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Baby Gear and Tips for Air Travel with Older Babies
On an Airplane with a 3- to 9-Month-Old
By Alexandria Powell
(Basic Health, 2005), the risk of catching something is small. Risk is related to the length of the flight, and to your proximity to any person with a contagious illness.
To boost the odds that you and your baby will stay healthy while traveling, Dr. Zimring recommends taking these simple steps:
- Be as well rested as possible before flying.
- Make sure both you and your child stay well-hydrated. Airplane air has a humidity of only about 8 percent, which can quickly cause dehydration – and depressed immune systems.
- Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently, and use hand sanitizer as needed.
Finally, keep in mind that your 3- to 9-month-old probably spends most of her time putting her hands in her mouth – when she's not chewing on other surfaces! "When you get on the plane, wipe down all the surfaces around your baby with antibacterial wipes; the tray table, the hand rests – anything that might get chewed on," Dr. Sears says.
There's another way you can keep your baby safer on the plane. When planning your trip, please consider bringing along your baby's child safety seat. While the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) currently allows children under age 2 to be held on an adult's lap, most experts – including the American Academy of Pediatrics – recommend parents book a separate seat for baby and bring their child seat.
p>According to the FAA, child safety seats should be no wider than 16 inches across for best fit on an airplane. Make sure your child safety seat specifically states that it is "approved for flight," and consider checking with your individual airline for rules and regulations before traveling with babies, says Jeanna Rimmer, a representative of Britax, a market leader in quality child safety seats.Want to see more?
- On an Airplane with a Newborn: Air Travel with Babies up to 3 Months Old
- Parents' Essential Packing Guide: What to Pack When Traveling with Children
- Flying with Little Ones: 10 Tips to a Smoother Ride with Babies and Toddlers
- Check out our Article Library.
- Join the discussion on our Family.com community!
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