Vacation with a small child: doctor's advice

If the baby is breastfed,it is better not to travel by plane. Pediatricians do not recommend to go on a flight with a baby who is not three years old. But, alas, not all parents listen to the advice of doctors. If we still chose the plane, make sure that the child is easier to bear the road. Take with you new books, toys and food that your baby is used to. Make sure that the nose of the child was not laid, you can use drops before takeoff and landing (consult your doctor). If the baby is swaying, give him lollipops.Photo: Getty Images1.HardeningYou need to prepare for a summer vacation in advance. Hardening, strengthening the immune system will help your child spend the summer without colds and other troubles. Many parents include their baby in the immunization process from a very early age, but it is never too late to start hardening. The procedures must be carried out daily, preferably in the morning and in the afternoon. Air baths, mandatory gymnastics, sunbathing, washing up to the waist with cool water, walking on pebbles - these and many other activities should be introduced with caution and under the supervision of a doctor. Keep in mind that all procedures should be liked by the child; if they cause negative emotions, try to change this. Three to four weeks before departure, be sure to consult with a pediatrician, you can start taking multivitamins, immunostimulants, so that the adjustment to the new climate is easier. 2. VaccinationsWhen planning a summer vacation with a child, it is important to ensure that the trip does not harm health. Many parents do not stop at the usual vaccination calendar and try to protect the baby from possible infections, taking into account the list of recommended vaccinations for a trip to a particular country. Not only in tropical but also in European countries there is a risk of contracting, for example, viral hepatitis A, intestinal infections, salmonellosis and other infections through water and food. However, some parents consider the issue of additional vaccination controversial, and the choice, of course, is always theirs. At the same time, it is not always possible to cross the borders of a number of countries without a certificate of the necessary vaccination. 3. Acclimatization It is better to go on vacation with a baby to a country with a climate similar to Samara. Good options are Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Hungary. This will make it easier for the child to endure the change of time zone, the usual routine. If you arrived at the sea, do not immediately go swimming for the whole day. Try to spend as little time as possible in a room with a working air conditioner and do not give your child soft drinks from the refrigerator. When traveling to hot countries on vacation with a child, be very careful. 4. Necessary medications for the road If your child is prescribed any medications, take them in reserve so that you do not have to look for them in a pharmacy abroad. Find out in advance whether the import of these drugs into the country you want to visit is allowed. Be sure to take a doctor's prescription with you. Despite the presence of medical insurance, it is necessary to take medications on the road. At a minimum: antipyretics, enzymes (for example, "Mezim"), enterosorbents ("Smecta" or "Polysorb"), antivirals ("Arbidol" or "Viferon"), a product for treating microtraumas, ears, "Panthenol" cream, bactericidal adhesive tape, sterile bandage, antidiarrheal, antihistamines. Be prepared for the most unpredictable situations. And do not forget about hygiene items, stock up on wet wipes and paper tissuesPhoto: Getty Images5.Swimming and sunbathingTo ensure that your seaside vacation is beneficial and does not result in a cold or pneumonia, it is important to remember the dangers of temperature changes. Start swimming from the pool, not the sea.Exposure to the sun should be limited. A child should sunbathe early in the morning or before sunset and under diffused light, under a "mushroom", in the shade of a rock or tree. The baby's clothes should be comfortable, made of cotton, in light colors. You can use sun protection products - a cream with a high coefficient for children. Headwear should have wide brims. If the child is overheated or sunburned, put him under a cool shower. If the temperature rises, give the baby an age-appropriate dose of antipyretic. And do not take the child out into the open sun for two or three days.6. Hygiene rulesDo not forget about the basic rules: wash your hands before eating, wash fruits, vegetables, dishes. Moreover, use bottled water for drinking, and boiled water for washing. Try to feed your child only the food he is used to. Be especially careful when choosing dishes from the national cuisine of exotic countries. After returning from a trip, do not send your child to kindergarten the next day. After a change in climate and time zones, the child is at risk of infectious diseases. It is better to refrain from visiting preschool institutions and crowded places for at least a week.