Q&A:
When is it okay to take my 1-month-old on a long trip?

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Answered by Linda Jonides R.N., C.P.N.P.

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"I have worked as a pediatric nurse practitioner (P.N.P.) for over 30 years," says Linda Jonides. "I continue to thoroughly enjoy forming new relationships with parents and newborns and working with them through infancy, childhood, and adolescence."

Linda Jonides is a pediatric nurse practitioner in a private pediatric practice in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She received her Diploma in Nursing and Certificate as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner from The Johns Hopkins Hospital. She is a past recipient of the Michigan PNP of the Year Award. She has a B.S. in Nursing from Eastern Michigan University. She has published articles and lectured on childhood obesity, infant colic, role of the P.N.P., growth and development issues, and infectious diseases. She was an author of "Clinical Insights Column," published biannually in the Journal of Pediatric Health Care for nine years. Jonides is past president of NAPNAP. Currently, she is a steering group work member of NAPNAP's HEAT (healthy eating and activity together) project. One outcome of this group's work is the clinical practice guideline, "Identifying and Preventing Overweight in Childhood," that was published as a supplement to the March/April '06 issue of the Journal of Pediatric Health Care.

Ms. Jonides has been married to John, a university professor, since 1971.

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Question

When is it okay to take my 1-month-old on a long trip?

Answer

Most babies travel very well when they're infants because they sleep a lot. The main concern about travel with very young infants is the increased exposure to germs that could cause illness. In the United States, the standard of care is that any infant under 3 months of age with a fever needs medical attention. Even though many illnesses that cause fever in infants are mild viral illnesses that other family members may also have, the concern is that the fever might be a sign of a more serious illness. Illnesses in young infants can rapidly become more serious, demanding prompt medical care.

If you'll be driving on your trip, plan frequent stops to give the baby and the driver breaks and changes of scenery. Of course, your baby needs to be secure in his infant car seat whenever he's in the car, even if he's crying. Before you leave, check out possible sources of medical care, should you need it along your route. If you need to use public restrooms, take your own changing pad along for diaper changes. Wash your hands and your baby's hands often. If you're traveling by airplane, train, or bus, keep in mind that the terminals are often very crowded, and that everyone loves to admire a new baby. If possible, try to find an uncrowded area to wait in for departure, and try to avoid having strangers touch or crowd around your baby.

Many families do travel with very young infants. There isn't a specific age recommended, but keep the above precautions in mind. Finally, try to maintain your baby's routines as much as possible when you travel. Have fun!