clothing or a brightly colored backpack so they can be easily spotted in a crowd.

•      Losing a child is never on our to-do list, of course, but it happens, even to the most organized and attentive parents. Affixing identification to a child, even if they are of talking age, is a great idea should this unforeseen incident occur. One great way to do this (I learned from Primrose field trip safety practices) is to write your information on paper wrist band that the child can wear.   Using an airline tag works just as well if hooked to their shoe or belt loop. Key information to include are names, your cell phone number and flight information so that you can be found quickly.

When flying, once you are safely on the plane, there are some other safety concerns to be aware of.

•      If you are using a booster seat, CARES flight harness or carrier, make sure that it is installed correctly. Instructions and seatbelt information can be found on most airline websites. (Remember if your child is over the age of 2 or you plan to put a carrier in a seat, you must purchase a seat/ticket for your child).

•      If you have an infant in your lap, there are regulations on how you must secure them during takeoff, turbulence and landing, so check with the airlines so you know what is required of you. For example on some airlines, you must remove your infant from a sling during take -off and landing and be holding them in your arms/lap.

•      Air expansion in the middle ear and sinuses can cause severe ear pain in small children. One way to avoid this is to make sure that children have something to suck or drink during take- off and landing. Massaging behind the ears and giving a few gentle tugs on the earlobes can help as well. What toddler doesn’t like suckers! They are a great treat and also help to avoid any ear irritation. 

•      Low humidity can also cause rapid dehydration in children. Make sure they are drinking regularly and account for this when planning diaper changes.

•     Does your child have a peanut allergy? Ask what precautions are taken for these children on your flight. Some airlines even have peanut-free flights. If child needs to travel with an EpiPen, it is a good idea to have a letter from the doctor confirming your child needs this device. Also, make sure to bring your own food/snacks as a precaution

•     Airplanes are covered in germs. Do yourself and your kiddo a favor and do a quick wipe down of all of the surfaces with a wet wipe or better yet, travel Clorox wipe! This will save you and your kids from possible illness while trying to enjoy your vacation!

Packing

  Packing is an art, and sometimes you even need to be a magician when trying to pack for a small child for travel.  Here are a few tips on how and what to pack when traveling with kiddos.

               

•      Keep your hands free! When packing, remember you want to be able to have your hands free to reach for your boarding passes, hold your child, grab a bottle, whatever it may be. Use bags that fit snugly to your body. It is easier to maneuver if you don’t have bags flying off of your shoulders or hanging from your arms.

•     Your diaper bag doesn’t count as a carry on. If you are not checking bags, this can come in handy to fit everything into carry on bags, but remember less is sometimes better.

•      You can check your stroller and car seat at the gate! This might help you maneuver through the airport a bit more easy, but don’t forget everything and everyone must come out of carriers and strollers when going through security. You also may want to invest in stroller or car seat bags so that they don’t get dirty when being loaded into the baggage area.

•      Pack snacks and drinks. The 3-1-1 rule doesn’t apply for children under 2 years of age. This means they can take fluids over 3.4 ounces and not need to store them in zip lock bags as long as fluids are in Sippy cups or bottles.  Again this is at the discretion of the security official, but they will allow you to take up to 400 ml as long as you declare it as you go through security. Remember if you don’t want to carry all those liquids, bottled water can be purchased passing through security checks and you can also get hot water to make bottles on most flights that have beverage service.  Breastfeeding: window seats provide the most private area to breastfeed, but a receiving blanket and safety pin can provide a quick privacy screen if needed.

•      Pack to entertain! You will need to entertain your children the entire time when they are not eating or sleeping. Children under the age of 3 usually are most comfortable with familiar books, blankets and toys. Children over the age 3 more than likely will also need new exciting thing to keep their attention. For young children, plan that each toy/activity will only occupy their attention for 15-20 minutes, so bring several choices. There are lots of activities that don’t involve packing anything, such as the I Spy game, 20 questions, singing songs, finger plays, etc.

•      Layer clothing. It is easier to quickly take off a jacket then it is to change an entire outfit. This goes for the entire family. The weather could be much cooler or warmer at your destination, so it is important to be prepared.

Navigating Airports

One of the most time consuming and stressful parts of flying can be trying to navigate your way through an airport or finding out last minute details you weren’t aware of.

•      Do your research and know the regulations and rules before you go to the airport. This can save you time and hassle.

•     Check-in online. You will be able to book preferred seats from home and take fast track lines to check your luggage or even proceed straight to security if you have no luggage to check. Be careful to double check seats if you have a lap child, not all seats are lap child friendly and you could be asked to change seats at the last minute that could result splitting up your family seating.

•     Does your airport have family areas and play areas? Many airports have these areas for families to enjoy while waiting for a flight.

•     Some airlines offer day passes to their VIP lounges that can make a long wait for a flight a lot more comfortable for you and your children.

•     Check to see if your flight is full. If it isn’t sometimes you can block the seat next to you giving your child more room play or sleep.

•     Arrive early and give yourself plenty of time between flights. Rushing will only make things more hectic for you and your child.

•      All items must be screened so prepare your child to part with toy or blanket briefly while it goes through the x-ray

•      Children under 12 can leave their shoes on when they go through security.

•      Empty pockets and baskets on strollers and carriers into plastic bins to avoid delay at security.

•      Children who are able to walk are asked to walk through the security screening by themselves. You are allowed to hold infants and toddlers as you walk through.

•      If you need help or extra hands, ask a security official or airport staff to help you. They would be glad to lend a helping hand!

Layover Blues

 Layovers can happen. Planned or not planned, it is a good idea to be prepared, especially if you are traveling during the holiday season when weather can be bad and delay flights for hours.

•     Utilize those day passes for the VIP rooms if the airline offers them.

•     Again, look for the family rooms and play areas at several airports across the country. Here is a website that lists some of those airports and their amenities.

•     Find an empty part of the airport where children can run and play or even watch planes take off and land.

•     Go shopping for new toys!

•     Meet other families at the airport that are also on layovers or waiting for flights for a quick play date!

A Few Road Trips Tips

 Whether you are taking a trip cross-state, cross-country or even renting a car at your destination, road trips can be just as stressful as flying. Here are a few ideas to help your journey to be fun and relaxing!

•      Always use a car seat! If you are renting a car at your destination, make sure you take a car seat that is universal that works with all kinds of seatbelts.  If your child isn’t used to being in a car seat for a long period of time, do some practice small road trips in the months leading up to a large road trip.

•      Extra rear view mirrors are always helpful to keep an eye on children without having to turn around.

•      Schedule in several stops throughout your travel to get out and stretch your legs and allow the kids to get some fresh air and energy out.

•      Schedule the longest part of your trip during your child’s nap or bedtime

•      Make sure that all of the snacks and games/toys are easily accessible by your child or yourself to avoid frequent stops.

•      Break the longer road trips up into smaller trips each followed by a fun dinner or activity.

Traveling can be a very stressful event for your baby. It means everything they are used to has changed; noises, smells, surroundings. Your child will react to your demeanor, so try to stay calm even if things get stressful. Try to keep happy facial expressions and a calm demeanor and your child is more likely to stay calm as well. Giving your child the extra attention they desire will also help them to feel comforted during travel.

“Try not to stress when your baby is crying. Your child can feel your stress. Ignore rude passengers and give your attention to your child and remember Flight Attendants can be your best friend and are always willing to lend a helping hand.” – Mary, Flight Attendant for Alaska Airlines (AKA my mom)

“During a long road trip make sure to have movies, music, snacks, and lots of chatting especially about where you are going. A good blanket got Addison through our big drive :) Lots of pit stops too so she can burn off steam. We try to stop at family friendly places to eat. If we want fast food we try to find one with a play area, if we want sit down Cracker Barrel is the best because she can browse and walk around the gift shop.” – Leigh, mother of Addison and survivor of a cross country road trip from North Caroline to Anchorage, AK

“Have a bottle for takeoff and landing to help their tiny ears, new books and toys and a few favorites. And don't forget snacks!” – Kristin, Maddie’s mommy

“You can take your stroller all the way to the gate and gate checks it. Not only is it more convenient for you and child, but also is better for your stroller. We checked our stroller once and it got destroyed in transit going through all their machines. Plus it is nice to have a comfortable place for your child as you wait so they can sleep and you are not holding the entire time. Sometimes waiting takes a long time. Most strollers have storage for whatever you do not wanna carry through airports. Some even have cup holders and convenient clips and bins for "stuff/food/snacks!" – Matt, proud daddy of Marlow and Mckenna

“Pack a backpack with crayons, coloring books, paper, pencils/colored pencils, a container of play dough, a deck of cards, books and snacks. Foods isn't offered like it used to be and the kids get hungry! Just easy things that can be used and put away”- Tina, Educator

“We traveled with Kinley when she was 4 months old. Gate checking the stroller was great! Having a pillow, blanket, etc. to help prop up my arms was also a must since she slept in my lap most of the way. Also be sure to have a change of clothes handy for yourself. I've known many a blowout to happen on a plane and when the child is in your lap, that spells disaster! Disposable changing pads are also helpful when trying to change a dirty diaper on a plane.”- Megan, Kinley’s mommy.

“When traveling with an infant, make sure to use a sling or carrier to keep the child close to your body. Body contact can really help to keep them calm during a flight.”- Jennifer, mother to Cooper and Marley and Primrose parent

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