myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 13 November 2002

Hi All, Can anyone please give me feedback about taking an infant to Tobago. Iam planning a family vacation with my now son who will be 9 months around Christmas which is when we are planning on being there. I would like to get information concerning deseases, insects, bugs, water, medical facilities in case of emergencies and other issues that could be immportant when travelling to Tobago with a baby. I'd appreciate any input and comments. Thank you Kornelia

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 16 November 2002

Dear Kornelia, with regards to your travel to Tobago with your infant I would like you to consider the following: please make sure the baby's immunization record is up to date and take the pass with you. Please also take a moskito net for your baby (if the baby sleeps in its pram, there are special moskito covers for that). There are several experienced pediatricians on the island, you can contact them through Scarborough Medical Associates (tel 639-1115). If you are staying in a hotel, you can call a doctor through the front desk. And then there is Scarborough General Hospital for emergencies. Bottled water can be purchased at any supermarket (the largest one is Penny Savers), cereals are available from Nestle, you have little choice of baby food, but fresh fruits and vegetables are always available at the various fruit stands around the island. Diapers are also not a problem: Teddies soft cloth is the brand that I use for my little boy. Hope that this information is helpful to you. If you need any more information, let's chat again in the forum. Best regards

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 21 November 2002

Hi Tanja, Thank you so much for your response, I is greatly appreciated and was exactly what I was looking for. This is the first time I am travelling to the islands as a mother and I just want to make sure that I take all the nessessary steps to assure a wonderful vacation. Especially you contact info for the doctor's puts my mind at ease. Is Dengue fever an issue? Is it true that it is the same virus as the West Nile? Also, do you have any recommendations for baby sitters? Warm regards, Kornelia

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 22 November 2002

Hi Cornelia, I am pleased to hear that my information is helpful to you. I very well understand your worries about travelling with an infant. As for your question regarding dengue: it had been an issue over here, but more so in Trinidad than in Tobago. We had heard about 3 or 4 mild cases of dengue (none lethal) over here in Tobago some months ago but it could well be that these people came from Trinidad. We haven't heard anything over the past weeks. According to our information it is not the same as the West Nile. The best protections for mosquitos are: do not wear black or dark colors in the evening time (it attracts them), wear long pants in the evening and maybe socks, use an insect repellent (Autan is the most reliable one) or citronella (tip: you can purchase citronella oil over here in drugstores for little money and mix it with your after sun lotion) to avoid bites, use fan in room (mosquitos don't like breeze or wind) and of course for the baby a moskito net. As for the baby sitter issue, most hotels and villas offer this service for a small fee on request. I recommend to check with the accommodation where you plan to stay. I'll be pleased to assist with any more questions that you may have. Regards