Travel TODDLERS AND TANTRUMS Travelling with your child doesn't have to be the end of the world. All it requires is planning. Lots of planning. P-L-A-N. Do that and you will successfully survive either a 30 minute or a 12-hour flight without incurring killer dagger looks from your co-passengers. Here are our key takeaways... 74
Travel A LITTLE HUMOUR GOES A LONG WAY Please stop rolling your eyes and yes, you read that right. The goodie bags have been proven to be a hit and will ease tension on board. It does not have to be anything fancy. Fill a zipper bag with some candies and chocolates, add a personalised printed note stating that there is a child on board this plane and is seated with his or her parents at so and so and if there are screams or cries of laughter at odd times during the journey, you are apologising in advance for the inconvenience caused and that other passengers are welcomed to drop by your seats to say hello to the child in question or just stare angrily and walk along. And again, you don’t have to make 300 bags. Do what is within your means. FILL THAT TOTE BAG Essentials include: • Diapers (an abundant supply and by that it means one should cram more if there is space in the bag) • Diaper changing pad • Blankets • Plastic bags (you might want to pack extra depending on how often your child changes diapers) • Wet wipes and tissues (Wipes are allowed in your hand-carry luggage as long as it is a reasonable amount. Just do not carry enough to wipe down an elephant) • Travel-size bottles of hand sanitisers, shower gels and lotion • Pacifiers if your baby or toddler uses one • Toys (The key here is to make sure you have the child’s favourite toy and guard it with your life) • Necessary clothing and shoes • Food for the flight journey (Baby milk, sterilised water, food in liquid, gel or paste form and juice is permitted beyond the regular 100ml in a hand-carry luggage. Most airports will allow this, including airports in Malaysia, as long as it is of a reasonable amount) • Necessary medication including baby paracetamol, thermometer, anti-itching lotion, oral rehydration preparation and band-aids • A sling, front carrier or a collapsible stroller (This depends on the location and duration of your travel destination) • As we have fully established that the list is long or perhaps short for some, it is some of the basic necessities that will keep you covered in most if not all aspects while travelling. If you love packing, organising and planning your child’s tote bag, you could always pack a simple goodie bag for your flight passengers GATE OPEN: NOW BOARDING Please do bank in on extra efforts made by respective airlines or airport staff as the faster you and your child get strapped in, the lesser he or she gets bored waiting in long queues. We, regardless of being parents or not, are fully aware of a child’s attention span and this is not the time to be testing the water. So, buckle up. Do not forget to do the same with your child because this is going to be one heck of a journey. Once strapped in, make sure the essentials are within reach. Nobody wants to have their face coming into close contact of your rear end every other 30 minutes as you move through the seats to get to the hand-carry luggage stored in the overhead cabin. KEEP YOUR CHILD ENTERTAINED This is where your skills as a performing artist will be nit-picked by the soon-to-be biggest critic in life – your child. Remember that favourite toy? That will come in handy, just about now till the plane lands. If toys aren’t making the cut, a screen of some sort will do the trick. There is hardly a child left on this planet that does not know how to operate an Apple iPad or being able to stay glued to a smartphone watching the latest cartoons or children shows. But, if your child is too young for these gadgets or if you refuse to allow your child to be dependent on said gadgets, it will be left to you to come up with ideas on ensuring your child does not pull both yours or his/her hairs out throughout the journey. WORD OF ADVICE. WALK IT OUT. A baby or toddler does not understand the changes that take place to their body while cruising over 30,000 feet above ground. Earaches caused by the air pressure will come off as confusing or worse yet, scary to a child. If gadgets, toys, food or even you pulling silly faces will not stop that huge tear which is about to stream through those fluffy cheeks, it is time to unbuckle and take a walk. Inside the plane, of course. SEEK EXPERT ADVICE Lastly, make sure your child is of a suitable age to travel by air. If unsure, take your child to a doctor and seek advice. Immunisations and travel advisories are best administered by an expert with access to your child’s medical history. On a side note, if you think it’s over, you do realise you will have to fly home and repeat the process again, right? 75
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