Tips for travelling with children
Discover our tips for travelling with your children safely and with peace of mind.
Before setting off on a family trip
There's always a greater risk of cancellation when it comes to travelling with your children. Pinkeye, chickenpox or an ear infection... that's it, the holiday's ruined! That's why you shouldn't hesitate to take out insurance that covers cancellation when you go away with your children. That way, if you have to cancel, you'll be reimbursed for any fees withheld by the tour operator.
To find out more about cancellation insurance, take a look at all our insurance policies that include this essential cover.
Flying with our children
What is the minimum age?
Generally speaking, airlines do not accept newborns under one week old.
Potential medical problems
The pressure changes as the aircraft drops in altitude, and this change can hurt children's ears, and they don't always know how to deal with it. However, there are simple techniques to reduce the symptoms:
- Give them something to drink as the plane begins its descent, or give them chewing gum.
- If they have a cold, give them nose drops 30 minutes before landing.
- If your child has an ear infection, ask your doctor if he or she can travel, as this may be a contraindication to flying.
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Common health problems
Diarrhoea
It's easy for children to catch gastrointestinal illnesses because their natural immunity is not yet fully developed and they touch everything... What's more, they dehydrate more quickly than adults.
To avoid diarrhoea as much as possible, you need to control what they eat and follow these few tips:
- Fruit and vegetables should be well cooked, or washed and peeled.
- Street food should be avoided, so opt for snacks that children can nibble on without any problem.
- Meat and fish should be well cooked and eaten immediately after cooking.
- Water must be purified, whether you're preparing food, using ice cubes or brushing your teeth.
- Hands should be washed regularly, and children's toys and diapers disinfected if possible.
The main risk associated with diarrhoea is dehydration, especially if the child also has a fever (temperature above 38.5°C) or is vomiting.
The symptoms of dehydration in a child are as follows:
- Restlessness (moderate cases) or drowsiness (severe cases)
- Pulse quickens and weakens
- His eyes are concave
- Few tears, little urine
- dry mucous membranes
- Dry skin (if the skin is pinched, the fold remains marked)
- He is losing weight (dehydration is considered serious if weight loss exceeds 10%).
It's best to have an oral rehydration solution to hand; if you don't have one with you, you can find it in pharmacies in almost all developing countries.
When preparing the solution, follow the instructions carefully. The solution should be consumed within 12 hours of preparation and given to the child as long as he or she is dehydrated.
If the child vomits the rehydration solution, you should try to give it by spoon or in small sips so that the child accepts it.
If necessary, you can prepare a solution yourself by diluting 6 level teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt in 1 liter of water.
Parasites
Because they are in greater contact with the ground, children are more likely to be exposed to many parasites. They should therefore wear shoes at all times, even in the water, and it is preferable for them to play on a towel or sheet rather than on the ground directly.
If you dry your children's clothes outside, try to iron them as much as possible to avoid contamination by parasites or larvae.
Animals
Children tend to want to play with animals, which exposes them to the risk of rabies. As they are small, they are particularly susceptible to being bitten on the face or neck, so they need to be told to stay away from animals. If they are bitten, clean the wound with soap and water and go to hospital if in doubt.
Sea, lake, ocean
The second most common cause of death among travelling children is drowning. It's vital to keep an eye on them at all times. If you're going abroad, take a lifebuoy or armbands with you, as you won't necessarily find them locally.
You should also remember that water is a vector for many parasites and gastric infections, so avoid bathing your children in unclean water. When at sea, have them wear water shoes to avoid foot injuries.
UV rays
Children's skin is sensitive to the sun, which can be particularly strong near the equator or at altitude, in the middle of the day (10-16h) and when it reflects off water or snow.
If a baby gets sunburned, it's a medical emergency and you should seek medical attention quickly.
Altitude
A child may experience acute mountain sickness without necessarily realising it. They may feel tired even several hours after climbing to altitude. Be careful. It is recommended not to take infants above 2000 meters.
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Prevention
If you are going to an area where there is a risk of malaria, take chemoprophylaxis and bear these points in mind:
- Mefloquine is contraindicated for children weighing less than 15 kg
- Doxycyline is contraindicated in children under 8 years of age
- Nivaquine-paludrine is contraindicated in children under 15 years of age
- The combination atovaquone-proguanil is contraindicated in children weighing less than 11 kg.
As far as mosquito bites are concerned, they should be avoided by wearing covering clothing and taking care with repellents that are applied directly to the skin, as they are often not suitable for use on children (there are, however, suitable repellents, which you can obtain from your chemist).
When using a spray, take care not to put it directly on your child's face or head, as there is a risk of inhaling it. Put some on your hands first, then spread it over the child's face. If the child has some on their hands, make sure they don't put it in their mouth.
First aid kit
We strongly recommend that you bring a small kit containing the essentials:
- disinfectant and bandages
- protective ointments, moisturising lotions
- rehydration solutions in powder or tablet form to be diluted in boiled water
- fever reducers
- nose drops
- anti-allergics and antibiotics if necessary and prescribed
- anti-motion sickness medication
- SPF50 sun cream
Don't forget to take hats, sunglasses, closed shoes, mosquito repellent and mosquito nets.
In addition to all these precautions, don't leave without good travel insurance: Europ Assistance can help you anywhere in the world in the event of a problem and provides comprehensive cover to ensure peace of mind wherever you go.
