How does flying affect babies?

Generally, you should avoid flying with your newborn until they are at least 7 days old. Ideally, wait until your baby is two or three months old to fly. Air travel (and being in crowded airports) can increase a newborn's risk of catching an infectious disease.



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FLYING WITH AN INFANT: WHEN IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL WITH A NEWBORN BABY BY PLANE? In general, doctors recommend you wait to fly until your baby's immune system is better developed. This could be as soon as one month for full-term infants, though most doctors recommend anywhere between three months and six months.

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SIDS is often associated with infants who are put to sleep on their stomach instead of the recommended position on their back. Another possible cause could be the lower oxygen levels on airplanes, researchers said. Airlines pressurize the cabins using warm, compressed air.

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Risks of long-distance travel during pregnancy Long periods of not moving during car, bus, rail and air travel increases the risk of clots forming in the deep veins of the leg, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). These clots can circulate and lodge in parts of the body such as the lungs.

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Additional infants under 2 years old must be ticketed and occupy an infant safety seat or in a separate aircraft seat. The infant must be under 2 years of age for the duration of the trip. If they turn 2 during a trip, they will need their own seat for the remainder of the trip.

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“Traveling with a baby means you cannot be selfish, Mathew says. You have to consider the little human and her schedule. You learn to go with the flow and enjoy the time as a family. Julia showed us we can slow down and enjoy the little things.”

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Some airlines require written documentation from your practice nurse, midwife or obstetrician. This is to confirm you are in good health, that your pregnancy is uncomplicated and your due date. Flying during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy may be considered risky as miscarriage is more common during this early stage.

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Tips for flying when pregnant For the smoothest ride, request a seat in the middle of the plane over the wing. (This is the area where you're least likely to get airsick too.) For more legroom, try to get a seat in the bulkhead or pay for an upgrade.

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Is it safe to walk through airport security scanners when pregnant? Yes, it's perfectly safe. The kind of whole-body scanner you step through uses technology called millimetrewave imaging. It's designed to pick up potentially dangerous objects that may be concealed under clothing.

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Also, airplane cabin noise levels are loud, especially during takeoff. Consider using cotton balls, noise-canceling headphones or small earplugs to limit your baby's exposure to this noise. This may help make it easier for your baby to sleep.

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