Let's make it as smooth as possible
Long haul flights can be stressful enough without any children, add a baby or infant to the journey and things become a lot more strenuous.
Dermot and Dave listener Cathy got in touch with the show seeking advice for an upcoming trip to Australia - her first with 14-month-old Kate.
She booked the holiday a couple of months ago but with Kate getting much busier since then, she's kinda regretting choosing such a faraway destination. It's an eight hour flight to Dubai followed by another 13.5 hours to Melbourne.
Being the daddy day care experts they are, D&D offer their advice and reassurance that everything is going to work out just fine, with great praise for the services supplied by air hosts and hostesses.
But they couldn't just let Westmeath lady take their word for it - so they asked listeners to chip in with their suggestions:
- sticker books
- a drop of olbas oil on each shoulder (prevents ears popping)
- nibbles
- plenty of drinks
- new toys
- lots of walking
- ditch the onboard bassinets (turbulence disturbs them too much)
- favourite cartoons on devices
Child Sleep Consultant Erica Hargadon (of Babogue Sleeping Solutions) also offers her expertise saying that sleep is vital:
- try and hit the sleep waves that your child might be used to
- having familiar things from home (unwashed blankie)
- snuggling them up into your arms
Preparation is key.
Check out the pointers in full by pressing the play button on screen.
