We hope no one has to deal with any accidents or illnesses on holiday but it’s always best to be prepared so here are a few suggestions so you can feel prepared and relaxed.
Ahead of time
Before you leave make sure you have checked if your baby needs to have any vaccinations for the country you are visiting. Speak to your GP or practice nurse who will be able to advise you. Or Public Health Scotland have this super useful website, Fit for Travel to get you started.
We recommend your pack list includes:
- your thermometer
- Calpol
- Ibuprofen
- Piriton for kids
- bite cream (antihistamine)
- rehydration sachets
- Savlon or Germolene
- Plasters of different sizes
This will mean you’re prepared for any fevers or mild reactions without having to run to a chemist and figure out what they can offer you. You can also buy mini children’s first aid kits from places like Boots and Jojo Maman Bebe.
Extra peace of mind
The chance of anything major happening is rare, but being prepared can take a lot of stress out of a critical situation. So if you feel like this will give you peace of mind a few things to think about before you go set off (or speak to your hotel concierge or travel guide when you arrive: which number to dial in an emergency, where the closest hospital is, do you need to pay upfront and be refunded or is it automatically covered?
A good travel insurance policy is also amazing for peace of mind and they generally have great medical advisers. You might also want to have your UK Global Health Insurance Card or a UK European Health Insurance Card with you to ensure you can get emergency treatment should you need it.
Sunny, hot days
Suncream is not generally recommended for babies younger than six months so it’s best to keep them out of the sun and make sure they are covered up, wearing a hat and in the shade if you’re in a hot country. For older children use an SPF 50 and UVA five star-rated product and make sure you reapply it regularly.
Again, they should stay out of the sun when it is at its strongest which is usually 11-3pm. Also, make sure they stay well hydrated. If you’re breastfeeding you will probably find that your baby wants to feed more in hot weather, so in that case make sure Mum always has a full water bottle to hand!
We’re sure you don’t need reminding but make sure your child is never left alone near water, such as a swimming pool.
If you are staying somewhere with stairs or steps, it is definitely worth asking if the owners can provide a stair gate or refer you to a local rental company.
First aid courses
While serious illnesses or injuries are very rare in children, having the knowledge of what to do in an emergency will really help give you feel calmer and allow you to recognise symptoms faster.
Daisy First Aid run paediatric first aid courses you can do when pregnant or anytime after your baby is born. They’ll come to your house, or you can do classes online or at a venue local to you. No double some of your mum friends will want to join so you could make it a date to see everyone too!
What you will learn:
- Baby and child recovery positions
- How to deal with a choking incident
- How to treat bleeding, burns, fractures and allergic reactions
- How to treat head injuries, fevers and febrile seizures
- Child resuscitation and CPR
- Symptoms of meningitis and other childhood conditions.
Find out more about Daisy First Aid classes here.