Health issues
If you have decided to backpack with your children, there are some issues to consider, including necessary immunizations, risk of dehydration, motion sickness, clothing for warm and cold weather, and more. This is about what to do before the trip.
Book an appointment with your GP two months in advance (if possible) and discuss any necessary immunizations. This step is not only a precaution for high-risk countrigooes but a normal requirement for entry in some countries. If your child takes prescription medications or has any known allergies, stock up on pills. After consultation with your doctor, put together a medical first aid kit with at least the basics such as paracetamol, a thermometer, band aids, antiseptic spray, insect repellent, rehydration salts, motion sickness remedies, etc.
Children, especially young ones, have to be protected from the sun at all times. Babies and toddlers should stay in the shade to prevent sunburn to their delicate skin, with a sun block of SPF 30 reapplied frequently. Even if the sky is cloudy, sunburn is still a possibility. Protect your children from heat stroke and remember that they can get dehydrated very quickly. So, stock up on plenty of water and other liquids when travelling.
On the other extreme, in cold weather, parents tend to overdress their children, fearing that they will catch a cold. Kids are better equipped to deal with cold than you’d expect. Keeping them warm and dry by dressing them up with thick layers of clothing is sometimes unnecessary. The child perspirates when too hot and despite the warm clothing, your youngster may still catch a cold. The best thing to do when backpacking is to dress the young ones with many but thin layers of clothing, which protect more effectively from wind and rain. When the child gets hot/cold you can easily adjust her temperature by taking off/putting on an extra layer.
Motion sickness can be a nasty experience for the young ones and unfortunately, they are more susceptible to the condition than adults. To avoid its occurrence, make frequent stops when travelling, have some crackers at hand or access to fresh air. Reading or playing video games can induce motion sickness; so, find ways of distracting your child to focus on distant point outside the window.
Safety and health issues should be considered from the onset of your backpacking planning. Although some concerns vary in their applicability due to the the type of trip – outdoors/urban?/cruise, most issues are relevant in all scenarios.