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Lillian M. Beard, M.D, a Fellow of the American
Academy of Pediatrics, is an associate clinical
professor at the George Washington University School
of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C.
She is a frequent guest expert and spokesperson on national
television programs, discussing issues related to children's health.
Dr. Beard practices pediatrics in Washington, D.C.
Q: At what month is it safe to travel with an infant on domestic flights?
A: I advise parents to avoid any crowded situations with a new baby. This includes shopping centers, parades, weddings, family reunions, airports, and planes. As sniffles and sneezes occur year round, airborne infectious particles are especially threatening to a baby during the first four to six weeks of life, when their immature immune systems are most vulnerable. Recent reports remind us that the re-circulating cabin air poses special risks for passengers in the transmission of influenza and other communicable respiratory illnesses.
How many times have you heard a baby's high pitch sounds of distress during a plane's landing? As planes ascend and descend, barometric changes cause middle ear discomfort. Therefore, if you must fly allow your baby to breast feed, have a bottle, or suck a pacifier during take off and landing to increase his and your comfort, as well as that of fellow passengers.
When your infant is old enough to be secured in an infant safety seat on a plane, that's an indicator for age appropriateness of airplane travel.
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