Thinking about taking your children on your next international travel adventure?
Traveling with children can be one of the most rewarding, but also nerve wracking experiences.
Not only do you have to worry about whether you packed the proper clothes and medicines, you
also want to be prepared for whatever can happen while you’re abroad.

How do you take extra precautions when traveling with children? Follow these steps.

1. Check the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website for potential regional illnesses in the
area where you will be traveling. The government sponsored website will tell you what
vaccinations to get ahead of time, and what symptoms of potential illness to look for when on
the ground.
2. Download our country guide for over the counter medicines. If your little one does get sick
while abroad, make sure you’re prepared with the common over the counter drugs and their
equivalencies in the country where you’ll be. Pharmacies, drugs, and drug names vary from
country-to-country, so make sure you’re prepared with proper nomenclature and dosage by
getting our guide!
3. Get routine and travel vaccinations. Make sure your children have completed their routine
childhood vaccines according to the normal schedule for their age. Also check with a travel
medicine doctor to see if there are any other vaccines they’ll need ahead of time, such as for
yellow fever and malaria.
4. Pack the basics. Make sure you bring a basic medicine kit with you to prevent illness or treat
it as soon as symptoms show. Check our list of a basic medicine kit here to know what to pack.
5. Check a guidebook for potential sources of illness in everyday things, such as water and
food. In many countries, the water (and ice) has certain bacteria that can cause diarrhea if your
system isn’t accustomed to it. Knowing these risks ahead of time will go a long way in
prevention.