Preparing for family holidays with IBD

Family holidays are an opportunity to relax, spend time together and make memories. But when your child has Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, planning a trip can involve a few extra considerations.

You might worry about whether your child will feel well enough to travel, how you will manage toilet urgency on a long journey, or what will happen if they experience a flare while you are away from home.

These concerns are understandable. IBD can be unpredictable, and travelling somewhere unfamiliar may feel daunting when you are responsible for your child's health.

The good news is that having IBD does not automatically mean your family needs to miss out on holidays. With some preparation, a flexible itinerary and a plan for managing symptoms, you can help make travelling more comfortable for everyone.

🗓️ Start planning early

If you are planning a holiday, especially an international trip, start thinking about your child's medical needs well in advance.

Contact your child's gastroenterology team several weeks before departure. They can help you consider whether your child is well enough to travel, whether any vaccinations or medication arrangements are needed, and what to do if symptoms worsen while you are away.

This is particularly important if your child takes immunosuppressive medication, receives biologic treatment, needs medication that must be refrigerated or has recently experienced a flare.

Before booking or finalising your plans, consider:

• How stable your child's symptoms have been recently.

• Whether they have upcoming appointments or treatments.

• How easily you could access medical care at your destination.

• Whether the accommodation has convenient toilet access.

• How long the journey will take and whether breaks are possible.

• Whether your travel insurance covers your child's pre-existing condition.

You do not necessarily need to choose a destination close to home. The aim is to understand your child's needs and make informed decisions about the trip.

🩺 Check that your child is ready to travel

There is no single rule about when a child with IBD can travel. The decision depends on their health, symptoms, treatment and the type of holiday you are planning.

If your child is feeling well and their condition is stable, travel may be straightforward with appropriate preparation.

If they have recently experienced a flare, are having frequent diarrhoea, have significant abdominal pain or are struggling with fatigue, speak with their gastroenterologist before travelling.

Your child's team can help you assess the risks and decide whether any adjustments are needed.

If your child becomes seriously unwell shortly before departure, seek medical advice rather than feeling that you must continue with the original plans because the holiday has already been paid for.

💊 Organise medication before you leave

Running out of medication while away from home can create unnecessary stress. It is worth organising your child's medication well before your departure date.

Your preparation checklist should include:

• Packing enough medication for the entire trip, plus extra where possible in case of delays.

• Keeping medication in its original packaging with pharmacy labels.

• Carrying copies of prescriptions and a medication list.

• Asking the treating team for a medical letter if needed.

• Checking the rules for bringing medication into your destination country.

• Confirming how medication should be stored during the journey.

• Planning how and when medication will be taken if you cross time zones.

Keep essential medication in your carry-on luggage rather than relying on checked baggage. If your child uses injectable medication, check the airline's requirements for carrying needles, cooling equipment and medical supplies.

Some medicines require refrigeration or have specific temperature limits. Ask your pharmacist or treating team how to transport and store them safely. Do not assume that every medicine can be kept in a standard cooler bag for the same length of time.

Do not change or skip medication doses to make travelling easier without advice from your child's healthcare team.

🧳 Pack an IBD travel kit

Having essential supplies close at hand can help you manage unexpected symptoms without having to search through your luggage.

Consider packing a small, discreet bag containing:

• Spare underwear and a change of clothes.

• Toilet paper and gentle wipes.

• Sealable bags for soiled clothing.

• Hand sanitiser.

• Any skin-care products your child uses.

• Prescribed medicines and essential medical supplies.

• Oral rehydration solution, if recommended for your child.

• A list of emergency contacts and relevant medical information.

If your child has a stoma, make sure you pack enough appliances and supplies for the entire trip, with extras in case of delays.

Keep the kit somewhere accessible, such as your day bag or carry-on luggage, rather than at the bottom of a suitcase.

You can also let your child help pack their own supplies if they are old enough. This can give them a sense of control and help them feel more prepared.

🚽 Plan for toilet access

For many families, knowing where the toilets are is one of the most important parts of travelling with IBD.

Toilet urgency can be stressful, especially when your child is on a plane, travelling on a bus or exploring an unfamiliar place.

A little planning can make a difference.

For flights

• Consider an aisle seat or a seat near the toilet if this suits your child.

• Check the airline's seating and boarding options.

• Allow plenty of time for airport toilets before boarding.

• Keep spare clothes and essential supplies in your carry-on.

• Contact the airline in advance if you need assistance or have questions about medical supplies.

For road trips

• Identify service stations, rest areas and public toilets along your route.

• Allow extra time for unplanned stops.

• Keep your travel kit within reach.

• Avoid making your child feel guilty about needing another bathroom break.

For sightseeing and attractions

• Look up toilet locations before you arrive.

• Ask about accessible facilities or medical assistance arrangements.

• Plan shorter activities with opportunities to stop and rest.

• Keep your itinerary flexible enough to accommodate symptoms.

seful resources include the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation's travel guidance and the Crohn’s & Colitis UK guide to travelling with Crohn’s or colitis.

🏨 Choose accommodation that suits your family

The right accommodation can make a holiday feel much more manageable.

Depending on your child's needs, you might prefer somewhere with a private bathroom, easy access to restaurants or shops, a kitchen, or the ability to rest between activities.

Consider whether your child would benefit from:

• A room close to the bathroom.

• A self-catering apartment where familiar meals can be prepared.

• Accommodation near medical facilities.

• A swimming pool or quiet space for relaxed activities.

• Flexible booking arrangements in case plans change.

You do not need to choose the most expensive accommodation or plan every detail around IBD. Focus on the features that would make your family feel comfortable and supported.

🍽️ Think about food and drinks

Trying new foods can be one of the enjoyable parts of travelling, but unfamiliar meals and changes to eating routines may be challenging for some children with IBD.

There is no universal IBD travel diet. Your child may be able to eat a wide variety of foods, while another child may need more careful planning because of symptoms, food intolerances or nutritional needs.

Before you travel, consider:

• Bringing familiar snacks for the journey.

• Checking whether suitable meals will be available at your accommodation.

• Identifying restaurants that can accommodate any dietary requirements.

• Drinking safe water at your destination.

• Following destination-specific food and water safety advice.

• Packing appropriate snacks if meals may be delayed.

If you are travelling somewhere where foodborne infections are more common, discuss precautions with your child's healthcare team. This is particularly important if your child takes medication that suppresses their immune system.

Avoid introducing a highly restrictive diet simply because you are travelling. Your child still needs adequate energy and nutrients, and unfamiliar environments can already make eating more difficult.

🛡️ Arrange appropriate travel insurance

Travel insurance is especially important when a child has a chronic medical condition.

Before purchasing a policy, check whether it covers your child's pre-existing IBD and any related complications. Some policies exclude pre-existing conditions unless they are specifically assessed and accepted by the insurer.

Ask about coverage for:

• Emergency medical treatment.

• Hospital stays and specialist consultations.

• Prescription medication.

• Medical evacuation or repatriation, where relevant.

• Trip cancellation or interruption because of a medical condition.

Read the policy wording carefully and answer medical screening questions accurately. Do not assume that a policy covers IBD simply because it provides general medical coverage.

If you are travelling internationally, check whether your usual health insurance provides any coverage abroad. Do not rely on reciprocal healthcare arrangements or public healthcare access without confirming what is covered for your family.

🌍 Check vaccinations and destination-specific health advice

Depending on where you are travelling, your child may need vaccinations or other preventive measures.

Speak with your child's healthcare team or a travel medicine specialist well before departure. Some vaccines need to be given weeks before travel, and certain live vaccines may not be suitable for people taking particular immunosuppressive medicines.

Do not arrange or skip vaccinations based on general online advice alone.

Recommendations depend on your destination, your child's treatment and their medical history.

It is also useful to check:

• Local healthcare services and emergency numbers.

• Whether your child's medication is permitted in the destination country.

• Any required documentation for medicines or injection equipment.

• Local food and water safety recommendations.

• Whether your destination has any specific health risks relevant to your child.

📄 Prepare a medical information folder

Having your child's essential medical information available can make it easier to seek help if needed.

Consider keeping digital and paper copies of:

• Their diagnosis and relevant medical history.

• Current medication names and doses.

• Known allergies.

• Contact details for their gastroenterologist.

• Copies of prescriptions.

• A medical letter, if appropriate.

• Travel insurance details and emergency contacts.

• A written plan explaining what to do if symptoms worsen.

If you are travelling to a country where you do not speak the local language, a translated summary of important medical information may be useful.

You do not need to carry every medical record your child has ever had. Focus on the information a healthcare professional may need to provide appropriate care.

🌦️ Make room for flexibility

It can be tempting to plan every day carefully so that you get the most out of your holiday. However, a packed itinerary can become stressful if your child is tired, uncomfortable or needs frequent toilet breaks.

Try to build in time for rest and allow activities to be changed or cancelled without making your child feel responsible for disappointing everyone.

You might plan one main activity each day, with optional extras if everyone feels well.

For example, you could visit an attraction in the morning and keep the afternoon free for swimming, reading or relaxing at your accommodation.

If your child has a difficult day, remember that resting is not a wasted holiday. A quieter day may help them feel more comfortable and allow the family to enjoy the rest of the trip.

💚 Help your child feel included in the planning

Children with IBD may have their own worries about travelling. They might be embarrassed about needing the toilet frequently, anxious about being away from their usual healthcare team or worried about becoming unwell in front of other people.

Ask your child what would help them feel more comfortable.

Depending on their age, they could help choose activities, identify toilets, pack supplies or decide what they want to tell others about their condition.

Try to avoid making every conversation about symptoms or potential problems. Your child should have the opportunity to look forward to the holiday, too.

You can prepare for challenges while still focusing on the things your family is excited to do.

🚨 Know what to do if your child becomes unwell

Before leaving, ask your child's gastroenterologist for advice about what to do if symptoms worsen during the trip.

Make sure you know whom to contact, where to seek medical care and which symptoms require urgent assessment.

Seek urgent medical attention if your child develops severe or worsening abdominal pain, significant bleeding, persistent vomiting, signs of dehydration, fainting or other symptoms that concern you. Follow any emergency instructions provided by their healthcare team.

If your child has a fever or develops significant diarrhoea while travelling, particularly if they take immunosuppressive medication, seek medical advice promptly.

Do not assume that new symptoms are simply an IBD flare. Infections and other conditions can cause similar symptoms, and appropriate assessment is important.

If you need medical care during the trip, tell the clinician about your child's IBD, medications and recent travel history.

❤️ Remember that holidays do not have to be perfect

Preparing for a family holiday when your child has IBD can involve more planning than you might have expected. There may be medication schedules to organise, toilets to locate and extra supplies to pack.

But IBD does not have to define every part of your family's experience.

You may need to adapt your plans, allow more rest or change an activity at short notice. That does not mean the holiday has failed.

Focus on what will help your child feel safe and comfortable, prepare for the most likely challenges and leave room for the unexpected.

The goal is not to plan a holiday where nothing goes wrong. It is to help your family feel prepared enough to enjoy the time together, even when plans need to change.

✅ Quick action plan: preparing for your holiday

• Several weeks before: Speak with your child's IBD team about fitness to travel, medication, vaccinations and an emergency plan.

• Before booking or departure: Check travel insurance, medication rules and access to healthcare at your destination.

• A few days before: Pack medication, medical documents, extra supplies and a toilet emergency kit.

• Before each travel day: Check the route, toilet access, meal options and any important medication timings.

• During the holiday: Keep plans flexible, monitor how your child is feeling and seek medical advice if symptoms worsen.

This article provides general educational information for parents worldwide. Travel and medical recommendations depend on your child's individual health, treatment and destination. Consult your child's healthcare team before travelling, particularly if their symptoms are active or their treatment affects their immune system.