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On an Airplane with a Newborn
Air Travel with Babies up to 3 Months Old
By Alex Powell
Of course, any public transportation can expose babies to illnesses – and the longer the flight, the longer the exposure. Proximity increases exposure as well, which can be both good and bad news – good news because most bugs won't travel beyond a few rows, bad news if you are sitting near someone contagious.
"It's also important to be aware that a lot of illnesses we pick up come from surfaces," Dr. Wheeler says. For instance, if a passenger with a respiratory infection coughs into his hand, then touches the restroom door, the next person to touch that door stands a chance of picking up that illness.
While babies under 3 months of age aren't grabbing for objects yet, you will be touching things – then touching your baby – which makes good hand washing practices essential. Wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently throughout the trip.
There are some special cases, Dr. Wheeler says. Babies born prematurely or babies with heart and lung problems or respiratory symptoms should have an evaluation and clearance from their pediatrician before flying.
This is what Jenny Smith from Spanish Fork, Utah, did before traveling with her son. Gabe had been born at 31 weeks gstation, and was just under 3 months old when he took his first flight. "It was RSV season," Smith says. "I was taking a preemie, who I hadn't even taken to the store very often, on a plane." She was understandably worried, but Gabe did well on the flight – and afterward.
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