Travel’n Tots:
Preparing Your Child for Your Vacation

by Gina Roberts-Grey

As spring and summertime roll around everyone looks forward to a relaxing getaway. Time spent with your family away from the rigors of every day life represents a much needed chance for your family to unwind. Whether you are planning an extended vacation or a long weekend away there is always planning required for a trip.

Many parents often question how to swiftly travel with young children or infants. New parents - as well as parents of multiple children - dread the traveling time required in order to arrive at their vacation destination.

There are some simple planning tricks that will spare your family grief while on the road and ensure your vacation starts off on the right road. By incorporating a few key steps, you can guarantee your tiny traveler is well prepared and your family’s fun filled vacation gets off to a great start.

Packing for everyone

One of the easiest ways to make sure your child is comfortable on the road is bringing along a few small comforts of home. Although you’d never forget to pack extra diapers, it’s easy to forget their favorite blanket or teddy bear. Make a list of the less obvious but essential items your baby uses during the day. Consider items like their favorite t-shirt, sippy cup or bottle or other items that bring them comfort and security.

Carrying pictures of pets or grandma for the hotel dresser and pillows from home will make them feel secure. If your child sleeps in a crib, call ahead to find out if the crib mattress is standard size. Bring along a pair of your own crib sheets and a night light to ease some of the worries of sleeping away from home.

Purposeful breaks

For long car trips, consider scheduling a block of the time spent traveling during your baby’s naps or into the evening hours. While on the road, incorporate a balance of rest stops that allow for some physical activity, as well as activities to keep your kids busy in the car. Stop at a park for 15 minutes to burn off some excess energy or take a quick walk around a local mall to stretch everyone’s legs and revitalize your family for the next leg of your journey. Pack your child’s favorite books, rattles and teething toys for easy accessibility in the car and bring along a portable tape or portable CD player to play his favorite songs or story tapes in the back seat.

When you’re going to travel by air or train with your baby, allow them plenty of extra time at the airport or train station to become acclimated to his surroundings. If possible, take a trip to the station a few days before you’re departing as a rehearsal. Your child will be familiar with some of the sights and sounds and what to expect the day you’ll be departing and less likely to feel anxiety or stressed about the trip.

The chaotic atmospheres at airports and train stations are extremely mentally and emotionally stimulating to our young ones. They see the blur of lights, colors, and myriad of faces swarming past and their minds race to process all that flashes before them. Their heightened awareness to the new environment increases their adrenaline and often manifests into a surplus of nervous energy. A few deliberate moments in your arms to feel secure and absorb the environment will induce a calm departure from the station.

Up in the air

Call your air carrier ahead of time for seat assignments. Ask for bulkhead rows (which offer slightly more leg room) or seats near the restrooms to accommodate diaper changes or potty training. Take advantage of your airline’s offer to board early and give your child a chance to acclimate himself with the plane.

One sure fire trick to air travel with children is packing plenty of light snacks and easy to feed beverages in your carry on bag. Many airlines have changed their food and beverage services and do not offer food on several domestic flights. If a beverage or meal service is offered, it may not coincide with your child’s needs.

Infants and very small children do not know how to prevent their ears from becoming painfully plugged while in the air. Having something to drink or suck on is vital for very young children to enjoy pleasant take-off and landings. A pacifier, bottle or teething biscuit during take-off and landing will force babies to use their muscles and help their ears to pop.

Toddlers can be given a juice box or fruit snacks during the crucial flight times in order to keep them free of ear pain in the air. Another tip is to keep you child safely fastened in their seats at all times. Despite the safety belt sign indicating you are able to remove the lap belt, it is always a good idea to stay with what works. If they do not realize they have the ability to roam the cabin, they’re more likely to stay in their seats. If you’re in the midst of potty training, explain to your child that bathroom breaks are the only time they are permitted to be out of their seat.

As your family anticipates your vacation, you all will benefit from proper preparation. By adding a few simple child friendly steps to your vacation planning, you’ll reduce the stress of traveling on your child. Your baby will experience a pleasant family trip and will appreciate your efforts to make him comfortable and content. You’ll not only create lifelong family memories, but you’ll eliminate unnecessary anxiety and give them the security to learn to adapt to new environments.