What Documents Do I Need for My 6 Month Old Baby to Get on Airplane

By: Claire McCarthy, MD, FAAP

Taking a baby on a plane is something that nigh parents approach with trepidation—with adept reason.

Babies and air travel tin both be unpredictable, and they don't ever mix well. Merely some advanced planning and grooming can help make for a better feel for your infant, for you, and for anybody else on the plane.

​In this commodity, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) answers some common questions you may have earlier traveling with your baby and offers tips for a smoother and safer flight.

When is my infant old plenty to wing on an airplane?

By and large, it is discouraged for babies to fly unnecessarily shortly subsequently birth. Air travel increases a newborn's hazard of communicable an infectious disease. Babies born prematurely, with chronic heart or lung issues, or with upper or lower respiratory symptoms may also have problems with the change in oxygen level within the air cabin. Parents should talk with their child's pediatrician earlier flying.

If there is a measles outbreak in your area, or you programme on traveling somewhere where at that place is a measles outbreak, your pediatrician may recommend your infant receive an actress dose of the MMR vaccine. This may be given as early as vi months of age. Larn more than hither.

​Does my baby demand a passport for international travel?

Yes. All U.Due south. citizens, including infants, need a current passport to travel internationally.  Parents or guardians need to employ with their baby in person using the form DS-xi. Be sure to bring your baby's birth certificate and a photo taken within the last 6 months.Passport photos must exist taken with nobody else in the photo, which tin can be tricky with infants. To do this safely if your babe can't sit down up withal, theU.S. Department of State recommends laying your baby on her back on a white blanket or sheet to ensure head support without having to hold her. Some other selection is covering a motorcar seat with a manifestly white sheet and taking a moving-picture show of your kid while she sits in information technology.

What about domestic flights? ​A valid passport is usually the simply identification your baby will need to fly on a domestic flying, unless you demand to bear witness proof of historic period for a discounted child fare. Bank check with your airline earlier you get out. Note: Children nether age 18 will not exist required to get a Real ID.

Should my baby sit on my lap during the flight?

Ideally, no. The FAA doesn't require a ticket for children under the historic period of two years, merely that means your baby will exist on your lap. If there is turbulence, or worse, you may non exist able to protect your infant in your arms. If you do not buy a ticket for your kid, ask if your airline will allow y'all to apply an empty seat. If your airline'southward policy allows this, avert the busiest days and times to increment the likelihood of finding an empty seat next to you.

The safest fashion for baby to fly: The AAP recommends that the safest way for your baby to fly is in a kid safety restraint―an FAA-canonical car seat orairplane harness deviceapproved for your child's age and size installed with the aeroplane's seat belt. Booster seats cannot be used on airplanes.

Should I bring our automobile seat on the plane with us? Does that count as luggage?

Car seats, booster seats, and strollers mostly don't count as luggage, just policies vary by airline; check with yours before flying. In most cases they tin exist checked at the gate, where the risk of damage is lower, at no cost. If your baby has his or her ain airplane seat, bring your automobile seat with you.

​Not all auto seats are certified for use in airplanes. Make sure a label on the motorcar seat says: "This restraint is certified for utilise in motor vehicles and aircraft."

Which seat on the plane is all-time for a baby?

• Look for rows on the airplane with more space, similar the bulkhead. Exit rows are out, for safe reasons.

• Choose a seat closer to the window, if possible. Aisle seats can be risky for babies during beverage service. Hot drinks beingness passed to passengers can spill and cause burns, and their little arms and legs can be caught by passing carts. Aisle seats are likewise closer to falling overhead bin items.

Is there a way my baby can lie downward apartment on long flights?

Buckling your baby into a car seat or safety restraint remains the safest option. However, at that place are other options available to help infant sleep comfortably, particularly on long-haul flights.

• Airline bassinets. Some airlines offering airline bassinets attached to the aeroplane bulkhead wall―the wall behind the galley, or toilets or another cabin. In some premium cabins, they can be congenital into the seat compartment.to use in bulkhead rows. Near airline bassinets require the babe to exist under 6 months old and/or 20 pounds, and not yet able to sit up unassisted. These bassinets are sometimes referred to as "skycots," baskets, and cots. Check with your airline when booking.

• Sleeper seat. For an added fee, some international airlines let yous volume three seats in a row with locking seat extensions, creating a "sky couch" or sleeper-seat big enough for both parent and kid.

• Inflatable seat extensions. Some airlines let you bring your ain inflatable, private seat extension for your baby to snooze on lying down. These are fairly new products, and not all airlines permit them to exist used, so check ahead of time. Your child will need his or her own seat to employ one.

Note: For all options higher up, your babe would still need to be buckled into a auto seat or held on your lap during takeoff, turbulence, and landing.

Safe sleep practices however utilize on the aeroplane. If your baby sleeps on your lap during the flight: stay warning and check on your babe often. Make sure he or she tin can exhale easily, and her face is uncovered. If your baby sleeps on another device during the flight: bank check that it is house and flat, with no soft bedding.

Will I exist able to get liquid formula or expressed breast milk through security?

Yes, but you take to follow the reasonable quantities rules. This means you're exempt from the 3-1-1 dominion limiting liquids to 3.4 ounces.

Pack formula, expressed breastmilk, or water for mixing with powder separately and be prepare to let the TSA know you have information technology. You lot may ask that they not go through the x-ray machine (although this shouldn't crusade a health problem). Visit the TSA website for more information.

Whatsoever tips for keeping my baby comfortable and content on the plane?

• Dress in layers. The temperature in a plane can vary widely, particularly if you are stuck waiting on a rails, and then layers of habiliment are best. As you option out wearable, choose outfits that make diaper changing in a small space easier. Besides, pack a alter of apparel or two, in case turbulence hits during a diaper change or when you are feeding. Bring plastic bags for soiled article of clothing.

• Exist fix for ear pain. During the climb after takeoff and descent before landing, changes in pressure betwixt the outer ear and heart ear can cause discomfort. If your infant has had ear surgery or an ear infection in the past two weeks, ask his or her doctor if it's OK to wing. Having babies drink from the breast or a bottle, or suck on a pacifier, tin can help. If your child has a cold or ear infection, a dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help; check with your md for the right corporeality to requite your child.

• Keep in listen that s leeping babies are easier for everyone . If possible, travel at a time when your baby naturally sleeps, or consider trying to put off a nap until it's time to wing. Flight delays can cause this to backfire if your exhausted baby decides to scream instead of sleep. Only it may be worth a endeavour.
  

​Do not utilise diphenhydramine, or Benadryl, to assist your baby sleep without talking to your doctor. This medication can accept serious side effects, especially if repeated doses are given on long flights. If you get the go-ahead and appropriate dose from your medico, attempt it at habitation outset. Some children react to the medicine by getting more awake instead of sleepy.

• Consider a diaper alter right before boarding. A dry baby is a happy babe. Fortunately, when you do demand to alter a diaper in-flying, many planes have restroom changing tables. If yours doesn't, ask a flight attendant if in that location is a spot on the floor where you can spread out your changing pad. Some parents resort to diaper-changing on the closed toilet seat. If you try this, be sure to have a paw on your babe at all times and pack a disposable changing pad. Plan for delays; pack enough of supplies.

• Bring distractions. Pack some toys and books and exist ready to play with your baby the entire fourth dimension. A tablet with videos can be a good backup if the toys and books aren't helping anymore (nosotros don't encourage entertainment media for children under the age of ii, but desperate times can sometimes phone call for desperate measures).

• Don't allow the glares get to yous. Despite the best advanced planning and efforts, babies cry sometimes. Know that you did, and are doing, all you can. At that point, one of the all-time ways you tin calm your baby may be to stay at-home yourself. And call up that for every person who is glaring at you, at that place are plenty of people who have been through it themselves and accept lots of sympathy.

• Ask for assistance. Accommodate for your airline to help you if y'all need help making a connecting flight. Carrying a child prophylactic restraint, your baby, and luggage through a busy aerodrome tin can be challenging.
  

Additional Information:

• Travel Safe Tips

• Holiday Travel Tips

• Precautions for International Travel: Data for Parents

• FAQs: Ofttimes Asked Questions about Flying with Children (FAA.gov)

• Destination-Specific Vaccine Recommendations for Travelers—Including Travelers with Children (CDC.gov)

Well-nigh Dr. McCarthy:

Claire McCarthy, Dr., FAAP is a master intendance pediatrician at Boston Children's Hospital, an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, a senior editor for Harvard Health Publications, and an official spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. She writes about health and parenting for the Harvard Health Blog , Huffington Postal service , and many other online and print publications.

The data contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical intendance and advice of your pediatrician. At that place may exist variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

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Source: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Flying-with-Baby.aspx