When Tiny Travelers Catch a Bug: A Nanny Primer to Sick Days on the Road
You’ve planned the activities, packed the snacks, even memorized everyone’s passport numbers, then the five‑year‑old wakes up glassy‑eyed and coughing. Illness is the one itinerary item no one books, but seasoned travel nannies know it shows up anyway.
Here’s how to keep calm, comfort the kiddo, and reassure parents when sickness strikes on vacation – the essential primer for a nanny who travels.
Handling Mild Illness Like a Star
Picture this: you’re in an airy beach cabana, the ocean practically begging for sand‑castle duty, but your charge can’t muster more than a whimper.
The goal on sniffly days is gentle care, not sightseeing heroics. No kiddo is going to remember a history museum or boat ride if the whole time was spent clammy and uncomfortable. Draw the curtains, pile up pillows, and let the child’s body rest.
Hydration is key:
Offer sips of water or diluted juice every few minutes. Small amounts go down more easily than a full cup all at once, and if the kid is having a hard time, try a syringe (especially useful for the really little kiddos).
If the child has diarrhea or starts vomiting, you may need to switch to an oral rehydration solution (think Pedialyte, or make your own) to make sure the kiddo is getting all necessary minerals and sugars.
Most mild fevers and colds resolve on their own with this TLC cocktail of fluids, rest, cuddles, and parent‑approved acetaminophen*. Let the day slow to the child’s pace; museums and pools can wait. Taking over Nurse Nanny duties also gives parents the chance to leave the hotel room and salvage some of their vacation, making you a traveling hero.
*Never give a kiddo medication without first checking with the parents!
When the Fever Spikes in a Foreign City
Now imagine: it’s 2 a.m. in Madrid. The child’s temperature has climbed to 103 °F, and their breathing sounds raspy. This is where your preparation turns panic into a plan.
Before any trip, map out nearby pediatric clinics or private hospitals and confirm your family’s travel insurance’s preferred providers. A rockstar nanny will be able to whip out the necessary info before the parents have even thought about how to say ¿Dónde está el hospital?
Language can feel like a huge barrier when abroad, but most major international hospitals offer English consultation – see if you can call ahead for assistance. Many travel insurance companies also provide telehealth options.
Your chances to be a rock star here: While parents will likely want to be the ones taking the kiddo to the doctor, you can help out majorly by packing a bag with all the essentials (diaper bag, snacks, water, toys, stuffy, and important papers like insurance papers and passport – plus an extra power bar for the parents). If there are siblings, you are probably most helpful simply staying in with them and making sure they’re doing ok.
Pro tip: Write down any meds given before going to the hospital and at what time, plus fluid amounts and symptom changes so the doctor receives a clear timeline when you or they arrive at the hospital.
Your Own Sick‑Day Kit
Veteran nannies stash a quart‑size pouch with the essentials in their carry‑on – rarely opened, always appreciated.
It can include:
a digital thermometer
travel‑size acetaminophen and ibuprofen (with dosing chart)
a sealed ORS packet (electrolytes/rehydration solution)
10‑ml syringe for measured fluids
a few adhesive bandages
child‑sized surgical mask in case of coughs (and an adult-sized one for you)
hand sanitizer and wipes
Replenish the kit before each assignment and jot expiry dates with a Sharpie.
Communicate, Reassure, Reset
When traveling with a family, communication is key,and this is certainly true if a kid gets sick on the trip. Go the extra mile by jotting down and consolidating any relevant info, from medication dose times, the last time the kiddo vomited, and body temperatures to treatment plans from the hospital, along with prescriptions and pharmacy info so that everything is gathered in one place.
Remember that what a sick kiddo wants more than anything is reassurance and to know they’re taken care of. Let any other to-dos take a back seat and spend plenty of time cuddling with the kiddo or just making them as comfortable as possible. Wear a mask and keep the windows open to reduce the risk of contagious bugs making their way to you. And keep your cool: a calm caregiver is the best medicine for anxious parents and under‑the‑weather kids alike.
Are you a family’s new rockstar nanny?
If you’re looking for a nanny job where you can shine – on vacation or back home – Smart Sitting is the place for you. We are a nanny agency that makes thoughtful matches between families and sitters, and if you have the experience and dedication it takes, we can help you find a position that aligns with your needs and wants. Start by applying below – we can’t wait to hear from you!