Tips of the day

from: http://www.mumsnet.com/bigissues/travel.html

Travel
Surviving the journeySure, it's easy to say it's all worthwhile once you get there. It just may not seem that way when you're a mere forty minutes into the trip with an inconsolable 4 year-old and just one wet wipe and a half pack of cheese and onion crisps left between you. Well take heart, there are plenty of ways to mitigate disaster when you travel with children. The trick to organising stress-free, comfortable and enjoyable travel is to plan well ahead of your family's needs and have plenty of ideas up your sleeve to satisfy them.
Universally, a few golden rules apply:

If you are driving, get a map and study it before you go. Write out explicit directions from Point A-B (glancing at these directions can be a lot easier than looking at a map, especially when your attention is so easily drawn elsewhere). Plan to use motorways wherever you can. They are faster, less likely to cause travel sickness and the constant movement will keep them drowsy. What is more, most motorway service stations have a range of kid-friendly facilities including baby rooms and a play area.

If you're flying, remember both the airline and the timing of your flight can have a significant bearing on your stress levels. From the time you book until the time you land, the trick to flying with kids is to keep clear in your mind exactly what you want, firmly request it and keep on asking until you get it. The sort of kid-friendly services airlines offer can include designated flight attendants to care for families, play-packs, organic babyfoods, special pre-cut toddler meals, children's in-flight entertainment channels and pre-allocated seats. Charter flights may be generally cheaper and for some destinations may even be more convenient. The problem is that the later in the day you fly, the more likely you are to be delayed. Scheduled flights are more expensive for a reason. They always retain their precedence in the takeoff order.

Babies
Make your baby's car-seat more comfortable by placing a folded blanket under his knees so that they are slightly bent.
If your baby is in a rear-facing seat, tape brightly coloured posters or photographs to the seat for visual stimulation. Minimise moments of chaos by tying favourite toys onto the car-seat itself (just make sure the string is short enough to avoid him wrapping it around his neck.)
If your baby starts crying once you are on the road and you are unable to stop, a gentle chest rub and softly spoken nursery rhyme can work wonders.
A bottle and food warmer that plugs into a cigarette lighter is ideal for meals on the move.
If you're flying bear in mind that even with just one piece of hand luggage most of your things will need to be stored in an overhead locker that's hard to get at. Keep the paraphernalia you know that you are going to need in one small accessible bag that fits just under your seat.
Small babies are much more sensitive to air-pressure as the plane climbs and descends. Crying helps clear their ears, though you may prefer to give them a drink, as swallowing has the same calming effect.
It is worth knowing that pushchairs are carried free on airlines and can often be taken right up to the point of boarding. Officially, though, carrycots are not supposed to be brought aboard (though airlines will often concede so long as they are collapsible) Availability permitting, you're best off pre-booking a sky cot or bassinet. If you can't be certain of one (charter planes rarely have bassinets) arrive early for check-in and ensure you ask for bulkhead seats. This provides enough room to park your sleeping baby between your feet and the bulkhead, allows room for changing, plus a mini play-area out of the aisle.

Toddlers
First off, don't mess with an established nap schedule. You may think that keeping your little one up through the morning nap means he'll take a longer afternoon nap on the plane but you'd be wrong! You'll just wind up with an overtired, crab-faced monster.
Leave for road trips before dawn. Put sleeping toddlers in the car still in their PJs and wrapped in their duvets and you'll be a good three hours down the road before they even start to stir.
Little ones soon tire of endless hours strapped into a seat. Bear in mind they can't bend over to retrieve dropped items, they can't twist and look around as much as they would like and, what is more, they are boiling over with energy. Try to change the tempo as often as possible. Alternate between sing-along tapes, telling stories, offering snacks and favourite toys and books. Binoculars are a useful diversion.
Surprise and reward toddlers for their patience. Ready-wrapped (use plenty of paper) gifts go a long way towards keeping them smiley.
If you are considering sedatives for a long flight, do be prepared for the fact that these can have the opposite effect, creating more of a grizzle than a snooze. Be sure to try out the right dosage before you fly.
To avoid too many changes along the way, try using extra absorbent nightime nappies.

4 to 6 Years
If you have more than one child in the back of the car, alternating their seats can help break both the monotony and the bickering. I support the theory that the intensity of squabbling is directly proportional to just how close kids sit to one another. Try to provide enough space so your kids can happily co-exist. A goody-box each in between them works a treat.
You can cut down on panic-stricken, unscheduled breaks by taking along a portable travel potty. The best kind have absorbent, throw-away liners. The Posh Potty doesn't, but is miraculously spill-proof (UK 029 2057 5600 for stockists)
Take a change of clothing and don't dress kids up in anticipation of your arrival. Sticky fingers, spilt food and felt-tip pens all have fewer places to go in confined spaces.
Allow yourself plenty of extra time. Kids of this age, especially, are happier travellers if you let them blow off some steam between periods of being strapped in.
Whilst there are plenty of self-consuming diversions to keep this age group busy (favourites include story tapes, 20 questions, snap-together construction toys, throwaway cameras, Etch-a Sketch) encouraging them to read in the back of the car can cause headaches and nausea.
If your child does get car sick, then a handy bag of cat litter will help absorb unpleasant slops and smells.

7 to 11 Years
Don't expect your kids to agree on music. At any point before or during the trip. Kit them out with portable, electronic devices - Walkmans, Discmans, whatever - and the headsets that go with them. That way you'll also get a welcome break from their incessant questions.
Notoriously fickle, you'd better pack a snack bag to cover all moods and all foods: salty, sour, sweet and bitter. What's more try to select the car for your journey based on one criterion and one alone: its quantity of factory-installed cup holders. Count on at least two cup holders per child, and pray it's enough!
Seek out a portable loo (those seemingly pointless gadget-on-the-go catalogues really do have their uses.) Buy one even if you never intend to use it, let alone suggest the kids use it, but simply because once they know it's in the car, they'll surprise you with just how long they can hold on before you reach civilisation.
Inevitably keeping them happy is likely to involve a Game Boy and plenty of heavy-duty AA batteries. Don't run out.

Surviving the holidayBesides the sun, sea and sand, holidaying with the kids in tow inevitably revolves around grub, loo and bedtime dilemmas. Here are some practical tips to help ensure you remain shiny, happy (and sane) people.

Babies
My advice? Go for it, and just as early as you like. The younger your baby, the more portable he is. What's more, coping with him on holiday is actually little different from at home. His needs won't change wherever you are. The world over, babies demand little more than regular feeds, hugs, naps and nappy changes.
Babies' travel needs are naturally simplified. If you're breastfeeding, all the better, as it cancels out the need for bulky bottles and bags. It's a myth that high temperatures and altitude have an adverse effect on the flow of breast milk. In fact in hot and underdeveloped countries, frequent feeds help avoid dehydration and establish better immunity. Even in the highest temperatures, exclusively breast-fed babies need nothing else to drink (though they are likely to want to suckle more). Whilst globally attitudes still differ towards nursing in public, a little diplomacy with a well-manoeuvred cardi or sarong should be enough to alleviate tension.
If your baby's bottle-fed, invest in some ready mixed cartons. Take along plenty of sterilised water, extra pre-measured sachets of powdered formula, a hot water thermos and a mini steriliser. If you can, try to get your baby used to room temperature or even cold milk.
You can buy powdered babymilk and instant cereal almost everywhere overseas, though brands may not always be familiar and the formulas won't necessarily be the same. If you run out, take the empty tin to a local pharmacy to find the nearest, similar brand. Always check the contents for additives. Watch out especially for added sugar and salt.
In the course of a trip your baby will use a formidable number of nappies. Despite the bulk, it's worth carrying enough to see you through the journey; nothing's worse than running out at a critical moment. Airlines may have nappies, though don't count on it. Railway stations, ferry ports and coach stations are unlikely to stock them. A good rule of thumb is one nappy per hour of your journey, plus a few extra allowing for delays. Remember a roll of nappy sacks to dispose of soiled items. Disposables can be bought almost anywhere in the world, though they will often cost a good deal more. Re-usable, washable nappies are a good alternative. They are inexpensive, easy to carry and non-polluting. Otherwise stow a good stash of cumbersome, spare nappies in the gaps between your luggage.

Toddlers
Little ones with established sleep patterns can find it difficult to adjust in a new place. They may not want to go to bed at the usual time or even sleep as long. You may need to spend more time settling them down. They may give up daytime naps altogether. Ultimately, you may need to accept a totally new routine during your time away. Establishing some sense of continuity away from home will help reduce any sense of upheaval. Create a place to sleep with a familiar blanket, bottle or teddy. A plug-in night-light should help keep anxieties at bay, whilst portable bed-rails will prevent youngsters falling out of an untried bed.
If you are still travelling or eating-out past bedtime, have little ones ready dressed in their nightwear for minimum fuss. A travel sleeping-bag complete with hood means they can switch from car to bed without any of the hassle of tucking them in.
Full-blown meals are not always accessible when toddlers get hungry. Stock-up on some nutritious, non-crushable snacks (dried fruit bars, nuts, raisins, raw carrot sticks) Avoid anything that could leak, crumble or turn to mush. If they're confined to a small space or strapped in a buggy avoid snacks high in sugar, chocolate and caffeine. There is nothing worse than a hyped-up toddler with nowhere to go.

4 to 6 Years
Unfamiliar toilets fascinate some young kids; others feel intimidated by them. Toilets abroad not only differ in shape and size, but invariably in their states of cleanliness. Always carry a spray bottle of diluted bleach (1:10 with water) for spraying public toilet seats and make sure you are armed with wet-wipes. If a public toilet is not close to hand, most restaurants, hotels or bars will happily oblige once you explain your need. Fast food joints are always a safe bet.
In an emergency, place something absorbent (tissues, nappy etc.) into a plastic bag.

7 to 11 Years
Be aware of the impact fitting-in can have on your child. Transient friendships are often less-forgiving and being rebuffed can really shake a kid's confidence. Arm older kids with a few words of the local language to help break the ice, plus one or two irresistible toys.
Souvenir shops are for suckers and single people. Keep well back. That very toy whose existence defies any concept of marketability is the one that cries out most loudly to be bought.

Sun Sense
The younger your child, the higher their risk of over-heating and of getting sunstroke. Outside put on loose-fitting, tight-weave, pure cotton clothing to cut-down on sweating.
With the incidence of skin cancer rising fast, it is best to keep kids out of the sun altogether during the hottest part of the day (especially between 11am and 3pm)
It is no longer enough to coat kids with sun-cream either; alone it simply does not offer sufficient protection. The more a kid's body's covered, the better. Baggy T-shirts and wide-brimmed hats are ideal sunscreens (avoid tops and sundresses that leave shoulders exposed) Ranges of approved SPF protective clothing are now widely available too, as are UV protective, pop-up cabanas which offer both shade and shelter from the penetrating rays.
Good coverage is just as important whenever you are travelling by car. Both the seat and seat-belt buckles can become scorching hot in direct sun and you will risk seriously burning sensitive, exposed skin. Try to park your vehicle in the shade and, whilst you are away, always cover car seats with a blanket or towel. On the road, a simple spurt of cooling lavender water can help take the discomfort out of a sweltering drive.
Besides obvious vaccination precautions, you will also need to avoid mosquito bites between dusk and dawn. Insect repellents not only help avoid itches and scabs, but also reduce your chances of contracting devastating diseases like malaria. Vaporise an insecticide within your room to help deter mosquitoes, and hang an impregnated net above your baby's cot. Despite being used widely for years, there have been worries about the effects of repellents containing DEET. Pregnant women and children under one year should avoid them altogether. For a natural alternative, lemon grass, lavender, eucalyptus and cedar are all reported to be effective (you will find these are the base for many child-safe insect repellents, so check the labels.)

Feeding Them
When kids say they need to eat, they need to eat. Trouble is, asking them to wait two weeks for some home-style food will seem like an eternity. Instead look out for the kind of foods they recognise. Your children won't suffer if they don't eat a balanced meal every day and they won't end up at the doctor's just because they eat more ice cream than fruit.
If you know that you are going to have to depend on local food, then give your kids some idea of what they are likely to encounter before they arrive. Try out a few recipes before you travel.
If you are still sure of problems, pack a few dry goods such as pasta, cake mixes, packet drinks and snacks. Assorted fun-size boxes of cereal are always a favourite.
Once you arrive, it is probably not worth pressing the food issue too early. Encourage your children by letting them see you try out different foods first. Keep it fun - try bribing them with a local coin or dessert for each new one they try.
Wherever possible drink water, and plenty of it to help avoid both constipation and dehydration. Though foreign water is nowhere near as hazardous as we're led to believe it's best to take basic precautions. A thermos filled with boiled water allows for all sorts of eventualities. If you notice locals drinking from plastic bottles, chances are the tap water is unsafe to drink. Yet there is no cast-iron guarantee that even shop bought bottled water is safe. It may simply be treated tap water. It may also contain unsuitable mineral levels for younger children. Always check that bottle seals are intact before you indulge, and in restaurants try to insist bottles are opened at your table, within view. It is worth remembering that most brand-name carbonated drinks, such as Coca Cola and Pepsi, are bottled under strict sanitary conditions worldwide.
All children are prone to bouts of diarrhoea and vomiting (not always connected to what they have eaten.) Still, most upset tummies are a result of unhygienic food preparation, mainly from unclean hands. If there is one thing you can do to avoid getting sick on holiday, try to be meticulous about hygiene. Wash your own hands before touching food or feeding your kids, and make sure they wash their hands properly too. If this is a problem, briskly rubbing your hands together will help get rid of potentially harmful bacteria.
All round, hot freshly cooked dishes are undoubtedly the safest foods. In the absence of anything familiar, baked potatoes, boiled eggs, nuts and live yoghurt are a safe bet.
Beware of both reheated and cold cooked foods and remember raw seafood may carry cholera.
In some places you may need to think twice before buying ice cream and other dairy products. In Africa, India and parts of the Middle East you can't always be sure the milk has been pasteurised nor the dairy products properly refrigerated. Unpasteurised cheeses and milk products are common in many parts of Europe, especially France. Double check sell-by dates and weigh up the cleanliness of the shop to get some idea of how fresh the produce is. If in doubt, opt for long-life, powdered or tinned milks.
The best all-round maxim to adopt in less developed countries is Peel it, Boil it, Cook it or Forget it. If you are keen on salad, stick to carefully washed and peeled cucumber, and the less susceptible shiny-skinned fruit and vegetables (such as tomatoes) Lettuce should be avoided at all cost in countries where hepatitis, typhoid or other bacterial infections are a distinct possibility.
Bear in mind street-side snack bars and market cafes often have such a rapid turnover of locals that their food rarely has a chance to go bad; their food could easily turn out to be safer than international cuisine cooked in five-star hotels.
Avoid an empty restaurant. Unless you know the locals dine late (as in Spain and Italy) there is usually a very good reason why nobody eats there.