TRAVELLING WITH INFANTS AND CHILDREN

Travelling with infants and children can be fun and rewarding. Whether heading south for a week, visiting friends or relatives in another country or embarking on an adventure tour, be aware that
children can become ill very quickly and may be a challenge to care for while travelling.
You must consider specific and sometimes complex issues when planning a trip for your family. For instance:
• Certain travel vaccines and preventive medications recommended for adults may not be suitable for
infants and children.
• Infants may require an accelerated childhood immunization schedule before travel.
• Children are at increased risk for conditions such as diarrhea and vomiting and can develop more severe symptoms.
• Children are at greater risk of exposure to certain health hazards, such as rabies. They may be more
inclined than adults to approach stray and possibly rabid animals.
• Children are at special risk of contracting malaria since preventive measures for them can be difficult to implement (e.g. anti-malarial medications have an unpleasant taste) and children can
quickly become seriously ill if infected.

Make sure you arrange a pre-travel health assessment for the children travelling with you, preferably six weeks before departure, to ensure that their specific needs are addressed. Be prepared to deal with your children’s minor health problems yourself and know what to do and where to go in case of a more serious illness.
Remember to bring the following:
• an adequate supply of baby products, such as formula and snacks;
• over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen and packets of oral rehydration
salts for mixing with safe water;
• prescription medications and permission letters for controlled drugs and needles;
• a copy of your children’s immunization records; and
• a health care provider’s letter outlining any chronic conditions.
When travelling by air or by car, use an approved child safety seat. Carry a bottle or pacifier to make a young child more comfortable and to equalize ear pressure when flying.