Traveling With A Sick Toddler

Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall someone in our home is either getting sick, staying home because they already are sick, getting over being sick, or trying to figure out if they’re sick.  We do all that we can do to avoid catching the germs.  We all take our vitamins, wash our hands, use Purell, and stay away from the “coughers” and the “sneezers”.  But it never fails.  And I’m starting to get sick of it.

The number one week for my toddlers to get sick: Vacation week.  I’m beginning to think it’s a conspiracy.  It may just be for one day or it may be for the entire vacation.  Or maybe it’s just my imagination.  But after you’ve just shelled out thousands of dollars for a trip to see Mickey and the gang, it gets a little annoying and frustrating and you can’t help but say, “WHY MEEEEE?!”  And if you’re like me, you didn’t buy the travel insurance because you didn’t think it was necessary.

There’s probably some science behind the whole thing though.  The fact that my toddler stops to pick up a piece of ABC gum from the airport railing and put it in his mouth … or the fact he had to touch every water fountain, countertop, door, wall, and trashcan before sticking a french fry he found on the ground in his mouth … or the fact that he dropped his binky on the airport restaurant floor and then stuck the thing back in his mouth are probably all good reasons as to why my little one is constantly getting sick on vacation.

Let’s face it.  Washing our toddler’s hands can only do so much.

So what do you do if your little mini gets sick?

Here are some helpful tips to hopefully help alleviate a potentially stressful situation and give you peace-of-mind to enjoy the rest of your vacation:

• Pack a mini medical kit complete with comfort items and remedies for illnesses (constipation, diarrhea, teething medication for those 2yr molars they get, relief medications (Motrin, Tylenol, etc), eye drops, saline solution (Ocean for Kids works wonders), and don’t forget the all so disgusting sounding “booger sucker”.
• Increased fluids such as water, juice, and breast milk. (TIP: Security will not allow bottled water through the airport checkpoint gates.  However, you can take an empty water bottle and once you’ve passed through security, fill it up at a fountain or sink before boarding).
• If your toddler is having trouble breathing: Pack a washcloth and pour some water on it while on the plane and have your toddler breath in the cool vapors.  Or turn on a hot shower in the hotel room, shut the door, and sit in there with your tot letting them breathe in the moist warm air.
• Offer warm broth to sip.  The broth helps to thin secretions and makes it easier for the body to get rid of them.
• Boogie Wipes alleviate the discomfort of wiping dried boogers without drying your toddler’s face.
• Ear Pain: Descent usually begins about 25 minutes before landing.  Ear pain when flying can be excruciating and is often worse during and after congestion from a cold or allergies.  Try to encourage your toddler to drink something periodically during the descent of the plane to help alleviate ear pressure.
• Fevers: Fevers are the body’s way of fighting illness. As uncomfortable as your toddler may be, don’t immediately knock the fever out unless the temperature is endangering your tot’s health or the medical care provider has instructed to do so.

TIP: Know how medications will affect your toddler.  Some medications like Benadryl can have a paradoxical effect and instead of making your little one drowsy, it can have the opposite affect and make them hyper.  Which is not good when you’re 37,000 feet in the air!

Understand TSA restrictions.  Print out anything relevant to your travel needs.  Over the counter medications are allowed through security but you must declare them to the agent so they don’t give you a difficult time about them.  Remember the “3-1-1” motto to help you remember what you can bring in your carry-on luggage:

Airport security  procedures may change at any time. Check the TSA website for latest updates, and also check the website of your departure airport.

Hopefully you don’t ever have to worry about a sick toddler.  But unfortunate circumstances do happen.

Happy & healthy travels!