BABY
Written by
Dr. Harvey Karp
SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Bestsellers
Flying with a baby is a nerve-wracking rite of passage for parents. Not only do you have to navigate the logistics of traveling with a baby in tow (you are probably wondering how a small person could require so much gear!), but there are a bunch of other worries to occupy your mind. How will your baby deal with the change in air pressure? How will you protect them from the germy plane? And how will you fend off the glares from other passengers when they cry?
Deep breath. Up until about a hundred years ago, nobody traveled with their kids. It’s a very recent phenomenon that poses a big challenge for babies and parents…so cut yourself some slack! Babies on planes get a bad rap. But when we fly, we are bound to encounter all kinds of people, behaviors, and sounds. For example, are a grown man’s loud snores any worse than your little one’s wails? I cannot solve the snore intrusion, but I may be able to help you bypass some nasty looks with advice for soothing your baby and other tips for a stress-free flight.
The change in air pressure at takeoff and landing may hurt your baby’s ears, but sucking on the breast, a bottle, or an eyedropper can help. Swallowing intermittently will help equalize the pressure in their ears. The key is to time it right. If you offer a bottle at takeoff, it might be gone by the time you get to the altitude when pressure really starts to change. Instead, plan to offer the bottle about 3 to 4 minutes after wheels are up. Likewise, when it comes to landings, the baby should start sucking about 30 minutes before you touch down (when the captain lets you know you are in descent…that’s your cue!).
Gone are the days when you could zip through the airport with the speed of a 747. Now, you’ll be traveling with not just an infant in tow, but possibly their stroller, car seat, and baby bed. In addition to being weighed down by the extra baggage, expect your trip through TSA to take a few more minutes than usual. While you are allowed to carry on breastmilk, formula, and baby food in quantities that exceed TSA’s 3.4-ounce rule, TSA agents will need to inspect it. And, of course, you’ll want to make sure you have enough time to hit the changing table before you board the plane (yes, the aircraft should be equipped with a changing table in the restroom—but airplane bathrooms are not exactly roomy).
Though people tend to fret about germs in the recirculated plane air, research suggests that much more illness is spread through touch. Once you are on the plane, wipe down the seat, tray table, seatbelt, armrests, and anything else your little one can get their hands or mouth on. And while you are at it…
And I mean scrub. To banish germs from your skin, you need to vigorously rub them off—a quick rinse will not cut it. If you find yourself in a situation where you cannot get to soap and water (maybe you find yourself trapped in your seat after the captain has illuminated the fasten seatbelt sign), rubbing your hands on your pants is a quick way to cut down on germ transfer in a pinch.
[Traveling with a toddler? Here’s what you need to know!]
Good news! The 5 S’s work at all elevations! Swaddle your baby, place them on their stomach or side, and give them a pacifier to suck on. Whenever you can, get out of your seat and walk up and down the aisles to give your baby the rhythmic swinging movement they need as you shush loudly in their ear. (Fortunately, there’s one way in which being on a plane works in your favor: The ambient whooshing sound in the cabin may double as white noise, taking care of the shushing part of the 5 S’s.)
We all hope our baggage arrives at our destination with us…but just in case it does not, you’ll want to pack the essentials in your carry-on. That includes any in-case-of-emergency supplies, such as your thermometer, baby Tylenol or Motrin, as well as your pump, expressed milk, bottles, and/or formula, depending on how you are feeding your baby. Diaper cream might come in handy, too, since baby will likely be sitting longer than usual.
Diaper blowouts, leaks, and spit-up eruptions are not strictly earthbound events! And there are few things worse than having to endure a full flight soaked in your baby’s mess, so come prepared with a spare outfit…just in case!
Expect that something crappy is probably going to happen, but know that you are doing your best, and that’s all anyone can hope for. This is not easy! Once you exit the plane, give yourself a much-deserved pat on the back. You did it!
Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider. Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for babies. It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, mothers eat a healthy, balanced diet. Combined breast- and bottle-feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of a mother's breastmilk and reversing the decision not to breastfeed is difficult. If you do decide to use infant formula, you should follow instructions carefully.
