Travelling Internationally with a Toddler

Today, there are more cross cultural families than ever before.  That speaks volumes for communication and connectivity, but it does also present challenges for young families.  After all, you need to live somewhere, and it is unlikely that your family will rally to move with you.  And, when you have children, you will probably want to travel with them so that friends and family in other parts of the world can meet your baby. International travel may be a given for your family, but that does not mean it is easy. Whether you are heading off to see relatives, or you just need to get away from home for a bit, here are a few things you need to remember about travelling internationally with a toddler. 

Planning Your Holiday

You may want to grab your passport and go, just like you used to in the past.  But, those days are over – at least for a while.  Now, you really will want to add a bit of focus and planning to your travels. 

Timing Is Everything – There are some times of the year when you simply do not want to travel with small children.  And, there are some places which truly must be avoided during peak season of you can help it at all.  For example, flying through the Midwest United States in the middle of February means that you may just be stranded at the airport for a few days, and the airline is not financially responsible for this – even if you have a new-born with you.  More than just the time of year though, you will also want to pay attention to the time of day if you have a choice.  You may find that a later train, or an earlier flight, helps to settle your child, especially if you are just popping over to the continent for a weekend.

Packing – When you are travelling with a toddler, you need to bring a lot with you.  There are prams, car seats and safety gates.  You may also need to pack a portable play area and baby monitors - and that is on top of the basics.  But, although you may be excited about the extra carry-on luggage you are now entitled to, you will soon realise that you are likely to have less room for your items than before.  The key to packing for a toddler on an international trip is to plan far in advance, and ensure your list is detailed according to everything you use regularly.

While Travelling

You may have booked yourself a long train ride across Europe, though most new parents tend to opt for a plane ride simply because it creates a shorter period of stress for your toddler.  Either way, you still need to get there with your child (and hopefully a good attitude too).

Bring Plenty to Do – Whether you are flying off to Asia, or simply heading over the Channel, your toddler will need plenty to do en route.  You may be content with the onboard entertainment, or a nap, but those are unlikely to entertain your child long enough.  But, before you download apps, books and movies to your tablet, remember that your child needs tactile stimulation as well as entertainment.  Try break your entire flight into 20 or 30 minute segments, and then pack enough objects to fill that time.

Food and Drink – As an adult, you know that aeroplane food can be one of life’s cruel jokes.  But, your child does not know that yet.  And while you may just make due, your toddler is unlikely to understand that he does not get a lot of choice.  Pack plenty of snacks, including fresh fruit and small pretzels for your child.  If she has highly specific beverage preferences, you will need to consider that, but you can generally take as many drinks as you need on international flights.

Ask for Assistance – You do not need to play the martyr, or be super mum while travelling.  Make use of all the assistance offered to you, and do not hesitate to ask if you need something.  Whether it is a shorter queue, preferential boarding, or a kids lounge that you can access when your flight is delayed, you certainly should take it if you can.  Remember that your toddler will be affected by all the hustle and bustle and the more you can minimize it, the better. 

During Your Holiday

You may be staying with family while you are away, in which case you should probably wait to make any plans until you see what is in store for you.  But, if you are heading out to a new city, or space, try to keep some of these tips in mind.

Plan to Stay Near the Hotel – With a toddler, you can never be too far from somewhere quiet and peaceful – just in case he needs that space.  So, although you may want to tackle several activities on the other side of town, you should not overdo it.  Try to spread further activities over a few mornings so you can move yourself closer to your hotel in the afternoon.  And, a few extra pounds to get the right location is infinitely better than attempting to cross cities with an upset toddler.

Schedules and Routines – If you are crossing several time zones, you will need to prepare for a shakeup in your toddler’s schedule.  But, unless you are away for several months, you should not attempt to bring your baby onto your holiday time zone.  If she does it naturally, brilliant.  If not, do not force it, or you may find it takes her even longer to adjust when you return.  Simply work around it and allow for extra naps and extra attention whenever your toddler needs it.  And, when it comes to maintaining routines, it is up to your little one.  If she is fussy about her routine, stick to it as best as you can.  But, if you have a little extra flexibility, then take it and start a new, fun holiday routine that makes it easier for everyone.

If you’d like to read more on parenting ideas from Lindam then please visit the Lindam website – www.lindam.com