Magazine Traveling with children

Traveling generally broadens children's ho­rizons – it teaches them to learn about new regions, customs, life rituals, etc. They teach them independence, they get better used to different life changes, they can teach them to appreciate what they have and give them the opportunity to learn foreign languages. But traveling with small children is something else, because it carries certain risks and restrictions. And it is this topic that this article will (mainly) address. Is it possible to travel with small children at all? There is no universal answer to this question simply because everyone imagines something different under the concept of travel, and children care greatly about their age. Some people take an hour's trip to their grandmother, another week's stay on an all-inclusive trip, during which they visit the only tourist attraction and another several-month expedition, where they sleep in a different place every day. Because this site is intended primarily for independent travelers, additional text will be for the latest type of travel. However, certain passages are of course usable for other forms as well.

Newborns (approx. Children under 1 month of age) Traveling with such a small child is definitely not recommended – the risks are too high! Infants (children under 1 year) Let's pour clean wine – traveling longer distances is not the best way for infants. There are a number of reasons: They can become infected with a communicable disease in vehicles. They usually do not have the usual vaccination schedule completed, so the health risks are high. Infants have softer skin and less pigment, so they should not stay in direct sunlight at all. Dehydration is easier to cause due to temperatures or higher temperatures. When traveling by plane, the infant's ears often hurt – some tolerate it well, others cry all the way. And last but not least, such small children find it difficult to adapt to rapid climate change; on the contrary, they like a stable home environment, familiar faces, well-established rituals and their own crib. As the most suitable holiday for families with small infants, it is offered probably around the homeland of the Czech Republic or the surrounding area. If you can't forgive a distant journey, first try to consider whether someone can look after your branch in a few days. But, of course, not everyone has dedicated relatives at their disposal, they want to give up breastfeeding because of the trip, or they can imagine a few days without a baby. However, trips to the tropics are definitely not recommended yet. You wouldn't be the first or last to go there with your baby, but the risks are quite high. Of course, there is an alternative view. Adventurers who travel with children at a very young age often say that infancy is the best way to travel. This is especially true if the baby is breastfed – the diet is always at hand. Infants sleep most / a lot of time, are „compact“ and do not run anywhere. Another positive argument for traveling with young children is that they get used to traveling better and are then much more adaptable. Toddlers (children 1 – 3 years) Climate change is not very good for these children either, so the choice of destination and type of holiday needs to be carefully considered. It is not necessary to limit oneself to the Czech Republic, but traveling to the tropics is still definitely not recommended. Preschool children (children 3 – 6 years) At this age, it depends a lot on the individual and health of the child. Trips to the tropics are less risky and many families will already go there, but the pediatrician will probably not recommend such a trip anyway. School-age children (from the age of 6) These children usually manage (reasonable) trips anywhere in Europe and beyond without major problems. In short: with newborns you better forgive your holiday, trips to the tropics first with preschoolers and for infants and toddlers choose the destination well.

Here you will find a description of the main health risks associated with traveling with children and practical advice on how to minimize them. Diarrheal diseases and dehydration The two main causes of dehydration in young children are diarrheal diseases and high temperatures. Especially for infants and toddlers, summer heat means a considerable burden. Even if they are in the shade and have enough fluids, as they can easily overheat. Symptoms include restlessness or fatigue, sunken eyes, decreased urine output, dry mucous membranes. Prevention Carry out the necessary vaccinations well in advance, eg for typhoid fever. street stalls, fruits and vegetables carefully washed or boil, do not let children test local exotic specialties Self-medication Ensuring enough lost fluids and minerals, for example in the form of dehydrating solutions (eg, a cup for small children or Iontia for larger). Do not leave children without food for more than 24 hours. For diarrhea, eat diet food such as potatoes, rice, croissant, boiled carrots. Dairy products or fresh fruits (except bananas) and vegetables are definitely unsuitable. If a small infant gets diarrhea, breastfeeding more often. Seeking medical help When an extra child develops a fever and / or vomits. Infectious / tropical diseases There is a risk of infectious diseases in countries with high human concentrations and poor hygiene. An adult can be vaccinated against some types, but this is not always possible with a small child! Animal diseases, such as rabies, are particularly dangerous. Caution is warranted here, because children like to play with animals. Prevention Vaccinations required (eg against jaundice, yellow fever) Protection against mosquitoes. Many tropical diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes, so it is important to protect yourself as best as possible and follow these rules: Using repellents on uncovered parts of the body Sleeping under a mosquito net, windows closed (air conditioning) Tight clothing with long sleeves and pants (if possible) in the evening Prophylaxis / preventive administration of drugs (mainly against malaria, here it is necessary to carefully consider the side effects of the antimalarial) Sunburn and sunburn Sunburn – a serious medical condition caused by overheating of the body. Sunburn – overheating of the brain. Symptoms include headache, confusion and loss of consciousness, vomiting, fever and fever, muscle cramps, dry skin. Prevention Protect children from the sun and do not walk on it around noon. Protect them in the sun with a hat or parasol. Sufficient fluid supply. Limitation of physical exertion during strong solar activity. Self-treatment Cold compresses or shower Reducing the temperature with common products below 38.5˚C Staying in the shade Accelerated delivery of fluids Seeking medical help In case of impaired consciousness or confusion. If the condition does not improve within about 2 hours. Travel sickness (so-called kinetosis) Symptoms: nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, pain or dizziness or sweating. Prevention If you know that your child is suffering from motion sickness, you can get special products at the pharmacy (eg Kinedryl, which is suitable from the age of 2) Nausea is worsened by visual perceptions, so it is better not to look out the window or read while driving. Self-medication If you notice symptoms, stop, breathe fresh air and take a walk. Add „dry“ food to your meal. Sticks, crumbs, biscuits, croissant are suitable. It is good to have vomiting bags on hand. Altitude sickness Unfortunately, children are generally more prone to it. Symptoms include headache, poor sleep or drowsiness, loss of appetite, chest tightness, confusion, vomiting, visual disturbances. Prevention Take children only to heights suitable for their age (see the section on choosing a destination) and find out the availability of a health / rescue system in the mountains where you are going. A suitable prevention is a very gradual ascent and sleeping at lower altitudes than you were moving in during the day. Sufficient hydration is also required. Treatment For mild symptoms, stay at the same altitude for 1–2 days. If the symptoms do not go away, it is necessary to go down immediately! More detailed information about altitude sickness can be found here.

When traveling with children, it is necessary to pay more attention to the choice of destination, accommodation or means of transport than you have been used to, the more the child is smaller. In addition, children's and adults' ideas about an ideal holiday often differ quite fundamentally, which is why it is necessary to look at the holiday through the eyes of children. Children usually hate going around museums or monuments where they are simply bored. On the contrary, they love to stay by the water, so in addition to swimming in the sea / lake / pond or building sand dolls, you can include various boat trips or water attractions in the program. Other suitable tips: trip by locomotive, cable car, museums of cars or trains, zoos, rock towns, water parks, rope centers. Choose the coastal climate or low mountains (see below). Long journeys, climate change and time lag are much more challenging for children than for adults. Young children (at least 3 years old) should not travel to the tropics. Hiking children do not always have long fun. We offer a few tricks to increase their motivation to walk: the prospect of tearing blueberries / raspberries along the way, racing (who will be in a certain place sooner), various bonuses (eg some sweets), entrusting children with a task (eg collecting anything, such as various stones) , a communication game (similar to the games in the travel games chapter). Also know that it is easier to go with a group of children than with a bored single child. In high-altitude tourism, it is necessary to take into account the risk of altitude sickness, because children tolerate rapid elevation gain (see the section on health risks of travel) worse than adults. General information varies from what age to what height you can take a child, but the following ranges are usually given: Child under 2 years – maximum height 2,000 m above sea level. Children under the age of 2 are usually unable to balance the pressure in the middle ear caused by swallowing altitude, so they have sore ears and cry. Child 2–7 years – maximum height 3,000 m above sea level Child 7–14 years maximum – height 4,000 m above sea level The advantage of traveling in the Czech Republic is the good availability of doctors or pharmacists and the possibility to arrange without difficulty. If you forget to pack anything, you can easily return home or buy anything on the way. When choosing a destination, do not forget to be well informed about the availability and level of health care and hygiene standards in the locality where you are going. It is also important to think about the length of stay – this should be in line with the length of the trip, so that children can live with the new environment. In short: children & water = ideal brand

Find out in advance if children are welcome in the hotel and if it is adapted for children. Today, many hotels also specialize in accommodating families with children. It is better to choose a room with its own kitchen and bathroom. It's also good to think about what you're going to do the night your baby is asleep. Therefore, it is ideal to have your own apartment (or a room with a larger balcony). When choosing equipment, evaluate the presence of a children's pool, corner or playground, the possibility of renting a cot or high chair in the dining room or the availability of animation programs for children. Also in a smaller hotel, the signals from the babysitters are less likely to be disturbed if you want to sit over a glass outside after the child sleeps. Most airlines have a similar policy regarding children's travel, but the same cannot be said for hotels or travel agencies. Therefore, it is necessary to find out everything about the conditions of stay of children well in advance. It is usually as follows: Children under 2 years of age Usually, this child is almost free of charge on holiday or only a token fee is required. It is necessary to ask in advance at the hotel if they are able to deliver and book a cot. Older children The decision of the travel agency or hotel is very important here. If the child sleeps in an extra bed, the accommodation is usually cheaper.

Car For shorter distances, a car is the most suitable means of transport. Most children tolerate driving very well. Other advantages of the car are the flexibility of travel in terms of destinations, number of stops, driving time (longer trips with small children are suitable for the night) or things you can pack with you. You don't have to restrict your children to have fun to keep your fellow passengers in mind. It is perhaps not necessary to mention that it is necessary for a child up to 36 kg and 150 cm to sit strapped in a car seat. Likewise, the child should not be left alone in the vehicle – especially in the summer, when the temperature in the car can rise rapidly. It is not advisable to place any heavier objects on the rear window, as there is a risk of injury to children (if they are sitting in the rear seat) if they brake harder. It is ideal if someone is sitting next to a child – there is room to play various games. Car accessories for children: Sun visors for windows: prevent the child from shining into the eyes. Drink holders: they can also be attached to a car seat, so the child can always have drinks at hand. Additional car mirrors: so you can easily check or communicate with the child sitting in the back seat while driving Car seat wraps Car seat cover: protects the car seat from dirt used to store toys, magazines, books, etc. – so the child has everything nicely at hand. Train The advantage of the train is: Availability of the toilet (if we omit sometimes the worse quality – the humans are definitely with you). Folding changing tables are sometimes available on the toilet. Families with children can also take advantage of various discounts. Children usually like the train because it offers plenty of space and is not limited by a car seat and seat belts like in a car. In addition, trains are often equipped with tables where children can play or paint. Possibility to use lines (night) with sleeping and reclining cars. Disadvantages: Not all stations and trains are barrier-free – however, it is very easy to find out on the Internet how the station / connection you require is. Bus Traveling by bus is recommended for shorter distances. It is less suitable than a train, because children have limited movement here and the bus does not stop on request (unless you return J). Despite working air conditioning, there may be exhaled air and buses may have limited cargo space capacity, which can be a limiting factor for children. Airplane It is especially suitable for long distances. Children (especially infants) experience discomfort during takeoff and landing. In older children it can be relieved with chewing gum or candy and in younger children by drinking. There is also dry air in the plane, so it is often necessary to offer children drinks. The travel conditions of children have +/- unified airlines and are usually as follows: Children under 2 years of age usually do not pay for the trip or only a symbolic fee is required (mainly for check-in). However, the child is not entitled to a separate ticket / seat and must sit on your lap in a lap with a special belt during the flight. For children up to about 8 months of age, airlines usually provide a baby basket / tub, but their number per plane is limited and it is necessary to book it (together with the seat in the first place) in advance. This reservation is most often made in the form of so-called online check-in on the Internet 24 hours before departure. Children under the age of 12 usually pay the ½ price and are entitled to a separate seat. The age of the children is entered in the tickets and in the passenger list and is checked at check-in. Each passenger can fly with one child under 2 years. For small children, you can take unlimited drinks on the plane, but you may be asked to drink yourself. For small children, most airlines will carry a pram and 10 kg of things for free. If the stroller is not packaged, the airline does not have to compensate for its possible damage. You usually hand over the stroller before boarding the plane itself and return it to you as soon as you get off. When traveling by plane, we recommend that the child wear several thin layers. It is thus possible to easily regulate the temperature of the child during various changes – a different temperature is on the way to the airport, while waiting for check-in, on the plane or at the destination. It is often cold on a plane, so it is good to take a thinner blanket for your child. It is also not necessary to take one hundred clothes to change in case of any accidents or in case of stray luggage. Most toilets in the aircraft have a folding changing table. Due to significant pressure changes, flying is not a suitable mode of transport for newborns and some airlines do not even allow it.

You now have the selected holiday type, destination, hotel and means of transport. Now all that remains is to fine-tune everything around so that the path is your little one, as well as yours, pleasant (or at least bearable :-). If the child is dissatisfied, in no mood or bored, he or she can usually make it very loud, which can make traveling very uncomfortable. So here we offer a number of advice and recommendations (the so-called travel ten). Trip planning. This needs to be done more thoroughly and more in advance with the children, because everything takes a little longer with the children. Prepare the child for the trip in advance. Such preparation may involve taking a small „test“ trip to test how your offspring will respond to it, and you can figure out how to tweak some details. Older children need to talk about the journey in advance so that they know what awaits them and they should also know what to do when they get lost. Travel insurance. Even if you have driven without travel insurance so far, it is not worth taking a risk with a child in this way. In addition, it is a good idea to consult a pediatrician before a long journey, who may recommend appropriate vaccinations. Cancellation insurance is also considered – children, especially those going to kindergarten, are often sick. Choosing the right time for transport. Young children in the car usually do not last long if they do not sleep. Therefore, it is better to choose night or sleep time for longer trips. Otherwise, you are in real danger of a path that your branch can make, which can be quite unpleasant. Driving at night is difficult, but you can also avoid traffic jams or roads in the heat. Officiality. This is mainly a passport for a child. Children must already have their own passport. Breaks along the way. Expect a shorter stop at least every approx. 2 hours. The child (as well as you) can ventilate, run, refresh or go to the toilet. Food and drink for children. Along the way, children may have less appetite, but following a drinking regimen is important. Fun on the go. Prepare for the trip toys, books and games for the child. There are a number of games (mainly communication) and we present interesting examples in a separate chapter. Clothes for children. For longer trips, always choose comfortable clothing. Make a list of what you need to pack and gradually uncheck it when packing. See. separate chapter.

When traveling more often, it's a good idea to make a list of what things you usually take on trips and go through it before each trip and cross out when packing. If you do not have such a list created from previous trips, it is good to prepare it well in advance and continuously add it to the items you will remember until departure. It is necessary to think in advance about what things you will need during the trip and which you have to have it somewhere at hand. It is usually necessary to have it on hand (the list also includes things that you pack even when traveling without children): Travel documents – passport, air ticket, visa, driver's and ID card… (it pays to have copies of documents in your bag / suitcase, including birth the child's card – in case of loss you will be very grateful for these documents) Car documents Health insurance cards Hotel booking confirmation Money – domestic and foreign currency Map / GPS Camera Sunglasses Drinking bottle Food – only take durable food on the go, because it is warm most foods spoil faster. In the case of biscuits, we recommend some without chocolate. Paper and wet wipes Favorite toy, book, children's CD Commonly used medicines or medicines for nausea Nausea bags Replacement clothing for children When packing a travel first aid kit for children, consider the following contents: Regularly used medicines Sunscreen (should provide protection against UVA and UVB radiation, be waterproof; protection factor for children ideally 50, however at least 15; in the sun it should be applied every 2 hours, especially during sweating and after contact with water). Creams after sunbathing or soothing the skin after sunburn (panthenol…) Medicines to reduce the temperature (eg panadol baby / ibuprofen baby) Patch, bandage, disinfectant, tweezers, scissors Thermometer Anti-nausea drugs (Kinedryl…) Drops or spray against rhinitis , which can be caused mainly by air conditioning in a hotel or means of transport Eye drops (in case of irritation by water or sun) Antihistamines (eg Fenistil drops, which you can use in case of insect bites if the child is sprinkled from unusual food or sun) Dehydrating solution (eg A baby cot or Iontia for a larger one, which ensures enough lost fluids in case of dehydration or diarrhea) Contact your pediatrician The list is quite extensive and of course depends on where you are going. When traveling around the Czech Republic, the basic thing is definitely enough.

For young children, traveling is often boring and lifeless, so defend yourself with strong nerves and patience. Pack the child's favorite toy, book, children's CD or DVD / notebook with the option to play a fairy tale. It also pays to pack an unknown toy that will surprise the child and stay with it longer. Other entertainment options: singing, reciting, telling fairy tales – especially for toddlers showing what we see from the car – cows and horses for younger children, for older children stories proven facts communication games – eg: Word football: Take turns in building words in a word that matches the last letter, 2 or another number of letters with the beginning of the word next Who will see first… a car of a certain color, truck, train, cow…. Who I am: One of the players invents a familiar person, preferably for young children from his immediate area. The second tries to find out who it is with questions that can only be answered yes / no. Whoever guesses a person gets a point. Counting: Count how many cars / trucks / lorries passed in the opposite direction, of which color; the same traffic signs on a certain section… You can also bet and whoever is closest to the estimate wins. Guess what your fellow passengers do, where they come from and where and why (of course they don't hear you:.)) And last but not least, modern classics – CDs with children's songs or tablets with fairy tales.

Children's bac­kpacks – if you let a child carry his own backpack, you will entrust him with responsibility and the journey will be more fun for him. Remember, however, that children should not carry more than 10% of their weight on their backs. When choosing a backpack for a child, keep in mind that the backpack should fit well to the child's back, the load should be regularly distributed, the straps should be adjustable and the backpack should also have safety (reflective) elements. Suspension step for transporting another child on a pram, usually designed for one child from about 2 years to a maximum weight of 20 kg. Back seat – for children who can already sit without help. Kangaroo / hanging scarf for the youngest children. If you pack the seat / stretcher in a bag under the pram, you can prolong the trip with a child who is already bored in the pram. Hanging pickpocket – be in the car or bathroom. Baby bottle / food warmer