Pediatrician Column
March 2010

Flying with kids: what parents should know

by Dr. Denis Leduc

: I’m taking my 1-year-old and 6-year-old on their first airplane trip in a few weeks. What should I do to keep them healthy and safe on the flight?

        
: Before any flight, and especially when you’re travelling with babies or young children, contact your airline to find out what you are allowed to carry onboard. As well, if your child has a health problem, contact your doctor to talk about specific things you should do before flying. 

Children travelling abroad should have documented proof of vaccinations and a printed list of any medical conditions. You should also carry contact numbers for your pediatrician or other health care provider, travel insurance company and even the numbers for a local children’s hospital in the area you are visiting. 

Air travel is not recommended for babies younger than 7 days of age because newborn babies may have trouble adjusting to changes in cabin pressure. Airlines also have different policies about when babies can travel, so check before you make plans. 

Prevent injury during the flight
Babies who do not have their own seat must be held securely on a parent’s lap during takeoff and landing as directed by the flight attendant. You should not use a sling or front infant carrier to hold your baby on an airplane. Parents who purchase a ticket for their baby may bring their own child safety seat, provided it is purchased in Canada and it has a national safety label that indicates it is certified for use on an aircraft. 

If possible, don’t put children in an aisle seat because they could be injured by service trolleys, passengers walking in aisles, and from hot meals or liquids being passed over them. 
Changes in cabin pressure can cause ear pain in young children because they have smaller eustachian tubes (a tube in the ear that helps even out pressure). For babies, breastfeeding or sucking from a bottle or on a soother may offer some relief, especially during takeoff and landing. For older children, chewing gum or sucking on lollipops may help. If your child is bothered by ‘blocked ears’, help by suggesting he forcibly exhale against closed lips while pinching his nose. If possible, your child shouldn’t fly within two weeks of having an ear infection. 

Some children are more sensitive to motion sickness than others. If your child has had motion sickness before and is older than 2, you can try giving an over-the-counter anti-nausea medication 30 to 60 minutes before departure. Side effects include drowsiness and dry mouth. 

Food allergies and travel
If your child has a food allergy, she should carry an adrenaline kit (e.g., EpiPen or Twinject) and antihistamines. She should wear a MedicAlert accessory at all times. You may need a note from your doctor to carry an EpiPen through security checks and onto the plane. Check with the airline in advance. 

Most airlines can accommodate specific dietary needs if you let them know in advance. If you are concerned that any of the airline food may not be safe for your child, bring your own food. Although many airlines no longer offer peanuts as snacks, some passengers may bring them onboard. If your child has a severe peanut allergy, you should alert the airline and an in-flight attendant. If you think your child is having an allergic reaction during the flight, notify the flight personnel and administer the EpiPen as shown by your doctor.

Dr. Denis Leduc is a general pediatrician in the Montreal area. He is the Past-President of the 
Canadian Pediatric Society.

For more information on your child’s growth and development, visit the Canadian Pediatric Society’s website at www.caringforkids.cps.ca or www.soinsdenosenfants.cps.ca.