The first time I traveled by air with my son was when he was 7 months old, the air attendant instructed me to breastfeed my son while take off and landing , apparently she told me that it prevents our babies ear drums from popping or causing pain due to change in ear pressure. I did as I was told and was oblivious about the risk of traveling with an infant.
I was quiet disturbed to read online about the baby who recently passed away on a flight from Bengaluru to Patna. The child showed signs of difficulty while breathing. In another incident another an infant choked and passed away while feeding on a flight en-route Doha-Hyderabad-Qatar. It brings to light whether it is really safe to travel in a flight with a infant.
Why is the airline industry not equipped to handle such a situation? Shouldn't their be a proper guideline for parents so that they take necessary precautions while travelling by air? Shouldn't the airline industry tie up with pediatricians who can train the air attendants with the basics? or even better have a doctor on board especially for long flights. I can't even begin to imagine the pain the parents of these infants must be going through. The loss of a child can be the most debilitating experience in anyone's life.
On inquiring from my son's pediatricians I was told that infants should not be bottle fed especially while landing and taking off because due to the change in pressure, milk particles from the stomach of the child can get aspirated into the lungs, and their lungs are not very well developed at that age. The milk from the bottle very rapidly enters an infants mouth in comparison to breast milk so in the process the baby swallows a lot of air as well.
I was also told that one should avoid travelling by air if possible till the baby is about 6 months old so that he or she is able to hold his or her head up independently and their ear drums are able to handle the pressure change. We should avoid making an infant lie on his tummy after feeding, instead hold the infant in an upright position and help the child to burp.
When you do decide to travel with your little one, do keep the following points in mind:
a) Avoid travelling with an infant who is unwell.(exception being mild fever)
b) If possible wait till your baby is 6 months
c) Don't bottle feed your baby during take off and landing.
d) Carry toys which are not cumbersome to carry to keep your baby busy.
e) Always burp your baby after feeding and don't make your baby lie down on his or her tummy after feeding.
f) Make sure you don't book tickets during the witching hour which is 3pm to 7pm , babies are known to be the crankiest during that time.
g) Carry all necessary medication, extra diapers, wet wipes, feeding bottle, baby food, toys, feeding covers, a swaddle blanket for the little one in a handy bag.
h) Try giving your baby a pacifier so that the sucking action , prevents ears from popping during landing and descent.
i) Do consult your pediatrician if your baby has a cold or ear infection and if giving a infant pain reliever would help.
j) Don't get overwhelmed if your baby is crying during a flight, raise an alarm if you notice anything out of usual in the behavior of your baby.
k) Try choosing the window seat so that you have more privacy and you can adjust the light from the window as per your babies convenience.
l) Don't overfeed your baby during a flight and always feed your baby in an upright position.
m) Speak thoroughly with your pediatrician before flying to clear any doubts.
And most important stay calm , you got this !!!!
I was also told that one should avoid travelling by air if possible till the baby is about 6 months old so that he or she is able to hold his or her head up independently and their ear drums are able to handle the pressure change. We should avoid making an infant lie on his tummy after feeding, instead hold the infant in an upright position and help the child to burp.
When you do decide to travel with your little one, do keep the following points in mind:
a) Avoid travelling with an infant who is unwell.(exception being mild fever)
b) If possible wait till your baby is 6 months
c) Don't bottle feed your baby during take off and landing.
d) Carry toys which are not cumbersome to carry to keep your baby busy.
e) Always burp your baby after feeding and don't make your baby lie down on his or her tummy after feeding.
f) Make sure you don't book tickets during the witching hour which is 3pm to 7pm , babies are known to be the crankiest during that time.
g) Carry all necessary medication, extra diapers, wet wipes, feeding bottle, baby food, toys, feeding covers, a swaddle blanket for the little one in a handy bag.
h) Try giving your baby a pacifier so that the sucking action , prevents ears from popping during landing and descent.
i) Do consult your pediatrician if your baby has a cold or ear infection and if giving a infant pain reliever would help.
j) Don't get overwhelmed if your baby is crying during a flight, raise an alarm if you notice anything out of usual in the behavior of your baby.
k) Try choosing the window seat so that you have more privacy and you can adjust the light from the window as per your babies convenience.
l) Don't overfeed your baby during a flight and always feed your baby in an upright position.
m) Speak thoroughly with your pediatrician before flying to clear any doubts.
And most important stay calm , you got this !!!!
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