Disclaimer:
This medical
information is designed as an aid only for the
patients of
Drs. Concannon & Vitale.
It is not a substitute for a medical
exam and direct
advice from your physician.
Hints for Air Travel with a Child
- Children under the age of two years travel free on most airlines,
but
this
means that they may have to sit on your lap if the plane is full.
Children are safest, of course, if you can afford to purchase a
separate
ticket and strap them into a car safety seat, but in reality, carrying
a car seat through the crowded airplanes and terminals can be very
inconvenient.
- When you make your reservations, try to avoid a full
flight. If
you
can, schedule your flight to avoid the busiest times of day at airports
(8 to 10 AM, 4 to 7 PM).
- If possible, reserve a bulkhead seat (just behind the bulkhead
that
separates
coach and first class), since it has the most room. If you have
to
change planes, be sure to schedule enough time for the connection.
- Car rental agencies generally have infant seats available with
their
cars.
You need, however, to reserve the safety seat when you reserve the
car.
It is also wise to call ahead to the local agency where you will pick
up
the car to confirm that the car seat is available.
- The flight attendants can warm food and bottles for you. Be
sure
to also bring small snacks your baby can nibble on and play with:
Cheerios, bagel chips, etc.
- Check-in early so that you can get the baby settled before others
board
the plane. If you are traveling by yourself and won't be met at
your
destination, a portable stroller is a lifesaver. You can
generally
fold it up and take it on board with you.
- Diapering can be a hassle on the plane. Try to
double-diaper
or use ultra-absorbent diapers just before you board the plane.
If
you do change diapers on the plane, you can use an airsickness bag to
dispose
of them, or even better, Zip-Loc bags.
- For takeoff and landing, put the seat belt just around you
and
hold
your baby on your lap or in a Snuggli. Don't place the seat belt
around the baby. This, obviously, is for airplanes only, not for
autos where the child must be placed in a proper car safety seat.
Children over two will need to wear their own seatbelt on the airplane.
- In the older child prone to airsickness, it is usually okay
to
give
Dramamine one half hour before flying. It can be helpful to reserve a
window
seat for such a child; less motion sickness occurs if one is able to
orient
themselves by looking out a window. Some people respond well to motion
sickness wrist bands available in pharmacies.
- If your child has a mild cold prior to flying you might
consider
giving some decongestant medicine beforehand. Younger infants
could
get an oral dose of Triaminic or Dimetapp up to every 4 hours. Toddlers
could get a dose of Children's Neo-Synephrine nasal spray up to every 6
hours. Older kids and teens can get a full adult dose (two sprays
into each nostril) of Afrin adult-strength nasal decongestant spray up
to every 8 hours, but use only for the days of flying.
- Airliner cabins maintain a constant atmospheric pressure above
8,000
feet
altitude. Actually, there is no problem associated with taking
off,
climbing, flying as high as 45,000 feet, or descending to 8,000
feet.
But, it's those last 8,000 feet to landing that creates problems for
children's
ears. Usually you can tell when your plane is passing below 8,000
feet because that is about the time when you'll see the flight
attendants
start to scurry around, making sure that everyone's seat belts are
buckled,
seatbacks are in their upright position, etc. That's your cue to
start giving your child something liquid to drink. The swallowing
will help to equalize the pressures in the ears while the plane is on
final
approach to landing. Older children above 8 years old can
sometimes
be taught to clear their ears on descent by having them close their
mouths,
pinch their nostrils, and swallow or blow hard.
- Given all the equipment you have to carry when you travel
with a
baby, it is easiest to let other passengers deplane before you.
Use
this time to clean up your seat area before you leave.
- If worse comes to worst, and your child needs medical
attention,
there are usually many walk-in medical care centers near
airports.
Or, if you have relatives at your destination, they may be of help in
selecting
urgent medical care for your child. BON VOYAGE!
Rev 10/2005 AIRTRAVEL.html