So your trip is booked, the accommodation has been researched in painstaking detail and everyone is counting the minutes to take off. But for a lot of new parents there are endless worries and questions when taking young children to new climes. Changing weather patterns, new temperatures tiny tots aren’t used to and local medical issues can often put families off travelling, especially when considering more tropical destinations. There is no reason not to get away though. Professor Ricky Richardson, a Senior Consultant Paediatrician who sees patients at The Child and Family Practice, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust and Princess Margaret Hospital in Windsor chats with kodomo.com. He gives us some great advice on how to stay safe and be prepared when travelling abroad with children.

What are your tips for sun protection?

The sun is much more dangerous than you think for babies and small children.  It is a necessity that all small babies and children wear at least factor 30 sunblock. However, if your baby is fair-skinned, I would recommend factor 50 sunblock.  After sun exposure, please make sure to apply lots of moisturising cream to rehydrate the skin.  If a child gets sunburnt it becomes very painful for them to be in the water, whether it is hot or cold.  If you give them a shower they may even scream.  For small babies I recommend that they wear a long-sleeved t-shirt over their sun cream at all times.

How do you best approach an upset stomach?

It is not out of the ordinary to get an upset stomach whilst abroad, especially if you holiday in the Tropics.  And if is often uncooked foods like salads that can cause upset tummies.  The best treatment for this is Dioralyte.  You need one sachet mixed with 200ml of boiled and then cooled bottled water, repeated until the diarrohea has stopped. If there is blood in the diarrhoea then your child will need to be seen by a doctor, but most of these symptoms are self-limiting and will respond to fluid replacement with Dioralyte. Dehydration can be insidious and extra fluids are very important for children as they get dehydrated very quickly. Immodium is not recommended for children.

What is your advice when travelling to Malarial countries with children?

For information about Immunisations and Malarial protection, we suggest you go to the Travel Clinic at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, as they have the latest World Health Organisation advice on malarial prophylaxis.

And how do you best deal with insect bites?

For insect bites simply use an antihistamine cream, which will quickly stop the itching. Use a mosquito net when possible as this will really help, also.

Any suggestions on really useful medicines to take on holiday?

We recommend taking a pack containing Nurofen, Calpol, Dioralyte, Malaria Prophylaxis (this changes in different parts of the world so, again, please check) plasters, and antiseptic cream. Antihistamines such as Zirtec or Piriton (this is an antihistamine taken by mouth) should be carried as an anti-mosquito bite treatment.

And any other thoughts?

Google where you are headed before you go away to find out where the nearest health facility is to where you are staying.  Make sure you get adequate health insurance that covers the country you are going to. And remember that the reality is that a significant number of injuries abroad are caused by road accidents, so make sure children know which way to look in another country when crossing the road. Always obey the local advice on beaches and adhere to the recommendations of local authorities.

The Child and Family Practice in central London offers a comprehensive range of services for children with emotional and behavioral problems, as well as their parents. Their large team of clinical experts include paediatricians, child psychiatrists, child and family therapists, child psychologists, nurses, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and individual therapists. All team members maintain the highest level of professionalism, and practice as experienced experts in their specialist areas of work.