"When is my baby old enough to fly?"
When I was working as the advice nurse at NVP, this was a very common question. There is no simple answer without considering a multitude of factors.
Parents might make the valid choice to fly earlier than they might otherwise do in order to see an aging relative or deal with a family crisis. Consider this, adopted babies might fly within the first few days on their way to their new home. It isn’t always black and white.
In ordinary circumstances, I would prefer to have the babies wait until they are at least 2 to 3 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.
Even before covid I was always paying attention to what illnesses are circulating. During an active influenza season, I would think long and hard before taking a young baby on a plane. It isn't unusual for there to be some type of health alert circulating, so keeping current on the news is important. It is always worth keeping an eye on the CDC travel guidance
Regardless of how old your child is, if you are planning a trip here are some tips and things to keep in mind. One of my wise readers suggests that if you are traveling out of the country it is worthwhile to register your journey with the state department https://step.state.gov/step/ . Great idea!
COVID
If your child is at an age to get vaccinated for COVID, do it ASAP, it takes time for the immunity to take hold. Regardless of vaccine status, getting them used to wearing a mask is important. Do some work on this ahead of time. As soon as they are old enough to cooperate, do some mask wearing around the house for longer and longer stretches at a time. Find a reward or sticker incentive that might help. Poke around on the internet. There are some cute videos that help encourage mask wearing. Do some play with the teddy bears wearing masks.
People often ask for my recommendation on the best masks. The answer is whichever one they are willing to keep on! It might take some trial and error to find a mask that works for your child.
Of course a good fit and adequate filtration are what make any mask effective. Moms, Eliezah, says that her two-year-old has done well with Rafi Nova, Andy & Evan, and Cat & Jack brands that taper and have metal at the nose. Mom and author, Alexandra shared that her daughter Emma has been wearing the Evolve Together KN94s and with the ear loops tied they fit great. If you have a mask that you love, please let me know.
Airlines are actually doing a pretty good job at trying not to be vectors for the virus, but it is a good idea to wipe down the areas around your seat as soon as you board the plane.
Try to do as much snacking before the flight to avoid eating on the plane, but that being said, do not stress about it if you little one wants to munch on something. Staying sane during the journey is an important consideration.
Managing the flight.
Keep in mind that a car seat is the safest place for your child.
It is worth checking with your carrier to review their guidelines.
I remember a trip I took years ago. I was sitting 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 in case of discomfort.
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 of the medication through security. They need to be smaller than 3.5 ounces. I don't tend to give it ahead of time, but I am quick to medicate during the first sign of fussiness.
Does your child suffer from Motion sickness? Click to review my post on that topic.
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%. Look for children's liquid (generic name is diphenhydramine). There is no such thing as ‘infant’ Benadryl;
Labels will not usually have directions for children under 4. Instead you are faced with that largely unhelpful “check with your Doctor”
Here is a Hack. Benadryl dose is the same volume as the Tylenol dose.
In my years of practicing, I have found that most pediatricians I have worked with feel comfortable prescribing it to younger kids, but I always suggest checking with yours own pediatrician for their opinion. Once you have the green light, 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. My goal is for 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/Motrin can be given at the same time.
Ear issues
Many babies and children may 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 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. You might also try bringing a baggy of cotton balls soaked in garlic oil. You can ask the flight attendant to pop them in the microwave for 5 seconds to warm them up (feel them to make sure they aren’t too hot). Make sure that baggy stays sealed or everything you brought with you will smell of garlic. For adults and older kids, you can equalize the pressure by holding the nose and gently blowing until the ears pop. Gently please.You don’t want to cause more trouble by forceful blowing.
Supplies
Take WAY more diapers with you than you think you need for the trip. I was on another flight once 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 even 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 create little changing packs in advance. Pack up several individual gallon ziplock bags with a diaper, wipes and whatever else you use with a change. 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. It is okay to give things that feel a little like a treat, but be warned, having your kids amped up on sugar during a flight is NOT what you are going for.
Activities
Download some activities or shows ahead of time for your laptop or tablet. None of us want to overdo screen time, but if you have managed to keep it special, a long flight is the perfect time to make use of this tool.
Don't forget about the old fashioned low tech options! If you are visiting family, actually print out a bunch of photos of the people you are going to see (what a concept). You can use these for all sorts of art projects on the plane. Make a paper doll family by gluing the faces onto popsicle sticks.
Besides keeping them busy for a stretch, this activity also 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. Reusable stickers will stick on the window. Don't bring anything that will make you sad if you lose it in between the seats. Which brings me to the next point.
Protect the Lovey, blanket or stuffed animals that come on the trip!
Deciding which security items come along on your travels is a big decision. If your child has a favorite blanket that they snuggle with, losing something on the plane or even in the hotel sheets can be a nightmare.
Jet Lag
Time zones are tricky. Staying hydrated and getting fresh air are essential. Sunshine is a bonus. My best suggestion is eat when you are hungry, sleep when you are tired and just do your best. Just know that even the best sleepers may have a period of needing a sleep training tune up when you get home.
The link above has wonderful information for dealing with jet lag.
Melatonin
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!
