If the family has small children, then you have to carefully think over the route of the trip, check the contents of the first-aid kit and plan everything to the smallest detail. Especially - moments related to the safety and health of the baby.
Focus on your child when planning a trip
When choosing a route, pay attention to the following circumstances:
in the active phase of teething, the baby will be especially capricious, and his immunity decreases for a while. This can darken your trip and add a couple of sleepless nights to all the other impressions.
the vaccination given shortly before departure also contributes to a decrease in immunity, which means that the chances of contracting ARVI while traveling are significantly increased
In the first years of life, children constantly experience age-related crises, and the peak of such a crisis may be worth waiting out at home, in a familiar environment and without unnecessary witnesses.
Choose time and place carefully
In the "high" season, there are always more people at the resorts, so the incidence is higher. The same applies to popular holiday destinations: on the tourist Black Sea coast, the risk of catching E. coli is always greater than in an uncrowded European camping (although there are also dangers lurking there).
When planning a vacation with your baby, you should not choose the most popular places and directions.
When leaning in favor of "children's" hotels, also think: perhaps resting in a quiet and peaceful place will save not only your nerves, but also your health.
Travel by car
Of course, this type of movement has a lot of inconveniences, but it is the car that will give you maximum comfort and a sense of security during the trip. Taking it on a long journey, you exclude from the route potential sources of all kinds of infections - crowded waiting rooms, planes, trains, queues and crowds. The car allows you to build a route based on the needs and interests of each participant in the trip. In addition, you can always make a stop for a snack, visit the toilet, walk in the fresh air or relax.
Get the necessary vaccinations
more on the topic
A question to an expert: why is it important to vaccinate children? How to prepare a child for vaccination, what vaccines to use and why measles vaccination should be done right now, especially when it comes to regions that are unfavorable according to the incidence rate statistics. So, going to Thailand from April to October, it is still better to get your child vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis. Going to India? Get vaccinated against cholera and hepatitis A. When planning to spend the summer in the village, check in advance if the region is considered endemic: it might make sense to get vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis.
It is worth discussing the topic of vaccination with your pediatrician a few months before the trip so that you have time to find the necessary vaccines, prepare for the vaccination and observe how the child's body will take it. Get vaccinated no later than 2-3 weeks before the trip.
Always wash your hands!
This commandment of Moidodyr and Doctor Komarovsky really works! Regular washing of your hands (as well as your face) with soap and water protects you and your baby from various infections. Wash vegetables, fruits, do not forget to rinse your hands every time after contact with animals or using the toilet, especially in public.
As a safety net, carry a pack of antibacterial wipes or hand cleansing gel with you: they are convenient to use on the road or where there is no running water and soap at hand.
Get insurance
Even if you are going to visit relatives who live in a neighboring country, the insurance will not be superfluous. The hypothetical ability to call a doctor in any unclear situation will reduce your anxiety. Spare money on insurance that will cover the costs of hospitalization and calling an ambulance (the smaller the children, the higher you will rate these points). However, do not set yourself up for the worst, because insurance is like an umbrella that we carry with us in case of rain: it’s just calmer with it.
5 Pediatrician Tips: How to Make Rest Safe for Your Baby
Irina Bogdanova, pediatrician
There is no one hundred percent reliable remedy that will help you not get sick on vacation. But the likelihood of illness can always be reduced.
Wherever you go, keep in mind that the child is going through acclimatization. Follow his usual daily routine and diet.
You should not immediately rush into the sea and spend the whole day in the water. Gradually increase the number of baths and their duration.
Don't spend the whole day on the beach in the scorching sun. Keep an eye on the child and observe his condition. Step into the shade at the slightest sign of overheating. Remember that everything is good in moderation.
Follow the simplest hygiene rules: wash your hands before eating, wash your fruit. It is best if you take separate children's dishes on the trip - this way the risk of catching any infection will decrease several times.
Consider if your child should swim in the pool, especially during the high season. Many viruses are transmitted through water, and if you come to rest on the sea, it is better to swim in it.
