ASK THE EXPERT:Travelling with children can be a nightmare but preparation can make a real difference, writes DAVID COLEMAN
WE HAVE a toddler and a seven month old. We are planning to go to America later in the summer. Have you any tips for coping with the kids on the flight? Even trying to get them out to the shops is a drama. I dread to think what they’ll be like cooped up on an airplane for hours on end.
This is a bit of a case of every silver lining has a cloud. It is great for you that you are getting to travel but you are right to anticipate that travelling with small children can be stressful.
However, it doesn’t always have to be. Preparation is the key to an enjoyable flight. Your toddler is probably travelling in a seat of their own. I am assuming your infant is on your knee for the flight.
This at least means you will feel like you have a bit of space and can take up a full window section without feeling like you are imposing on other travellers. There is also a bit more legroom and “playing room” at a bulkhead seat. So make sure you check in with enough time to give yourselves that kind of seat choice.
Hopefully, both of your children are equally happy to be minded by each of you.
That way you can pass the baby over and back rather than one person being stuck under the baby and the other feeling exhausted trying to occupy and entertain a toddler.
Bring a regular sized bag as hand luggage for your toddler even if she or he can’t manage to carry it alone. That way you can fit in more toys, books and games to amuse them in the air. Remember to pack a favoured soft toy, comforter or blankie if something like that is relied upon for sleep.
If your children do sleep on the flight then use this as an opportunity to get some rest for yourself. Write your name and your seat number on a piece of paper and pin it to your toddler in case they wake up and wander around the plane while you are still snoozing. The geography of planes can be confusing and if you are findable with ease then they won’t get stressed, nor other passengers disturbed, if they get lost.
Be prepared to actively engage with your children. You may find that if you are mentally and psychologically ready (or resigned!) to play, sing, doodle and read to your children, that in fact you will end up doing less than you expected.
Do ensure you pack into your hand luggage enough nappies for both of them to do, not just the flight but the first night of the stay (until you can get to a shop to buy more).
We once ran out of nappies upon landing on a Sunday in a small village in France. We had packed extra nappies for the first night but had put them in the main luggage which got lost. Trying to find an open shop on a Sunday was more trauma than the flight!
Bring more baby wipes than you think you might need. They are great for children and adults alike. Bring at least one full change of clothes for each child in your hand luggage. Remember too to pack some Ziploc or other sealable plastic bags to contain any wet or soiled clothes.
If you are not breastfeeding, then make sure you have enough formula and other food for the baby. Never assume that your toddler will like or eat the food on the plane so bring things like cheese or carrot sticks, crackers, dried fruit, fresh fruit and yoghurts. Pack an empty “sippy-cup” so that you can put water or juice in it during the flight without having to worry about spills.
If your little ones are prone to motion sickness, the little elasticised bands that go around their wrists and press a nodule onto an acupressure point on their wrist really work (at least in my experience) to reduce nausea.
The air on long flights can get very dry and you might find that the little fresh water mister sprays (make sure they are small enough to get past airport security) are very refreshing when sprayed onto the face and the back of the hands. Something like that can really reduce that flushed, over-heated state that toddlers especially can get into.
Without meaning to be a killjoy, you also need to be prepared to amuse and entertain them while waiting for luggage and also while queuing for a hire car or your onward transfers.
These are often the bits that really catch us out because we have invested all our energy in getting through the flight.
If you are not in a rush out of the airport then there is no harm in letting your toddler have 10-20 minutes to run around, unfettered by the aisles and seats of the plane.
After all of that just enjoy your holiday before doing it all in reverse!
David Coleman is a clinical psychologist and broadcaster with RTÉ television
Readers’ queries are welcome and will be answered through the column, but David regrets he cannot enter into individual correspondence.
Questions should be e-mailed to healthsupplement@irishtimes.com