Travel advice with child with food allergies

Short summary – read this first

A traveler named Sally is heading to Switzerland in September for the fifth time, this time with her 2-year-old son. She is looking for advice on age restrictions for cable cars and railways, as well as how to manage her son's food allergies while dining out. Any tips would be appreciated.

Key takeaways:
  • There are generally no restrictions on carrying or letting your child walk in cable cars and mountain railways, but it's best to consult a pediatrician for altitudes over 2500 m.
  • Restaurants in Switzerland are usually accommodating; just let them know about your child's allergies and that you may need to bring your own food.
  • Download a PDF from the European Consumer Centre Germany with allergy translations to help communicate your son's food allergies in restaurants.
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InfoAI-generated summary
  • Anonymous
    Inactive
    83503 posts
    18 July 2016 at 5:46:47 #809705

    Hello,

    We are off to Switzerland for the 5th time in September, the difference being we will be taking our 2 year old son. We are all sorted with itinerary etc but have a few things we would like to know about little people, we haven’t taken any notice before! Lol. Are there minimum age restrictions for cable cars, mountain railways etc? Would I need to carry him in a harness or is he allowed to walk, go in pushchair? Also he has multiple food allergies. He is allergic to cows milk protein (no cheese or chocolate! Eek), tomatoes, strawberries etc. When we go out for meals here we usually take some back up food incase they can’t cater for his allergy. Would we be able to do that in Switzerland as well or would we be frowned upon?

    Any advice gratefully received.

    Thanks.

  • Annika
    Moderator
    7328 posts
    Reply 1 of 4 • 19 July 2016 at 9:00:42 #854288

    Hi sally2311,

    The general advice is not to take children under 2 years old to places over 2500 m. Or at least consult your pediatrician. Whether you carry him or let him walk is up to you, there are no restrictions.

    I don’t think there will be restaurants arguing over his spare food. Just ask whether they can cater for his allergy. If not, explain you’ll be using your own food for him.

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    User
    Inactive
    83503 posts
    Reply 2 of 4 • 19 July 2016 at 9:20:47 #854289

    Thank you for your reply. That’s great, I have already spoken to the doctor who says she cannot see any problems with the altitudes etc but just to keep an eye on him. I might just keep some back up food then and work out my translation about his allergies before we go. Wish he could have a cheese fondue with us. Maybe I will find somewhere who do a meat fondue so he can join in the fun 😊 Thanks again.

    User
    Inactive
    83503 posts
    Reply 3 of 4 • 19 July 2016 at 14:09:08 #854290

    >> I might just keep some back up food then and work out my translation about his allergies before we go.

    Hi Sally,

    Information from the European Consumer Centre Germany with translations of food items might help.

    You can download a PDF document called “Guide: Allergies (GB)” from here:

    http://www.evz.de/en/consumer -topics/health/allergy-dictionnary/

    English-German is on page 3.

    The yellow card template on the PDF says:

    Ich habe eine Allergie gegen …

    I am allergic to …

    As it is your son who is allergic, you could change the wording to:

    Mein Sohn hat eine Allergie gegen …

    My son is allergic to …

    Hope this helps.

    Alpenrose

    User
    Inactive
    83503 posts
    Reply 4 of 4 • 19 July 2016 at 14:25:41 #854291

    That is so helpful. Thank you. Really kind.

  • The thread ‘Travel advice with child with food allergies’ is closed to new replies.

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