Travelling with a first aid kit is necessary, but it’s even more essential when planning a trip with your toddlers. When you’ve become a parent, you know that light packing is almost impossible as you also need to pack some extra add-ons to ensure comfort and safety for your babies.
When travelling with toddlers, be prepared for anything that might happen during your trip. Toddlers are curious, making them prone to accidents that may cause them minor cuts or bruises during their playtime. Not to mention that their body may take some time to adjust when travelling to a new environment, in which they often experience common ailments like fever or allergies.
In this post, we will share some insights about the essential items you can add to your first aid kit when travelling with your toddler, so you can get peace of mind before you hit the road with your loved ones!
12 Essential Items for the First Aid Kit When Travelling with Toddlers
- Antiseptic spray or wipes
- Band-aids
- Thermometer
- Anti-allergic medication
- Anti-diarrhoea medication
- Rehydration power
- Aloe vera
- Anti-fungal cream
- Saline spray
- Burn treatment
- Painkillers
- Probiotics
#1 Antiseptic spray or wipes
When travelling with children, antiseptic spray or wipes should be on the must-have list on your first aid kit. They serve multiple purposes that can be super beneficial, especially for parents travelling with toddlers.
Antiseptic wipes or sprays are portable and easy to use, making them convenient to pack as it doesn’t take up so much space in your bag. On top of their main purpose to clean wounds and minimise the risk of infection, you can also use them to disinfect surfaces or clean objects to prevent germs and potential harm from spreading while travelling.
Remember, toddler skins can be sensitive, so make sure to choose wipes or sprays labelled as hypoallergenic to reduce the risk of skin irritation or allergic reactions.
#2 Band-aids
Are you even parents with toddlers if you never deal with minor incidents that require band-aids to stop your child from crying? At the period when they’re full of play times and exploration, it’s completely normal to deal with a small scrape or wound. The key is to prepare yourself with the proper first aid kit with the necessary items like band-aids.
Band-aids create a barrier between the wound and the external environment, preventing infections and bacteria while maintaining a clean environment for the wound to heal properly. In addition, many band-aids come with cute patterns like their favourite cartoon or superhero characters that make it easier to encourage them to wear them when an incident happens!
#3 Thermometer
Fever is a common symptom for young children, and they’re more prone to it when travelling to a new place. Pack a thermometer in your first aid kit when travelling with your toddlers, so you can accurately measure their temperature from time to time.
Having a thermometer available not only enables you to monitor your child’s body temperature, but it also helps you to assess and determine whether it’s necessary to seek medical attention when it’s severe.
#4 Anti-Allergic Medication
As a parent, it is our job to take precautions about our kids’ allergies when we travel with them. And that’s why anti-allergic medication is so important to be included in the first aid kit when travelling with your toddler.
While you can always cook your own food to prevent this, sometimes you also want to give the local restaurants a go. However, it may be challenging, especially if you don’t speak the language at your destination as the chance of misunderstanding in that situation is never zero.
Do your thorough research before taking your toddlers to eat outside, and don’t forget to pack the anti-allergy medication in your first aid kit. Antihistamine is the most common one as it helps to relieve various symptoms of allergies, including itching, sneezing, or runny nose. If your toddler has a nut allergy, make sure to check with their paediatrician so they can prescribe an EpiPen in case of emergency.
#5 Anti-Diarrhoea Medication
When travelling to a new destination with toddlers, you must consider that their digestive system may need time to adjust to the new environment, especially when trying new food. Having an anti-diarrhoea medication in your first aid kit can be pretty convenient, as it can be the first step you take for mild cases of diarrhoea before consulting the paediatrician when necessary.
Keep in mind that not all anti-diarrhoea medication is suitable for young children under 5 years old. So consult with your toddlers’ paediatrician before your trip, so you can be prepared for your family holiday with some peace of mind!
#6 Rehydration Powder
Diarrhoea can lead to dehydration, which can be highly sever for toddlers. While anti-diarrhoea medication can help manage the symptoms, rehydration powder can be extremely helpful as it is designed to replenish lost fluids and electrolytes and prevent complications that come with diarrhoea.
In addition, your toddlers can also get dehydrated by other conditions, including excessive sweating because of the heat. Rehydration powder can do wonders, especially if you plan a family trip to a destination with hot weather.
#7 Aloe Vera
Another item to be included in your first aid kit that can do wonders when planning for a beach trip with your toddler is aloe vera. It’s not a secret that aloe vera has soothing and cooling properties that can tremendously help you and your kids from sunburn.
However, aloe vera also has many benefits beyond just a relief for sunburn. You can use aloe vera as the first aid for insect bites to reduce itching skin during your holiday.
Having aloe vera in your travel first aid kit can be a great alternative if you want to travel light, as it can be a replacement for both after sun cream and insect repellent for your children. For the best product suitable for your children, look for an aloe vera gel that contains a high percentage of aloe vera with minimum additives and fragrance.
#8 Anti-fungal cream
Skin infection in children is quite common, and they’re more prone to it when travelling to a new place. As parents, you need to be careful about using a communal area as a part of your holiday as places like a public swimming pool can be the real danger that leads to skin infection and anything bacteria-related for your toddlers.
Having a tube of anti-fungal cream in your travel first aid kit can be helpful, as it should be effective in managing the first symptoms and it can relieve itching or burning feeling from various skin infections like athlete’s foot or ringworm.
#9 Saline spray
Saline spray is a great addition to your first aid kit when preparing for your trip with your family. For your peace of mind, you can bring two saline solutions to add in your travel first aid kit: saline nasal spray and saline eye drops.
While both saline solutions are essentially similar as they’re a mixture of salt and sterile water, the different composition of each type can make it not suitable as an all-in-one solution.
Nasal congestion can be uncomfortable for your children, which can lead to tantrums during your family trip. Toddlers breathe mostly through their nose, and you need to ensure their nose is free from congestion to keep them comfortable. Saline nasal spray can help clear their nasal passages, and you can do it regularly before your travel so that they can sleep easily on the plane.
In addition, your kids might accidentally get eye irritation while playing or exploring new environments outdoor; packing saline eye drops in your first aid kit can soothe the eyes when it happens.
#10 Burn treatment
You know you’re a parent when you realise that the curiosity in your children can backfire. Unfortunately, that can mean literally as sometimes their curiosity can lead them to accidentally come into contact with hot objects which can be dangerous for your toddlers.
Having burn treatment supplies readily available in your first aid kit can provide immediate care when it happens. After all, you can always try to prevent this from happening, but sometimes incidents like this will happen and the best thing you can do is to be safe than sorry by having it in your travel first aid kit when travelling with your child!
#11 Painkillers
Children are prone to fever, and just like adults, they’re not immune to headaches either. Especially when you and your toddler have to travel on a long-haul flight that makes it inevitable to deal with jetlags.
Painkillers for kids such as liquid paracetamols or ibuprofen can do wonders as a solution, so don’t forget to add it to your first aid kit when travelling with your family.
You can find painkillers suitable for toddlers through individual sachets or bottles. However, keep in mind that you can only carry liquids for a maximum of 100 ml, so make sure to meet the requirement before packing your first aid kit in your hand carry on the plane.
#12 Probiotics
To prevent upset stomachs for your children, you can also complete your first aid kit with probiotic supplements. Travelling to a new place can disrupt your toddler’s digestive system, especially when exposed to unfamiliar foods or water.
Probiotics are beneficial to support and maintain a healthy gut, which can reduce the risk of digestive issues like diarrhoea or constipation. Add probiotics to your first aid kit when travelling with toddlers, and enjoy your quality time on the trip with your family!
Conclusion
Having a travel first aid kit when travelling with toddlers is a must, especially when you travel to a new place as young children’s immunity tends to take some time to adjust to the new environment.
From antiseptic wipes to painkillers, you can use this list of essential items to add to your first aid kit when travelling with your child for the first time. After all, preparation before travelling is a must, but sometimes a checklist like this will be necessary especially when you travel with a young child.
The last thing you want is for unexpected medical situations to happen during your travel, but you can always prevent it from getting worse by packing all the essential items like a first aid kit when you travel with your family. So, are you ready to hit the road with your beloved ones?
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