Traveling with kids? Here's What Your Pediatrician Wants You to Know

Traveling with kids is one of life’s great adventures, and with a little planning, it can be a healthy one too.

International travel brings a few extra considerations, but most come down to simple habits and preparing ahead. Here’s what we recommend to families before they go.

Start With a Pre-Travel Visit

If you’re traveling internationally, especially to a developing country or off the typical tourist path, schedule a consultation with us before you go. Ideally, this appointment should be 4 to 6 weeks before departure.

Allegro offers eTravel virtual consultations, making it easy to prepare from home. 

During your visit, we’ll:

• Review your child’s routine vaccine history
• Discuss any travel-specific vaccines recommended for your destination
• Talk through malaria prevention if it's relevant to where you're going
• Answer questions specific to your child's age and health history

Every trip and every child is different. A beach resort in Mexico requires different guidance than a trekking trip in Nepal, just as a 6-week-old and a 14-year-old traveling to the same destination will have very different needs and risks. We’ll tailor our recommendations to your child and your specific itinerary.

Vaccines: What to Know Before You Go

Some travel vaccines, like typhoid, can be given at any Allegro clinic. Others, like yellow fever, require a special government license and must be administered at a designated location. Our fellowship-trained travel medicine pediatrician can guide your family through the whole process, including where to go for vaccines not available at Allegro. Whatever your destination requires, it is important to plan ahead. All travel vaccines should be completed at least 2 weeks before departure, and some require multiple doses.

Food and Water Safety: Keep It Simple

Contaminated food and water are a common cause of illness when traveling. In many countries, tap water is not safe to drink, which includes water used to make ice, wash produce, or brush teeth.

A good rule of thumb: boil it, peel it, cook it, or skip it.

• Choose bottled or sealed drinks (avoid ice unless water is safe)
• Eat freshly cooked, hot foods
• Avoid raw produce unless properly washed
• Skip unpasteurized dairy
• Wash hands often or use sanitizer

For parents of formula-fed babies: boil water for more than one minute, let it cool in an ice bath, and prepare formula within 30 minutes. Use it within 2 hours of preparation and sterilize bottles and nipples in boiling water before each use.

Visiting a parent's home country? Children raised in the US have no immunity to local bacteria, parasites, or mosquito-borne illnesses, even in a country where mom or dad grew up. Your child needs the same precautions as any other American traveler.

Protect Against Bugs and Sun

In many regions, mosquito bites can cause illnesses like malaria, dengue, and Zika.

For insect protection:

• Use insect repellent with 10–30% DEET (safe for children over 2 months)
• Apply sunscreen first, then repellent
• Dress in long sleeves during peak mosquito hours
• Use mosquito nets when sleeping if needed

For sun protection:

• Use SPF 30+ and reapply often
• Wear hats and protective clothing
• Be mindful of medications that increase sun sensitivity

Traveler's Diarrhea: What to Watch For

Traveler’s diarrhea is the most common illness families experience while traveling abroad. It often begins suddenly and typically includes frequent, loose stools, along with possible stomach cramps, nausea, or fever.

The most important treatment is staying hydrated.

• Use oral rehydration solutions (like Pedialyte) in small, frequent sips
• Breastfed babies should keep nursing on demand
• Resume normal diet once tolerated

Avoid sugary drinks and medications like Imodium or Pepto-Bismol in children under 12.

Seek local medical care urgently if your child has:

• High fever
• Bloody diarrhea
• Signs of dehydration
• Inability to keep fluids down

Getting There: Planes, Ears, and Jet Lag

Long flights with kids are their own adventure. 

A few things that help:

• Ear pain during takeoff and landing is common, especially in younger children. Have infants nurse or take a bottle. Older kids can try chewing gum or swallowing frequently. If your child has an active ear infection, let us know before you fly.
• Bring comfort items. A favorite stuffed animal, blanket, or new small toy saved for travel day can make a big difference, especially for toddlers and younger kids.
• Jet lag is real for kids too. If you’re crossing multiple time zones, plan for a few days of adjustment. Once you arrive, shift to the local schedule, get outside in natural light during the day, and keep bedtime routines as consistent as possible. Most children adjust within two to three days. We don’t routinely recommend melatonin for jet lag in young children.

Safety Basics to Remember

A few precautions go a long way:

• Car seats: Bring your own
• Water safety: Always supervise closely
• Accommodations: Check for hazards like balconies or exposed wiring

Don't Forget Travel Insurance

Consider purchasing travel health insurance and medical evacuation coverage, especially for international travel. Standard US health insurance often provides limited or no coverage abroad, and medical evacuation can cost tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket.

Pack a Travel Health Kit

Keep essentials in your carry-on:

• Acetaminophen and ibuprofen (for fever and pain)
• Cetirizine (Zyrtec) for allergic reactions or itching. Benadryl is no longer advised.
• Antibiotic ointment, bandages, and 1% hydrocortisone cream
• Saline and nasal suction for little ones
• A digital thermometer
• Aloe vera gel for sunburns
• Oral Rehydration Salts packets
• Hand sanitizer and child-safe wipes
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Any prescription medications in their original labeled containers.
• Epinephrine if your child has a severe allergy
• Your travel and health insurance information

If your child takes a controlled substance or injectable medication, ask us about documentation you may need at customs.

We're Here Before and After Your Trip

While you're traveling, we can't diagnose or prescribe across international borders. If your child is seriously unwell, don't wait to seek care until you get home. Local pediatricians and hospitals can help, which is another reason travel health insurance is worth having.

When you're back, let us know if anyone develops fever or becomes sick. Some travel-related illnesses don't show up until days or weeks after you return.

Most importantly: have a wonderful time. The world is an incredible place to explore with kids, and a little preparation goes a long way.

Planning a trip abroad? Book an eTravel virtual consultation with Allegro Pediatrics at least 4–6 weeks before departure — no clinic visit needed. We'll make sure your kids are safe for the adventure ahead.

Schedule a Travel Consultation

Information in this post is for general educational purposes. Always consult your child's provider for personalized medical advice.