BABY BRIEFS
NEWS TIPS & FUN FACTS

Traveling by air? Here are quick tips for a safer and more pleasant trip for both you and your baby.

compiled by ParentUSACity Staff

You decide you want to visit your sister, who resides halfway across the country. When contemplating whether to travel by air with your infant, ponder the following tips from the Mayo Clinic. Jay L. Hoecker, M.D., emeritus consultant in pediatric and adolescent medicine, recommends that you consider all these factors when parenting children while flying:

● Age – Some pediatricians advise against unnecessary air travel during the first six weeks of birth when newborns are more vulnerable to germs.

● Ears – Ear pain can be triggered by fluctuating cabin pressure during a flight. You can help equalize pressure in your baby’s ears by letting him or her suck on a pacifier or bottle during takeoff and landing.

● Breathing – If your baby is healthy, air travel probably won’t pose a problem for your infant. But because some research suggests irregular breathing is more common in environments with less oxygen, such as in enclosed plane cabins, your pediatrician may suggest supplemental oxygen if your baby has respiratory issues.

● Safety seat – The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Federal Aviation Administration recommend that infants ride in correctly fastened safety seats, although most airlines allow infants to ride on a caregiver’s lap. You can get up and walk up and down the aisle if your baby gets fussy when the crew authorizes moving in the cabin.

● Ability to stay amused and engaged – If you decide to travel by plane, you’ll need to keep your baby entertained during the flight. A stuffed animal, pacifier, special blanket, teething ring, and small picture books can help keep your baby occupied. Certain quantities of water, juice, milk, or baby formula are allowed on flights.

 

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