This
is a very popular time of year for folks to be traveling. Therefore, it
is time to dust off, tweak and rerun the travel post.
"When
is my baby old enough to fly?" is a question that we advice nurses hear
all the time. There are many different factors to consider, so there
is no one simple answer. Adopted babies might fly within the first few
days on their way to their new home. Other folks make the valid choice
to fly way earlier than we are really comfortable with in order to see
an aging relative or deal with a family crisis.
In
ordinary circumstances, I would prefer to have the babies wait until
they are over 2 months of age and have had their first set of
immunizations. (Keep in mind that the first shot does NOT give full
protection against some serious illnesses, but it is a start.) The size
of the baby as well as the time of year are also factors. If there is
some kind of crazy flu epidemic, I would think long and hard before
taking a young baby on a plane. Regardless of how old your child is, if
you are planning a trip here are some tips and things to keep in mind.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE:
I get calls from all over planet from parents who are dealing with a sick child during their travels. Prior
to the trip, check with your insurance company to see what the best
method is for having out of state or international doctor visits
covered. Some plans are much easier to deal with than others.
Whether the visit is covered or paid for out of pocket, you will need to
figure out what your actual options are. Is there an urgent care
facility near by? Do you have a friend or relative with a pediatrician
who is willing to see patients who are not in their practice? Does your
insurance only cover an emergency room visit?
Hopefully
you won't need to use this info, but if you are dealing with a sick
child away from home it is nice to have a "Plan B" in place.
SURVIVING THE FLIGHT:
A
few years ago I sat next to a mom with a very young baby. She was so
worried about the possibility of getting evil looks from the other
passengers that she had actually brought ear plugs to hand out to the
people sitting around her. What she didn't
have was anything to soothe her baby. Please always make sure that you
have Tylenol or Motrin with you on the plane (not packed away in your
suitcase). It is okay to bring small bottles through security. They need
to be smaller than 3.4 ounces. Unless there is a glaring reason, I
don't tend to premedicate, but I am quick to treat during the first sign
of fussiness.
I often get questions about the use of Benadryl. This is an option for a child who is over 8 months with a long flight ahead. It helps dry up any congestion and makes 90% of kids who take it deliciously sleepy.
Aha,
but what about the other 10% you might ask? It turns those little
darlings into hyperactive, wild hooligans. You do NOT want to find out
on the plane that you are the parent of the 10%.
You
may want to give a test dose a few days prior to the trip to make sure
it is a viable option for you. I like parents to have the tools with
them to deal with an unhappy child. Don't give any medication unless it
is necessary. While I would usually err on the side of less medication,
Benadryl and Tylenol can be given at the same time.
Many
babies and children can have trouble with their ears. For the younger
ones, try to nurse or have them feeding during takeoff and landing.
Sucking on a pacifier may be helpful as well. Have a lollipop or chewing
gum for older kids. Ayr saline gel is a nice thing to have along. A dab
at the base of the nostrils can moisturize the dry air and make the
breathing easier (use it for yourselves as well)
If
you have a child with a history of ear trouble, have some of the little
gel heat packs in your bag. You can activate them as needed and the
warmth feels great to a sore ear.
Take
WAY more diapers with you than you think you need for the trip. I was
on another flight not too long ago when we sat on the tarmac for three
hours. There was an unfortunate family behind me who had planned on a
short little trip and was out of diapers long before we took off. It
wasn't pretty. Plan accordingly.
Many
folks automatically bring a change of clothes for their baby. It is
also worth bringing an extra outfit for yourself. If you have a long
flight ahead of you with a child on your lap, it may come in handy. (I
learned that one the hard way and sat for several hours covered with
poop.)
Changing
your baby on the plane can be a challenge. It is helpful to have little
changing packs, with a diaper and some wipes, in individual zip lock
bags. This will prevent you from having to take the entire bulky diaper
bag with you into the tiny bathroom.
You
can't count on airlines giving you any reasonable snacks, so it is
important to bring along enough provisions in case of delays.
For
older kids make sure you have little activities to keep them busy. If
you are visiting family, print out a bunch of photos of the people you
are going to see. You can use these for all sorts of art projects on the
plane. Make a paper doll family! This can help your kids recognize
folks that they don't see too much of. Wikki sticks are also a great
activity to bring along. They are lightweight and not too messy.
Once
you get to where you are going, make sure the place is adequately child
proofed (this is also a discussion that it is worth having with your
hosts before you get there). I had one situation just last year, where a
3 year old opened a drawer and got into grandma and grandpa's
medications. Is there a pet where you are going? Make sure that any dogs
are safe with children.
If you are staying in a vacation home, do a quick safety check. Do they have working smoke detectors? A fire extinguisher?
Time zones are tricky.
My
best suggestion is eat when you are hungry, sleep when you are tired
and just do your best. Staying hydrated and getting fresh air are
essential.
The link above has wonderful information for dealing with Jet Lag.
Even the best sleepers may have a period of needing a sleep training tune up when you get home.
You
can have lots of fun while you are away and it is wonderful to see
family. But, in my opinion, if you are traveling with children under the
age of seven, don't call it a vacation. It's not. It is a TRIP. (We
used to call our visits to the various grandparents the "bad bed tour.")
A
little preparation goes a long way and remember that some of the more
challenging moments make for the best stories! Here is one of mine..
Many
years ago when my daughter Lauren was two, I got creative as I was
planning for an upcoming flight as a solo parent. I had seen a craft in a
magazine (long before pinterest existed) where a necklace had been made
of cereal and I thought that that seemed like a fabulous thing for an
airplane trip. Unfortunately, not all ideas turn out to be good ones.
Lauren and I strung some Cheerios onto elastic and she proudly wore her
new necklace onto the plane. Soon after take-off Lauren decided to eat
some of the Cheerios. I noticed with some dismay that as she bit off a
Cheerio, some would go into her mouth while other parts would shoot off
like little spitty projectiles. They were landing (unnoticed by anyone
but me) on just about everyone within three rows of us. As soon as I
realized what was happening, I tried to see if there was a way for her
to nibble them off without making a mess. When that didn't work, I tried
to take the necklace off to make it easier or to have her stop eating
them at all. But if you recall, she was two. My choices were
clear...tantrum on the plane or unsuspecting fellow passengers having
little pieces of spitty Cheerios in their hair.
I opted for peace. (Besides, ignorance is bliss, right?)
Have safe travels and make great memories
Don't forget to snatch your unused barf bag for the glove compartment.
I
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