Holiday
Going on holiday with your baby this summer? There's more to remember than just packing your passports and loads of nappies! Read our advice on keeping your baby safe and healthy on holiday:
Long journeys
If babies are healthy it's fine to take them on a plane. Breastfeed your baby or use a dummy during take-off and landing to make it more comfortable for them. Make sure your baby has enough to drink and feed them as usual. Keep babies away from smoking areas in the airport or bus terminal.
Use your baby's car seat belted on to a plane seat or ask to use an air cot. Check with your airline whether you can use a car seat.
Whether in the car or coach, use a car seat that is properly fitted and is right for your baby's size and weight.
Snow and sun
Even if it's very cold outside in winter or in the mountains, still remember to take off your baby's outside clothing and hat when you enter a warm place like a café, hotel or bus.
Keep your baby out of the sun and remember that a baby can burn even in the shade. Use parasols, hats and high factor sun cream. When your baby is playing keep clothes on to protect against the sun. Use sunshades in the car.
Sleeping
It's a good idea to use a travel cot for your baby on holiday. If using someone else's cot then check the mattress is thoroughly clean, fits the cot well and shows no signs of deterioration. If you are not happy with this, then your baby might be safest sleeping on the floor.
If you take your baby to a hotel crèche or someone else looks after them, make sure they know that your baby must sleep on their back.
Remember that your baby needs an adult to keep an eye on them even if they're just having a short nap.
Eating and drinking
If you're in a country where the water isn't safe then you must use bottled water. If you breastfeed your baby, wash your breasts in bottled water, and wash your hands with bottled water before preparing your baby's food.
You'll need to sterilise your baby's spoon and bowls carefully. It might be useful to take sterilising equipment with you. Only give your baby food that has been thoroughly sterilised or that can be peeled, or feed them bought food from sealed jars.
Water safety
When you're near water like swimming pools, paddling pools or ponds, or the sea, rivers or canals, watch your baby all the time as babies can drown in just a centimetre of water.
Health
Check with your GP about travel immunisation and baby's health before you travel abroad. Check that you have adequate travel insurance and a valid European Health Insurance Card (which has replaced the old E111 certificate) if you are travelling in the European Union.
If you are travelling off the beaten track then you might like to pack re-hydration sachets. It is best to avoid taking your baby to areas where there is a possibility of malaria but if you do this, first speak to your doctor about how to protect against it.
Diarrhoea
If you baby gets diarrhoea continue breastfeeding and give other clear liquids if necessary. If bottle-feeding, use re-hydration sachets little and often in place of the usual feeds.
If you are at all worried about your baby then get advice.
Further information
- Contact FSID's Freephone helpline on 0808 802 6868 before you go on holiday
- Call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
- Contact your doctor or health visitor
- Call MASTA (Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad) on 0906 8224 100 or visit www.masta.org for personalised travel advice
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