Healthy Travel Tips--Part II
AIR TRAVEL
Although air travel is safe for healthy newborns, infants, and children, a few issues should be considered in preparation for travel.
• Children with chronic heart or lung problems may be at risk for hypoxia during flight, and a physician should be consulted before travel.
• Making sure that children can be safely restrained during a flight is an important safety consideration. Severe turbulence or a nonfatal crash can create enough momentum that a parent cannot hold onto a child.
1. Children should be placed in a rear-facing Federal Aviation Authority (FAA)-approved child-safety seat until they are at least 1 year old and weigh at least 20 pounds.
2. Children >1 year of age and 20 – 40 pounds in body weight should use a forward-facing FAA-approved child safety seat, while children weighing more than 40 pounds can be secured in the aircraft seat belt.
• Ear pain can be very troublesome for infants and children during descent. Equalization of pressure in the middle ear can be facilitated by swallowing or chewing.
1. Infants should nurse or suck on a bottle.
2. Older children can try chewing gum.
3. Antihistamines and decongestants have not been shown to be of benefit in this situation
• There is no evidence that air travel exacerbates the symptoms or complications associated with otitis media.
• Travel to different time zones, “jet lag,” and schedule disruptions can disturb sleep patterns in infants and children, as well as adults. After arrival, children should be encouraged to be active outside during daylight hours to promote adjustment.
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