Traveling Tykes: Travel Safety Guidelines & Tips for Your Child

When traveling with young kids, it simply takes careful planning to reduce parental stress and circumvent possible glitches up ahead. Below is a list of important considerations for a worry-free family getaway.

Destination
Consider your child’s age: remember that young kids have very short attention spans. So choose a place with activities that will keep your tots entertained.

Get updated health advisories about your destination. “Know the diseases that are endemic in that particular province, country, or region so that your kids can be given the proper preventive medications,” adds Dr. Sherrylab Lagarto, resident-in-training at the Pediatrics Department of the Philippine General Hospital. She cites malaria as common in the provinces of Mindoro and Palawan, while parasite infections are prevalent in Samar and Leyte.  Visit your child’s pediatrician prior to traveling to get updated on your child’s immunization status.


Seats and Schedules. Prep your kids for the trip by excitedly telling them that they’ll be away from home for a few days.

If possible, work around their feeding and play times when scheduling the trip. The most appropriate time for your kids to travel is when they’re not hungry or when they’re close to falling asleep.


If traveling by land
The car seat should be properly installed in the back seat of your car. Use a back-facing car seat for infants.

Toddlers weighing at least 20 pounds can already use a forward-facing car seat.

Use a car seat that has certified safety features and offers a comfortable ride for your child. The latter will prove crucial to your child’s disposition on road trips that last more than three hours.

It’s best to start long trips in the evening so your child can sleep through most of it and avoid the heat of the sun, possible car sickness, and other discomforts. If traveling by bus, make sure you choose one that’s air conditioned and equipped with seat belts.

 

Click here to learn traveling safety tips for your child when traveling by air, sea, and about accommodations.

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Read on to learn traveling safety tips for your child when traveling by air, sea, and about accommodations.

 

If traveling by air
Usually, a child below age 2 can fly free of charge—but he or she will have to share a seat with you. Inform the airline that you are traveling with a baby so they can reserve you a seat that provides more legroom but is located far from the plane’s emergency exits. Some airlines provide bassinets for infant travelers.

If your child is above age 2, check with the airline if they provide special car seats or booster seats. Otherwise, inform them that you will bring your own. Aside from keeping your child secure in the event of turbulence or an emergency landing, a car seat will also provide comfort and familiarity especially if you have a first-time flyer in tow. Board the plane early so you can install the seat properly without causing trouble for other passengers.


If traveling by sea
If there’s room in the travel budget , it’s safer to get first-class or cabin accommodations when traveling with babies and toddlers. Dr. Lagarto suggests choosing accommodations that have good ventilation, lighting, and air conditioning so your kids don’t get agitated by too much heat or sunlight.

A private cabin with its own washroom is most convenient whenever your kids need tidying up. Most cabins have their own baggage compartments and cabinets .“In economy-class ship accommodations,” Dr. Lagarto adds, “it is safer  to choose bunks instead of seats if you are with kids. Choose those that are near—but not next to—the comfort rooms.”


Accommodations
Accommodations that offer rooms with their own kitchen or pantry make it convenient for a family to feed the kids, prepare infant formula, heat breast milk, etc.

Find out in advance if the place you plan to stay at offers parent-friendly services such as cribs for rent, supervised play areas, or babysitting services. Check also if there are convenience stores or clinics nearby so you know where to run in case of an emergency.

 

Click here to learn more about important items to pack when traveling with your kids.

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Read on to learn more about important items to pack when traveling with your kids.

 

Packing the Bags. Remember to be self-reliant at all times, so bring whatever you may need. Separate your belongings from your child’s as much as possible. This makes it easier to look for things when you need them. Pack only what you’ll need during the actual travel inside a hand-carry bag; the rest should be in your main luggage. Things you may need to hand-carry include:
•    Documents. Keep passports, visas, certificates, and tickets in a zip-lock bag to keep them dry in case you spill your drink or your child’s bottle of milk.
•    Milk, Feeding Bottles, and Drinking Water. Most airlines will allow you to bring unlimited amount of formula milk or breast milk onboard as long as you’re traveling with an infant or child, and after inspection by medical personnel. You can opt to buy sealed bottled water from the stores inside the airport’s waiting area before the flight.
•    Snacks. Bring appropriate snacks and/or baby food. Feeding your child his snacks may keep him occupied during the trip.
•    Diapers and Wipes. Pack loads of these in your luggage, and bring only two to four diapers and a pack of baby wipes (depending on the age of your child and travel time) in your hand-carry bag.
•    Toys. “Toys help [children] calm down and lessen their boredom during long trips,” says Dr. Lagarto. She recommends bringing a maximum of three toys for your toddler. You can ask your kid which toy he’d like to bring, and then sneak in two more. Just make sure that the toys don’t take too much space in your luggage or in the car. Toys that don’t have small detachable pieces will be easier to play with than bouncing balls and puzzles. Remember to bring out the toys one at a time.
•    Change of Clothes. This goes for you and your child, in case of emergencies like diaper and breast milk leaks, throw-ups, etc.
•    Plastic Bags. This comes in handy especially for discarding dirty nappies and wipes, and for keeping food and soiled clothing.
•    Medicine Kit. Consult with your pediatrician regarding the proper dosage and schedule of medication for your children. Dr. Lagarto enumerates the basic medicines your mobile medicine kit should contain:
1. antipyretics such as Paracetamol for fever
2. analgesics or pain relievers such as Ibuprofen or Mefenamic acid
3. antiemetics such as Metoclopramide for nausea and vomiting
4. anti-allergy medications, antihistamines such as Diphenhydramine, and anti-inflammatory such as Betamethasone
5. oral rehydration fluids if your child gets diarrhea
6. maintenance medications, such as inhalers for children who have asthma

 

Click here to learn what to do in certain situations when traveling.

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Read on to learn what to do in certain situations when traveling.

 

Travel Trouble
Here are tips on how to deal with some uncomfortable situations your child may encounter while traveling.


Ear Pressure
When a plane is taking off or landing  Dr. Lagarto advises to let older kids chew on gum or ay chewable candy. “This helps lessen intra-auricular pressure,” she says. “Assure your kids that the pain or the feeling of too much air inside the ears is just temporary and will subside once you land.”  

If traveling with a baby, give him or her a bottle of milk since constant sucking and swallowing helps keep pressure off the ear.  


Motion Sickness
Symptoms of motion sickness include blanching, headache, dizziness,  and vomiting. Your child should eat something light before traveling, but avoid greasy food. Make sure your child looks out the window once in a while; prolonged staring at a stationary object inside the vehicle can also cause dizziness. If traveling by boat, take a stroll on the deck—a burst of fresh air can relieve nausea or heat-related discomfort.

Dr. Lagarto says a pediatrician may prescribe anti-motion sickness medication for children, which should be taken one to two hours prior to departure.


Leg Cramps
During long car rides, schedule pit stops frequently to allow your kids to walk and stretch their legs. When riding a plane, walk along the aisle with your kid whenever the seat belt sign is turned off. On a ship, walk around with your child, but avoid open-air areas that are too close to the ship’s railing, especially after a drizzle, to prevent slips and falls.

 
Ready, Get Set, Go
The plan is set, and all you need to do is get going and enjoy your vacation. Dr. Sherrylab Lagarto shares some last-minute guidelines before you go on your family summer escapade:
• Start babies on a fresh diaper before the trip.
• Potty-trained kids should relieve themselves before getting in the car or boarding the plane.
• Encourage your child to nap during the trip and not before boarding the plane or ship. Always accompany children when going to the bathroom.
• Know your check-in and boarding time. If you’re flying, arrive early at the airport. You may choose to wait a while before boarding since some toddlers hate to wait in their seats. If you’re traveling by sea, be sure to board early to avoid the on-rush of passengers.


Photography by Ocs Alvarez