The basics for illnesses & emergencies on vacation

Why is a travel first-aid kit for children so important on vacation? Simple: so your little ones are well cared for health-wise during the trip and you can react quickly to any childhood illnesses or emergencies. Address all important health topics before traveling and always have the basics of medications & co. on hand:

• Gather standard items: Cherry pit pillow, sunscreen for children, fever suppositories for infants, nasal spray, possibly a sedative for the baby's first flight or the car journey with children – parents know, which home remedies and medications help best with childhood illnesses while on vacation. If you store these standard items at a fixed place at home – ideally the medicine cabinet – you'll have everything ready for the trip at a moment's notice.

• Vaccinations: Check early with your pediatrician or your tour operator whether your child needs special vaccinations for the destination. For many vaccinations it takes a while for protection to be fully established. The vaccination record should also be included in the travel first-aid kit for emergencies.

• Travel health insurance: To travel with peace of mind, travel health insurance is beneficial. You can usually take out such a policy for the whole family as an inexpensive add-on – the relevant proof should then be included with your travel documents.

• Childproof: How do I store medicines correctly while traveling? The travel first-aid kit should be stored in a childproof manner while on the move and at the vacation spot. An optimal option is a lockable extra bag, for warm destinations also a small cooler bag in which you can store all medications dry and cool.

Checklist: Packing a travel first-aid kit for babies

A umfassend gepackte Reiseapotheke für Babys bis zu einem Jahr bzw. die Notfallapotheke für euer Baby ist die erste Hilfe bei Krankheit und Notfällen auf eurer Reise. Sie ergänzt eure Familien-Reiseapotheke und enthält bestenfalls:

• Wound disinfectant

• Wound protection cream

• Plasters & gauze bandages for minor wounds

• Nail scissors, tweezers & tick remover

• Für Fieber/Durchfall beim Baby im Urlaub: Fieberthermometer/Fieberzäpfchen/Fiebersaft; Medikament/Mittel gegen Durchfall/Blähungen bei Säuglingen

• Electrolyte powder for dehydration from diarrhea

• Children's nasal spray, especially for air travel

• Cough syrup

• Insect repellent/mosquito net for crib

• Cooling gel for insect stings & burns

• Anti-inflammatory ointment

• Children's sunscreen, at least SPF 20

• If applicable, medications that your baby needs to take regularly

• Vaccination record

• Trusted baby care products for the trip

Children's travel first-aid kit: What to bring

• Wound cream, wound antiseptic

• Hand sanitizer

• Remedies to treat travel sickness in children

• Remedies for insect stings (e.g. cooling gel for insect stings)

• Plasters, bandages

• Fever thermometer

• Fever suppositories/fever syrup

• Pain relievers

• Cough syrup/lozenges for sore throat

• Nasal spray for children, e.g., with seawater

• Earplugs (for pressure equalization on airplanes)

• Diarrhea medication/electrolyte powder against dehydration from diarrhea

• Nail scissors, tweezers & tick remover

• Cooling pads

• If applicable, medications your child needs to take regularly

• Mosquito net for the child's bed

• Antiallergics (e.g., for allergies or itching)

• Children's sunscreen, at least SPF 20

• If applicable, medications your child needs to take regularly

• Vaccination record

• Trusted children's care products for the trip

What should I consider for a travel first aid kit for toddlers?

Many medicines must be stored cool and dry. If you are traveling by car or train, transporting them in a cool bag is therefore suitable. This is generally advantageous when you travel to a warm country. For Flying with a baby and toddlers we recommend that you store the most important elements of your travel first aid kit in your hand luggage – in case the suitcases arrive later than you.

The travel first aid kit with the children's medication set should be checked and, if necessary, reassembled:

• Has the expiration date of any medication passed?

  Is there still enough in the packaging?

• How long has a package been opened?

• Especially for babies and toddlers, you should also check whether fever reducers or other medications are still appropriate for their age and weight are.

Everything in your luggage for your trip with children

When traveling with babies and toddlers there are many things besides the travel first aid kit that you should not forget: starting with all the important travel documents to a well-packed diaper bag to suitable children's games for entertainment during the trip. We have prepared clear trip checklists for you – e.g. focusing on trips with babies, with toddlers, summer or winter trips. That way you are well equipped for every trip!

How to protect your child from sunburn

Are you taking your travel first-aid kit on the plane, in the car or on the train on a summer holiday to the south and enjoying the sunshine? Follow these tips to avoid sunburn:

• Sunscreen with at least SPF 20: When traveling to sunny countries, adequate sun protection is essential. Here a special baby or children's sunscreen is needed, tailored to sensitive children's skin. Sunscreen should be reapplied after splashing in the sea or pool each time - this is also recommended for 'waterproof' sunscreen.

• Take a break from the sun: Babies should not be exposed to direct sunlight at all and are best well protected with UV clothing and sunscreen; toddlers should spend at least the hot midday hours indoors or in the shade. Gradually get the little ones used to the sun!

• Protective clothing: In addition to sunscreen, a sun hat is essential; for babies also a UV top or short romper. First aid: If your child has had too much sun, cold compresses with diluted apple cider vinegar or natural yogurt on the skin. For sunburn, children should drink plenty and stay in the shade until the sunburn has subsided.

Suitable travel destinations for a family holiday with a baby

Not only everyday life, but also the holiday usually goes a bit differently with a baby than before. Are you wondering how you can plan your next trip so that you recharge your batteries at the same time and enjoy a relaxing holiday with your baby can? We've looked into the best destinations for a holiday with a baby for you!

Homeopathic travel first-aid kit for children & babies

Homeopathic remedies are popular with parents and a good complement to conventional medicine. In general, the preparations have no expiration date and are suitable for all ages, moreover the sweet taste of the globules makes administration easier for small children. An overview of homeopathic remedies for the travel first-aid kit:

• Arnica with potency C200 supports wound healing and helps with bruises

• Belladonna helps with heatstroke or sunburn

• Cocculus is good for dizziness, nausea, or weakness, and is therefore popular for motion sickness or jet lag

• Lendum relieves insect bites and can also be given preventively

• Silicea supports the skin's self-healing process, for example when expelling splinters or ticks. In doing so, the skin does not start to suppurate. Silicea is also helpful for sinus infections

Tips for relaxed car trips with children

Long car rides with children on vacation offer many wonderful moments, and sometimes a few challenges. To ensure every car trip with children goes smoothly and calmly, we'll show you practical travel aids and provide a variety of tips.

Image credits

Two little girls sit on a stone staircase © bubutu - stock.adobe.com

Boy with a hat and sunscreen on his back sits on the beach © Tomsickova - stock.adobe.com