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Traveling during cold/flu season (or anytime of the year for some families) means increased exposure to germs. This year (2018) we’ve heard of more and more cases of the flu virus in schools across North America. The struggle to keep kids healthy is definitely real and it’s currently upon us.
As we pack up for our March Break adventure, we compiled a list of products that might help other families. While there’s no cure for colds, there are few things worse than traveling with your kids when they get sick and there’s no appropriate medicine or treatment available.
CAMPANELLI COLD/FLU TRAVEL KIT ESSENTIALS:
(1) Hydrasense Baby Nasal Care
Hydrasense Baby Nasal Care
Non-medicated saline spray and “snot-sucking” devices are one of those things that only parents can understand their extreme value. Prior to having kids, the idea of using my mouth to clear out nasal passages made me cringe. But, once you’ve done it and seen the immediate relief in a sick child, it’s worth it (and really, there’s nothing to it).
Hydrasense Baby Nasal Care
We use Hydrasense products because of their convenient travel size cases; they’re compact and easy to transport (and we love that there are no chemical additives). Even if we’re vacationing in the summer time, we always make sure we bring ours along just in case one of our kids gets a cold.
Antibiotics don’t work against cold viruses, unfortunately, but non-prescription saline (saltwater) nose drops or sprays may help alleviate nasal symptoms, thereby helping your kids breath.
If your child currently has a cough or is prone to developing that pesky, dry cough, Olbas Oil can be a great addition to your bedtime routine. It’s a powerful menthol scent that helps to open airwaves during sleep (if you happen to be sharing a bedroom, you can notice the difference yourself). Simply put a few drops (3-5) on a tissue and then place the tissue, out of reach, in the affected child’s bed. For our youngest son, we place the tissue either inside the crib sheet in a corner of the bed or behind the crib bumpers. That way, the scent is concentrated near where he sleeps but there’s no chance of contact with our child.
For our four-year-old, we place the tissue in a pillow case (underside though). You can move it around the bed until you find a place where you can still smell the oil but your child won’t come in contact with it. Another parent told us about this trick and we definitely notice a difference. The bottle is small enough for check-on bags or to keep tucked away in a travel “health kit.”
C/O Amazon.ca
Lets face it, little kids aren’t known for their ability to keep their germs contained. They cough and sneeze at will, spreading their virus/bacteria as they play. If you’re sharing an hotel room or vacation home bedroom with your sick kids, you’ll want to keep yourself protected. We use a non-petroleum jelly to coat the inside of our nostrils and just below our nose to help keep cold/flu germs from sticking to nose hairs etc.
It’s a great addition to your travel ‘health kit’ and it can also be used inside noses, on flights, to help keep the entire family healthy (we put it inside all of our noses before take-off to keep other travelers viruses from finding a home in our noses).
(4) Facial Wipes/Saline Nose Wipes
A lot of people see the price tag on saline nose wipes and think that it’s a cash grab from companies. But, if you’re dealing with dry air on vacation, and your child comes down with a bad cold, having a moist tissue source to clean the nose can combat that dry, irritated (painful) nostril.
We buy saline nose wipes by the case and always keep them on hand (sun or snow). They receive a near 5-star rating online from other families and every parent we know that travels with them is grateful that they packed them for their trip.
(5) Vitamins
Often times, when kids get sick, their diet goes out the window. To ensure we cover our bases when we’re traveling, we pack up a reusable bag filled with their multi-vitamins, vitamin D, immune boosters etc. A small bag with your child’s vitamins barely takes up any room and you might have a bit more peace of mind in knowing that they’re getting some basic nutrients while they’re feeling sick.
Overall, the idea of traveling with sick kids isn’t the most appealing vision. But, we find that traveling with a few of our must-have items can ease their experience. We’d love to hear your tips and tricks as well for future posts so please send us a message using our contact page.
Note: This post contains all authentic tips and product suggestions, but it’s sponsored in part by hydraSense Baby.
