Before your thoughts turn to suncream and flip-flops, remember to pack a few first-aid essentials. Prima Baby expert GP Rob Hicks says, ‘Make sure you have all the usual items such as plasters, bandages, sterile dressings and a 5ml spoon for medicine, plus of course any medicines your baby usually needs at home. It's also a good idea to find out where local healthcare and advice can be found at your destination before setting off.'
From the chemist
Holiday health essentials to pick up from the pharmacy
Your pharmacist can advise you about suitable treatments for babies and children. Always check dosage instructions.
For tummy upsets
A rehydration solution, which contains a blend of salts and sugars to aid recovery from nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, is a must.
- Try Dioralyte, £3.39 for six sachets.
For fevers and pain
Help treat everything from a fever and teething to a sore throat and earache.
- For infants over 3 months try Calpol Infant Suspension, £3.29 for 12 sachets and £5.29 for 20.
- Or Nurofen For Children, £3.79 for 100ml or £3.99 for 16 sachets. Also available in strawberry flavour.
- Kool 'n' Soothe Soft Gel Sheets, suitable for children over 1, help soothe and cool a fever. They cost £2.99 for a pack of four sheets, from Boots.
For hayfever and other allergic reactions like heat rash
- For children over 1 years old take an oral antihistamine.
Piriton Syrup, £4.55 for 150ml.
For insect bites and stings, or nettle rash
Pack a topical antihistamine cream. You can also use good old calamine lotion.
- Anthisan Bite and Sting Cream, for children over 2, £3.45 for 20g.
- Wasp-Eze spray, for children over 1. It costs £3.99 for 30ml or £5.79 for 60ml.
For cuts and grazes
Take an antiseptic cream that you can also use to treat nappy rash, bites and stings.
- Try Savlon, £1.33 for 30g.
- Sudocrem, £2.17 for 125g.
For travel sickness
- Go for natural options (see overleaf) for young babies or Sea-Legs, £2.35 for 12, for children over 2 years old.
From the natural pharmacy
Look out for these popular remedies in health shops and natural health centres.
Naturopath and herbalist Lucinda Miller suggests some safe remedies for babies and children. Again, always check products are suitable for your baby's age, and follow treatment instructions.
For bumps and bruises
Arnica cream can help, as can lots of cuddles and TLC.
- Nelsons Arnicare Arnica Cream, £3.95 for 30g.
For travel sickness
Place a couple of drops of peppermint and lemon essential oils on a hanky for your child to inhale. For babies, leave the scented hanky close by, avoiding direct contact.
- Cariad Lemon Essential Oil, from £3.95, and Peppermint, from £4.25.
- Or for children over 2 years, try Boots Travel Bands For Children, £7.99 for two.
- Encourage them to sip Whole Earth Organic Sparkling Ginger, 77p.
For nausea
Chamomile tea helps ease nausea, plus it can aid sleep and soothe upset tummies.
- Dr Stuart's Chamomile Tea, £1.95 for 50 bags.
To ward off bugs
Try a lemon-scented insect repellent.
- Walkabout Insect Repellent from Thursday Plantation, available as a lotion, £5.15 for 125ml, or as a roll-on, £4.15 for 50ml.
For insect bites
Dab lavender oil on a bite. A few drops on their pillow will also soothe if your child's disorientated by a long flight.
- Tisserand Lavender Pure Essential Oil, £4.15 for 9ml.
- Or try Tisserand Organic Lavender Wipes, £3.99 for 20.
For skin irritations like heat rash, sunburn and eczema
Aloe vera gel has been shown to calm skin inflammation and speed up healing.
- Aloe Pura Organic Aloe Vera Gel, £4.99 for 200ml. Immune-boosting echinacea is available in cream form to calm sensitive skin and help the healing process.
- Try A.Vogel Echinacea Crème, £4.49 for 35g.
For cuts, grazes, stings and eczema
- Try Grandma Vines Natural Antiseptic Gel, £5.15, which contains organic cider vinegar.
To ward off viruses and infections
- Boost their immune system with Sambucol Kids Formula. Suitable for children over 1, £8.49 for 120ml.
SEE A DOCTOR IF: - Your child has persistent diarrhoea and/or vomiting.
- Your baby's limp, floppy or shows signs of dehydration such as sunken eyes and persistently dry nappies.
- The fever doesn't come down despite your treatment.
- Your child has a rash that doesn't fade when a glass is pressed against it. This could be meningitis and needs urgent treatment.
For family travel advice visit
www.family-travel.co.uk . To contact Lucinda Miller visit
www.naturedoc.co.uk.
