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c h i k k a
i d e a s
TEXT
KAT MATEO
Flying with kids can be difficult, but if you keep these tips in
mind you’ll have a much better travel companion
Tots in f light
1.
The Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD) requires
Filipino minors (i.e., below 18
years of age) traveling to a foreign
country and unaccompanied by
either parent to present travel
clearance.
2.
The airline won’t allow carriage of
infants less than 16 days old.
3.
Book your child’s ticket with their
age at the date of travel in mind
to be sure you’re paying the
correct fare. Infants sitting on an
adult’s lap and below 2 years old
will be charged only a minimal
handling fee.
PREVENT
EAR PAIN
Notice how your ears pop
when the plane is taking off and
landing? Imagine how that feels
to little ears and you’ll understand
why they often cry. To prevent
this from happening, try to time
your child’s milk feedings with
take-offs and landings. If your
child is already weaned, you can
give them juice, water or a snack
instead. The swallowing action
will keep the pressure from
building up in tiny ears. If they
don’t want to eat or drink, offer a
pacifier. Sucking on that can work
just as well.
IF YOU’VE EVER
been stuck with a wailing
infant or tantrum-throwing toddler on a
plane, then you know how challenging it
can be to fly with a child — even more so
if said infant or toddler is your own. Here
are a few tips, which we hope will help you
have a smooth flight with your tot:
Plan ahead.
Start preparing way before
your intended date of travel. Before
booking a flight, consider your baby’s nap
schedule and bedtime. If the stars align,
your little one might just sleep through the
entire flight. Buy seats in advance too.
Bring everything you need.
Think ahead
and plan for delays or missed connections.
It’s better to bring more than enough of
everything.
•
Food.
If your little one is formula-fed,
be sure to bring more than enough
powdered formula and bottles, which are
already filled with the correct amount
of water. If your baby is breastfed, then
you’re lucky. If they are on solids, you
can buy food onboard but bring their
favorite food to be sure. Bring drinking
water too.
•
Inflight entertainment
.
Pack their favorite
books and toys but don’t bring them
all out at once. Do it one at a time so
when they get bored with Elmo, they
still have Mickey Mouse left to entertain
them. If all else fails, bring out a tablet.
Make sure your device is loaded with
kid-friendly apps.
•
Lovey
.
This is a special object they are
attached to, usually a blanket or stuffed
toy. This will be a source of comfort
for them and relief for you. If they use
pacifiers, bring a couple of those as well.
•
Diapers, wipes and clothes
.
Bring extra
clothes for you too.
•
Medical kit
.
It wouldn’t hurt to ask your
pediatrician for respiratory infections,
fever and allergy medication, just in
case. Don’t forget your insect repellant!
Pack these items in gallon-size Ziplocs
so when airport staff need to inspect your
baggage, they will not contaminate your
baby’s things.
Delay boarding.
Do this for as long as you
can! Passengers with infants and children
are invited to board the plane first. Before
you heed that call, make sure you’re armed
with the right tools for beating boredom.
Have realistic expectations.
You cannot
expect a toddler to sit still for four hours, or
an infant not to cry when their ears hurt.
Just relax and go with the flow.
Preparat ion
is key when
traveling
with kids
Reminders from
Cebu Pacific
