For Rebekah and Luke, the word "airplane" and "candy" are synonymous.

Traveling with toddlers is interesting exciting.  We have done it a lot (across the States and no across the pond), so here is what we have learned.   Hopefully, it will help your family.

Planning (& Talking) Ahead For me, planning is wonderful- I try to think about what we will need way in advance, so I’m not running around all over town right before we have to leave, whether it’s snacks, gifts, or something else.  I try to bring Scottish gifts if I’m visiting someone.  There are packages of shortbread cookies that are just over a pound for a set of 4 or 5.  This is an easy and inexpensive way to bring a little Scotland to our friends and family.

Additionally, if your child is 1 ½ or over, I would recommend talking about the trip while you plan, pick up things, and pack.  Talk about how fun the trip will be, who you’ll see, what you’ll do so that the child is not blind-sighted by the change in routine.

In packing, consider whether you’ll have access to a washing machine and/or dryer.  If so, you can feel confident in packing less.  This is good since you might bring gifts and/or new clothing back.

If you are visiting friends or family, ask them to have some food items and diapers on hand, as well as the pack n play set up and ready to go.  You never know what state your kids will arrive in or how quickly you will be able to get to the store.  You might also consider setting expectations with them for sleeping arrangements and how tough travel is on kids so that grandparents, for example, don’t have different expectations than you and your spouse.

For example, I talk to my parents several times about where we’ll all sleep and we talk about when the kids will probably sleep, so that they’re prepared for that.  We also talk about how tired they’ll be after such a long flight and missed sleep and that they’ll be clingy to us, but they will warm up with time.  Lastly, we discuss favorite foods and diaper sizes we would like to have that we can reimburse for (though that never happens).  All of this helps us avoid unnecessary tension or hurt feelings.

Sleep Based on the timing of departures, I try to plan a couple days in advance sleep-wise- maybe shorten naps for earlier bedtimes for early morning wake-ups or the opposite- ensure good naps for later afternoon/evening departures.  Well-rested children travel the best.  J

Once on the trip, you’ll have to think about sleeping arrangements.  We travel with portable sound machines and/or ear plugs.  We also try to think about where the kids will sleep and if there is a way to prepare them for that with practice (sharing a room, a pack n play, a crib, etc.)  You also need to consider naps- when traveling, naps rarely go as well as at home.  If you adjust your expectations, it won’t come as such a shock.  J  If you have a child who still takes 2 naps, you may want to prioritize one over the other.  For instance, whichever one is typically the better, more restful nap is the more important one- make sure (s)he gets that one if possible  in the usual way.

For example, our kids aren’t used to sleeping anywhere other than beds, so we tried to give them naps in beds  at important times and always at bedtime( and not assume they could nap in the stroller or car).  However, Luke was in between 1 and 2 naps, so we let him snooze in the stroller or in the car seat when possible and put him down in the pack n play at other times when possible- we played each day by feel.  Rebekah didn’t consistently need a nap, so we planned more around Luke’s need for sleep than hers.  We always honored bed time because both kids need that.

As for jet lag, assume that it will take 1 day per hour of time change.  So, if you’re going to Germany which is one hour ahead, it should only take 1 day to get roughly back on track.  In contrast, going to the States will take much more time.  I will say again that having reasonable expectations in this area will help you avoid unnecessary stress.

Food Dependent upon where you’re going, you may or may not have access to the food your children are used to.   It may be beneficial for all involved if you bring some familiar snacks with you.  This is especially true for specific types of formula or baby food.

Toys You also may not have access to toys, so you’ll want a few toys that will amuse your children for a while.  Don’t bring anything you can’t live without or that will be expensive to replace.  I like to bring cars, dinosaurs, dolls, soft books, balls, etc.

These are essential items to be readily accessible (in your carry-on or in reach):

1. Your child’s sleepy things, be it a pacifier or a lovey or a special blanket.  Have back-ups either on you and/or at home, so that if you lose one, you are not doomed.
2. Suckers, candy, or special snacks that will buy you “happy time” on the plane, train, or automobile.
3. A fully-charged portable DVD player (with charger) and DVDs
4. Books and quiet toys that you can pull out in intervals- meaning, don’t give your toddler everything at once- space it out in half-hour or hourly increments
5. If you are flying, it may benefit you to have empty sippy cups you can fill in the airport or on the plane
6. If in the car, have some back-up juice and/or bottled water
7. We typically buy 1 or 2 special, never-seen-before items (sticker books or action figure) that will be a special present for the trip
8. Formula, bottles, pump, etc that you will need to feed your child
9. Enough diapers and/or pull-ups for the trip or at least for the travel time (plus a few extras because you just never know)

Happy travels!!