Times journalist Matt Rudd published a piece recently on travelling with his small baby, which provoked an enormous response. Have a read of the replies, which are entertainment enough in themselves:

Matt includes a number of his tips for surviving flying with a baby. Here are my favourites, as well as some of my own:

Avoid low-cost airlines: I totally agree. Choose your seats in advance, minimise time at the airport and anticipate the free drinks.

Use a valet parking service: It helps if you arrive at the airport calm rather than stressed and overladen with bags, having done battle with the long term car park bus.

Board the aircraft last: Another good tip. Many is the time I've travelled with my children and they've worked their way through all their new holiday toys before we've even taken off. Why even think about getting on first when you have a pre-allocated seat?

Pack a DVD player: It rarely fails, assuming they're old enough to watch it. Never rely on the in-flight entertainment.

Split up: If there are four of you, do shifts with each child, just in case you have one easy one and one difficult one.

Breastfeed on takeoff and landing: It helps clear the baby's ears. If it's inappropriate to feed, bring a supply of dummies.

Ask yourself if you really need to go long haul: Of course some people have friends and family to visit and other reasons for travel but is there really any point taking a small baby to the Caribbean on a trip they'll never remember?

Remember, babies get jetlag too: Another reason to stay short haul. If they get jetlag on the way out, they'll get it on the way back, too. I speak from experience following one disastrous fortnight in Jamaica, which resulted in a full month of no sleep.

To visit Matt's tips go to : www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/your_say/article6583640.ece.

For more tips on 'getting there' click here

Question:

My partner and I are keen walkers and don't want to miss out on our annual hikes now we have a baby. Do you have any suggestions?

There's certainly no need to hang up the walking boots just because you have young children. HF Holidays is offering easy summer walking tours in the UK using the most child-friendly of the company's country houses as a base.

There's a choice of interesting guided walks during the day and various entertainment for the evenings such as giant Jenga, table tennis or Wii competitions.

Alternatively, at its houses on the Cornish coast and the Isle of Wight, the company offers ‛Classic Walking just for families plus' - an easier walking option for families with younger children or those new to walking. Starting in August, these holidays offer the normal choice of walks as well as an extra-short walking option for little legs. It's also possible to hire a child's papoose. Following the walks, play leaders are on hand at the houses to organise games and activities.

Based on an en-suite family room, the cost is £629 per adult, £314.50 per child (aged four-17 years and sharing with two adults) and free of charge for under fours.

These prices include full-board accommodation, the programme of organised walks and social activities, transport to and from the walks, plus the services of an HF Holidays' walks leader. Visit www.hfholidays.co.uk.