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Step 1
Practice good hand-hygiene while traveling. Certainly, frequent and effective hand washing is always important, but it becomes particularly important when spending time in public places such as airports, theme parks and other tourist attractions.
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Step 2
Use only purified water for drinking, tooth-brushing, mixing formula and other food preparation activities. While anyone can be susceptible to traveler's diarrhea, infants and children are at increased risk.
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Step 3
Bring bottled water and pre-packaged snacks in your travel bag for children. Planning ahead for those hunger and thirst emergencies, particularly when traveling overseas, will help you avoid giving into the temptation of risking a small drink of questionable water or a quick snack of something that may not have been adequately washed or cooked.
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Step 4
Dress children in long-sleeved clothing and long pants when traveling in areas and climates where insect bites can be problematic. Insect repellents that are approved for use on children can also help reduce a child's exposure to insect-related illness.
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Step 5
Encourage children to eat nutritiously before and during your travel. Keeping up a child's natural immunity through good nutrition will help in the fight against infection.
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Step 6
Get plenty of rest. Although travel certainly will disrupt a child's normal schedule, getting adequate sleep is another immunity booster and will help a child remain healthy while away from home.
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Step 7
Pack a travel health bag that includes: bottled water; an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to use when soap and water aren't available; over-the-counter medications that may not be readily available overseas such as children's acetaminophen and diaper-rash ointment; pre-mixed formula if traveling with an infant and insect repellent.
