Having flown long distance on a number of occasions – with a baby might I add – I can say in all honesty that it is a mild form of torture. However, there are things that can be done to alleviate this, enabling you to travel the world even with a child:

1) Water

Air-conditioning dries out everything, from your skin to your eyes. While it’s great to take eye drops and creams, the best thing you can do is drink plenty of water. You’ll have to buy these after security though and if you aren’t flying direct, some transit security searches don’t allow you to take the water with you, even if you did buy it in Duty-Free. Always worth the gamble though!

2) Paracetamol

Because you never know how you’re going to feel, and the last thing you need to be is drug-less at 38000 feet in the air.

3) A packet of tissues

You may begin a long-distance journey feeling fine, but a few hours later you may find yourself with a snotty nose and nothing but sweet wrappers to wipe it with (believe me when I say, sweet wrappers do not offer great absorption).

4) Small change in local currency

This will help if you are flying transit and need to buy water/food (or even tissue). Many airports that have a high number of connecting flights accept Euros, GBP or Dollars, but check if you are not sure.

5) Language app

There are loads available and most will help you with basic phrases such as the classic ‘how much?’ (Whether you understand the response is another question -see tip 6).

6) Notepad and pen

The pen is for landing cards, and the notepad for getting shopkeepers to write the price that they are inexplicably trying to get you to understand.

7) Fully charged phone battery.

This obviously needs no explanation.

8) Games

A packet of cards can go a long way on a long-haul flight if you are travelling in a group.

9) Sweets

In fact, snacks in general are a good idea – do not rely on plane/service station food. It’s best to carry things that will not get squashed easily, so sweets and cereal bars are good options.

10) Toothbrush and toothpaste

If you have been flying for what feels like forever and you feel really rough, splash your face with water before landing and give your pearly whites a scrub. You’ll feel a little more human afterwards, promise.