Tips for Flying with a Sick Baby

This post is sponsored by hydraSense®.
To make sure hydraSense® products are right for you, always read and follow the label.

Planning to fly with a baby or toddler is stressful enough in itself. And while you’re getting ready for that trip you’re likely fretting about avoiding getting sick on vacation. It’s a few days before you leave and, oh no…

Did he just sneeze?

Does she feel warm to you?

First? Take a breath. Babies and toddlers and kids get sick A LOT and there is likely no need to cancel your trip. Flying with a sick baby doesn’t really take much more effort than flying with a healthy one, but there probably will be a great deal more worry on your part.

Please note that by saying “sick” I am referring to your typical colds and viruses affecting otherwise healthy children. If you suspect that an ear infection is accompanying the cold, definitely seek medical advice. I am not a doctor, and this is not a medical site. Consult with your child’s doctor if you have medical concerns regarding flying.

Tips for Flying with a Sick Baby:

• Babies can’t blow their nose effectively, so one of the most uncomfortable aspects of a cold is the nasal congestion. Saline nose drops help relieve that congestion and moisturize the nasal passages that can become dry and irritated from constant wiping. For travel, hydraSense Easydose are single-use doses of saline that are portable and ready to use. They’re made from 100% natural-source undiluted seawater and will help baby breathe better during a cold.
• Flying is dehydrating and the body uses more liquid when fighting an illness. Ensure baby is well-hydrated for both comfort and recovery. Offer extra feeds or sips of water if baby is still on an exclusively liquid diet, and a treat of watered-down juice in a sippy for older babies might be a welcome surprise.
• Make sure you have extra tissues and wipes on hand to combat runny noses and extra spit up. Airplane napkins are not known for their softness or their absorbency.
• Additionally, apply and reapply a protective moisturizer to baby’s face–focusing around their nostrils and mouth. The constant wiping can be very irritating to baby’s skin. A good moisturizer with barrier properties will both help heal and protect that sensitive skin.
• Pack extra bibs or burp cloths and an extra change of clothes or two, plus plastic bags to hold the evidence. When my guys had colds when they were little, they spit up more and required frequent changes. One-piece sleepers are the easiest to get on and off. They keep feet warm as well without the possibility (likelihood) of missing shoes and socks. Also, throw an extra t-shirt or two for yourself in that carry-on bag as well.
• Lastly, be extra scrupulous about hand washing and using hand sanitizer. Don’t put your hands in your mouth (not even for that pesky hangnail!). Pack extra pacifiers so you’ll have a clean one handy without having to “wash” one after it dropped on the floor. **It’s ok, we all do it, but we’re trying to avoid you getting sick here too 🙂

Your trip wont’ be ruined 🙂

Luckily, most babies get over their colds and viruses in a couple of days, so you likely won’t be worrying about flying with a sick baby on your way home. Unless, of course, they caught the bug on your flight down or if baby gets sick on vacation. Either way, the worst part is always the build up. The reality is rarely as awful as you fear it will be.

This post is sponsored by hydraSense®. To make sure hydraSense® products are right for you, always read and follow the label.

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See Also:

• Tips for Flying with an Infant or Toddler at Every Age & Stage
• How to Help a Toddler Sleep on a Plane
• How to Cope with Time Changes & Baby Jet Lag
• What to Do if Baby Gets Sick on Vacation
• Travel Vaccinations for Babies & Toddlers
• Essential Baby First Aid Kit Items for Travel
• Do I Need Travel Insurance for Baby?

Photos courtesy Steven Thompson and NeONBRAND/Unsplash