International Adoption Travel
The time has finally come to welcome your long awaited child into your family! Much focus is on paperwork, passports, and details about the first moments with your child. However, one area that needs special preparation and planning is the international travel and long flights involved.
International flights can be challenging when traveling with young children. Adoption means you will be returning home with a child new to your family. Planning for the flight is extremely important for the safety, health, and happiness of all involved.
If traveling with siblings, this travel preparation becomes even more important. Keep in mind that older children will tend to regress when a younger sibling is welcomed to the family. Instead of being frustrated by this, recognize this is normal behavior and your reaction will determine the smoothness of this huge transition for all. Older kids who normally walk may want to be carried or want to sit in the stroller. Allow them to regress without reprimand. Plan ahead for the extra attention required.
1. Travel with a stroller AND carrier. You may plan on never putting your child down when you first meet him or her, but reality is that your arms will get tired, your child will need some space, and multi-tasking will be required. If traveling with other children, consider a double stroller or multiple strollers as well as the carrier.
2. Plan activities for the long flight home for ALL children. Keep these as a surprise until needed in flight. Consider videos (with headphones) even if not allowed at home. Hours and hours over the ocean in an enclosed space are unusual circumstances and require flexibility.
3. Carry medical records for all family members. Consider packing a medical record storage device for all. Accidents and illness happen without warning.
4. Know location of medical facilities at destination. Research and write down location of medical clinics in the area you are staying – both pediatric and adult. Understand your health and travel insurance procedures.
5. Consider medical evacuation coverage for the entire family. Many times insurance will only transport you home if and when THEY decide it’s necessary.
6. Purchase an airplane seat for ALL family members traveling -regardless of age. If car seats are not needed at your location, consider using the FAA approved harness in flight for kids 22-44lbs and over 1 year of age. An infant car seat is appropriate for infants under 22lbs. or 1 year of age.
7. Pack for potential medical needs in flight. Symptom relief is important. Consider the possibility of teething, fever, growing pains, ear infections, ear pressure, gas/bloating/GI issues associated with the introduction of new foods, etc.
Adoption is exciting. International travel is exciting. Combining the two produces unique challenges to new parents and adopted children as well as siblings. Do not ever plan on infants or toddlers sleeping during the flight – if they do, you will be pleasantly surprised. But if they don’t you will be prepared. That is packing peace of mind!
It’s also important to recognize these first travel moments with an adopted child and siblings are unique. As you all get to know each other, traveling will be what you make of it and easier as you will all know each other better. The key is to plan for each trip considering the unique circumstances of your child’s developmental level. Communicating with passengers around you alleviates tension. Remember- everyone (regardless of age) reacts to a tense environment. Smile A LOT, breathe slowly and try to enjoy the first family trip!
Congratulations and have a safe, healthy, and fun trip!
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