Planning to travel with your infant or toddler? A small getaway can seem like a giant task when travelling with kids, especially as they are more vulnerable to sickness and crankiness during travel. Make sure to box up a first aid kit with all of these essential items, and you’re all set to go!
- Fever/ Pain/ Muscle ache: Paracetamol/ Meftal P/ Ibugesic available as both drops and syrup.
- Diarrhoea: Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)- Mix 1 packet in 1 litre clean water and give frequent sips, to prevent depletion of body fluid.
- Allergies: Antiallergic medication- Sy Piritone / Sy Maxtra / Sy Cetzine are effective in cough and cold as well as common skin allergies. Calamine- Local application helps soothe itchy allergic or heat rashes.
- Nasal blockage: Nasoclear nasal drops for nasal blockage/ crusting.
- Vomiting: Emeset/ Ondem/ Domstal available as both drops and syrup.
- Stomach ache/ bloating: Simethicone drops, Sy. Cyclopam
- Probiotics: Sy Neutrolin B/ Enterogermina ampoules.
- Antacids: Sy Rantac / Sy Omeprazole.
- Motion sickness: Sy. Promethazine (Phenergan) ( > 2 years age). This can also be managed by making the infant suckle on the breast, especially during flight take-off and landing. The same can be achieved in a toddler by making them suck on lozenges. Generally, medications for this indication are not preferred in young children and must only be given when above measures fail.
- Infections: Some common antibiotics can be carried in case of non-availability in remote regions/ foreign nations. These must only be given on doctor’s prescription, when clearly indicated.
- Miscellaneous things to carry: Scissors, bandages, gauze and plaster for common cuts and grazes, crepe bandage, Insect repellant, Antiseptic lotion (Neosporin/ Betadine/ Soframycin/ Fusidin ), Muscle relaxant spray or lotion like Relaxyl / Moov.
Now let the journey ahead be happy and fun-filled! Smart Mums please share stories of your baby’s family vacation in the comments below.
Note: Doses of medications vary according to child’s age and sex. Make sure to ascertain dose with pediatrician before starting journey.
A local pediatrician must be consulted in case of any sickness or injury, and self-medication should be avoided in children.
Author has no conflict of interest with any drug company.
By
Dr. Shreya Sharma
Dr. Shreya Sharma is a childcare expert and an M. D. in Pediatrics, she is currently a Pediatrician with fellowship in Pediatric Endocrinology, Mumbai.
