Somehow, health issues come up for us nearly every time we travel with our baby. We’ve come to expect that things will not be perfect, and this is typically a mindset we suggest having!

It pays to plan for lots of potential health issues that may come up when you are traveling with a baby. This includes things from allergic reactions and rashes, to fevers and stomach bugs. Illnesses and mishaps can happen anywhere!

There are ways to be prepared for these types of situations, though. Check out our tips that follow.

Research your options before you leave

Before you leave, check out a few topics about your destination that could help in an urgent health scenario.

Find out:

  • How long does it take to get to a hospital or urgent care, from where you’ll be staying?
  • Are there any pediatricians you could research beforehand (by asking in Facebook groups, friends of friends who may live in the destination, etc.)?
  • Do pharmacies in your destination often have a doctor on site (this is sometimes the case internationally)?

Knowing the answers to some of these questions helped us most recently when we went to Mexico City and our daughter was already sick when we landed. We had prepared in advance by being in touch with “parent friends” of an American friend we had in Mexico City. They helped us a huge deal with the names of their pediatricians and just knowing that we could reach them if we had questions on the fly.

Travel health insurance

While of course you would do whatever it takes to cure your child if there is a health emergency while traveling out of your region, what about travel health insurance? Call your primary insurance ahead of time to get some clarity on the questions below:

  • Do you have in-network or out-of-network coverage where you’ll be traveling? Tell the insurance company where you are going, and hopefully, they’ll get you the answers you need.
  • Do you have any limitations working with travel insurance companies?
  • Where can I find a list of in-network providers? (If you’re traveling internationally, the answer is most likely N/A.)
  • Is anything covered for international trips?

And assuming you get travel insurance, these questions can help you choose an insurance company and plan that works for you or your child. You can ask more questions in regard to your infant’s age:

  • Does your travel health insurance plan cover a child under 2 years?
  • Exactly what is covered? (Because it’s potentially worth it to not even use your insurance, and pay out of pocket (this makes more sense, in some international destinations where healthcare is not expensive))
  • Does the travel insurance require primary insurance? (You may need to go back and forth to determine which company the claim should be with, based on where you are going and what the claim is.)

Medicines

For planning ahead when traveling with an infant, I suggest coming prepared with a little trove of health remedies for unexpected things.

Here are a few medicines you can easily travel with, and some of these come in travel size:

  • Infant Motrin (or generic brand): comes in travel size under 3.4 ounces. This is ALWAYS in our baby’s toiletries bag.
  • Infant Tylenol (usually does not come in travel size, unless purchased as acetaminophen from other brands like Little Remedies).
  • Children’s Benadryl (usually does not come in travel size, and we’ve had trouble finding it in a size under 100ml)
  • Nasal aspirators, saline spray (ask for a tiny 1-oz. sample from your pediatrician), mylicon drops or other standard cold & flu remedies for infants
  • Baby thermometer, or two, in case one breaks!

Because we’ve had so many bouts of, “Oh no, is our baby sick?” while traveling in other countries, we’re mostly prepared for everything. We list a lot of that experience at our list of smart things to bring on your travels with a baby.

Health situations when traveling internationally

If traveling internationally, consider a few questions like this:

  • How would you book doctor visits or see a medical professional when you don’t speak the language?
  • Is there an international health clinic (English-speaking) or an international-style hospital where you could see a medical practitioner? (Ask in Facebook groups for travelers or expats in that place)
  • Might it be challenging to get something like an Epipen abroad, and should you bring your own, if your child has known allergies? (Speak to your pediatrician or allergist)