You’ve arranged a holiday for your family in a destination on your bucket list There’s only one thing that stands against you and sun, sea and excitement the long-haul flight.
For some who are worried about more than 12 hours of travel with their children, this can discourage them from taking a trip to an exotic location, but by planning ahead and strategically booking, you’ll not only endure a long-haul journey with your children, but even be able to enjoy the journey! These suggestions can help reduce the duration of flights and alleviate the stress of holiday time with your family.
Here are 15 tips that will make traveling by plane effortless, beginning with the time of your flight and ending with the necessities you’ll need in your luggage.
Choose your departure time carefully
This will be one of the most efficient ways to increase the chances of a successful long-haul flight by selecting the ideal time to fly for you and your entire family. A daytime flight will increase your chance of spending a lot of time walking across the aisle and attempting to keep the little children entertained. A nighttime flight is likely to ensure everyone gets sleep, allowing the journey to go by faster.
If you fly in the evening, you’ll probably have up to an hour or so in which the lights are on as dinner is served before turning them off to sleep, giving you ample time to relax.
Take lots of snacks
Food is an important aspect to consider when traveling with kids, particularly in the event that you’re worried that your young kids won’t enjoy the on-flight meals. Keep a few of their favorite snacks in your luggage to prevent any meltdowns due to hunger during the flight. In the meantime, if you’re traveling with a newborn, follow the recommendations from the CDC, which state that you are permitted to take as much infant food, milk and sterilized drinking water as you require to travel. There is no limit on the amount you can carry, but individual containers of breast milk are required to not exceed.
Entertainment is guaranteed.
Although you shouldn’t burden your luggage with books and toys, some carefully selected activities can keep kids engaged on long-haul flights. Consider coloring, activity or stickers, as well as games that you and your children can enjoy together on the way. Beware of packing games or toys that are small, as you could be spending a lot of time looking across the floor to locate lost pieces underneath the seats. This is not an enjoyable experience for anyone.
Pack as light as possible
When packing, ensure you’re well filled, including snacks, drinks, and an extra change of clothes. Make sure not to overpack your luggage. Inadequately packing or not having a system for your hand luggage could create a stressful experience at the airport or during the flight. Therefore, take the time to make a list of the things you’ll need and take care to pack them accordingly.
Some screen time is fine
If there’s a moment when screen time might be needed, it’s when you’re stuck in the plane’s cabin for a long period of time. Make use of the entertainment systems on many planes. They is likely to have movies or even episodes of your favorite shows to keep kids entertained for a long time. It is also possible to explore music or audiobooks to keep your youngsters from staring at the screen.
Energy is burned off before the flight
If you’re hoping that your family members will sleep during the flight, one of the most beneficial options is to exhaust their energy prior to boarding. Allow children to play in a quiet area or simply take long walks through the airport prior to taking off to improve the odds of everyone sleeping.
Get the essentials for toddlers and babies.
Many airlines let you bring in a stroller or vehicle seat in the gates free of charge So, benefit from this by using them to move through an airport along with your child or toddler more easily and more quickly.
Stretch your legs
Make it a game to take a walk through the aisle every few hours to help kids release any energy that is stored up, keep them entertained and move your legs. It’s important to keep your children active when they arrive at the airport prior to taking your flight in order to avoid being agitated early in the journey. They may even lull them into going to bed.
The dress code to impress
According to experts from Your Baby Club, what you put on is just as crucial as the clothes you carry in your luggage. “The temperature on a plane or in a car can go from one extreme to another, one minute it can be too hot and the next it’s freezing cold due to the air conditioning. You can prepare for these drastic changes in temperature by dressing yourself and your child in layers,” They suggest. “Wear layers that are comfortable and can be easily removed, depending on the temperature.”
Make sure you have a spare set of clothes
“Packing light when travelling is never easy, but one essential thing to pack when travelling by plane, car, or boat, is a change of clothes. From spilt juice to a leaky nappy, your little one may find themselves in many sticky situations when traveling, so it’s important to make sure you have a spare change of clothes just in case,” the baby experts advise.
They say: “If you’re travelling a long distance, it’s worth packing a pair of comfortable pajamas, to make nap time even more enjoyable.”
Make sure you are prepared for pressure from the air.
“When the air pressure changes on a plane, pressure is placed on the eustachian tubes, causing pain and discomfort in the ears. This is a normal part of flying, but for young babies, it can be extremely stressful. You can relieve and prevent any pain by offering your child a bottle, breast, or pacifier to suck on during take-off and descent,” the Your Baby Club team suggest.
Be free of boundaries and structure
If you feel you have to adhere to your routine and rules when traveling, Kristin Gallant and Deena Margolin, who are the masterminds of Big Little Feelings, say that it is best to let go. “Let boundaries and structure go out the window. Seriously. Be gentle with yourself,” they suggest. “On travel days with kids, we are all just trying to survive. This means lollipops, infinite screen time, and truly whatever we need to do to make it to the destination.”
Reserve an additional seat
When your baby is less than the age of 2, you are not required to reserve them a seat, however, should your budget permit, we at Your Baby Club team recommend that you book it anyway “for their protection during take-off, landing, and through turbulence.”.
They state: “Extra room is always essential when travelling with young children on a plane, so they have room to stretch and play.”
Do not worry about what others might think
There will be uncomfortable moments during the long-haul flight, especially when you have babies or children in the earliest stages However, don’t think too much about what other passengers consider. It is likely that others similar to you are or have been in the past, which means they’ll be more understanding than you believe.
Make yourself aware of the reason you’re on your way
When things get a bit difficult, in difficult times, remember the main reason you’re traveling and the adventure you’re looking forward to once the trip is finished. Relax and try to remain cool; managing your emotions and not getting overwhelmed can not only allow you to handle the situation more effectively,, but it will also assist your child to settle down and also stop temper tantrums at the beginning.