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Travel Ailments in Toddlers
From Car Sickness to Sea Sickness
By Katherine Bontrager
"Another concern when traveling is altitude sickness, which is pretty sneaky when it comes to toddlers as the symptoms can present up to three to four days after exposure to the low air pressure," Walker says. She says 8,000 feet is typically when you see the drop in air pressure that can result in altitude sickness.
While altitude sickness is rare, signs your little one may be suffering from it include changes in behavior, trouble eating or sleeping, irritability, difficulty breathing and possibly vomiting or dehydration. Treatment consists of returning your child to a lower altitude and giving him or her time to re-acclimate. It may take a few days – and plenty of liquids – before your toddler is once again feeling like climbing the walls. (However, if symptoms seem severe, take your child to the nearest emergency room.)
To avoid altitude sickness, it's important to slowly ascend to higher elevations. Keep your family hydrated and provide plenty of time, even several days in extreme altitudes, for everyone to acclimate to the changes in pressure.
"Typically, when traveling with a toddler, being prepared and alert are of the utmost importance," Walker says. After all, a little bit of planning can go a long way in ensuring that everyone has a vacation that they want to relive again and again and again.