Traveling with Children
Traveling with children can bring great rewards—and great challenges. Many families
take their kids with them to all parts of the globe. Many of the same safety measures
that apply to adults also apply to children. But because of a child's limited immunity
to diseases, food and water safeguards, as well as limiting their exposure to disease,
are even more important.
Vaccines for children
Contact your child's healthcare provider about vaccines your child may need as early
as possible before travel. The timetable for some vaccines may need to be moved up.
And there may be other special vaccines needed, depending on where you are traveling.
Taking care with food, water, and insects
Be very careful about exposing children to different foods and water. Don't feed children
any food that is uncooked. Also stay away from fruits and vegetables in developing
countries, unless you peel them yourself. Children are at greater risk for traveler's
diarrhea and other digestive infections. Take extra care when mixing infant formula
with water. Use purified water to drink, make ice cubes, brush teeth, and mix infant
formula and foods. You can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to disinfect objects.
Take special care when cleaning pacifiers, teething rings, and toys that fall to the
floor or are handled by others.
Keep children away from insects and animals to prevent the spread of disease. Some
travelers question the safety of repellents in children. Reports of toxicity from
DEET, the repellent in use since the 1950s, have been rare and were linked to incorrect
use. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC approve and support the use of
DEET (10% to 30%) in children older than 2 months.
The CDC advises these tips to help protect your children against mosquito bites:
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Use clothing that covers your child's arms and legs.
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Use mosquito netting to cover cribs, strollers, and baby carriers.
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Don't use insect repellent on babies under 2 months of age.
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In children older than 2 months, don't apply repellent onto their mouth, eyes, or
hands, or to broken or irritated skin.
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On children younger than 3 years old, don't use products that contain oil of lemon
eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol.
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If using an insect spray, spray a small amount on your hands first and then apply
it to your child's face. Don't put it on your child's eyes or mouth.
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Never spray the repellent directly on your child's face.
If your child has symptoms of fever, rash, joint pain, or red eyes, contact your healthcare
provider and describe where you have traveled. A baby younger than 2 months of age
with a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher should always see a healthcare provider.
Call your provider or get medical care right away if your baby is younger than 2 months
old and has a fever.
Flying with children
Airplane travel can be exciting, frightening, and even painful for young children.
Children are at greater risk for "popping" ears during takeoff or landing. It often
causes pain. Due to an air pocket in the middle ear that is sensitive to air pressure
changes, the changing altitude as the plane takes off or lands can cause discomfort
in the ears. Small children are especially affected by blocked ear canals because
their eustachian tubes are narrower than those of adults.
Swallowing or yawning usually helps "pop" the ears and ease the discomfort. Giving
a bottle or pacifier to very young children can also help "pop" the ears. Try to keep
the baby awake as the plane descends.
Older children can chew gum or drink a cup of juice.
Handling motion sickness
Children seem to be more prone to motion sickness than adults. An antihistamine can
help prevent or relieve motion sickness, but its use is restricted by age. If your
child gets motion sickness, discuss this with your child's healthcare provider before
you travel and ask what medicine may help your child. Other ways to relieve motion
sickness include:
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Eat a light meal or snack before and during travel.
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Sit in the area of a moving vehicle that has the least motion. In an airplane, this
is over the wings. On trains and buses, it's near the front of the vehicle. On a ship
or boat, the deck has the least amount of movement. The front seat of the car has
less motion than the back seat, but it's not safe for children. They should always
be secured in a car safety seat or a seat belt in the back seat.
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Encourage children to sleep during travel.
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Give children sunglasses to wear to reduce visual stimulation.
Other helpful hints for traveling with children
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Check with your travel agent about the best airplane seats for children. If traveling
with young babies, ask for the bulkhead seats on long-distance flights. These often
have infant beds that attach to the ceiling of the aircraft.
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Arrange for special children's meals ahead of time, especially if your child is a
picky eater. Also carry along favorite foods and snacks, in case there is a shortage
of meals. Be sure to take along enough infant formula and baby food for a 24-hour
period.
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Unless you are certain that child safety seats are available at your destination,
bring your child's seat from home. Many children also like the security of having
their own car seat.
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Bring along plenty of games, toys, and books to keep your children quietly occupied.
A child's rolling suitcase lets even young children carry on many of their favorite
belongings.
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When visiting large attractions, arrange a family meeting place in case you become
separated from other members of your family.
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Make sure your children know what to do if they get lost in a strange city, especially
in a foreign country. Some experts advise giving children a necklace or card that
includes your address and phone number while abroad. The children can keep the card
with them at all times. But don't include their names.
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If your child has a chronic illness or a weak immune system, talk with your healthcare
provider about special travel precautions you will need to take.
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If your child is an older teen traveling in a student group, consider the need for
counseling about the treatment of common travel-related illnesses, the risks for sexually
transmitted infections (STIs), prevention of sexual assault, and drug and alcohol
use during international travel.
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If your children are visiting friends and relatives in developing countries, ask your
healthcare provider about increased risks and prevention strategies related to such
things as malaria, tuberculosis, and intestinal parasites.
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Consider taking a basic first aid course before traveling. Encourage older children
to take the course with you.