7 tips to keep you sane while travelling with small kids

Travelling with babies and young children can turn a holiday into a nightmarish affair. From how to pick a family-friendly hotel to booking a strategic plane seat, try these tips from experts and moms to make your travels happier and less stressful

1. Prepare your children

“Tell them all about the journey, where they will be stopping, what they will be doing along the way (for instance, having breakfast and lunch in the car),” says Durban occupational therapist, Tamaryn Hunter. “If travelling by airplane, show them pictures of a plane. Tell them about the take-off and landing. Read them stories about children going travelling.”

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2. Get into gear

Packing the right travel and “distraction” gear is essential for long road or plane trips with kids. Steal these neat ideas from other moms:

• Cindi Otto, a mom from Joburg, suggests bringing a new toy to occupy your child. “Always have wipes at the ready, and leak-proof sippy cups or bottles. Spilled milk stinks in a hot car!”

• “On holiday, you may need to suspend some of the rules you would have at home,” says Elizabeth Sleith, who suspends her usual rule of limiting television-watching and brings a stack of DVDs for her son to watch in the car. “It’s bliss.” Consider purchasing a DVD screen that attaches to the front seat headrest.

• Mix ‘n match passive activities like listening to audiobooks with active pastimes, says Hunter, who suggests packing an activity pack with a variety of items, such as sticker books, colouring-in books, crayons and pens, and sheets of paper for the kiddies to draw on. Consider buying a travel tray, which connects to the car seat, says Otto, allowing kids to occupy themselves with things like drawing. If you’re flying, some airlines sell kiddies entertainment packs. Don’t forget the old-fashioned stuff, Sleith says. Car games like I Spy are fun for the whole family.

• Comfort first, says Hunter, who suggests bringing a few comfort items along for your child, such as their blankie, favourite bottle or toy. “Also make sure they wear comfortable clothes that aren’t tight or scratchy.”

• Be sure to pack a bit of common sense too, says Danielle Havemann, a mom of two from Centurion, who always brings a dummy or something chewy on-board for her baby to suck during take-off  and landing to avoid earache. “Try arrange flights around nap times. It’s important to follow the same routine you do at home.”

3. Keep calm and carry on

Travelling with kids is demanding, so get your Zen on by playing calming music in the car. Another key to keeping calm (so you can go back to work rested and not a frazzled wreck) is to take advantage of all help available. For instance:

• If requested some car rental agencies will drop you off at airport Departures once you’ve returned the rental car, so you don’t have to juggle sprog/car seat/ pram on foot.

• Some airlines offer a meet-and-assist service where moms travelling alone with infants are assisted with their luggage from the aircraft to the baggage collection area.

• It’s common practice for air hostesses to be on-hand to assist with things like bottle-warming if needed, so don’t hesitate to ask.

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4. Book the right seat

Consider booking an aisle seat where you don’t have to clamber over people in case a nappy change or walkies is needed. According to SAA: “Aircraft seats situated at a bulk head where a baby bassinet can be used are the best seats when travelling with an infant… for a more pleasurable flight and more legroom.” Aaah. Legroom. Yes please.

Also find out about the airline’s policies regarding weight allowance and storage of things like car seats before you fly to make the experience as bump-free as possible.

5. Take breaks

Planning a road trip with kids? Pick a route that has plenty of rest stops, for those emergency nappy changes, snack attacks, or just for a change of activity after two hours of singalongs.

“Staying somewhere overnight can help break up the trip and also add to the fun, says Joburg mom Gila Wilensky.

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6. Pick the right accommodation

If they don’t state “child-friendly” on their website, it’s best to ask before you book. Sleith suggests opting for accommodation with a separate room for the kiddies so you and your partner aren’t forced to go beddy-bye at 8pm. “Also take extra caution in an unfamiliar environment,” she says. Consider bringing your own child-friendly paraphernalia, like plug covers.

If you have a baby who’s likely to start howling at 3am, you may feel more at ease in a stand-alone unit than a hotel room, or risk facing the wrath of other residents at the breakfast buffet. The kiddies may also feel more comfortable in an environment that’s like home.

Here’s a cheat sheet of questions to ask when researching accommodation, from moms in the know:

• Does the accommodation have self-catering facilities? Things like a microwave to warm up frozen food are especially handy for people travelling with infants.

• How many bathrooms are there? If just one, are you happy to share, or will the triplets need their own space? Is there a bath for baby?

• Are there any potential hazards? For instance, is the accommodation close to a busy road? Are there steep stairs? An open balcony?

• Does the accommodation provide things like a cot and high chair if requested, or will you have to bring your own?

7.  Don’t forget to have fun

Wilensky says that while planning is important, she’s also in favour of a little spontaneity. Instead of pre-booking stayover accommodation on one family holiday, she chanced upon a working farm along the route and decided to stay there with her son (then seven) on a whim. “We could have stayed for days. It was such fun,” she says.

And that’s the whole idea. Happy holidays.