Travel Advice

Give the kids identity wristbands with your name and number on.
Dress them in a bright hat and clothing to help you spot them in a crowd. Use two or three light layers of clothing rather than thicker items.
Use reins or harness for your toddler – there are many distractions for you as a parent when checking in and toddlers can easily run away and cover a large distance.
Pack a baby sling or baby carrier.
Have plenty of snacks to eat while you wait to check in.
Pack clear plastic bags to take liquids and creams through airport security – it’s good idea to do this from home and keep all liquids handy at the top of your bag.
Use a lightweight stroller or pram that folds up easily when you board

• CoziGo sleep canopy.
• Nappies, nappy sacks, wipes, cream, changing mat.
• A few separate mini changing bags containing a single nappy, wipes and mini-pot of cream: space is tight in an aeroplanes cubicle.
• Blanket, cuddly toy and teething ring.
• Sippy cup and bib for toddlers.
• Travel potty with spare liners – potty-training toddlers can’t be expected to queue for long.
• Small wrapped gifts to distract or reward the kids.
• Lollipops for take-off and landing.
• Medicines, epi-pens or inhalers plus spares in the hold luggage.
• Wipes, tissues and anti-bacterial gel.

• Favourite cuddly toys. Remember to grab these from the beds or cot when you set off.
• Favourite books or magazines, colouring in books, puzzles, sticker books plus pencils, travel.
• Etch-a-Sketch or MagnaDoodle. Avoid games or toys with lots of tiny pieces unless they’re magnetic travel games.
• DS, PSP, personal stereo, MP3 or DVD players loaded with their favourite games, music or audio books. Don’t forget the earphones, chargers and spare batteries.

In this section, we give you useful advice and tips which will definitely make travelling with your youngsters easier. We will go through Air Travel Baggage Rules, Essential Information to make packing for your trip easier, a Holiday Countdown, a Packing Checklist and a Survival Guide for Planes and Car Journey’s.

Increased worldwide security measures across worldwide airports means there are strict rules on what you can and can’t carry in your hand baggage. It’s really important to keep these rules in mind when you pack which will avoid unnecessary delays at the airport. Please check before you fly and don’t rely solely on the information below as it can change without warning.

Always check with your airline or airport

Hand baggage is luggage that you carry on the plane with you, while hold baggage is luggage that you check-in. All baggage items, including hand baggage, must be screened, regardless of size. You should always check size limits with your airline and airport before you travel. Airlines may also have their own rules about the number of bags you are allowed to take on the aircraft. It's best to contact them if you have any questions.

You are allowed to take electrical items (such as laptops and hairdryers) in your hand baggage but they will need to be removed and screened separately.

Pushchairs, walking aids and wheelchairs are usually permitted in the cabin, but they will need to be security screened first.

Wherever possible you should pack liquids in your hold baggage, as there are restrictions on the amount you can take in your hand baggage - Liquids include:

All drinks, including water, soup and syrups

Cosmetics and toiletries, including creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara and lipsticks

Sprays, including shaving foam, hairspray and spray deodorants
Pastes, including toothpasteGels, including hair and shower gel

Contact lens solutionAny other solutions and items of similar consistency

If you need certain liquids during the flight, you can take them into the cabin in limited quantities as follows:

Containers must hold no more than 100ml

Containers must be carried in a single, transparent, re-seal-able plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures approximately 20cm x 20cm

Contents must fit comfortably inside the bag so it can be sealed

The bag must not be knotted or tied at the top

Each passenger can carry only one of these bags

The bag must be presented for examination at the airport security point

Containers larger than 100ml (excluding essential medicines) will not be allowed through the security point even if they are only part full.

Liquids Bought At The Airport
You can take into the aircraft cabin any liquids you buy after passing through security, as these items go through a separate screening process. This includes bottled water, wines and spirits and fragrances and cosmetics of any size.

You are allowed to carry essential medicines of more than 100ml in your hand baggage, but you will need:

Prior approval from the airline and departure airportSupporting documentation from a relevant qualified medical professional (eg a letter from your doctor or prescription)

Remember to take only what you need for your journey. Extra supplies and larger containers of medicine can go in your hold baggage.

Baby Food And Baby Milk

You are allowed to take baby food, baby milk and sterilized water in your hand baggage. This includes

Sterilized water for the baby (must be in a baby bottle)Formula, breast milk or cow milk specifically for babies

Baby food of various consistencies

Soya Milk for Babies

You are allowed to take enough for the journey. In some cases this may be over 100ml. The adult carrying the baby food or milk may be asked to verify it by tasting

Airlines allow oversize luggage above and beyond your luggage allowance. You are also allowed to take a pram or stroller and car seat. Whatever you think you need for baby - half it! Don’t forget there are babies everywhere in the world, so you can always buy stuff at your destination.

Pack plenty of nappies and a couple of changes of clothes. You may not need them, but you may have poo explosions, spills and vomits on board – best to be prepared!

Most hotels, motels and apartments travel cots and family can normally source one so think carefully before you decide to lug one around with you.

Ask if the airline will 'priority' tag all items to make things faster at the other end. It’s also a good idea to bag your car seat and pram/stroller as you don’t want unusable and broken baby equipment when you’re travelling.

Park at the airport – often of you book online and in advance you get a large discount. It’s normally the least stressful way to get to the airport as even though you can book cabs that are larger with car seats, the company still cannot promise they'll come on time or at all! Remember to take the base of your car seat if you need to.

Pack smart - the less you take the happier you'll be and less stress lugging stuff about - babies really don't need much over and above the essentials!

Small babies are much more sensitive to air pressure during take-off and landing. Crying helps to clear their ears, though you may prefer to give them a feed, as swallowing has the same calming effect (and is slightly easier on other people's eardrums). Sucking - be that breast, bottle, dummy, sweet or lollipop - and yawning and swallowing all help to equalise ear pressure and reduce inner ear pain.……….. don’t start too early, sometimes you can be driving around runways for ages!