The thought of packing your bags and heading off to holiday in another country sounds pretty good – but if you’ve got a precious little bundle on your hands, it can also sound pretty daunting. You can check your bags of hesitation at the door, though, with this great advice for setting off to show bub the world.
Planning1 Ask your travel agent about places to visit that are child-friendly. “The favourite international destinations for parents with very young families are warm, tropical places such as Phuket, Hawaii, Bali and Fiji,” says Lisa Ferrari, brand manager at travel.com.au. “All-inclusive resorts are very popular because they offer supreme convenience with food, pools and activities available without having to leave the grounds.”
2 Before you book, though, check out the travel advice for your chosen destination on the government’s Smart Traveller website (www.smartraveller.gov.au), which has the latest information on political and health issues around the world.
3 When arranging your flights, “book with a travel agent who can help provide you with the smoothest connecting times,” Lisa advises. You don’t want to be stuck waiting around airports with bub, if you can avoid it!
Health checks4 “Protection against mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever is vital,” says Travel Clinic Australia’s Melanie van Buuren. Dr Tony Gherardin, adviser at Travel Doctor TMVC, says to “cover bub up with long sleeves and a hat wherever mosquitos are around.” When it comes to repellents, “one that contains DEET is recommended and a 10 per cent concentration is suitable for babies and small children, applied after sunscreen and washed off before bed,” he says. “Use nets over prams and beds at night in malaria areas, too.”
5 Travel vaccinations against tropical diseases such as typhoid, cholera and yellow fever aren’t suitable for children under two years. “Their immune systems are too immature,” says Melanie. “The best advice would be to stay on the beaten track. Stick to resorts where there are other tourists and you have access to health care should you need it.”
6 If you’re travelling with medication or needles, make sure they are legal in the countries you are visiting (contact details for each country are available at www.dfat.gov.au/embassies.html). Keep the medicine in its original, labelled container to avoid problems at customs and make sure you carry a copy of a letter from your doctor stating what it is and that it’s for personal use only.
The paper trail7 All children travelling overseas, including newborns, need a passport. Make sure all your family’s passports have at least six months validity from your planned date of return to Australia. Keep a photocopy of your documentation separate from the originals and leave copies at home with someone you can easily contact in case of an emergency.
8 When you are travelling with children, local authorities, including customs and immigration officers, may ask you to produce documents to prove you are their lawful parent or guardian. Make sure you always carry the proper identification for yourself and your baby.
Packing
9 Before you pack up your travel cot, car seat, bouncy chair and pram, check what’s available on request at your accommodation. Many child-friendly destinations such as Bali and Phuket are serviced by companies that will drop off and pick up baby gear from your hotel; a quick Google search will reveal all.
10 Going overseas, you may not be able to get the nappy brand you prefer, so it’s worth taking them (and wipes!) with you. Popular brands of formula and food are widely available in destinations frequented by young families, though. Your resort may be able to give advice or, if in doubt, take it with you.
11 If you’re not breastfeeding, pack formula sticks for while you’re on the plane – they’re lighter than the tins and won’t cause you any issues going through customs.
12 You should be able to book a bassinette for the plane trip itself. They do go quickly, though, so reserve one when you book your flight – otherwise bub may end up on your lap – and take a sleeping bag for comfort and hygiene.
13 When organising your carry-on baggage, pack bub’s stuff in a separate bag to yours so you don’t have to lift a whole backpack up and down from the overhead locker. If a separate bag isn’t practical, pack the baby gear at the top of your carry-on for quick and easy access.
14 Your little one might not need his own seat, but infants on international flights are typically entitled to a luggage allowance (with Qantas, for example, it’s 10kg). Depending on your airline, you should be entitled to check in additional items for each infant, such as a collapsible stroller and car seat.
Departing soon15 Give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport! Factor in emergency stops for nappy changing, feeds and settling.
16 When you’re at the airport for at least two hours, even a small bub can get heavy after you’ve check the stroller in as luggage. Some airlines have a limited supply of strollers you can borrow to use in the airport – ask when you book. Your best bet is to take a sling or baby carrier to see you through the airport at both ends, which means you’ll also have your hands free.
17 In Australia, airport staff are not allowed to touch your baby, which means security checks can be a struggle, especially if you’re travelling as a single parent. Ask where you can lie your little one while you take off your baby carrier to put it through the security machine.
18 In case of delays at the departure gate – and for a welcome distraction during mid-air meltdowns – take a few cheap, new toys bub hasn’t seen before.
All aboard!19 Babies can’t equalise their ears, so it’s a good idea to offer a feed (breast or bottle) on take-off and landing, as sucking and swallowing will help stop little ears from hurting. If your baby isn’t interested and wants to cry instead, so be it. Crying alone can help, as bub’s mouth will open wide to yell.
20 “Dehydration isn’t a major concern for a healthy baby on a plane,” says Dr Gherardin. “Just continuing with normal feeding and drinking is satisfactory.” If you wish, though, you can offer bub extra cooled, boiled water (from containers smaller than 100ml, so they’ll get through security).
21 If you don’t want to have to queue for the loo mid-flight with a dirty nappy in your arms, preorder a special meal – kosher, vegan, whatever takes your fancy – and you’ll get served ahead of time. That way you can change bub at a leisurely pace while the other passengers are still eating their meals.
22 Most major carriers will be able to provide special meals for babies if requested at the time of reservation. According to a Qantas spokesperson, “all Qantas aircraft carry a limited quantity of baby food, milk, baby bottles and brushes, cereals and rusks on international flights, for emergency use.”
You’ve arrived23 The good news about jet lag and babies is that symptoms shouldn’t last more than three days. “Try to arrange the itinerary so that you are flying into the night,” suggests Dr Gherardin. “Use light and dark to effectively trigger normal sleep/wake cycles, and feed at the same rate or pattern as you would back home.”
24 If your baby is still being breastfed, you shouldn’t need to worry about dehydration, as breastmilk naturally becomes a little more watery in hot climates (and bub may be up for a feed more frequently, too). If your child is bottle-fed or on solids, it’s important to keep up fluid levels with boiled or bottled water.
25 Many sunscreens (including those suitable for young children) are not meant for babies under six months, so always check the small print. “Covering up and avoiding direct sun exposure is still preferred,” says Dr Gherardin, “but sunscreen is important to protect any exposed skin. Always use swimshirts and hats when in direct sun as well.”
Helpful websitesFor more helpful hints, check out these great websites:
- www.babyonholiday.com.au has travel tips and destination advice.
- www.smarttraveller.gov.au is the government's travel advisory service (and also has a good 'Tips for travelling parents' page).
- www.tripadvisor.com.au lets you research your holiday, ask fellow travellers about destinations, and has plenty of reviews.
- www.travelclinic.com.au has up-to-the-minute advice on travel vaccinations.
- www.traveldoctor.com.au has further information on travel-related medical issues and health warnings.
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