It’s Vacation Time!
By Aseel Salhab, Infant and Child Sleep Consultant
Studies show that a getaway or vacation from work and routine is beneficial to our brain and physical health. As you prepare for summer break, we explore the benefits and challenges of travelling with young children.
Why do we need a vacation once in a while?
• Improved physical health: With less stress, your body functions better by lowering the level of cortisol
• Improved heart health: Taking vacations could help reduce the risk for metabolic syndrome – a cluster of health issues including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess belly fat and abnormal cholesterol levels
• Improved mental health: With exposure to stress, the neurotransmitters in your brain alter how the brain functions. Vacation time improves mood and reduces stress by removing you from the activities and environments that you associate with stress and anxiety
• Greater wellbeing: After a vacation, your body is more relaxed, you get better sleep, are in a better mood and have more energy to offer your family and work
• Improved sleep: Time off from work and household responsibilities help break negative sleep habits, like working late or checking our mobile phone before bed
• Increased mental capacity: Going on vacation gives your body and brain a boost to stay positive. It also improves your capacity to learn. There’s a link between travel and creativity too!
• Boost happiness: Many studies showed that even planning the trip helps boost your serotonin levels which is the happiness and mood stabilizer hormone
Travelling with babies and young children
Many parents fear travelling with their children, worrying about long packing lists, unpredictable schedules and the break from routines. While travelling with a child at any age may seem like a daunting prospect, it can significantly boost their development and help them adapt to changing situations. Travelling regularly with young children and surrounding babies as young as six months old with speech sounds from all around the world can help them later on in life with their language.
Travelling tips
• Writing your travel list two weeks ahead: List all your child’s needs, including formula milk, bottles, medications, nappies and wipes
• Arriving three hours earlier than the flight time: This makes it easier on parents to take their time at check-in, bathroom runs, shopping and getting a light snack before boarding
• Considering flight time: Try your best to book your flight when it’s your baby’s nap time
• Nappy changing: Change your baby’s nappy before boarding the aeroplane and take older children to the airport restroom before the flight
• Planning for discomfort: Help your baby adjust to changes in cabin pressure by encouraging swallowing during takeoff and landing. You can also breastfeed or use a pacifier if needed
• Packing smart: Make sure nappies, wipes, a change of clothes and toys are easily accessible
Activities to keep your child busy on the aeroplane
• Reading books
• Magnetic games
• Card games
• Workbooks or activity books
• Card games
• Colouring books
• Healthy snacks
• Children’s movies downloaded before you fly
Helping your baby overcome jetlag
• Setting a schedule for the time zone of the country you arrive in: Aim for a nap, feed and nighttime schedule you always follow
• Watching your baby’s sleeping cues: Put your baby to sleep the moment you arrive to prevent her or him from being overly tired. Wake your baby up the next day, early in the morning, to get back in their regular routine again
• Offering snacks: Keep the feeding and the snacking time as you normally do at home
• Going out if you arrive in the daytime: This will help adjust to the daily routine and get your child sleeping at night
Remember, this is only a vacation and everything gets back to normal once you’re back home. Try to enjoy as much as you can as you create memories with your child. Time does fly!
You can reach out to Aseel Salhab at [email protected]
