Traveling with a Baby Advice

Post by **kendo** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 3:56 pm

Hi guys,
We are starting to plan our holiday to Thailand for next year we are thinking around October when our little princess Amelie will be 18 months, now i know that she needs to have a BCG as TB is rife up north and have to think about mossie tablets suitable for an infant.

I would like to know if anyone has any travel tips or experiances they would like to share as traveling with an infant will be a new experiance for us.

kendo and Palini.

Post by **margaretcarnes** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 6:53 am

Fortunately I've no baby experience at all Kendo (no disrespect there to your princess) but would go to your GP, where they should have a travel nurse if it is a decent sized Practice, and take professional advice along with any necessary treatment/shots recommended for Amelie.
Flight wise the airlines always have those bulkhead seats in the centre aisle with loads of legroom and often drop down baby flaps which I suppose you park them on to sleep? To be honest I've never known a baby on long haul to be a particular problem. They seem to just sleep bless 'em - maybe the hum and smooth (hopefully) motion agrees with them! And no shortage of flight attendants to help with small charges.
Just plan well ahead and don't forget to get Amelies' passport sorted.

Post by **PeteC** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 7:23 am

Go to the below link Kenny and scan down to "vaccinations". The specialized vaccines listed are specific to the tropics, not just Thailand. Anyway, you can compare to what her vaccine list is in the UK. FYI, the North of Thailand has the most cases of Japanese encephalitis so ask your Doc about that. On the run this morning but will revert with other thoughts later. Pete

http://www.bangkokpattayahospital.com/e ... center.php

Post by **PeteC** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 12:56 pm

Further......I don't think malaria tablets would be necessary for a toddler. There are two good creams available here at most stores: 1) OFF for Kids 2) Sketolene. Both are suitable for children and last 6 hours. Just put some on her before you venture out each day/evening.

Concerning the flight, teach her how to swallow on command with nothing in her mouth there at home before the trip. Her ears and tubes may clog during ascent and descent due to the pressure change in the aircraft, and nothing is more painful than not knowing how to clear it and stop the pain. Pete

Post by **Big Boy** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 1:43 pm

We are always directed to MASTA by our GP. You pay about £4 for an online travel report based on your particular trip. Take this to your Travel Nurse, and she will know exactly what to do for you and your family.
http://www.masta-travel-health.com/

Post by **cozza** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 2:28 pm

Anabel is 23 months and has been over once at 3 months for 4 weeks and once at 12 months for 10 months (she has just returned to Australia).

We didnt get any special immunisations for Thailand, although she was only in Phetburi/Hua Hin...we never travelled with her. We were at a wedding in the Sofitel and she was covered with mozzie bites, she was fine. Though, in your case going up north, I would check with a doctor and its probably better safe than sorry...and I do not like immunising either. I guarantee Amelie will get bitten by mozzies.

On the flight, I would take lots of snacks to keep Amelie occupied and at 18 months they do not need a seat. Having the seat for us made it A LOT easier...at 12 months we could not eat as Anabel was grabbing at everything and crying because she was stressed and tired, she didnt have a seat and had to sit on the floor which didn't work either...a bit stressful to be honest. When she came back at 22 months fortunately the flight was empty and we had a vacant seat next to us. This allowed us to get some rest and put her in front of the entertainment unit.

I would try and get an isle seat too if possible and make sure to ask for a bassinet seat, even if you dont use it...they're the best seats. We were allowed to take some water for making milk through customs (about 200ml) which I would seriously recommend as the best remedy for the ears on the way up, cant remember if Sydney allowed it though could have only been BKK airport. Remember to pack all nappys, wipes and toddler stuff at arms reach for the flight to be smooth as possible.

There always seems to be other parents/babies around us so I wouldn't worry too much. Also, in my experience I have found Emirates the best for service with children...problem is their flight times suck from Sydney.

I am sure everything will be fine...have a fun and safe trip!

Post by **samman** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 2:47 pm

Had grandkids staying - from about 18 months old. If you are going up north then malaria could be a problem although less so if you are staying in reasonable hotels. Around Hua Hin there is no malaria. The big problem everywhere (and on the rise) are the diseases borne by day time mosquitos ie Japanese encephailitis and Dengue Fever. Quite simply for all Mosquito spread diseases and to avoid uncomfortable and painful bites use mosquito repellant and cover up with light shirts and trousers (including Mossie nets perhaps on the buggy). There is a Johnsons baby lotion with mosquito repellant on sale here which seems quite effective. There are also ankle bands but I don't know about them. I found when taking malaria tablets that they made me sick and dehydrated - but obviously the disease would be worse! Big but - malaria tablets won't help against the other diseases. Avoid being bitten is the only solution.
Also avoid Air France / KLM as they provided nothing by way of food or entertainment for the toddler! Both parent and child arrived starving. They would also not allow the toddler to use a bulkhead bassinette. Ask your airline for one asap! Most Middle East Airlines seem quite good and if the parent is happy for the child to use a bassinette, no matter the size of the child, they are ok with it. I've seen what looked like 3 year olds in them with Etihad. They also had food, toys and snacks.
Do let us know how you get on.

Post by **moja** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 3:29 pm

Be very careful of Johnson's baby lotion with mosquito repellant in it. I as an adult had a severe reaction to it and ended up with a rash far worse than any insect bite. So please test on a very small area just to be on the safe side!

Post by **margaretcarnes** » Wed Oct 05, 2011 6:16 am

moja wrote:Be very careful of Johnson's baby lotion with mosquito repellant in it. I as an adult had a severe reaction to it and ended up with a rash far worse than any insect bite. So please test on a very small area just to be on the safe side!

Agreed - that lotion seems far too perfumed/smelly even for grown ups - I wouldn't use it for that reason alone.

On the subject of Japanese encephalitis, obviously it's an increasing concern even in the HH area. We all know that its best to use repellant of course, but is it something there is a vaccine available for now in the UK? Only reason I ask is because I had my last 10 year topup shots 2 years ago and encephalitis wasn't even on the GPs radar then.

Post by **Big Boy** » Wed Oct 05, 2011 6:27 pm

It is available - I've had the course, but you have to get it privately. I had to use MASTA - link provided above.

Post by **hhfarang** » Wed Oct 05, 2011 7:12 pm

Ok, I've held off long enough...

Re: Traveling with a Baby Advice

Please don't! You may end up next to me in a bus, airplane, or train...

Post by **moja** » Wed Oct 05, 2011 7:31 pm

hhfarang wrote:Ok, I've held off long enough...
Re: Traveling with a Baby Advice
Please don't! You may end up next to me in a bus, airplane, or train...

This is one time I would really use a like button!!!!!

Post by **kendo** » Thu Oct 06, 2011 1:46 am

Thank you for some really usefull points i know there is at least one infant mossie med i used to take Malarone on my first couple of trips up north i have also taken thai meds that made me feel quite ill.

Now my wifes real dad died of maleria when she was 3 years old the jungle used to be at our village but is now receded 20 km's away the local's dont really think much of a risk but i am not going to take any chances with my little girl.
I will look at the link above thank you Big Boy.

Regarding any lotion i think its a good point to maybe just dab a little patch maybe behind an ear as a skin test to make sure of no reaction thanks for that Moja i think some hair salons do this with hair color to make sure of no reaction.

Qestion will air lines charge extra for taking a car seat with the luggage ? and is there a limit on qantity of baby food you can take on board if the container is un opened and sealed like new.

For HH Farang's info i always try and travel mid week on a night flight as with Eva or Thai, the planes are not full so most passengers can get extra seats, some times i have had 3 at the side or 4 in the middle all to myself.

Please keep adding info as traveling with Amelie will be a massive scary task, my wife is talking about going out 2 weeks before me, i dont know how i feel about this as i know i will be sick with worry.

Kendo.

Post by **Big Boy** » Thu Oct 06, 2011 2:11 am

My experiences go back a few years, but within reason they usually allowed us an extra adult allowance for hold baggage at check in. We always looked for a Thai at the check in desk - they were always very helpful to a fellow Thai. Will you be taking a pushchair as well? I'm sure they would let you substitute a car seat for a pushchair, which is permitted.

Additionally, we were always allowed an extra carry on bag with provisions for my son during the journey. However, back then there was no restriction on carrying liquids on board.

Not wanting to scare you, but in my experience you need to prepare yourself for about a week of upset stomach. The heat and change of eating routines always did for my son up to the age of 9. So be a little flexible in your travel plans whilst in Thailand. If baby is under the weather, it might be better to stop at home for a couple of days while she regains her strength.

I had a quick look at Thai Inter's page, and found this, which might be useful (it sort of blows the bassinet advice out of the water). http://www.prthaiairways.com/thaiair_4p ... g=en&dng=1

If you go onto the EVA site and look here http://www.evaair.com/html/b2c/english/ ... 8452B4ABD7 , they seem to have a calculation to allow for things such as child seats. It says give them a call to discuss.

Post by **Takiap** » Thu Oct 06, 2011 6:30 am

Hi Kendo.........................try not to worry too much because I assure you, things will go a lot smoother than you imagine. I had all the same concerns when our first kid was born, but now after have another two, we rarely worry about anything. It just kind of becomes second nature. Your child will get bitten, no matter how hard you try to prevent it. Even so, I personally wouldn't want to give my kids malaria tablets. Suitable clothing, netting, and repellents are all you need.

Have fun and enjoy your trip. If you really can't relax, maybe follow you wife's advice, and let her travel ahead of you.