Using a properly installed car or booster seat or buckling your child in properly can reduce the risk of serious injury or death by as much as 75%.
Survival Tips for Traveling with Toddlers
Author:
one tough job
Survival tips for traveling with toddlers
Memorial Day is right around the corner and summer traveling is upon us. Whether you are driving to the nearest amusement park, visiting family, or flying to a vacation spot, traveling with a toddler (or two!) is a daunting task.
Here are some of your best tips from our staff of moms and dads:
- Bring a sippy cup and ask a flight attendant for juice, not milk. Now is not the time to worry about your child’s sugar intake. Trust us, one staffer learned the hard way that toddlers CAN have motion sickness.
- If your toddler is still using a pacifier, bring it (of course!). Pack two, just in case one is lost. If you’ve already weaned your child (congratulations!) bring one of those windmill flowers and teach her to blow on it during the flight. Both will help with the cabin air pressure that is so harsh to young children’s ears.
- Buy a new set of toys or set aside a couple of toys from his last birthday. Don't open them until you are en-route. Even something simple like new crayons and different texture papers will keep your child engaged.
- We hope your toddler sleeps on the flight, but if she is wide-awake or if you are on a daytime flight, just let her explore. The seat belt, the tray table, and the window shade can all be interesting to your little one (you might want to pack antibacterial wipes). Don’t forget to get up and move around when you are allowed.
- Practice your "mean face" so you can stare down rude people who don't get that here's a baby on the flight (just kidding). Or, offer passengers earplugs.
- Pack a spare t-shirt for you and your toddler. A small space makes for big accidents. Also, most airlines allow a diaper bag in addition to your carry-on bag.
- Just relax. Your toddler may cry and he may anger other passengers (including you!). It’s going to be OK. Everyone can practice being patient when traveling with kids.
