The Travel Doctor
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Travelling with Kids
Flying for any significant period of time with children can sometimes be a daunting consideration for parents. The same issues faced by adults on long flights, such as boredom, the effects of changed routines & jet lag can be exacerbated in children. Children get tired, & travelling with cranky kids is no easy task!
The Travel Doctor-TMVC National Medical Advisor, Dr Tony Gherardin, offers the following tips for managing the most problematic of these issues – jet lag.
Jet lag is a subjective feeling experienced after a long flight through several time zones. It is caused by the traveller’s body clock, their “circadian rhythm” being out of phase with the ‘real’ time at their destination. This can be especially troublesome with children, when the rhythm of biological & physiological processes such as hunger, sleep & temperature are disrupted. Children become tired, cranky & often behave “not their usual selves”.
When this timing is disrupted, we experience the symptoms of jet lag. Symptoms of jet lag include: fatigue, sleep impairment, disorientation, difficulty concentrating, loss of appetite & changes in bowel habit.
Fortunately jet lag will usually disappear within about three days after arrival. There are, however a number of general ways to minimise the impact. These include:
• start the journey in as relaxed a state as possible by ensuring a good sleep the night before flying &
allowing plenty of time to get to the airport. More easily said than done with children, who are often
excited by the prospect of travel. The aim in this instance should as much as possible be to keep to
normal routines in the lead up to departure;
• plan a stopover if possible & try to arrange the itinerary so that you are flying into the night;
• Stay well hydrated—give the kids plenty of water or juice, better be near the toilet;
• Eat light, healthy snacks— eat only when hungry & even miss a meal or two;
• Use light & dark to effectively trigger normal sleep/wake cycles;
• Use moisturisers to reduce feeling of dehydration
• Feed infants at the same rate or pattern as you would at home. While it may be good for the ears to
allow an infant to suck during takeoff & landing, overfeeding during flight is a common problem, as the
gas in the stomach is expanded.
• Avoid sedatives or calming medications in children. Children can have unexpected & opposite
reactions to medications, & medications may aggravate the problem.
• Take books, soft toys or various distractions to help children feel less anxious.
• Allow children to rest during the first 24 hours after arrival.
By minimising the risk of jetlag, you can have a far better journey yourselves!
Happy Travels.
Remember to the check the DFAT ‘Smartraveller’ website prior to departure
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Learn about the medical requirements for your destination by checking out the Destination fact sheets
Other useful information can be found in the Travel health fact sheets
Work out your vaccine requirements by looking at the My Travel Health Planner
