subject: Travelling With Children And Health Tips [print this page] It can be difficult getting malaria tablets into babies and small children and there are no children's formulations of most varieties. It is often a matter of breaking tablets and persuading the child to take repeated doses of bitter tablets while you're away and for four weeks after your return. It can easily turn into a battle of wills, so you might be wiser to opt for holidays outside malarial areas for the time being at least. Try to book your airline seat well in advance for longer journeys with a young baby to make sure a 'sky cot' is available. Babies can suck a bottle and child ren can suck a sweet on take off and landing to help them equalise pressure in their ears which otherwise is uncomfortable. Crying has the same effect.
'Blocked' ears due to infection should be medically checked before travel and sometimes flying may have to be delayed. Motion sickness is rare in very small children but common between three and twelve years of age. A vomit bag may be a sensible precaution and the chemist can provide mild medication for those known to suffer. Being able to see the view outside to the horizon might help. Reading or doing puzzles may not. Don't forget to pack toys or amusements for the journey in your hand baggage, bearing in mind that there'll probably be limited play space.
Simple medicaments should also be in your hand luggage and so available at all stages of the journey. Children's painkillers, nappies, antiseptic creams, a few plasters plus the oral rehydration salts and a children's thermometer need to be included, together with supplies of any regular medication taken already by your child. You might like to discuss with your doctor whether to carry a mild pediatric sedative to have in reserve for an exceptionally long journey. Wet or antiseptic tissues for cleaning their hands after the lavatory and before handling food are also useful.
Pack suitable clothes in your hand luggage, bearing in mind any likely changes in temperature between home and your final destination. When packing for hot climates, do not take only short sleeved clothes but remember that you'll probably need to be able to cover your child's arms, legs and head against the sun (and sometimes to reduce the area of skin exposed to insect bites).
You'll need to allow for unforeseen delays on the journey when packing supplies of suitable food and drink. If possible check the availability of baby foods at your destination particularly in tropical or developing countries. Bought milk can be a source of infection and breastfeeding has obvious advantages. If you are breastfeeding, you must be sure to drink adequate quantities of water yourself in hot climates. Children can dehydrate quickly and especially if they develop diarrhoea or vomiting.
Plenty of safe drinks should always be available and you should take packets of oral rehydration salts which can be mixed with boiled or bottled water. These help to restore the balance of salts and help the body to retain fluids. They must be reconstituted exactly according to the manufacturer's instructions (particularly for babies) so don't be tempted to make them up any stronger. Children shouldn't take tablets designed to stop diarrhea, so food and water hygiene is especially important for the very young. Always seek medical attention earlier rather than later for young children with diarrhea, particularly if they have a temperature.
Don't use too much insect repellent or apply it too frequently to young children's skin in other words, don't exceed the quantities recommended on the pack. You shouldn't put it on their hands either as they may then rub it into their eyes or mouth. Spraying it directly on to collars, cuffs and trouser legs will cut down the amount you need to apply to their skin.
Where insects are a real problem and you've had to put repellent on all exposed areas of skin, wash it off once you go indoors. You will have to make an effort to ration the amount of time children spend out in hot sun, and always use a high protection factor sunscreen for them. Accidents can happen in new environments and you'll need to take particular care close to the sea or swimming pool. Any animal bite or scratch must be seen by a doctor in a country where rabies exists. This should be done especially quickly for any injury to the face or head which is more likely where children rather than adults are concerned. As always, medical insurance is important for overseas travel and children may be included free.
