Travelling By Air With A Baby? So You Need To Read This.

Do you think is safe for little baby to travel by air? Most of the time is safe to travel by air with your baby, so you can bring them along without any problem. Of course you need to pay attention and consider a few things before you go to airplane with a baby to guarantee its safety during the journey. As you know the airplane cabins are under air pressure and the baby cannot adapt as easily as adults do under this environment.

Some important factors that will help you plan your air travel with your baby:

1. The baby's age

Most pediatricians advise against air travel of infants below six weeks of age, unless necessary. Babies in that age range are prone to germs that spread in the sealed cabin of an airplane. And, as you may already know, germs can cause diseases especially to younger babies because of their weak immune defenses.

2. The breathing of your baby

Pressurized airplane cabins contain less amounts of oxygen than other environments, thus causing irregular breathing in infants, as some studies suggest. However, this should not be a problem with healthy babies. If your infant has a respiratory issue, don't worry because this problem can be easily solved. Your pediatrician may recommend supplemental oxygen to make up for the lack of oxygen in an enclosed cabin.

3. The ears of your baby

Do you remember you first ever ride in an airplane? Most likely, you experienced some sort of earache. Now, consider how worse air travel can be to the ears of your newborn. Ear pain happens when the pressure in the middle ear temporarily changes due to varying cabin pressure during air travel. Let your baby suck on a pacifier or baby bottle when the plane takes off and lands can make him or her feel better. It is because such sucking action helps balance the pressure in the ears of your baby.

Before you travel by air with your baby, visit your pediatrician first to check your baby for infection in the ears or upper respiratory tract. These conditions may cause discomfort to your baby during the flight, so if he or she has it, better postpone your trip until they are cured. However, if your baby only has a minor case of ear pain, the doctor may prescribe a medication to relieve the pain.

4. Infant safety seat

Some airlines permit their passengers to carry a baby on their lap during the flight. However, a safe infant travel calls for a properly secured safety seat for your baby. It is advised that you choose a bulkhead seat in the airplane that provides extra space for your baby to move around comfortably. You can take your baby out of his or her seat for occasional breaks and nursing, as long as these are approved in the cabin by the airline crew.