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Princess Kate Middleton and Prince William recently took a long flight with their 8-month-old son. For the royal couple, traveling with a young child isn't too difficult because they have their own private jet, nannies, and a large entourage of staff, bodyguards, and assistants.
However, not everyone has it easy when taking children on long flights. Here are some tips shared by a mother working in Bangkok, Thailand, who frequently takes her two young children to visit family in Canada on long-haul flights.
Prepare meals in advance for young children.
It's a good idea to carefully prepare meals for children so that if they can't eat the food served on the flight, they still have a backup and won't go hungry.
Many airlines around the world allow customers to order meals for children. Please keep this in mind when booking your flight.
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Snack foods like chips and lollipops are not recommended for children to eat in large quantities due to potential side effects such as tooth decay and obesity. However, allowing children to have a little snack on the plane can keep them entertained and quiet for a few hours during the flight.
You should avoid bringing snacks for your child such as chocolate or other sugary treats.
Bring toys
For long-haul flights, we can make an exception to the "30 minutes of TV a day" rule for children. Besides bringing some lightweight toys like small stuffed animals, we can let them play with kids' apps on iPhones and iPads. Letting them comfortably watch cartoons shown on the plane is also a good idea. When children focus on something, they will sit still and not disturb those around them.
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Some children can sleep anywhere, but others cannot. If they can't sleep on a plane due to unfamiliar surroundings or different conditions, children can easily become tired and irritable, causing trouble for their family. Book night flights; children are more likely to sleep at night than during the day.
Comforting the child
Those who have experience flying with children will notice that they often cry during takeoff and landing. This is because the change in temperature can make them uncomfortable. At these times, comfort and cuddle them. For younger children, offer them a bottle or pacifier. The sucking action will reduce the impact of pressure and distract them, making them feel a little more comfortable.
