1. Get a clear picture of your trip

Before you start packing your bags for your holiday, make sure that you have your travel itinerary set in stone. The more you plan, the more seamless your trip will be. Know who will be travelling with you so that you can ensure that there are adequate facilities and activities to keep everyone happy, occupied, and free from boredom.

2. Select a kid-friendly airline

Booking a trip on a family-friendly airline can really make the difference. Look out for perks like toddler meals, child headsets, free bassinets, access to airport lounges, free infant check-in and/or carry-on luggage, extra entertainment, and even “sky nanny” services. Do remember to book your tickets early so that you can get the seats that you (and your children) want.

3. Keep your kids occupied on the plane

Air pressure changes, tight spaces, and long amounts of time with little to do can easily make any child bored and irritated. Ensure that your child is well-occupied, especially during long flights. This is crucial not only to your family’s comfort but also to your fellow passenger’s. At least a week before your trip, mentally prepare your children. Talk about where they will be going and share all of the fun things they can experience there.

4. Select a kid-friendly hotel

Your hotel can do a lot of the brunt work while your family is on vacation. Many top accommodations offer products and services just for children such as babysitting, on-call doctors, supervised activities, equipment, toys, and special food menus. Furthermore, conveniences such as airport transfers and proximity to public transportation, pharmacies, ATMs, groceries, and clinics can go along way for your family.

5. Pack well

When travelling with fussy kids, preparation is everything. Bring your child’s security toys and/or blankets if it helps to keep them calm and relaxed. Pack more than enough clothes, toiletries, toys, medication, and footwear to last your children the entire holiday.

6. Bring familiar snacks

Bring a few of your child’s favourite snacks. Especially if you are travelling to a country with food that’s exotic to your child. Many children may not take well to a sudden change in their diet. For example, your tot may not enjoy the spicy food in Thailand or the raw dishes in Japan. Nutritious snacks like granola bars, dried fruits, nuts and bottled complete, balanced oral nutrition supplements may be handy if you’re travelling to remote locations.

7. Plan, plan, plan

While it’s always nice to make space for flexibility and spontaneity, planning well makes sense if you’re travelling with fussy children. Apart from hotels and airlines, make a list of child-friendly restaurants, activities, and transportation and get the entire family involved in choosing how they would like to spend their time. This way, they feel more involved and eager to learn about the new things they will encounter.

8. Delegate tasks

Always remember that at the end of the day, it’s your holiday too. Delegate certain tasks to the rest of the family so that responsibility is held by everyone. For example, have your spouse arrange the transportation. And, let your children decide on a restaurant for dinner or activity for the day.

9. Keep your kids healthy

Travelling can be taxing for your children. Exposure to new foods may mean that they are eating less than usual. It’s crucial that you keep their energy and nutrient levels up. By using oral nutritional supplements, you can rest easy knowing that they are getting the nutrition they need for bone, muscle, brain, and eye development as well as immunity support.

Travelling with fussy children doesn’t have to be difficult if you plan ahead and make sure that you get the help that you need. Preparation and planning can take a lot of time, but the pay offs make it well worth it so that you can enjoy precious holiday time with your family.