Travel News

Travel with Kids - Q&A

- Cath Lanigan, Lonely Planet

Our resident expert answers the Thorn Tree's most popular questions about taking tots on the road.

Baby travel-bed vs. portable cot vs. sleeping in the parent's bed - what's best on the road?

Sleeping in the same bed as your baby is definitely the way to go if it works for you. It means no extra bedding baggage, more free space in rooms, and a baby that feels happy and secure tucked up with you. Try it before you leave home, however, as it doesn't work for all parents. If you're travelling by car and your baby is used to sleeping in a porta-cot then do take that. If you don't have a vehicle and don't want your baby sleeping in your bed, a baby travel-bed is a great compromise - they're not as heavy as a porta-cot and reasonably priced. Again, it's a good idea to try it first so your baby has some familiarity with it.

Other than the baby/kid, what do I need to take on the plane with me?

Take: food and drink for your child (check airline regulations before you pack your liquids) so you don't have to rely on airline schedules; some form of wipes for the inevitable spills; at least two changes of clothes (that's for them, but one for you often comes in handy too!) and anything that helps them sleep, be it teddy, dummy, or blanket. They're the essentials; after that it's anything that might keep them entertained - books, favourite toys, new toys.

Cloth nappies vs. disposable nappies - which is best on the road?

It depends on where you're going and for how long, but a combination works well. Disposables at night and when you're out for the day and cloth for the rest of the time is generally a good mix. It gives you a manageable amount of cloth nappies to wash and not too much impact on the local environment. For longer trips, especially to warmer climes, you could plan ahead and reduce the need for any kind of nappies by trying elimination communication (check it out on www.diaperfreebaby.org), where you respond to your child's cues for needing a toilet.

What's a safe, effective insect repellent to use on young skin?

A citronella-based repellent is the safest to use. Otherwise, apply stronger repellent on their clothes (where it won't get onto their hands or in their mouth).

I would love to do some volunteering work next holiday. Are there any opportunities that would also be suitable for my children (age 9-14)?

There are some fantastic possibilities. www.responsibletravel.com offers two- to three-week eco-holidays for families with children over eight years old, working with local communities in Ecuador, Kenya, Mozambique and the Seychelles. www.crossculturalsolutions.org has one- to 12-week family volunteer programs in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America.

What kind of backpacks can you recommend for teenagers?

One of the smaller models is best, with sturdy straps and plenty of capacity to adjust. Take your teenager to a store, try some backpacks on and find one that feels comfortable with some weight in it. Their bodies are still developing so you don't want them carrying too much weight - look at backpacks with a 60L capacity, a little bigger or smaller depending on their height and build. Consider getting one with a detachable day pack so when it suits they can reduce the weight they carry.

What vaccines do I need to give the kids?

Lonely Planet travel guides include information on what you need for each country or region, and your doctor or a travellers medical centre can also give specifics. Some parents choose to use homoeopathics instead and pre-purchase their own homoeopathic travel kit.

Is it okay to breast feed in public in Asia?

Yes, but discretion is appreciated. Try and expose as little skin as possible.

Can I travel while I'm pregnant?

Absolutely, though it's best to avoid strenuous travel in the first 13 weeks and you probably won't feel like anything too taxing in the last eight. Talk your travel plans over with your midwife or doctor and think about it carefully if you've had complications in previous pregnancies. Keep in mind that most airlines won't let you fly after 36 weeks and it can also be difficult to get travel insurance for those last few weeks.

I want to take the kids to Africa - am I mad?

Mad? Not at all. What a brilliant experience - all that amazing wildlife, landscape and culture. As with any travel with children, though, you need to do your research and prepare yourself and them. Malaria is endemic in many areas and is the main thing to protect against.

What are your favourite travel games?

Ones that you can play anywhere!

Copycat - one player pulls a face or makes a movement and the next player must copy it. Play around by working in characters you've met on your travels. Add in noises for a bit of extra fun.

Two Truths and One Lie - Each player takes it in turns to make three statements, two of which is true and one of which is a lie. The other players try to guess the statement that is a lie.

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