Friday, May 17, 2013

Is it safe for a 6 month old to fly 18 hours?

Q. Im planning a trip to S. Korea to see my husband, hes in the Air Force, and we want our 6 month old daughter to come with me. Has anyone flown for that length of time with an infant? How did they do? Any tips/tricks i should know about for keeping her quite? And how did the child do during take off/landing??

A. Safe absolutely. I flew with my 1 month old last month across the US (from origin to destination about 9 hours including layovers). Most of the newer planes have better pressurization than the old ones, so I had no problems with take off/landing and ears. He actually ate just before take off, and slept for most of the flight. I did have both a bottle and a pacifier ready in case his ears bothered him.

If any of the airline or airport officials offer help, say yes. The hardest part for me was actually security, but a TSA official helped me carry my bins to a bench so I could carry the baby. Also, at the bench, I was able to lay my baby on a blanket in the bin which kept him safe and confined while I put my shoes on, put my laptop back, put my liquids back, etc. I also had a flight attendant offer to put my bags in the overhead bin. I was also able to board early which helped me get the baby situated without feeling the pressure of other people trying to board. However, if you have a wiggly baby who hates to be confined, board last so you can confine them at the last possible minute.

I requested an aisle seat so I could move up and down the aisle, and stand up when necessary. Definitely take your car seat - check with the airline and compare just buying a full fare discount seat vs. a discounted with the airline infant seat price. Sometimes, you'll find it cheaper to buy the seat online. If your plane has the 2 seat only on the side- take it. You have to put the car seat against the window.

You know your child. If she is wiggly or likes to move around, plan on spending any gate time moving around, and letting her down to stretch. I am a baby wearer, so I was able to wear my baby in the airport with no problems, and on the plane. When I fly with him again, I will buy a seat to give him his own space.

With toys, the more you can secure them (think of the toys that attach to car seats) the less time you will spend diving under seats, and asking neighbors if you can have them back. Also, only bring out one or two toys at a time, putting them away before you bring out a new one. That way, baby will think they are new each time and you can get away with only 6 - 8 rather than a ton.

Be patient, and be calm. If you are trying to calm your crying baby, then other passengers tend to be nicer. My baby falls asleep in the car, and the plane was the same motion for him so he slept for the entire flight, only waking for food. It was the following day that was harder for me with the baby and the time zones. On the way back because I flew red eye, baby had no time zone adjustment problems.


What are somethings you look for for child care?
Q. I'm thinking about starting up a child care business. I'm planing on getting certified, but I was just wondering what one looks for when deciding on what child care service to go with? Just want to hear from people that have put their children into child care, so I know what I could exceed at. Thank you!

A. Okay, I have worked in the child are field for 10 years and I have a baby so I am extremely anal when looking for child care, so here goes:

1) Caregiver must be CPR and first aid certified (child and infant)
2) Caregiver must be trained in ECE OR have lots of experience with young children
3) Small group setting (max of 5 children)
4) lots of opportunity for outside time
5) Activities - Creative time such as fingerpainting and getting messy, songs, stories, outings, cooking, different things each day, emergent curriculum (go with interests of children, not set themes), science, nature, etc.
6) For infants and toddlers - communication books
7) No smoking household
8) Clean house
9) Quiet areas for children to sleep
10) Healthy home-made meals following the food guide (1 meal and at least two snacks per day)
11) Everyone in the house must have a recent police check
12) What would you do in an emergency?
13) Back-up care if you are sick
14) Policies around vacation and sick days - parents should get two weeks a year of vacation where they do not have to pay
15) Safe, large areas for play (large fenced-in backyard, adequate shade, no dangers)
16) Age appropriate toys and activities
17) Use of TV - a big no-no for me and one of the reasons I pulled my daughter out of home daycare and enrolled her in a centre
18) Interest caregiver shows in my child (do they want to hold them?) and how they interact with other children
19) Discipline method - obviously parents would be looking for positive discipline
Good luck!


Travelling with a 13 month old what do i do ?
Q. Hi i'm travelling overseas shortly with my husband and baby boy who is going to be 13 months old when we travel. It is a 14 and a half hour flight to Australia direct.
Has any one travelled long distance with a infant, that could give me a few hints on what to bring with me for conveninence
It's my first time travelling with our child .Thanx your ideas will be appreciated.

A. I've been flying internationally with my children since they were 2 months (now 7&5), and here are some tips and advice that have always worked for me:

FAA regulations currently allow children under the age of two to fly free of charge as "lap children" (not required to have their own seat). If you are flying internationally, the airline might charge you (I say might because not all do) a 10-20% fee.

The steward/stewardess should place you in a front seat where you will have more room. Most airlines will provide you with a special baby seat belt that hooks onto yours so your child can be buckled up as well. And depending on the airline and length of flight, the steward/stewardess might give you a crib type thing that attaches to the front wall to put your child in (however you can not uses this during take-off and landing).

This is not the safest way for a child to fly and the airlines recommend children to have their own seat with a child safety device, but does not mandate it because of the cost to the parents.

1.) I advise using a CRS (Child Restraint System) because it is safe for the child - especially during turbulance, makes them feel secure, is more comfortable for both parent and child, and gives you the opportunity to relax a bit.

A CRS is an airline-approved alternative to using a hard-backed seat and is approved for use on aircraft and for use in motor vehicles. Many people confuse it with a regular car seat, which it is not.
http://faa.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/faa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=29&p_created=1071174367&p_sid=mn66D6wi&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9NCZwX3Byb2RzPSZwX2NhdHM9MCZwX3B2PSZwX2N2PSZwX3BhZ2U9MSZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh0PWNoaWxk&p_li=&p_topview=1

This website talks about approved CRS devices and their ratings: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CPS/CSSRating/Index.cfm

Many airlines offer half-price tickets so parents can be guaranteed that their child can travel in a CRS device. Parents should call their airline to ask for a discount and/or ask what the airline's policy is for using empty seats.

Ask your airline if they can provide a CRS for your child. If so, you may not be permitted to bring your own CRS on board, and may need to check it as baggage.
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/


2.) For take-offs and landings, the best thing you can do is if your son is still nursing, make sure to nurse him. If he is not nursing, give him a bottle to drink (milk, water, juice - it doesn't matter) or a pacifier.

Baby formula is fine to take with you, and you are not limited to the amount you can bring aboard with you, do not worry.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm

New regulations allow you to take beverages (including water) from home as long as they are less than 3oz, OR beverages (including water) of any size that you have purchased from inside the security area onto planes. You can also bring a limited amount of baby food onto the plane with you. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#10

Save your money when it comes to buying water though because the stewards/stewardess' will provide you with hot or cold water (or any other drink) free at any time that you request, no matter how many times you request it.

Another trick is that if your son is not taking to the pacifier or wanting to drink, gently rub his neck from the chin down to the chest several times - this will cause a swallowing motion which will help with the ears popping.

3.) Make sure to pack plenty of things to entertain your son. A few of his favorite toys, books, and any comfort things such as a blankie. The Fa's will also provide you with a toy or coloring book for your son also.

4.) Pack a few instant hot/cold cereals, instant rice, and other just-add-water packets (age appropriate, of course). The stewards/stewardess' will provide you with hot or cold water upon request. You can also bring a limited amount of baby food and a few other non-perishable snack items. Drinks will be provided free at any time that you request, no matter how many times you request.


5.) Be sure to pack 2-3 changes of clothes for your son. You will need this in case he gets sick, spills something on himself, or in case your luggage gets lost. Also bring any medications that you might need for him should he get sick. Do NOT give your son medicine with the hopes of it making him sleep. This is not only cruel, but dangerous as well.

6.) Last but not least, if help is offered to you, take it.


I hope you have a great trip, and if I can be of any more assistance, please feel free to contact me





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