The first time we took Jai on a plane was when he was a little over 3 months old. We had a family wedding on the other side of the country and used it as the perfect excuse to get back on an airplane. Now of course, we had a very small, very new baby, one with essentially no immune system. Vaccines have become a firebrand topic, a divisive sticking point amongst our population. It is sad and unfortunate, and I know I will probably not be changing any hearts or minds about them in this blog. All I can say is that as a physician, I have read, studied, and trust the science behind them, and as a mom, I look at it as a very important tool to keeping my child, and others, safe.
Along with holiday cheer, winter brings all the fun respiratory viruses. Granted, now it seems as if all of these bugs don’t follow the traditional seasonal pathway and are just ever-present. Because I had Jai in November, which is typically right when cold and flu numbers start to rise, I was offered the RSV vaccine in my third trimester which I gladly took. Respiratory Syncytial Virus, commonly known as RSV, can be notoriously hard on babies, and being an emergency physician, I have seen my share of sick kids; with the studies showing a good amount of immunity being passed on to my baby, it was a no-brainer for me. Similarly, some of the antibodies from the Covid boosters and flu shot would hopefully help protect him as his own immune system started to develop. Along with getting his regularly scheduled immunizations, we decided to get his MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) before we went to Mexico, when he was 8 months old. Typically, this vaccine isn’t given until 12 months, however it is recommended for international travel when the child is over 6 months. I have only read about measles encephalitis and its scarier counterpart SSPE (subacute sclerosing panencephalitis) and with herd immunity decreasing due to vaccine hesitancy, these cases, albeit still rare, are on the rise. I hope to never see it as a physician or experience it with my own kid.
I also find it important to travel with some basic health supplies and medications. For the latter, please consult with your pediatrician, but this is what I do and take with me. Having infant Tylenol is an easy one for fevers and discomfort; Jai decided to have his teeth come in the week we traveled to Spain, so we used it to help ease his discomfort. I could use infant ibuprofen as well, but it is important to note that you should not use this in babies under 6 months. I also carry Zofran with me; a prescription medication used for nausea and vomiting, this is probably one of the more important medications to have on hand, as babies put everything in their mouths. Furthermore, if they end up getting a GI bug, it is really important to keep them hydrated, and having Zofran available can be the difference between going to the hospital or continuing on your trip. I also carry a Nasal Frida, which is a suction device that helps clear little noses. I find that it works better than the traditional bulb suction in little babies just due to the size of the opening and, in older kids, you can generate a lot more suction to get those pesky boogers out. I know it sounds gross that you have to physically suck on it yourself, but there is a filter to keep the mucus from getting in your mouth. This was a lifesaver when we were in Puerto Rico when Jai was 3 months old and caught a cold.
One of the nice things if you’re breastfeeding or pumping is that your baby’s food source is readily and easily available. I exclusively breast fed for almost 6 months, so on those initial trips, I really didn’t think about his food much. As he got older and we transitioned him to formula, it became just a little more complicated. I carry this in my bag because I can pre-portion formula powder and can easily dump it into a bottle. This is clutch when you are on a plane, or really anywhere on-the-go; you don’t have to worry about miscounting scoops or making a mess. It is particularly nice on the long haul flights, as I can essentially put almost one day’s worth of formula in this compact container. In terms of how much formula to bring, my only advice is to bring more than you think you’ll need. I typically bring one extra pack, just in case.
Before we leave for the airport, I fill all of the bottles we are taking with us with water from home. You can take these through security, just notify them beforehand because they do extra testing. In terms of what water to use abroad, most of the time, filtered water is perfectly safe. However, I am neurotic and use distilled water even at home. If you can’t find distilled water easily, bottled water is the next best alternative. There are many baby-friendly water brands that are pretty common like Evian, where the sodium and sulfite levels are well-below the recommended levels. Many bottles will have some sign or label that signals they are baby-friendly. If for some reason you’re finding it hard to find, just check the back label and make sure the sodium content is less than 200 milligrams per liter and the sulfate levels are less than 250 milligrams per liter.
So with these thoughts and tips in mind, bon voyage!
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