Travelling with children to Cancun, Mexico.

There are a few things you should consider if you are planning to take your children with you to Mexico.

Preparation

Always take you own medical basic needs such as cold medicine, pain relievers, inhalers, adhesive bandages, and swimmer's ear. Remember the most important thing to keep in mind is to make sure that your children are always rested and fed. If your kids are not having a good time, the parents will not have a good time. If your vacation is more than a few days long you might pack several of their favorite toys. This can be very comforting, especially for toddlers.

Children should always wear a necklace or bracelet with their identification and home and emergency contact information. Having them carry a small card with this information is another option.

Pre-Travel Vaccinations

We recommend that all children two years and older have the hepatitis A vaccine before they travel to Mexico. This is especially true if the child will be in more remote regions of the country or if you expect an increased exposure to contaminated food and water.

You should also make sure that your child's vaccinations are up-to-date according to routine schedule as outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

For travel to certain tropical regions of the country, you may need to consider vaccinating for yellow fever as well as malaria prevention.

Before you travel with your child, you should understand that small children might be more susceptible to contracting infectious diseases. If they do get sick, you may not immediately recognize their condition because of their lack of ability to communicate their symptoms. Along these lines, it is essential that you do what you can to prevent and prepare for illness.

A nursing mother with traveller diarrhea does not have to stop breast-feeding, but she should increase her fluid intake and seek medical attention.

Traveling as a Single Parent

If you are a single parent traveling with a child or children you may be required to show proof that the absent parent has given permission for your child(ren) to be with you. A signed and notarized document of permission (preferably in Spanish) from the absent parent will suffice. We also recommend that you carry the child(ren)'s birth certificate at all times showing that you are the actual parent. Grandparents or other relatives should carry written permission from both parents.

Airplane Travel

If your child is under two and you plan to hold him or her on your lap during the flight, be aware that a small child may be dislodged from a parent's lap during turbulence. A special harness, the Baby B'Air, is available through specialized stores.

A child should not fly with an active middle ear, sinus, or upper respiratory tract infection. We recommend that you delay your plans for at least three weeks after ear, nose, or throat surgery.

Nursing, feeding, or using a pacifier with a baby during takeoff and landing helps to prevent an increase in ear pressure and pain. Letting your baby cry also may relieve the pressure. A sucker is useful for toddlers. If it is a long flight, remember children have lots of energy and often do not do well if they have to sit in one place for very long. Try to "tire" them a bit before they board by playing in a part of the airport where there is extra room. Don't pre-board as they will become more "antsy" if they sit too long before the flight. Plenty of snacks are essential, especially now that most planes don't serve food. Have them pack their own small bag with water, snacks and busywork. Parents with babies may want to practice changing diapers on your lap before it becomes a necessity, and bring plastic bags to dispose of the diapers. Children become motion sick more easily than adults. Most of the medications available for adults are not recommended for children under the age of 12. If your child develops motion sickness we recommend benadryl (diphenhydramine).

Traveling in Cars

If you plan to ride in a car with a child under the age of 5, you should always use a car seat. We recommend that you take a car seat with you, if necessary. It may be an inconvenience, however, if you plan on being mobile. Unfortunately, many taxis in Mexico do not have seatbelts, so this may cause you a problem. Many parents in Mexico just simply carry the children in their laps. Search for a taxi or ground transportation that has belts or rent a car. For airport transportation we suggest you to hire www.cancuntransfers.com, they offer car seats at no additional cost.