Going transatlantic with a baby
I live in India. Can I travel to the U.S. when my baby is seven weeks old? Are there health or other implications for the baby?
Advice from Jeannette Crenshaw and Joy Rittmayer
It is generally accepted that full-term, well-born infants are cleared for air travel after their two-week check-up, so you should be good to go! Young infants are usually excellent travellers. Check with your baby's doctor before the trip to address any concerns she may have.
Babies are susceptible to the same health and time-change challenges that older humans face when travelling. A frequently mentioned health concern is the quality of the recycled air on planes. Newer, larger crafts should have the best air filtration systems. The possibility of being exposed to viruses does exist on planes, as it does whenever you are in an air-conditioned public space. Breastfeeding provides the best boost for your baby's immune system.
There are a number of things you can do to minimise travelling annoyances. Book your reservations early. Be sure to state the age of your baby, and ask what amenities your carrier provides. International flights tend to be more accommodating when it comes to travel with infants than domestic flight operators. Most will seat you with a bulkhead bassinet, which doubles as an easy changing area, although many large aircraft also have a designated bathroom with a changing table.
Non-stop flights make life easier. You only have to board once, endure one take-off and one landing. You have more time to relax and rest. Night flights are easier for the cabin crew (everyone is asleep), and attendants have more free time to help you - for example, walking a baby while you nap. Off-peak flights mean fewer passengers, more room and attention for you.
Babies have smaller Eustachian tubes than adults do, so even minor stuffiness can cause them discomfort or pain with pressure changes. Take-off may bother them, but usually the problem occurs with descent. Feeding during take-off and landing is recommended because swallowing helps equalise ear pressure. When the crew begins preparing the cabin for arrival, start feeding your baby or at least offer a pacifier.
Air travel is dehydrating, so feed your baby frequently. Wiping his face with a moist wash cloth may also be helpful. Drying of the membranes in the mouth and ear can contribute to problems with ear pressure.
If you are nursing, avoid or limit your caffeine and alcohol consumption in flight as both are dehydrating and can affect your milk supply. Stress and exhaustion will also reduce your milk supply, so take it easy and enjoy the flight. Drink lots of water, eat lots of snacks and take lots of naps.
If you are bottle-feeding, bring enough formula to cover the trip and at least half as much again to cover unexpected delays. If possible, bring ready-to-feed bottles to make the trip easier for you and to avoid changes in the water. If you bring powdered formula, pre-measure it and ask for bottled water to mix it. It is not necessary to warm a bottle.
Some babies may experience gas pains, particularly during ascent. There is nothing to prevent or cure this. Just be comforting.
When you arrive, continue to feed your baby on demand or on the schedule he has adopted. Keep a watch set on your home time to help remind you what he is expecting. If you are in the US for more than a few days, he will eventually adapt to the time change. Be patient. For most people, going from west to east is more disturbing to body rhythms than east/west travel.
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