CONVERGENCE MAR-APR2017

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?
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