Safety Tips

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The most common travel related illnesses are gastrointestinal diseases usually picked up from poorly prepared foods or untreated water. To avoid the diarrhoea, stomach pains, nausea and vomiting associated with these illnesses:

• Use boiled or bottled water, or water purifiers or tablets.
• Avoid ice in drinks.
• Avoid unpasteurised milk and dairy products.
• Avoid fruit and vegetables that have been washed in the local water.
• Eat thick-skinned fruit and vegetables that you can peel yourself, such as bananas, oranges and mandarins.
• Make sure food is cooked thoroughly and eat it while it’s hot.
• Avoid shellfish.
• Don’t buy food from street stalls - hotels and busy restaurants are safest.
• Take care with personal hygiene.

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While you are there - avoid insect bites

Some serious infectious diseases such as malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever, are transmitted by insect bites. While there are vaccines and drugs available to help protect against some of these diseases, travellers are advised to always protect against mosquito bites. Some tips include:

• Wear mosquito repellent that contains at least 30 per cent DEET.
• Stay indoors between dusk and dawn. The mosquitoes carrying the malaria parasite generally feed at this time.
• Apply repellent, such as permethrin, to your clothes and bedding.
• Wear socks, long pants, and long-sleeve shirts when outdoors.
• Use a bed net.
• Stay in airconditioned, screened accommodation.

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HIV-AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases are endemic in many countries, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia.

No cure for AIDS, early death is inevitable !

Safe sex practices are essential.

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Breast milk is instantly on hand and contains immune factors, so it is the safest drink for your baby while travelling. If

your baby is exclusively breastfed, you won’t have to worry about suspect water supplies and sterilising bottles either.

Travelling outside major centres in developing nations with a baby is not recommended for various reasons, including the

risk of disease and the difficulties in getting access to suitable medical facilities.

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Your milk supply may temporarily decrease at some times during your trip. This could be due to dehydration after flying or illness (such as travellers’ diarrhoea) or simply fewer opportunities to breastfeed.

It may help if you:

• Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids, especially on long distance flights
• Avoid caffeinated drinks
• Don’t smoke
• Avoid smoky environments
• Get adequate rest
• Plan plenty of rest/feed breaks
• Continue to breastfeed, but increase your water intake if you get travellers’ diarrhoea.

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• Ask friends or your travel agent for advice on child-friendly airlines. Some airlines are more accommodating than others.
• Ask your travel agent for suggestions on airline travel with children.
• Be aware that water does not come to a full boil on aeroplanes. Make sure you can breastfeed or take sterile water with you if needing to make up artificial formula for each feed.
• If you are unsure of the availability of baby products at your destination, take enough supplies to last you the entire trip. Take sachets of an oral rehydration product (to treat fluid and electrolyte loss) in case you or your baby develops diarrhoea.
• If your baby does get diarrhoea when travelling, keep breastfeeding. It is fine to go back to exclusive breastfeeding for a while until your baby recovers.
• If you express milk, take your own equipment (such as breast pump) with you. Don’t forget to take a power point adaptor if your breast pump is electric.
• If you are travelling alone, ask the airline if it is possible to have an ‘assistant’ who will help you at each stop. For example, the staff member might collect your luggage and help you on and off the plane.
• While travelling by plane, try to time your baby’s feeds so they are drinking during take-off and landing. This will reduce the likelihood of ear pain triggered by the changes in cabin pressure.
• Thieves tend to target women travelling with young children simply because mothers are often distracted and not able to hold onto their handbags. Carry your valuables on your body, such as in a neck pouch or belt worn next to the skin.
• Travelling with your baby in a sling or specific backpack baby carrier can make it easier to get around in large travel centres including airports, train stations and bus terminals. You will also know exactly where your baby or toddler is and that they are safe and secure where they can gain comfort from being close to you.