Blog: We’re all going on a summer holiday (and allergies won’t stop us)

Blog: We’re all going on a summer holiday (and allergies won’t stop us)

When my second baby was born, I thought I was prepared for the challenges of looking after a newborn and a three-year-old, but baby Indigo had a surprise up her sleeve. From the moment we got home, Indigo started an impressive career in projectile vomiting, accompanied by endless crying. She was not a happy baby, and nothing I did helped. 

After numerous phone calls to the GP, hours of research, and months of sleepless nights, Indigo was finally diagnosed with allergies to dairy, soy, wheat, gluten, alliums and legumes. I felt the rug had been pulled out from under my feet. 

What were we meant to eat? 

It was utterly overwhelming. I felt lost every time I started to make a meal. I was scared to leave the house because each time we went out she would have a reaction, from crawling in crumbs or sitting in a contaminated highchair.  

It took months to figure out a suitable diet, and it took courage to venture out into the big, scary, contaminated world. I couldn’t help but worry about how she would ever go to a friend’s house for a sleepover, go on a school trip, or survive a holiday in another country. 

By the time Indigo turned one, I had a better handle on the situation at home. I was used to her restrictive diet and had figured out meals and snacks that give her everything she needed. Soft play no longer held the terror that it did a few months earlier. I felt ready to push myself, with a deep need to prove she could live a full life despite her delicate digestive system. 

So, I booked us a holiday. 

I’m sure there are people who will think I was out of my mind going overseas with a one-year-old and a four-year-old by myself, but I had a point to prove. 

And would you know, we had a fantastic time. All the pre-planning I did paid off as Indigo made it through the trip full and reaction-free. Here are the considerations I recommend any parent works through if planning to take your allergy-child abroad this summer. 

Book with allergies in mind 

When picking where to go, consider what the typical diet is in the country you’re visiting. Does it rely heavily on your child’s allergens, or will it be naturally easy to avoid them? (For example, Asian diets are typically low on dairy). 

Going self-catered means you don’t have to trust anyone else’s commitment to safe food preparation, but catered holidays are still entirely manageable. If your holiday is catered, email them before booking to discuss your specific allergies. If cross-contamination is an issue, ensure they understand the importance. Remember that different cultures will have different levels of allergy knowledge. 

Research where supermarkets are and how to get to them. Many supermarkets have online shopping, so you can check which products they stock. You could even do an advance food shop to save the hassle on arrival. 

Be prepared in case your child needs medical support. Research the nearest hospital with the necessary facilities, know their contact number and plan how you would get there. Pack plenty of medication, and make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance where allergies have been declared. 

Pack tactically 

You may want to take some food from home as a backup in case you can’t get to the shops right away or you miss a meal. Baby pouches, microwavable rice, or dry pasta travel well. I also took a significant bundle of allergy-free baby snacks. 

If your baby is on prescription formula, talk to your GP about getting your next prescription early to ensure you have enough.  

Take extra on the journey 

Research airline restrictions and customs regulations around any food or medication you’re taking with you. Most airlines exclude baby food pouches and infant formula from liquid restrictions, so you can take as much as you want. I recommend taking more than you think you’ll need – be prepared for delays or for hold luggage getting lost. 

Remember that you may need a doctor’s letter to travel with medication or EpiPens. 

Make sure you enjoy your trip 

Learn the word for allergies and any relevant allergens in the language of the country you’re visiting. If you have WiFi or roaming data, you can use Google translate on your phone to communicate. Don’t be afraid to ask for off-menu solutions; your child deserves to eat out as much as anyone else. 

Time to take a deep breath and let go of anything that doesn’t matter so you can relax and enjoy yourself. At home, I worry about Indigo’s nutritional intake, making sure she’s getting everything she needs to grow healthily. But for a short holiday, all that mattered was that she was satisfied and safe (even if it was mostly on chips and watermelon!) 

So, what does the future hold? 

This chaotic, energetic, chatty toddler has no idea that her body works differently to anyone else’s. She goes to nursery, soft play, birthday parties, and on holiday. Yes, some days her mum is a bit more frazzled than other mums, but Indigo doesn’t know that. 

As she gets bigger, she may outgrow some of her allergies. But this mum is confident that, even if she doesn’t, her life will be rich with experiences.