New Mother Tips

Question by Steena: How many months should a newborn be before he/she can go on a flight?
I’m planning to bring my newborn to another country to visit the father of my child.
I’m still pregnant though and my due date is just a week ahead.
Application for passports for infants is just a one-week process and I’m planning to buy a ticket immediately once I got the passport.
How many months old should a newborn be before he/she can go on a flight?
What should I expect or be aware of in flights with newborns?

Best answer:

Answer by tunisianbelle
As long as your child has had a check-up with the doctor and everything is fine, your child will be safe to fly almost immediately after birth. Most airlines require that a baby be at least 7 days old, unless you have a medical certificate. I have seen children as young as 1 day old fly. You should call the airline you plan to fly with to see what their policy is because it can vary from airline to airline.

I’ve been flying internationally and domestically with my children since they were 2 months (now 8&5). At least three trips a year are the children and I traveling internationally (14+ hours each way) alone. In addition to that, we do another 8-10 international and domestic flights a year as a family. I have never had any problems with my children on any of the flights. Here are a few tips and suggestions:

1.) You will need to have all your baby’s documents in order. It is a good idea to keep a copy of his/her notarized birth certificate with you.

You mentioned that you will need a passport for your child, so that means this will be an international trip. You will also have to look into whether or not your child will need a visa and if there are any required vaccinations for the country you plan to travel to.

Keep your doctors name and number with you. Also get the name and number of a doctor where you are visiting in case an emergency should come up.

Another thing you should consider bringing with you is your childs immunization book. That way if any emergency should arise while you are on vacation (no matter where you are) the treating physician will at least have some verifiable information to go on. This book also usually includes what your child is allergic to, and some small but very helpful notes from your doctor.

Verify what travel documents you will need in advance to make sure you have everything.

2.) A car seat is not mandatory, but is highly recommended. Since your child is under two, you are allowed to hold him/her as a lap child, meaning that he/she will have to sit in your lap the entire time. The Flight Attendants should place you in a front seat where you will have more room. Depending on space and availability, the Flight Attendants might give you a bassinet that attaches to the front wall to put your child in (however you can not uses this during taxi, take-offs, landings, or turbulence).

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.

I do advise using a CRS (Child Restraint System) because it is safe for the child – especially during turbulence, makes them feel secure, is more comfortable for both parent and child, will help your child sleep, and gives both of you the opportunity to relax a bit.

A CRS is a hard-backed child or infant or child safety seat that is approved by the government for use in both motor vehicles and aircraft.

In order to be certified for use on an airplane, the car seat has to met the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Check the labels on the side of your car restraint for a sticker (words will be printed in red) for verification that your seat is safe for airplane use. Almost all car seats pass this requirement. Here is a picture of what the sticker looks like: http://jamiehassen79.angelfire.com/flying_children_pics/FMVSS.jpg

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

3.) You can take a stroller and gate check it. It will not count towards your checked luggage. This means that you will be able to use it all the way up until the time that you board, and one of the handlers will take it from you at your departure gate, tag it, and put it in a special compartment for you. When you exit the plane, it will be waiting for you at the door as well.

There are many products out there designed to help the traveling family. Here’s a product that can attach to most car seats so that you can use it as a stroller and get it through the airport more easily. http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_kids.html

4.) Make sure you have a check-up with your doctor before leaving to make sure your child is healthy enough to fly. If your child has even a slight cold, the pressure in his/her ears during take-off and landing (even if you do the precaution methods) could leave his/her ears aching for days after the flight.

Most doctors recommend that if anyone is sick (such as being stuffed up or already having an earache), not to take the flight because of the potential damage to the ears. I know my husband and other pilots do not work if they are sick because of this danger.

Not all children have a problem with the pressure changes in their ears. If yours does however you’ll want to know how to help. For take-offs and landings (the WHOLE way up, and starting from the BEGINNING, or TOP of descent), the best ways to alleviate ear pressure are to:

*If your child is nursing, nurse him/her.
*Give him/her something to drink (formula, milk, water, juice – it doesn’t matter)
* Give him/her a pacifier to suck on
* Place hot damp towels (usually like the ones distributed to first and business class before take-off and landing to freshen up with – just ask a flight attendant for them) or paper towels that have been soaked in hot water and wrung out, at the bottom of two paper or styrofoam cups, then hold the cups over the ears
* Gently but with some pressure, rub his/her neck repeatedly from the chin to the base of the neck. This will cause a swallowing motion that will relieve pressure build-up in the ears.

You can also try using a decongestant. It is always best to check with your doctor before using any type of medications though, to make sure you are using the one best suited to your childs needs. I personally have found pain relief medications don’t really help, and at least in my experience, decongestants are a waste of money.

5.) As long as your child is with you, you are able to take as much formula, breast milk, or regular milk that you will need for you child for the duration of the time you will spend in the airport and on the flight (as long as it is within reason).And no, you will NOT have to taste it – no matter what form you bring it in.

All that you must do is:

1. Separate the milk from the liquids, gels, and aerosols in your quart-size (1 liter) zip-top bag.
2. Declare you have the items to one of the Security Officers at the security checkpoint.
3. Present these items for additional inspection once reaching the X-ray. These items are subject to additional screening. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm

New regulations also allow you to take beverages (including water) from home as long as they are less than 3oz (100ml), -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, yogurt, cheese, puddings, etc. with you also as long as they are in containers less than 3oz (100ml).

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#9

Save your money when it comes to buying water though because the Flight Attendants 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.

6.) Keep your diaper bag well stocked with plenty of diapers, wipes, ointments and other essential things. Just remember the new law regulating liquids, gels, and such and pack accordingly. http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm You can usually find travel size baby products in stores and they are wonderful for plane use. One thing I always like to carry with me is hand sanitizer! I always wipe the trays down with that (followed by a baby wipe) and use it for my kids after taking them to the bathroom (even though they wash their hands). I know that airplane bathrooms are not the cleanest, so that is why I try to e vigilant.

Be sure to pack 2-3 changes of clothes for your child. You will need this in case he/she gets sick, spills something on him/herself, or in case your luggage gets lost.

Bring any medications that you might need for your child should he/she get sick or that he/she takes regularly. Remember that if they are not prescription medications, the 3oz (100ml) rule applies to them and they must be kept in a clear plastic bag. http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm

Do NOT give your child medicine with the hopes of it making him/her sleep. This is not only cruel, but dangerous as well.

You should be respectful of other passengers and always change your child’s diaper in the restroom. They do have diaper bed changers in there, although they can be a little small. Usually the bathrooms with the diapers beds are the handicap ones (they usually tend to be toward the rear of the plane), so they tend to be a little bit bigger and it does help.

I also know some people who say that instead of using the changing table, they say to put the toilet seat down, use the toilet as a seat for yourself, and lay the baby across your knee to change their diaper.

To make it easier on yourself, make sure that you undress your baby so that he/she has just a diaper on while at your seat. Grab your diaper, wipes, and ointment or baby powder (whatever you use for changing your childs diaper) and head to the bathroom. This will help to make the procedure faster and easier.

Try to change your childs diaper as close to boarding as possible. This will help to make you baby feel fresh and more comfortable for take-off (which could also mean less problems).

7.) Make sure to pack one or two comfort things such as a favorite blankie or stuffed animal. I always bring a small pillow and blanket from home for my children (even now) because I know 100% that they are clean, and my children are accustomed to them.

8.) Don’t worry about what the other passengers are going to think or say should your baby cry. This will only add stress, which your child can pick up on, and it could make him/her cry longer and harder. Instead, just relax, and handle the situation like you would if you were at home. Most times the other passengers are very understanding anyways and some will even try to help you. Which reminds me, if help is offered to you, TAKE it!

I wrote a small article about flying with children that goes more in-depth, gives airport security rules and regulations, plus offers tips and tricks for the travel, etc. http://www.angelfire.com/jamiehassen79/flying_children.html

If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me.

Add your own answer in the comments!

Questions and Answers About Pregnancy

Questions and Answers About Pregnancy

Q: I consumed some alcohol before I knew I was pregnant. Should I take any special precautions or have any extra tests?

A: This is not an unusual situation. Because we know alcohol enters the unborn baby’s circulation, many pregnant women worry that they may have caused harm to the baby because they drank before realizing they were pregnant. Effects of alcohol are dose-related to some extent. If you drank very heavily and often before you discovered you were pregnant, the effects on the baby are potentially greater than if you drank too much on one occasion or drank lightly on several occasions.

There are no extra tests during pregnancy that can tell you if your baby is affected. The usual observations made by your doctor or midwife (such as height measurements, heart rate monitoring, and possibly ultrasound) can detect some problems, such as growth retardation, that are sometimes associated with alcohol use. Observations of the baby after birth will allow a clearer assessment of the baby’s condition.

The two best things for you to do during pregnancy are to stop drinking alcohol (because the baby receives alcohol in his or her bloodstream whenever you drink) and to try not to worry (which, I realize, is easier said than done). Babies are resilient and not all babies whose mothers drank have apparent alcohol-related problems. Discuss your concerns with your doctor, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

 

Q: Is it true that I should not clean my cat’s litter box while I am pregnant? Why?

A: Kitty litter carries the potential for spreading toxoplasmosis, a mild infection that may cause coldlike symptoms under normal circumstances. If you are pregnant, however, toxoplasmosis can cause serious malformations or even death of the unborn baby.

Cats, especially outdoor cats that eat rats or mice, often carry the organism that causes toxoplasmosis. You can get toxoplasmosis by petting a “carrier cat,” changing its litter box, or gardening in soil where cats have passed feces. You can also get toxoplasmosis from eating raw or undercooked meat and eating unwashed vegetables that have grown underground, such as potatoes or carrots.

It is quite likely that if you have had an outdoor cat in the past, you have had toxoplasmosis. Once you have had the disease, you are immune to it in the future. The problem is that most people do not know whether they have had it or not. If you have a cat and are concerned, you can be tested for antibodies to toxoplasmosis (which indicate that you have had the disease and are now immune to it). An absence of antibodies indicates that you are at risk. To prevent catching toxoplasmosis during pregnancy, take the following precautions:

* Cook your meat thoroughly.

* Wash your vegetables thoroughly.

* Wash your hands after you pet or handle a cat.

* Have someone else clean the litter box.

* Avoid soil and sandboxes where cats pass feces.

 

Q: What are the benefits of folic acid for pregnant women?

A: Folic acid supplements should be taken a month or more before conception and continued through early pregnancy. Most prenatal vitamin supplements contain the recommended daily amount of folic acid (400 micrograms).

The main benefits of folic acid are the prevention of particular birth defects, such as cleft lip, cleft palate, and neural tube defects (abnormalities in the development of the brain and spinal cord, such as spina bifida and anencephaly, the absence of a large portion of the brain). These defects occur in about 1 in 1,000 newborns but are dramatically reduced when women take folic acid before and during early pregnancy.

Folic acid is present in foods such as liver, leafy green vegetables, and yeast. It is difficult for many women to get enough folic acid through their diets. For this reason folic acid is added to prenatal vitamin preparations.

Because women with unplanned pregnancies might not get enough folic acid before pregnancy, nutritionists and maternity caregivers recommend that all fertile women take a folic acid supplement every day, whether planning pregnancy or not.

 

Q: Is it safe for me to get a massage during pregnancy?

A: Yes, it is safe and very helpful as well. You should, however, see a licensed massage therapist (LMT) who has had additional training in pregnancy massage. She or he will know how to safely modify massage techniques to accommodate for bodily changes that occur during pregnancy (for example, avoiding having you lie on your back or your abdomen after about four to five months of pregnancy and checking for varicose veins, excessive swelling, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other conditions).

Many massage therapists have specially designed massage tables that allow you to lie on your abdomen without putting undue pressure on your abdomen or breasts. Ask your doctor, midwife, childbirth educator, or doula for referrals.

 

Q: Do midwives assist only with home births?

A: No, most midwives practice in hospitals or out-of-hospital birth centers because those are the locations where most women give birth. It is true, however, that almost all home births are attended by midwives, who are experts in normal birth.

In all countries outside North and South America, midwives provide most of the maternity care, but in the United States less than 10 percent of all births are attended by midwives. The percentage is growing rapidly, however, because midwifery care is highly satisfying to women and has an excellent track record in terms of safety and cost.

Q: I was wondering when a woman can get pregnant. What are the days in the menstrual cycle that you are most likely to get pregnant? How do you determine when you are fertile in your own menstrual cycle?

A: There are only a few days before and after you ovulate when you are able to become pregnant. These days come roughly in midcycle, but timing of ovulation varies from woman to woman. There are several ways that you can determine when you ovulate, including observing changes in the mucus in your vagina (cervical mucus) and recording your temperature before rising each morning.

An excellent book on the subject is Taking Charge of Your Fertility, by Toni Weschler (HarperPerennial, 2001). It provides complete and very helpful information on this subject and many others.

Q: What effects does stress have on pregnancy and what are the symptoms?

A: Stress during pregnancy may be related to a woman’s relationship to family and friends. Major life-changes, such as a death in the family, change in marital status, serious illness, or moving also play a significant role in stress levels. Financial situation and job or career demands are other common sources of stress.

Whatever its cause, stress can manifest itself as anxiety, exhaustion, fear, sadness, anger, or grief. Such emotions can lead to physiological changes, such as increased release of stress hormones and increased blood pressure. These effects of stress may cause premature labor or hypertension (high blood pressure). Both conditions can present problems for the baby, such as causing the baby to be small in size or immature in development.

Pregnancy adds stress to the lives of women who are already stressed. The right caregiver (midwife, doctor, or clinic) may be able to refer such women to appropriate services that can ease some of their stress.

Stress management techniques are also helpful. Many women find that yoga, meditation, and relaxation techniques help reduce stress. Self-help methods or counseling can help a woman learn how to avoid, eliminate, or better respond to stressful circumstances. The most important thing is practical and emotional support from loved ones and friends.

One important note: A pregnant woman in stressful circumstances must be careful not to blame her baby. Doing so may lead to inappropriate treatment of her innocent baby. Rather, she should address the real causes of her stress and reserve love and concern for her baby.

Q: Is it okay for me to eat sushi with raw fish while I am pregnant?

A: You should not eat sushi with raw fish because it sometimes contains parasites such as tapeworms. These parasites can make anyone sick, whether pregnant or not. The added risk during pregnancy is that your unborn baby could be deprived of necessary nutrients if your illness lasts for a long time.

When you are pregnant, cook fish well so as to kill any parasites, rather than follow the current trend of lightly searing the fish. Cook fish until it flakes when you insert a fork and twist it. Follow preparation directions in a good cookbook to determine cooking times for various kinds of shellfish. Freezing fresh seafood also kills parasites.

Today another concern regarding seafood is industrial pollution, which contaminates seafood in some geographical areas with chemicals or PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls). Cooking does not destroy these substances. You should check with your community health department for information on the safety of local seafood.

Q: What vitamin supplements should I take during pregnancy?

A: Your best source of vitamins is nutritious food from all the food groups: grains; vegetables; fruits; calcium foods such as dairy products; protein foods such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dried beans, and nuts; and fats, oils, and sweets. Most doctors and midwives recommend a good diet plus prenatal vitamins for extra insurance. Prenatal vitamins are preferable to ordinary multipurpose vitamins because they are designed to meet the added nutritional demands of pregnancy.

It is also important to have your diet evaluated by a nutritionist. If you lack certain nutrients due to food allergies, intolerance, or dislike, additional amounts of specific supplements (such as calcium, iron, and others) may be recommended. A nutritionist can help you plan a diet that is in line with your taste preferences and consistent with your ethnic or religious background.

As for the decision on the specific choice of the brand and formula for your prenatal vitamins, there are numerous ones available. You and your doctor or midwife should make the choice jointly.

It is not wise or safe to take large doses of any vitamins, or to design your own supplementation program, without professional guidance. Vitamins have potential side effects on your unborn baby. One example is vitamin C, which, if taken in large quantities over several weeks or months (in hopes of preventing colds), creates a higher than usual requirement in the unborn baby, which continues after birth, causing temporary symptoms of vitamin C deficiency. Vitamins should be considered a form of medicine and taken with caution and knowledge.

Q: About how much weight should I gain during pregnancy?

A: If you are of normal weight before pregnancy, you should probably gain between 20 and 35 pounds. This weight gain includes the growing baby, as well as many of the changes your body undergoes to support the baby. The breakdown typically looks something like this:

Baby 6 to 9 pounds

Placenta 1 to 2 pounds

Uterus 2 pounds

Amniotic fluid 2 to 3 pounds

Added breast weight 1 to 2 pounds

Added blood volume 2 to 3 pounds

Added tissue fluid 4 to 6 pounds

Fat 5 to 8 pounds

Total weight gain 23 to 35 pounds

If you were underweight or overweight before pregnancy, you may benefit from gaining more or less than the recommendations for women of normal weight. Ultimately, the quality of your diet is more important than the number of pounds you gain during pregnancy.

Q: What is a doula, and why do women use doulas for assistance during childbirth?

A: A doula is a woman (or occasionally a man) who is trained and experienced in helping with childbirth. She accompanies women and their partners through the entire birth process, providing emotional support, physical comfort, and nonclinical advice. She also helps them get the information they need to make good decisions.

Women and their partners choose doulas for a number of reasons:

* The doula puts the parents’ interests first.

* The doula is knowledgeable and caring.

* The doula can help parents have the kind of birth they want and make adjustments if problems arise and unexpected interventions are needed for safety.

* The doula does not leave for a break or shift change. (Doulas take breaks only when the woman is asleep or when labor is unusually long and a backup doula is present.)

* Women who are anxious or fearful about birth or hospitals appreciate the support and reassurance a doula gives.

* Partners often feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities and want help and advice in carrying out their roles. They also appreciate being able to take a nap during a long labor without leaving the mother with no support.

* Expectant parents are impressed by research findings from numerous studies that prove that a doula’s support often results in shorter labors, fewer requests for epidural blocks, fewer cesarean births, fewer deliveries by forceps and vacuum extractor, and less postpartum depression.

Click Here To Discover How to Treat Infertility Naturally; Without Drugs or Surgery.