Hassle-Free Travel with Kids: Simple Solutions for Stress-Free Adventures

Traveling with young children can seem daunting, but with the right preparation and mindset, it can be a rewarding experience for the whole family. Dr. Svetlana Samoilovich, a neonatologist and mother of three, shares her insights on how to make traveling with kids a breeze.

Choosing the Right Destination and Time

The ideal age to start traveling with your child depends on their health. If your child is healthy, you can start planning trips based on other circumstances. Many European families travel with young children without any issues.

It’s not advisable to drastically change your child’s climate. However, if you’re set on traveling abroad, consider countries like those in the Baltics, where your child can benefit from the sea and forest air. Traveling to warmer countries is also possible during certain periods, such as May-June, when the weather is not too hot, and you can create comfortable conditions for your child to avoid direct sunlight.

Preparing for the Trip

If your child is healthy and developing well, no special preparations are needed. However, there are some things you should avoid:

Avoid introducing new foods before the trip. Stick to the diet your child is familiar with.
Avoid vaccinations right before the trip, as the child’s reaction can be unpredictable.

Pack items that will make your child comfortable, such as:

Several changes of clothes (light cotton clothes for warm countries)
Hats to protect from the sun
Warm clothes for unexpected weather changes
A supply of diapers for the first few days
Wet wipes, drinking water, and hand sanitizer
Bottled food if your child is on solids
A small first aid kit with fever reducers, nasal and eye drops

Traveling Comfortably

Children often handle travel better than adults. Therefore, parents can choose the mode of transportation based on their budget and circumstances. If possible, try to schedule travel times when your child is usually asleep to minimize the need for entertainment.

For road trips, plan to drive no more than 3-4 hours at a time, then take a 30-minute to 1-hour break to rest and stretch. If traveling by train, opt for a compartment and try to limit your child’s exposure to public areas. Wipe down all surfaces with disinfecting wipes and use your own water for drinking and washing.

Adapting to New Environments

If the purpose of your trip is to improve your child’s health, plan to stay for at least three weeks. This allows your child’s body to adapt to the new environment. Even if your child is healthy, and the trip is well-planned, this timeframe is still advisable.

Due to climate change, your child might experience a slight fever but still behave normally, eat, and sleep well. In this case, the fever is not a sign of illness. However, if the fever is high (above 38.5°C), you can give your child medication. If the fever is low, ensure your child drinks plenty of water.

Regardless of the fever, it’s essential to have your child checked by a doctor, especially if you’ve visited crowded places. Therefore, it’s wise to have good travel insurance to cover any medical expenses.

If your child doesn’t have a fever but is lethargic, refuses to eat or play, sleeps a lot, or is overly excited and cranky, these signs should also raise concern. In this case, don’t force your child to play or swim; let them set the pace.

Feeding Your Child

If you’re breastfeeding, you can maintain your usual feeding schedule. If your child is on solids, try to stick to their regular feeding times.

Bottled baby food is widely available in many countries. If your child doesn’t eat jarred food, ensure you have the means to prepare their meals. If your child eats the same food as adults, prepare familiar meals using familiar ingredients, as food can vary greatly between countries. Be especially cautious in areas where spicy food is popular.

Always carry drinking water (bottled, filtered, or boiled), as tap water, especially in warm countries, can cause stomach issues for both children and adults.

Safety Precautions

In sunny weather, ensure your child is protected from direct sunlight. Use a stroller with a canopy or a special tent. If these aren’t available, dress your child in long-sleeved, breathable cotton clothes to avoid sunburn.

Use water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50. Direct sunlight is not suitable for children, especially in southern countries where the sun is very strong.

If a child grows up in a family where they only see their parents, even leaving the house can be stressful. However, children come into this world and learn to live in its conditions. Excessive sterilization only weakens them. Any stress can be prevented by not isolating your child from the world.

For more information on child health and travel, you can visit the CDC’s Travel Health page.