I know the thought of travelling with children can be stressful, and sometimes, quite frankly terrifying! So I have decided to do a travel series with all my top tips, advice and essentials, walking you through every step off the planning and preparation, the travel, the holiday and return travel, as well as how to reset on return.
So if you’ve got the urge to travel with your kiddos, but are feeling overwhelmed, please read on. My travel series is a comprehensive guide that will give you the toolkit you need for staycations, short-haul, and long-haul travel.
Preparations for short-haul travel
A short-haul flight is up to 3 hours in duration. Once you have kids, a little pre-planning can make the entire holiday experience calmer, so that you can be in the moment and enjoy your trip.
Pros and cons of a short-haul flight
Short flights are so popular for a multitude of reasons. They are far more economical, and also allow for some much needed sunshine, especially if you live in a cooler climate such as the United Kingdom. Parents are also opting for short-haul flights when travelling with children too. Sometimes, all you want is a short and fuss free flight that you know will be over in a matter of a few hours. If you are travelling from the UK, there are many desirable options just a few hours away. Paris (France), Barcelona (Spain), Algarve (Portugal), Corfu (Greece), Florence (Italy), Sicily (Italy), Amsterdam (Netherlands), Budapest (Hungary) and Copenhagen (Denmark) are just a handful of options to research.
Of Course, if you do plan to travel overseas with children, it is worth taking a little time to consider preparations for the flight and well as any jet lag you and your family may encounter.
Planning for the flight
Once you have decided on your desired destination, you can begin to book and plan for the flights. There may or may not be options for day and night travel. If you are able to be selective about your travel time, it is worth considering whether a daytime or night time flight would be best suited to your family, especially considering your little ones sleep pattern. Do bear in mind that a short-haul flight is only a few hours of flight time, and so if you take a night flight, your little one’s sleep is likely to be disrupted once you land at your destination. If you travel during the daytime, you could try and work it around your little one’s nap time if the timings align.
Often, airlines will provide bassinets and allocated seating with extra leg room for families, but I always urge you to clarify this when booking, as many short-haul flights may not provide this option.
It is also worth noting your mode of travel and duration to the airport as well as from the airport to your place of stay on holiday. If you have a significant travel time to and from the airport, you may need to factor in car breaks for stretching for babies as well as toilet breaks for children. Potential naps can also be offered during this time if the timings align.
Consider any potential jet lag
Travelling short-haul may still entail time differences. Most short-haul flights are likely to have a smaller time variance and so you may want to go with the flow and adjust to the new time when you reach your destination. If you want to start adjusting your child to the new time zone ahead of time, you can do so in the week before travel, gradually adjusting their wake up and bedtime to slightly earlier or later each day depending on where you are travelling.
Packing for the flight
Depending on whether you have babies, toddlers, or school-aged children, you will need to think about what they may require during the flight. So it’s easier to pack a rucksack with their essentials and keep this handy. And don’t forget to pack a change of clothes for you, just in case! Here is where making lists can truly help you get organised.
BABIES:
Print off my What to pack in your nappy bag - Essential checklist below
· Extra sleepwear, including their sleeping bag and comfortable clothing
· Favourite teddy/comforter/dummy if they use one
TODDLERS & SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN:
Of course, some items may overlap with babies and so you may still want to print off my What to pack in your nappy bag - Essential checklist. Don’t forget to also take:
· Snugglies
· Entertainment such as books/toys/iPad & headphones/music playlist/audio books/Yoto Mini Player
· Hair ties
Packing for the holiday
Write down a list of what your bubba will need for the holiday so that you can start getting things in order. The satisfaction of ticking of your lists will help you feel more organised and prepared for travel. Always remember to pack essentials at the very top so that they are easily accessible when you reach your destination. It may be likely that the first thing your bubba needs on arrival is a little snooze, so keep bedding and sleepwear within easy reach.
BABIES:
· Preferred toy(s)
· Bath toys and a bath thermometer
· Favourite blanket or comforter
· Travel blackout blinds
· Portable white noise machine
· Baby monitor
· Familiar bedtime stories
· Sleeping bags, if used
· Bedding/sheets from home can help ease the transition
· Travel cot (get your little one to have a few sleeps in this beforehand to ease the transition)
· Pushchair
· Pushchair sun shade – UK’s favourite baby sun and sleep shade (Coupon Code – SDREAM10 FOR 10% off) - www.snoozeshade.com/?ref=SDREAM10
· Sunscreen/sunhats
· Dummy
· Medication
· Feeding supplies
· Nappy supplies
· Swimwear and swim hat-UV protected
TODDLERS/SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN ADDITIONALS:
· Night light
· Sleep Training clock
· Sunglasses
· Entertainment/toys/books
· Rucksack for them to carry with their favourite things
· Snacks
· Swimwear and swim hat-UV protected
Print off my What to pack in your nappy bag - Essential checklist for feeding and nappy supplies below.
Planning to stick to routine or go with the flow whilst away?
This is such a personal decision and is yours to make. You may want to take into account any time differences when making your decision. Of course, many sleep consultants advise sticking to your little one’s current routine whilst away, which can help them to sleep and adapt to the new environment.
However, I truly believe that the holiday is for you too, and so it is absolutely justified to go with the flow whilst away, and let routines and timings slide a little. I promise that you can get things back on track afterwards. So have a think about what sort of schedule will suit you and your family best.
What if your little one normally attends nursery on the day of travel?
If your little one attends nursery, you may want to spare a thought about the day of travel ahead of time. If you are travelling later in the day, you may or may not want your bubba to go to nursery on this day. It depends on so many factors, such as your schedule, to-do list on that day, and your child’s personality and temperament too. Having an active day at nursery may help your little one sleep during the flight if you’re travelling later in the day, or overstimulate them and make them overtired, which could potentially make the flight harder. Like I say, it truly depends on a number of factors.
So there you go, I hope my tips for preparing for a short-haul flight lessen the stress and help you plan ahead. Go ahead and get that flight booked. After all, there are so many beautiful places to visit just a few hours away from the U.K. Stay tuned for preparations for long-haul travel, coming soon!
