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Travelling with Children: How to plan and prepare for the trip

With the festive season and long holidays being just around the corner, travelling with kids may be inevitable. There’s nothing like bringing your whole family to “balik kampung” or to go on vacation but then it can be challenging especially if you have more than one child and one of them is at the toddler stage of between 1 and 3 years old. Their short attention spans will require constant entertainment and their newfound mobility will also want them to get around and explore, not sit strapped down to a seat. It’s already tough enough at home in a familiar environment but going to an unfamiliar place with different routines can be a whole different level.

That’s why it’s important to plan and prepare! When you have the essentials for every situation, it saves time and reduces stress.

Road Trip with Children

First of all, there is the journey to the destination to contend with. If you are travelling to “balik kampung”, going by car is by far the easiest mode of transportation. You can take breaks whenever you want and bring along toys and snacks and you won’t have to worry about disturbing fellow passengers if a tantrum happens.

Preparing for a Road Trip

Going on a car journey with children can be an adventure all on its own! To make sure the journey is as smooth and fun as possible, here are a few tips to help you pack like a pro:

  • Plan for Comfort: Long car rides and traffic jams can be tough on little ones, so make sure their car seat is comfy and properly installed. Bring along their favourite blanket or stuffed animal to help them feel secure.
  • Keep Snacks Handy: Children get hungry (and cranky) quickly, so pack a variety of healthy snacks within easy reach. Think fruit slices, crackers, and maybe even a few treats for special moments.
  • Stay Hydrated: Bring a couple of spill-proof sippy cups filled with water or their favourite drinks. It’s a good idea to bring along extra water bottles just in case one goes missing under the seat. Bring along a flask of hot water to make them their milk and feed them as you would at home.
  • Entertainment is Key: Keep boredom at bay with a small stash of toys, books and maybe a tablet for the older child for screen time.
  • Pack for Messes: Keep wet wipes, extra clothes and plastic bags handy for spills, diaper changes and sticky hands.
  • Breaks are Essential: Plan for regular stops to let your little ones stretch their legs and burn off some energy. A quick run around a rest stop or a short walk can work wonders. They might even fall asleep afterwards giving you a break from having to entertain them for a while.
  • Safety First: Don’t forget to bring along essentials like a first aid kit with medications such as children’s paracetamol, band-aids, antiseptic lotion, insect repellent and oral rehydration salts in case of diarrhoea and vomiting. Also don’t forget sunshades for the car windows and of course, your child’s car seat. Safety and comfort go hand-in-hand on the road.

Air Travel with Children

If you’re going on a vacation overseas, flying with young children can be an exciting yet challenging experience. Unlike road trips, where you can stop whenever you need, air travel requires a bit more planning. But don’t worry! With a few tricks up your sleeve, you can make the journey as smooth as possible.

Preparing for Air Travel

  • Comfort on Board: Plan ahead for comfort on the plane. Bring a cozy blanket, their favourite stuffed animal, or a small pillow to help them feel at home. Also, consider packing diapers and an extra change of clothes in your carry-on, just in case of spills or accidents.
  • Snacks on Hand: Pack plenty of snacks to keep your little one happy and satisfied. Even major airlines might not always have what your little one likes, so bring along some of their favourites. Think easy-to-eat options like crackers, cheese sticks, or cut-up fruit.
  • Stay Hydrated: Airplane cabins can be dry as the air is dry, so keep your child hydrated with water or their favourite juice. A spill-proof sippy cup is a must-have for avoiding messes during turbulence. You can ask for water in the cabin as filled water bottles are not allowed to be brought on board.
  • Entertainment Essentials: Keep your child entertained with a small selection of toys, books, or a tablet with downloaded shows. Don’t forget headphones designed for little ears! Rotate activities to keep them engaged throughout the flight.
    Here’s a big tip: Save the screen time as your secret weapon for when patience starts to wane—this way, it feels like a special treat. For domestic flights, you can get away with packing a bit lighter, but don’t skip the essentials. A new toy or activity book can work wonders in keeping your little one entertained, and it’s always smart to pack a few surprises they’ve never seen before. This keeps them engaged and curious during the flight, giving you a bit of a breather.
  • Dealing with Ear Pressure: Take-off and landing can be tough on little ears. Encourage your child to drink from a bottle or sippy cup or chew on a snack to help with ear pressure. For older children, a lollipop can work wonders.
  • Prepare for Messes: Airplanes can be tight spaces, so manoeuvring around might be difficult. Pack wet wipes, hand sanitizer, and a few plastic bags for easy clean-up. An extra shirt for yourself might not be a bad idea either—just in case.
  • Plan for the Unexpected: Flights can be delayed, or plans might change, so be prepared with extra diapers, snacks, and activities to cover those unexpected moments.
  • Compact Strollers: A lightweight, foldable stroller that’s easy to manoeuvre is a lifesaver when you’re navigating busy airports or exploring a new city. Both Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia as well as other major airlines allow fully collapsible, lightweight strollers for children. They can be checked-in free of charge or brought on board as a cabin item if it meets specific size and weight limits and if space is available. You have the option to check the stroller in at the check-in counter or at the aircraft door for storage in the compartment above the seats or in the hold. If checking it in at the gate, it means you can use the stroller right up until you board. Having the right gear not only keeps your child comfortable but also makes your travel experience much more manageable.

Train Travel with Children

Train travel with children is a fantastic way to see the sights while keeping things relatively stress-free. KTMB (Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad) provides train services in Peninsular Malaysia. They also operate the high-speed ETS (Electric Train Service) which goes to many destinations such as Ipoh, Butterworth, Alor Setar and Sungai Petani. Unlike air travel, train rides provide more space to move around, and unlike road trips, someone else is doing the driving! With a bit of preparation, your train journey can be smooth and enjoyable for both you and your little one.

Preparing for Train Travel with Children

  • Comfort on Board: Train rides can be long, so bring along items that make your child feel cozy and secure. A small blanket, their favourite stuffed animal, or a portable pillow can help make nap time easier. Don’t forget to dress your child in comfortable layers, as train temperatures can vary. You can take off or put on extra layers according to the temperature.
  • Snacks for the Journey: While many trains offer dining options, it’s always a good idea to have your child’s favourite snacks on hand. Pack a variety of easy-to-eat options like fruit slices, crackers, or small sandwiches to keep hunger (and meltdowns) at bay.
  • Stay Hydrated: Keep a spill-proof sippy cup filled with water or juice close by. You can also bring along a flask to make your milk. Trains can get warm, or cold and you’ll want to ensure your child stays hydrated throughout the trip. Bring an additional water bottle to refill the kids’ bottles.
  • Entertainment on the Go: To keep your child entertained, pack a small bag of toys, books, and perhaps a tablet with pre-loaded shows or games. The beauty of train travel is that you can also look out the window and enjoy the scenery, turning it into a game of spotting animals, cars, or anything else that might catch your child’s eye.
  • Break Time: One of the best things about train travel is the ability to walk around. Take advantage of this by planning short strolls down the aisle to stretch your legs and give your child a change of scenery.
  • Prepare for Messes: Just like any other form of travel, train rides can get messy. Pack wet wipes, hand sanitizer, and a couple of plastic bags for any unexpected spills or dirty clothes. Pack enough diapers or pull ups to last the entire trip.
  • Plan for Nap Time: Trains can be soothing, making them a great environment for a nap. Bring along a small travel pillow or blanket, and find a cozy spot by the window where your child can doze off.

Morinaga Chil-kid

When travelling with children, don’t bank on them having balanced meals as food will be different, or your children may not like them. Getting them to eat a proper meal may be a problem. This is where Chil-kid comes in handy. Chid-kid 3 is packed with 45 essential nutrients such as ARA and DHA, Inositol, GOS, 5 Nucleotides, Omega 3&6 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (LCPs) and 21 Vitamins and Minerals. Just 2 to 3 servings a day will help fill in nutritional gaps in their diet and also help boost immunity while travelling.

Chil-kid 3 is made for children aged 1 to 3. Chil-kid 3 do not contain Sucrose and are specially formulated for Asian children according to their respective ages and nutritional needs. Featuring a mild vanilla flavour, the milk dissolves easily in warm water. Just two to three servings a day alongside meals, Chil-kid helps children meet their daily Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI). Through its DHA, ARA, GOS, Nucleotides and Inositol, Chil-kid 3 lays the foundational nutrients for immunity, brain, eye and gut development in toddlers.

Morinaga Chil-kid is a Japanese formulation that is backed by 100 years of R&D and the latest scientific research according to the international standard of growing up milk. Wholly produced from dairy farms to the packaging process in a state-of-the-art plant in the Netherlands, both milk formulas are fully imported and go through strict hygiene standards and a double inspection process with samples sent to Japan for a second inspection before they are shipped to Malaysia.