Taking children overseas

Children make great travellers. They are inquisitive, fun and, when they choose to be, inexhaustible.

Taking children on trips exposes them to new experiences, sows family togetherness and builds memories for tomorrow.

But travelling with children is never all fun and games for parents.

They must resign themselves to refereeing squabbles, scheduling frequent bathroom stops, supplying an endless need for snacks and handling minor illnesses.

Destinations that could raise problems include remote areas with unreliable communications and transport, and places with a high risk of intestinal illness or multi-drug-resistant malaria.

Parents need to inquire whether infant car seats and seat belts are readily available where they are going.

Be aware that toys bought overseas may not meet the same safety standards as those from home, and that hiring local people to watch children may expose your youngsters to infectious diseases.

Before travelling overseas, children should be up to date for all routine childhood vaccines. In addition, they may need travel-related vaccines, especially when going to developing countries.

The most common disease that children are likely to get is traveller's diarrhoea. Children tend to be more susceptible because they are generally less particular about personal hygiene.

Early treatment of diarrhoea is imperative because children may dehydrate in hours. Give rehydration drinks and keep them eating; clear drinks and withholding food worsen the diarrhoea. In most cases of infectious diarrhoea, the body is still able to absorb needed electrolytes and calories.

Your decision to take a journey overseas with your children will have a profound effect on their lives. It is worth doing, provided you have thought through the potential problems and how they can be prevented.