I can't say we have traveled super frequently with our little one (henceforth referred to as Cheeky Lamb), but we have been blessed to be able to fly quite regularly since his first trip at 10 months old. More importantly, these trips have given us some great insights on how to make the next family vacation better, even as his needs are ever-changing and his curiosity ever-growing.
Here are my tips geared for parents with children below 3. Some are obvious of course, but hopefully others are of use to someone else. Do note that the maximum duration we have flown with him is 8 hours (including over-nighters), so it might be different if you're flying longer than that.
1. Prioritise your objective especially when you are used to a certain style of traveling without kids
The type of vacation that I used to enjoy the most before kids, was one which had lots of historical / cultural sights, lots of fantastic food, and / or lots of fun activities by the beach. Vacations were always fast-paced because both my husband and I liked that type of pace, rather than dwelling on one place for long.
When the Cheeky Lamb came along, things changed up quite a bit, even more so when he was able to walk, had a mind of his own and did not simply like "tagging" along with Mama and Papa Lamb.
If you're like us, assess your objective first - is this vacation more for the little one? Or is it more for the parents, with little one tagging along? Or try to be a best of both worlds? Some destinations are a either-or when it comes to kids or parents.
For instance, when we went to Brisbane / Sunshine Coast / Gold Coast, we knew it was a vacation primarily for Cheeky Lamb, with things that the parents could enjoy. (On that note, I guess if the little one enjoys it, the parents usually enjoy just seeing the kid enjoy).
But when we went to Kansai, we knew it would be a vacation for more the parents, with little things thrown in here and there for the little one to enjoy.
2. Slow down... and be flexible
We were used to packing 10 activities on our itinerary each day when we hadn't had our kid... and we could do it with time to spare. With the kid, we would cut that down to about half.
I usually like to plan out my itinerary in advance (being a travel planner is my secret ambition), but with the kid, I always make a mental note to be flexible to change up things at the last minute (kid needs a nap... kid needs to poo... kid needs to throw a tantrum etc).
3. Night flight or day flight?
A night flight is great as the kid is knocked out and sprawled across the parents' seats. You don't need to think of how to entertain the restless one. Plus, you "save" some time for those who don't like "wasting" precious time on the plane doing nothing.
But if the parents don't sleep well on the plane (especially a medium-haul flight which is neither here nor there in terms of number of sleeping hours), it can be tough. Just be mentally prepared if you choose this option.
A day flight is less disruptive to sleeping patterns, but do be prepared to entertain the little one... especially during the all important take-off and landing times when he / she HAS to sit down belted up, tantrum or not.
4. Kiddy meals are not always good for kids
Isn't it obvious that I should pre-book a kiddy meal? Well, Singapore Airlines - which I take the most frequently over other airlines - has an odd definition of kiddy food sometimes. For breakfast, my friend's toddler was served spaghetti (who eats spaghetti for breakfast???) while the adults got omelette and bread rolls (much more suitable for toddlers in my opinion). Another time, my kid got nuggets for lunch (which parent gives a toddler unhealthy processed mystery meats?) while adults could have a choice of western or Asian meal, the latter of which was more like what my kid was used to in pre-school.
We stopped requesting for kiddy meals since he was 1.5 years old, and now he eats (or shares) the adult meal.
5. Must-haves in the bag
My must-haves include a spare change of clothes, water-bottle, wet wipes, hand sanitiser, tissue, antiseptic cream, one or two piece of diaper and plastic bags (to dispose of soiled diapers if still at the diaper age)... or a portable auxiliary toilet seat / potty (if already potty-trained). Thankfully, my kid has never had the problem of ear pressure (take-off / landing) but I heard sucking on sugarless lollies can be helpful.
Do also remember that airlines don't usually have fresh milk onboard, so bring along your own if the kid needs it. Pre-boarding screening usually has no problem with fluid restrictions if the toddler is coming along. Do note that fluids here refer to fluids relevant to a toddler's immediate use on the aircraft. Beer for Papa does not qualify, nor do large bottles of toddler's soap or shampoo even if it's for his use after landing.
6. Time long drives with his nap
If you're driving, like we did from Perth to Margaret River, or Sunshine Coast to Gold Coast, which takes about 3 hours, time it for his nap so that a) he doesn't get bored and restless during the drive and b) you don't waste "double" time by driving 3 hours, then having the little kid nap at the hotel for another 1 or 2 hours.
More tips on packing can be found here.
7. Things that "imitate" adults
Our kid likes to imitate us (I guess most kids will do so of their parents?) so we try to give him a pretend wheel (something round) to drive as Papa is driving... or a "microphone" to sing as the radio is playing his favourite song. I read on another website that there are kiddy cameras available, and I have just placed an order for a VTech Kidizoom Camera Connect as we have two upcoming vacations with the little one. It could be fun especially in places where it's not "typically fun" for him... and an alternative way to express himself.
I will add more tips as go we along... and perhaps a review, with photos, of the kiddy camera when it comes!
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