Are We There Yet?
What used to be the cry of children, may now be the plea of overstressed parents traveling to that wonderful vacation destination. When you travel with small infants or children, getting there may not be half the fun. But with a little advanced planning and some creativity, you can put fun back in the ride. So whether you are traveling by planes, trains, or cars, here are some age related tips for traveling with your family.
When traveling with infants or toddlers by car, make sure to have the baby fed before you leave the house. Plan stops for feeding and diaper changes along the way. Looking out the window and pointing out trucks, cars, trains, and houses can be a fun language game. If you rent a car: make sure you have an appropriate car seat.
Toddlers require more attention, especially in long rides when they may get restless. Plan frequent stops for feeding and some running around to burn off some energy. If a child is very restless and unhappy in car rides, make sure one parent sits next to the child in the back seat to attend to the needs of the toddler.
If traveling by plane, have infant toys in your carry on that your baby can hold or chew on for entertainment. Toddlers can be interested in everything around them. But have some favorite (and a few new) toys to distract them with. A good rule of thumb for toddlers, have one toy hidden in your bag for each one half hour of the trip. Don’t offer a new toy or activity if your child is not being restless, even if they are fascinated by the food tray.
If you know your babies or toddlers ears are sensitive to flying, speak to your pediatrician about using a decongestant one hour before landing. Breast or bottle- feed your baby on the way up or down (if not secured in a car seat) to help ease the pressure on the eardrums. Also have a pain reliever on hand just in case.
The good news is that both babies and toddlers will sleep for a good part of any long trip. Take advantage of those quiet moments and enjoy the ride
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