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Travelling with toddlers can feel like a mammoth challenge, but with careful planning and preparation, family trips can be enjoyable for both parents and little ones. Luckily when you get to Sublime you will be able to sit back and relax and also enjoy your holiday with your young ones. We have just about thought of everything. We know what it's like to travel with children and have therefore made it easy for you. This comprehensive guide provides practical tips and advice for smooth travel whether flying, driving long distances, or taking a long-haul trip. Why Travel is Important for Toddler Development Travelling offers many developmental benefits for toddlers beyond just having fun. It promotes independence as they navigate new environments and adapt to new schedules and routines. Exposure to different people and new places can also help to build social skills. With the right mindset and game plan, you can minimise stress and cherish this precious travel time together.
Pre-Travel Planning Laying the groundwork ahead of time is key for smooth travels with toddlers. Here are some tips to help you do this: Create a Travel Checklist A checklist ensures you pack all essentials like: * Nappies, wipes, extra clothes * Toddler-friendly snacks and drinks * Comfort items like blankets or stuffed animals * Medicines, thermometer, first aid kit * Toys, books, colouring books and pencils * Playlist with soothing music Also check passports, IDs, travel insurance, and documents. When you stay at Lilli Pilli Sublime Gear like a cot, lightweight compact stroller, change table, baby bath, high chair, a portable potty seat, toys, books, are supplied at no extra charge to you and will make packing and travelling with little ones so much easier. Pack a Toddler Entertainment Bag Fill the bag with engaging activities like storybooks, colouring books and pencils, and some favourite toys. Wrap new surprise items too. Rotate these during the trip to maintain interest.
Pack Travel Snacks Keeping hungry tummies full makes everything run better. Here are some great nutritious snacks to take on the go: * Protein: hardboiled eggs, turkey or chicken slices, unsweetened natural yogurt pouches, cheese cubes. * Fresh fruits and veggies: blueberries, banana, sliced apple, steamed or baked carrot or sweet potato. * If you can’t travel with freshly cut fruit then some options are colourful and juicy dried fruit like sultanas, mango, apricots. Some options are Little Bellies finger-size fruit bars with juicy and yummy combinations of organic dates, apricot, banana and oats. * Small snack bites like Little Bellies veggie tubes and biscuits. * Important to be able to monitor your toddler when eating, especially as they may fall asleep with food in their mouth. Stock up on non-perishable snacks at home. Then replenish as needed on the trip. For more guidance on age-and-stage appropriate snacks for toddlers, you can read Toddler Food & Snack Guide for 12+ Months. Choosing the Right Travel Mode Select the best option by weighing the pros and cons based on your situation. * Flying: It’s a quick way to travel to faraway destinations. On the downside, you have to deal with managing airport stress and potential ear discomfort. * Driving: It gives you lots of flexibility as well as the ability to pack more stuff. On the downside, there may be long travel times and you will probably have to deal with agitated, restless toddlers. * Long-Haul Trips: This is a great way to experience new exotic places. But you will have to deal with jet lag and confinement to small places. Your toddler’s personality is also a factor to consider. Frequent movers may tolerate planes better. Anxious toddlers do better with the comforts of a car. Tips for Flying with Toddlers These tips ensure smoother aeroplane journeys. * Book Off-Peak Flights: Flying at odd hours when toddlers usually sleep avoids disruptions. Early morning or red-eye overnight flights work best. * Request Toddler-Friendly Seats: Bulkhead, front row, or extra legroom seats let toddlers roam a bit. Near bathroom access helps too. * Pack Toddler Comfort Items: Bring blankets, favourite toys, books, snacks, etc. Downloading videos, apps, or new games can help distract and kill time. * Manage Ear Discomfort: Feeding, dummy sucking, or chewing gum while ascending/descending can prevent ear pain. Toddler aeroplane ear muffs are another option. * Prepare Portable Toddler Meals: Pack wholesome snacks, milk, and finger foods to curb hunger tantrums. * Use Toddler Safety Harnesses: Wrist straps limit wandering while allowing movement. Backpack child carriers prevent escapes during boarding too. Tips for Driving with Toddlers Use these car travel tips for smooth road journeys. * Ensure Proper Car Seat Installation: Check the car seat is securely installed facing backward. Never place toddlers in front seats due to airbag risks. * Plan Engaging Activities: Rotate toys, books, games, etc. from their entertainment bag every 30 minutes. * Limit Screen Time: While tablets can entertain, avoid excessive screen time. Use them only during truly fussy moments. * Schedule Stops Strategically: Every few hours, stop for leg stretching, bathroom breaks, and meals. * Pack a Portable Toddler Snack Bag: healthy munchies, milk sippies, and mess-free finger foods keep hangry tantrums at bay during long drives. Long Haul Travel Tips Use these strategies to minimise struggles on extended flights. * Fly Overnight: Jet lag is less disruptive when flights coincide with sleep schedules. Kids sleep on overnight red-eye flights. * Request Bassinets: Many international flights have attachable bassinets. Ensure your toddler meets size/weight limits. * Utilise Inflatable Footrests: These portable cushions allow toddlers to sleep comfortably stretched out on planes. * Pack Familiar Bedtime Items: Bring blankets, stuffed animals, pillows, etc. to create a cozy sleeping environment in their cabin seat. * Pack wholesome, hassle-free and sugar-free bites like the Little Bellies snacks in the Toddlers in Training range. * Reserve Layover Baby Care Facilities: During connections, utilise airport nurseries to nap, clean up, and re-energise for the next flight leg. Managing Toddler Behaviour Tantrums are normal, especially when tired or over-stimulated. * Stay calm yourself, take deep breaths, and speak gently in an encouraging tone. * Provide hugs, back rubs, hand massages. Physical touch can be very soothing. * Offer snacks, drinks, and toys from your bag of tricks to change focus. * Play calming music or white noise on headphones and minimise environmental stimuli. * Take bathroom breaks for alone time. Also, walk laps in the aisle. * For extreme meltdowns, take the child to the bathroom for privacy to work through emotions.
Health & Safety Tips Follow these practices to keep toddlers safe during travel. * Carry Child Health Records: Keep doctor contacts, medical history, vaccination records, and insurance details handy. * Maintain Hygiene: Use hand sanitiser frequently. Keep faces clean with wipes. Change nappies promptly. * Ensure First Aid Accessibility: Pack children’s medicines, thermometer, bandages, antiseptic creams, etc. in your handbag. * Prevent Dehydration: Encourage frequent sips of water. Dehydration exacerbates toddler travel crankiness. * Protect Against Sun Overexposure: Use light long clothing, hats, and child-safe sunblock when outdoors. * Monitor Diet Changes: New foods can cause digestive upset. Stick to familiar foods and introduce new foods slowly, watching for allergic reactions. Accommodation & Arrival Tips Pick toddler-friendly lodging using these insights - at Lilli Pilli Sublime you won’t need to worry about any of these except the familiar routine as we have it all covered! * Seek Toddler Sleeping Amenities: Request cribs or rollaway beds when booking hotels. Soundproof rooms are less disruptive too. * Choose suites with separate bedrooms, allowing you to sleep separately from night owl toddlers. * Look for Play Areas: Kid zones in lobbies with toys, games, and slides delight energetic toddlers. * Unpack Essentials First: After arriving, set up sleep and nappy changing areas immediately before exhaustion hits. * Maintain Familiar Routines: Follow your normal nap time, bedtime, and meal schedules to avoid disruptive jet lag.
Adjusting to New Time Zones Minimise jet lag’s effects with these tips. * Gradually Adjust Schedules: In the weeks before travel, shift bedtimes and naps 15 minutes earlier or later each day. * Reset Clocks Immediately: Right after takeoff, adjust watches and devices to the destination time zone. * Choose Day Flights: These allow sunshine to reset toddlers’ circadian rhythms upon arrival. * Stick to Regular Sleep Rituals: Keep pre-bedtime routines consistent in new time zones. Maintain a Patient, Flexible Mindset Despite meticulous planning, toddler travel involves unpredictable moments. * Expect the Unexpected: Your toddler’s schedule will get disrupted – be mentally prepared to stay cool, calm, and collected. * Go With the Flow: When tantrums or setbacks occur, stay flexible rather than forcing rigid schedules. * Focus on Fun: Don’t overschedule activities. Allow time for your toddler to enjoy new places at their pace. * Appreciate Every Age: Each age brings new precious experiences. Cherish your family travels as fleeting toddler moments. Final Thoughts While travel with toddlers has challenges, preparation and patience will allow you to make the most of your adventures together. Stick to consistent routines when possible, move at a slower pace than adults, involve your toddler’s interests, and remain flexible when the unexpected arises. Most importantly, treasure this magical travel window before your babies grow up too fast! With a little bit of resilience, travelling as a young family is a great way to create priceless memories to last a lifetime. Happy travels!
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I want to take this opportunity to remind pet owners about exercising their canine companions during hot weather. Reconsider taking your dog running or even walking in any hot weather. Please read! Summary * Coming out of winter/spring dogs aren't acclimatised to heat. Sudden heat waves hit harder than the middle of Summer. Recognise the early warning signs of heat stress. * Paths and roads will be blisteringly hot on paws! * Excessive panting, difficulty breathing, struggling with exercise, laying down suddenly, unusually tired. Tacky gums? * Take extra care with elderly and pets that have medical conditions and animals such as Brachycephalic breeds (short nosed) are more at risk. * If you don’t spot these early signs, things can progress to vomiting, diarrhoea and hyper-salivating. Further progress leads to seizures, neurological deficits, blood in vomit, loss of consciousness, death!! This also goes for travelling in a hot car? and you must have a back-up plan for if anything goes wrong while you are out. Make sure you have plenty of cool (not icy) water for your pets and also for the humans. Also keep an eye out for other pets, cats, rabbits, chickens, birds etc make sure their water is topped up and they are not overheating. If necessary move them into a cooler environment. Be aware the reptiles also don’t like extreme heat and will be looking for cool places. They may find their way indoors to escape the heat!! If you have any concerns about your pets being heat stressed please call your regular vet hospital if they are open. If they are closed, please contact your nearest emergency vet hospital to discuss your concerns. * Canberra Veterinary Emergency Services - 62257257 - 21 Crinigan Circuit, Gungahlin * Animal Referral Hospital Canberra - 62806344 - 364 Fairbairn Avenue, Pialligo * Casey’s Beach Veterinary Clinic - Emergencies call 0407738722 - 394 Beach Road, Batehaven New South Wales 2536 * Eurocoastvetcentre.com.au - For emergency call 01488671118 - 3 Tallgums Way, Surf Beach NSW 2536 *GreenCross Webvet service - https://booking.greencrossvets.com.au/ClinicList Enjoy the warm weather, keep hydrated and please look after your companions and avoid getting overheated in the first place! IMPORTANT: You can cool your dog down by applying towels soaked in cool water (never use ice as it will shock the pet more). Apply to paws and belly. Lay them on a cool towel or cooler mat or even bathroom tiles if they are cool? Sometimes dogs are too hot to drink. Never force them and you can try my tip below while your getting advice from your vet. TIP: Keep unsweetened coconut water in the pantry. I have used this when one of ours looked like she was overheated. It contains electrolytes and I found it picked her up quickly. She wouldn’t drink the water but would drink this? It may also help in the interim while you’re obtaining advice from medical experts.
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