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Due to aircraft air conditioning, dehydration can be a
real problem for children. Keep a bottle, sipper or straw cup
topped up at all times and encourage children and infants to take
regular drinks.
Accept all offers of juice and water from the cabin
crew and collect any cartons not immediately used in the seat pocket.
Have no hesitation about asking cabin crew for more water or juice if
you run out.
Water suitable for drinking is not carried by
all airlines. If in any doubt, carry a bottle of drinking water in your
cabin bag and top it up whenever you have a reliable opportunity.
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Ears
Cabin pressure changes, resulting from changes in
altitude during take off and landing, will affect ear equalisation.
Children can find this uncomfortable and frightening.
Breast or bottle feeding a baby is generally
recommended, or a drink from a spout or straw cup for older children.
Chewing on a soft sweet is a useful backup, perhaps to follow the drink
and to distract attention from the unsuitable boiled sweets frequently
offered by the airline at this time!
The effects of pressure changes will be felt more
acutely if a child has an ear infection. In severe cases it may be
advisable not to fly until the infection has cleared. Given the frequent
occurrence of such infections, it is wise to be insured for the event to
cover flight alterations and accommodation costs should you be away from
home.
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Sedatives and sleeping
There is a common suggestion that babies are lulled to
sleep by the sound of an engine running. Though this may be true for
some children, it is by no means true for all. You will know how your
child relaxes to sleep. If music sends him off, bring some. If cuddles
are his thing, be ready to offer these in abundance. If passers by will
distract him, plan to erect a light shield over his sky cot with nappy
pins and a cotton sheet.
Some children will stay awake for an extraordinarily
long time, becoming more emotionally fragile or ‘energy wired’ all
the time. For this reason, some parents swear by the use of sedatives on
long plane trips.
There are two main types:
 | an antihistamine preparation (such as Phenergan) in
the correct dosage for your child administered to induce drowsiness
and sleep
| a stronger sedative, such as Vallergan, carefully
measured to match your child’s weight to induce sleep.
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The principal drawback with both of these medications
is the chance that in some children they will have the opposite effect,
and induce hyperactive behaviour. In addition, they can cause
nightmares.
For many parents this is too great a risk. For others,
for whom the technique is tried and tested, the result of rested
children and the opportunity to rest themselves is justification enough.
One common rule appears to apply:
Decide prior to flying whether you will sedate or not.
Stick to your decision. Do not attempt to sedate an over-tired,
hysterical child - its too late and is more likely to lead to
hyperactive behaviour.
In the event you have decided not to use sedatives,
consider the homeopathic alternatives - many travelers endorse them. I
suggest you put a wee drop of lavender oil onto baby's cuddly, or on any
sheets he is using, or some Badger Sleep Balm
for you whilst you cuddle baby will be restful for everyone.
Click the image below for more information about
Badger Sleep Balm, and to buy from Magellans.com.
Whatever happens, do not use sedatives for yourself
(including alcohol!). You need to remain fully in control to look after
your child come what may.
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Homeopathic
remedies
There is a growing group of travelers for whom
homeopathic remedies are irreplaceable travel companions. FlyingwithKids
suggests the following:
| ‘No- Jet- Lag’
tablets for adults and children
| Back Flower Remedy drops or spray for children and adults to
relieve stress
| Lavender essential oil on a handkerchief to aid
rest and relaxation
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Click the image below for more information about
No-Jet-Lag tablets and to buy online from Magellans.com.
Avoiding jet lag - this advice is from magellans.com
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Medical Kit
Take a medical kit onboard with you in your cabin
baggage. A clearly marked Tupperware box with a tight fitting lid is
ideal. Ensure it is easily findable in your bag.
Suggested contents are:
| thermometer
| saline nose drops
| rehydration solution (Gastrolyte)
| paracetemol elixir (Pamol/Calpol) for children,
tablets for adults
| sedative (and suitable measure for as little as
2.5mil)
| measure (5-10mil)
| homeopathic remedies
| sticking plasters and antiseptic cream
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Remember to include any other medications you or your
child regularly requires especially if any of your party suffers from
motion sickness!
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Insurance
Before you travel ensure that you have adequate travel
insurance to cover the cost of accommodation and ticket re-issue should
you be unable to start or complete your journey due to illness. Some
common causes of this when traveling with children are:
| inability to fly due to ear infection
| inability to fly due to notifiable disease (e.g.
measles or unexplained rash thought to be potentially measles)
| inability to fly due to flu or similar symptoms.
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Your worldwide travel needs worldwide coverage. Travel insurance travels with you. Get a free quote now!
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