[Jiminy]

Feel free to share your hints and tips on how to make travelling with children easier .

[KB46]

Practical:
* Pre-pack a rectangular toiletries bag with a couple of nappies and the other bare essentials for a nappy change. That way it's ready when you need it. Make sure you pack extra nappies in your carry-on just in case.

Entertainment:
* Crayola make packs of 'magic pens' and paper. The pens have ink that won't mark anything but the special paper.

Personal:
* Prepare yourself mentally for the worst case scenario/s you can think of, eg. delayed on the tarmac pre-takeoff with child in dirty nappy and nazi flight attendant who refuses to let you take your seatbelt off to change them. That way when you land you will be able to say "That went so well!".

* If you're travelling alone with kids, let the flight attendants know and don't be afraid to ask for their help, eg. to watch a sleeping child while you take a pit stop, or to put your meal aside until later while you help your children eat theirs.

[~*hiptobesquare~...]

Found this website when surfing the net.
lists all appropriate places to stay with kids.


www.holidayswithkids.com.au

[KB46]

Here's another website

Out and About With Kids

Kylie

[megan00]

We've travelled extensively with our twins, they are two and a half and have already been to many countries and camping in S.Aust. Our first trip we packed way too much stuff!!!! My suggestions are...
If travelling with a baby, learn how to safely bedshare with your baby (it can be done), and leave the enormously bulky travel cot at home.
There are disposable, multi-use bags designed to sterilise 2 bottles at a time if you have access to a microwave. (a godsend for those who aren't able to breast feed)
Flights with seat back entertainment units are worth every cent.
If you can afford it, consider buying a seat for your baby.
Check in very early
Pack mountains of patience, (for you, your partner, your chil(ren) and for the harried airline staff)
Enjoy it.

This post has been edited by megan00: 27/04/2007, 11:00 AM

[Grubster]

We've just returned from a trip to Europe with a 2 year old and a 5 year old. The 2 most successful entertainers on the plane were small tubs of Playdough (both boys loved this) and our 2 year old loved a Klutz/Chicken Socks threading book - occupied him for ages. Best advice: expect the worst; hope for the best!

[Guest_FancyPants_*]

I bought a Nintendo DS for DS (5YO) recently. It was an absolute absolute godsend, espeically at airports. We spent 6 hours in a very small airport with NOTHING to do. Nintendo saved our lives .

Book a plane where you can have your own TV. (EG Singapore)

[karen69]

I have seen a great site called www.mytravelangel.com that quite a few of my friends have already used. I think it is pretty new.

[Blizz]

Other practical things to bring on a flight:
- spare clothes for bub, yourself and partner (vomits / nappy explosions DO happen!)
- plastic bag / wetbag for dirty clothes
- blue tag and a piece of cloth (e.g. muslin wrap) to shield the bassinette from the cabin lights
- balloons to play with at airport (don't take up any space, are cheap and fun and you can leave them behind)
- bubble blower. Most kids are fascinated by bubbles. Cheap and non-mess entertainment. If you get the wedding ones, they are small enough to get through the 100ml liquid screening
- if FF: bring more formula than you think you'll need (we found we needed two extra 'comfort' bottles on our 24-hour trip)
- order a special meal (e.g. vegetarian or gluten free) for one parent. That way there is always one parent who has hands free for the bub during meal time
- snack trap (to make sure all those sultanas or cheerios don't go everywhere)
- plenty of little snacks
- Panadol / Otrivin / Calm or Phenergen - we didn't use it but it felt good to be prepared

Lessons learnt:
- triple confirm the bassinette for an infant under 2 years
- not all flight attendants will be helpful
- be prepared for MANY walks up and down the aisles
- the baby needs to be taken out of the bassinette whenever the fasten seatbelt sign comes on. This always happens when (s)he is just asleep
- it can help to (friendly) ask the flight attendant if the seatbelt sign is still needed after turbulence has stopped. Sometimes they seem to leave it on just to keep people in their seats
- try and wear the kids out before you board by letting them run around etc. It might help them sleep.
- mentally prepare yourself to have no time to yourself whatsoever and to get no sleep at all - that way, if you do get some, it's a bonus
- if possible, have someone lined up upon arrival who can baby-sit so you can catch some shut eye

[danandtomsmum]

We go on planes quite alot and for the long hauls my husband and I share the parenting rosters, so that one of us gets some sleep for at least some personal down time.
we ALWAYS take small toys/cards/books in a little bag for each child (with some new cheap op shop little plastic people/animals etc) that a child old enough can make up little games with (doesnt cost much and the 'new' things keep them entertained.
DONT give your kids loads of sugary food on a flight. keep it simple and they wont be so 'high' in a strange cramped environment.
encourage lots of water drinking if in the air
DEF take a baby carrier for each of you (if you wear sized ones) OR one that can be adjusted so that the parent who normally carries a baby most of the time doesnt get burdened with doing all the carrying up and down the aisles. we took a ring sling and an ERGO and on the last trip to Hong Kong - but only used the ERGO in the end and shared it (we have two but only took one figuring we wouldnt need them both. another family borrowed our ring sling and at the airport we loaned it out too!! strangers too!!!
take AT LEAST 3 changes of clothes for each small person (and a few for each adult Just in case!! )
be prepared to be flexible. it's hard work!!!
if you are planning a long trip - and still breastfeed, DONT WEAN before you leave!! Gee those boobs help on the plane if you can keep your feeding up. i had loads of older women commenting to me last flight how glad they were to see my feeding an older baby for comfort and food.