Travelling with toddlers

Travelling with toddlers can be very stressful. However, you can make your trip with the little ones comfortable by following these tips.

1.Extra clothing: Pack a complete change of clothes for the child and keep it with you. The younger the child, the greater the possibility you will need many extra changes of clothing. Also, pack warm clothes just in case the weather turns foul.

2.Diapers and wipes: Carry on at least a full day’s diapers, even if your trip is half day. With the potential for delays and lost luggage, you don’t want to be stuck without that necessity. Pack a lot more wipes than you need because they come in handy in cleaning up messy hands and faces when there is no bathroom and in case of any of accident.

3.Keep toddler busy: Entertainment items are also necessary to keep the toddler busy. Carry favourite toys and new ones, books and photo albums. In addition to this, have a variety of snacks like raisins, snack bags of cereal, crackers, cookies, juice boxes, packets of milk, sausages and plastic applesauce containers. Bringing along something to suck on such as a lollipop or pacifier/bottle can help reduce ear pressure during take off and landing.

4.Arrive early and get organised: The logistics of travelling with children are more complicated than travelling alone, so give yourself extra time to check in and get settled. This will give your child a chance to exercise (find an empty gate area or ask if there is an airport play area) in between the long car ride and the flights. If driving, remember you will probably need to make more stops than usual for impromptu clean-ups, snack breaks or run-around relays.

5.Miscellaneous items: Carry sunscreen if you are likely to spend a significant amount of time outdoors. Other items that may come handy in this case include safety pins, handkerchiefs and any other items that you may deem necessary for your child.

6.Talk to your doctor: Before embarking on the trip, consult a doctor to ensure the child is fit to travel. Do not give over the counter remedies to children under two without consulting your doctor. Get a heads-up on what to pack on your travel emergency kit, including motion sickness medicine and something to relieve sinus pressure (especially if you’re flying). Having it all on hand will stave midnight disasters that might otherwise send you on a wild goose chase in the middle of a strange city.

7.Appropriate dressing: As a rule, mothers should dress in comfortable clothing. Darker-coloured clothing is always a good idea in case of spills, which almost always end up on your clothes.

By Njeri Wachira