How Long After a Fever Is Gone Is a Baby Safe to Travel

Past: Claire McCarthy, MD, FAAP

Taking a baby on a plane is something that almost parents approach with trepidation—with good reason.

Babies and air travel can both be unpredictable, and they don't ever mix well. Only some avant-garde planning and grooming can help brand for a better experience for your baby, for you lot, and for everyone else on the aeroplane.

​In this article, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) answers some mutual questions you may accept earlier traveling with your babe and offers tips for a smoother and safer flight.

When is my baby old enough to fly on an airplane?

Generally, it is discouraged for babies to fly unnecessarily shortly after nativity. Air travel increases a newborn'due south gamble of communicable an infectious disease. Babies born prematurely, with chronic center or lung bug, or with upper or lower respiratory symptoms may also take problems with the modify in oxygen level within the air cabin. Parents should talk with their child's pediatrician earlier flying.

If at that place is a measles outbreak in your area, or yous plan on traveling somewhere where there is a measles outbreak, your pediatrician may recommend your baby receive an extra dose of the MMR vaccine. This may exist given as early as 6 months of age. Learn more than hither.

​Does my infant need a passport for international travel?

Yes. All U.Due south. citizens, including infants, demand a electric current passport to travel internationally.  Parents or guardians need to use with their infant in person using the form DS-eleven. Be certain to bring your baby's nascency certificate and a photo taken within the final 6 months.Passport photos must be taken with nobody else in the photo, which can be tricky with infants. To do this safely if your baby can't sit down upwards yet, theU.Due south. Section of Country recommends laying your babe on her dorsum on a white blanket or sheet to ensure head support without having to concord her. Another option is covering a car seat with a plain white sail and taking a moving picture of your child while she sits in it.

What nigh domestic flights? ​A valid passport is usually the but identification your baby will need to fly on a domestic flight, unless y'all need to show proof of age for a discounted child fare. Check with your airline before y'all leave. Note: Children under age 18 will non be required to get a Real ID.

Should my baby sit on my lap during the flight?

Ideally, no. The FAA doesn't require a ticket for children under the age of 2 years, but that means your baby will be on your lap. If there is turbulence, or worse, yous may non be able to protect your baby in your arms. If you do not purchase a ticket for your child, ask if your airline will let you to apply an empty seat. If your airline'south policy allows this, avoid the busiest days and times to increase the likelihood of finding an empty seat next to you lot.

The safest way for baby to wing: The AAP recommends that the safest fashion for your baby to fly is in a child safety restraint―an FAA-approved machine seat oraeroplane harness deviceapproved for your child'southward age and size installed with the plane's seat belt. Booster seats cannot be used on airplanes.

Should I bring our automobile seat on the airplane with us? Does that count as luggage?

Car seats, booster seats, and strollers generally don't count as baggage, but policies vary by airline; check with yours before flying. In well-nigh cases they can exist checked at the gate, where the risk of impairment is lower, at no cost. If your baby has his or her own plane seat, bring your car seat with you.

​Not all car seats are certified for use in airplanes. Make sure a label on the motorcar seat says: "This restraint is certified for utilize in motor vehicles and aircraft."

Which seat on the plane is best for a baby?

• Expect for rows on the airplane with more than space, like the bulkhead. Leave rows are out, for safe reasons.

• Cull a seat closer to the window, if possible. Alley seats can exist risky for babies during beverage service. Hot drinks being passed to passengers can spill and cause burns, and their little arms and legs can be caught by passing carts. Aisle seats are also closer to falling overhead bin items.

Is there a way my baby tin prevarication down flat on long flights?

Buckling your baby into a auto seat or safety restraint remains the safest selection. Still, in that location are other options available to help baby sleep comfortably, especially on long-haul flights.

• Airline bassinets. Some airlines offer airline bassinets fastened to the plane bulkhead wall―the wall behind the galley, or toilets or another cabin. In some premium cabins, they can be built into the seat compartment.to utilise in bulkhead rows. Almost airline bassinets require the baby to be under 6 months old and/or xx pounds, and not yet able to sit upwardly unassisted. These bassinets are sometimes referred to as "skycots," baskets, and cots. Check with your airline when booking.

• Sleeper seat. For an added fee, some international airlines let yous book three seats in a row with locking seat extensions, creating a "sky couch" or sleeper-seat large enough for both parent and kid.

• Inflatable seat extensions. Some airlines let you bring your own inflatable, individual seat extension for your baby to snooze on lying down. These are fairly new products, and not all airlines allow them to exist used, and then check alee of time. Your kid will need his or her own seat to use one.

Annotation: For all options above, your baby would however need to exist buckled into a car seat or held on your lap during takeoff, turbulence, and landing.

Safe sleep practices still apply on the plane. If your baby sleeps on your lap during the flight: stay alert and check on your baby often. Brand sure he or she tin breathe easily, and her confront is uncovered. If your baby sleeps on some other device during the flight: check that it is firm and flat, with no soft bedding.

Volition I be able to become liquid formula or expressed breast milk through security?

Yes, only you have to follow the reasonable quantities rules. This means you're exempt from the 3-1-i rule limiting liquids to 3.iv ounces.

Pack formula, expressed breastmilk, or water for mixing with powder separately and be ready to let the TSA know y'all have information technology. You may inquire that they not go through the ten-ray machine (although this shouldn't crusade a health problem). Visit the TSA website for more information.

Whatsoever tips for keeping my baby comfortable and content on the plane?

• Dress in layers. The temperature in a aeroplane tin can vary widely, particularly if you are stuck waiting on a rails, and so layers of clothing are best. As you pick out clothing, choose outfits that make diaper changing in a minor space easier. Too, pack a change of clothes or 2, in example turbulence hits during a diaper change or when yous are feeding. Bring plastic bags for soiled habiliment.

• Be ready for ear pain. During the climb after takeoff and descent before landing, changes in pressure between the outer ear and middle ear tin cause discomfort. If your babe has had ear surgery or an ear infection in the past 2 weeks, ask his or her medico if it's OK to wing. Having babies drinkable from the breast or a canteen, or suck on a pacifier, tin can help. If your kid has a cold or ear infection, a dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen may assistance; check with your doctor for the right amount to give your child.

• Keep in mind that s leeping babies are easier for everyone . If possible, travel at a time when your baby naturally sleeps, or consider trying to put off a nap until information technology'southward fourth dimension to wing. Flight delays tin cause this to backfire if your exhausted baby decides to scream instead of slumber. Merely it may exist worth a endeavor.
  

​Do non utilize diphenhydramine, or Benadryl, to aid your baby sleep without talking to your doctor. This medication tin can accept serious side effects, especially if repeated doses are given on long flights. If y'all get the get-ahead and appropriate dose from your doctor, attempt it at dwelling house first. Some children react to the medicine past getting more awake instead of sleepy.

• Consider a diaper alter right before boarding. A dry out infant is a happy infant. Fortunately, when y'all do need to change a diaper in-flight, many planes take restroom changing tables. If yours doesn't, ask a flight attendant if there is a spot on the floor where yous tin can spread out your changing pad. Some parents resort to diaper-changing on the closed toilet seat. If you endeavour this, be sure to accept a hand on your baby at all times and pack a disposable changing pad. Program for delays; pack enough of supplies.

• Bring distractions. Pack some toys and books and be ready to play with your infant the entire time. A tablet with videos tin can be a practiced backup if the toys and books aren't helping anymore (we don't encourage amusement media for children under the age of 2, just drastic times can sometimes phone call for desperate measures).

• Don't let the glares get to you. Despite the all-time advanced planning and efforts, babies cry sometimes. Know that you did, and are doing, all you can. At that signal, 1 of the all-time ways yous tin can calm your baby may be to stay calm yourself. And remember that for every person who is glaring at yous, in that location are plenty of people who accept been through it themselves and accept lots of sympathy.

• Ask for help. Accommodate for your airline to help yous if yous demand help making a connecting flying. Carrying a child prophylactic restraint, your baby, and luggage through a busy airport can exist challenging.
  

Additional Data:

• Travel Safety Tips

• Holiday Travel Tips

• Precautions for International Travel: Information for Parents

• FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions about Flying with Children (FAA.gov)

• Destination-Specific Vaccine Recommendations for Travelers—Including Travelers with Children (CDC.gov)

About Dr. McCarthy:

Claire McCarthy, MD, FAAP is a primary care pediatrician at Boston Children's Infirmary, an Banana Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical Schoolhouse, a senior editor for Harvard Health Publications, and an official spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. She writes nearly wellness and parenting for the Harvard Health Blog , Huffington Post , and many other online and impress publications.

The information independent on this Spider web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may exist variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

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Source: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Flying-with-Baby.aspx

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