Travelling with kids: try these helpful tips
Taking a trip with little ones becomes a lot less daunting with these top tips from IMC’s resident paediatrician Dr Mark Loh.
Planning ahead when travelling with children can determine the success of a trip. Remember:• Discuss vaccinations with your doctor ahead of time and ensure your child is up to date with their immunisation schedule. Vaccines recommended for travel in Asia include Typhoid, Hepatitis A and BCG. Get medical advice if malaria prophylaxis is required.
• You may have to consider less-common immunisations for diseases such as rabies and meningococcal, if you’re travelling to certain at-risk destinations – discuss this with your doctor prior to your departure.
• Insect protection is important for Malaria and Dengue Fever – for which there is no vaccine. Use insect repellants with up to 30 percent DEET and
mosquito nets.
mosquito nets.
• Never leave your child alone – strange, crowded places can leave a child feeling disoriented and frightened.
• Children dehydrate easily and are fussier with food and drinks, so always carry bottled water and their favourite snacks. Avoid trying novel foods when
on holiday.
on holiday.
• Travel with a small medical kit containing sunscreen, dressings, a thermometer, paracetamol, anti-diarrheals and anti-histamines for allergies. Avoid giving anti-histamines to children younger than one year old, unless prescribed by your doctor.
• If your child has a cold, have his or her eardrums examined before flying. Administer decongestant medication an hour before flying and have your child breastfeed, or suck on a bottle or sweet during take-off and landing, to allow equalisation of pressure in the ears.
• Ensure you have plenty of books, games and toys to keep your child entertained on long journeys. Having adequate rest and sleep the night before will also make the trip more enjoyable.
Dr Mark Loh Paediatric Specialist A graduate of Aberdeen University Dr Loh has worked in Nottingham, London and KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore. Mark’s interests include emergency paediatrics, neonatology, asthma and infant nutrition and development.
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