A FIRST-TIME mum dreading flying with her baby daughter has shared how she got through it without any tears
Lala, from Germany, took to social media to share her genius parenting hack just in time for any summer holidays you have planned.
Lalkal was nervous for her daughter’s first flight[/caption]
And the best part is that the travel hack costs just 45p.
In the clip, Lala and her partner could be seen boarding the plane with their baby asleep in her mum’s arms.
She said: “This was her very first flight and we timed it perfectly with her nap. She slept right through takeoff but eventually she woke up.”
So how did the parents keep her entertained for the three hour flight? Lettuce.
Lala said they often give their tot lettuce when they’re trying to eat in peace, so decided to try it on the plane.
“It always keeps her occupied for so long. And I thought, if it works at home, why would it not work on a plane?” she explained.
Like most kids, her daughter was obsessed with tearing things up and trying to put them in her mouth.
“Like bread, paper, tissue, anything. But bread is way too messy, like there are crumbs everywhere,” she explained. And with paper or tissue, we always have to keep an eye on her that she doesn’t eat it. But lettuce?
“Lettuce is genius. It has a really fun texture and it’s not messy at all. And it’s safe if she decides to munch on it. Not just safe, but it’s actually a really refreshing and healthy snack for her.”
“This kept her occupied almost the entire flight.”
But she found a genius way to keep her entertained[/caption]
While Lala’s easy travel hack was worth giving a go, it’s worth noting that some airlines may not let you bring it on, depending on what country you are flying to.
Others may not let you bring it into the country when you land so you’ll have to chuck it away.
But that won’t matter too much as the hack costs just 45p as two heads of lettuce cost 90p from Waitrose.
The clip quickly went viral on her TikTok account @lalaleluu with over 1.7 million views and 267k likes.
Plenty of parents took to the comments thanking her for the advice.
One person wrote: “Wow this is genius. About to take my baby on her first flight alone and I might try this.”
How to make travelling with kids a breeze
IT can be stressful travelling with kids, but there are a few things you can do to make it easier. Here’s five we’d recommend:
Snacks
It might sound simple, but it’s a good idea to pack a LOT of snacks. Think of how much you might need, and double it. After all, it doesn’t matter if you have too much – your kids can eat it another time – but it will be a big issue if you run out. There are also snack boxes with lots of little dividers that are great for long journeys as kids can pick at those throughout.
Entertainment
This covers a whole range of things – from a tablet to watch films or play games if you’ve got older kids, to books and colouring. It’s advisable to pack a variety of options, especially if you’re on a long journey or have various legs on your haul.
Toys
If you’ve got a baby or a toddler, there are some sensory-type toys you can buy that can really help keep little ones entertained. These include ones that you stick on the windows of a plane, or on a tray on a highchair, that they can spin and play with to their hearts’ content.
Equipment
There are a whole host of things on the market that aim to make sleeping on a plane loads easier. These include a hammock that you can attack to your tray which hangs down to put your feet on. You can also get blow up cushions to turn a seat into a bed for littles, and neck cushions that boast you will be able to use for a decent night’s sleep wherever you are.
Yourselves!
Don’t underestimate how entertaining you are to your kids. Learn some games you can play with them, and songs you can sing, as kids always love the opportunity to have one-on-one time with their parents.
Another commented: “I have a 14 hour flight with my baby next month. I’ll just bring a whole field.”
“You, Lala, have just unlocked a whole new toy for all of us mums out there thank you,” penned a third.
Meanwhile a fourth said: “This is some next level parenting!! Bravo!!”
“Genius idea,” claimed a fifth
Someone else added: “This is such a good idea!!”
