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Flying While Pregnant

Can it be done, should it be done? You will receive conflicting advice from people. Keep this in mind: there are two types of people, those who travel and those who don't. Those who don't like to travel will discourage you from traveling while pregnant, with a newborn, and definitely with a toddler. On the other side, those travel "addicts" will tell you to quit worrying and go for it! What is the right answer?

Well, there are definitely things to consider when flying while pregnant. First and foremost, safety of you and the baby needs to be considered. Is this a high risk pregnancy? Have you had previous complications? Consult with your physician if there may be any reason medically for you to stay put.

Once you receive the go ahead from your physician, it is important to get this in writing. A simple note for the airlines stating your due date and that you have been cleared to fly, making sure that it is signed and dated. As usual, it is always a good idea to bring along your physician's phone number, a copy of your health history and any important medical records in case you need medical treatment away from home. (This also applies when traveling with children).

Now consider the airlines. They don't want to add "delivery room" to their list of amenities and those medical emergencies on board aren't fun for anyone. Most airlines do not allow pregnant women to fly past 36 weeks domestically and 32 weeks internationally to avoid premature births on board!

There are certain precautions to take when flying while pregnant to prevent:

• DVTs (Deep Vein Thrombosis). These blood clots are more common in pregnancy and while sitting for long periods of time, especially while flying.
• Fluid retention and swelling in the legs. (think "can't get my shoe back on swelling.")
• Increased gas and indigestion. (uncomfortable!)
• Dehydration. (Do not rely on the airline's supply of water - buy some at the airport!)
• Nausea. (strange smells - consider this when choosing seats near the bathroom.)
• Back and Neck pain due to uncomfortable and cramped seats, lifting luggage into overhead.

It may seem like there are only negative things about flying while pregnant. However, there are simple steps you can take which will help you to avoid the hassle of the above mentioned problems. Anya Clowers, RN traveled to Japan and Singapore as well as numerous domestic flights while pregnant. She interviewed physicians, travel experts and pregnant moms as well as included her own flight experiences in her book Jet With Kids.

Remember, once this baby is born, life will never be the same. Take a trip or two for yourself and pamper yourself. Many parents to be take a "second honeymoon" or some women go with the girls to a spa and indulge in luxury. So whether that trip is a business trip or one last big splurge before the beginning of the next chapter in life, take care of yourself and your unborn child by preparing for the flight.

For detailed tips and recommended products for use in flight while pregnant, read Jet With Kids, the only book dedicated to flying with kids (even before they are born!).

Flying with a Newborn

Congratulations on your adorable little baby! Soon you will want to introduce your baby to extended family, take a much needed vacation, or accompany a spouse on a business trip. And then it hits - flying can be frustrating, overwhelming, and time consuming. Add an infant or toddler to the mix and air travel can be intimidating! The media is full of stories of frantic parents, screaming babies and toddlers who are thrown off flights due to tantrums.

Flying with children does require extra preparation. Airlines are budget conscious and customer service is basic and limited. Do not look to them for advice, assistance, or understanding. If parents are not prepared, a simple flight can easily turn into a huge nightmare.

Do not panic. Flying with children does not need to be scary and something to dread. Nurse and frequent flier Anya Clowers, has been flying with her son since he was only 2 months old. They have traveled to Europe three times and over the Pacific twice as well as numerous domestic flights. She now flies with her toddler every month and it is all quite enjoyable! What is the secret? Preparation, tools, products, services, and a smile!

All the research has been done for you! Anya Clowers, RN interviewed 21 travel experts, from veteran flight attendants, pilots, gate agents, travel agents, frequent traveling parents, safety experts, and pediatricians. She gathered all of this sound advice, added personal experience (over 400,000 miles flown) as well as detailed product and service reviews and wrote an easy to read, step by step book that will save you time, energy, and money!

For specific steps, important links, products and services that will help you through the flight process, purchase the book Jet With Kids: Taking the Fear Out of Flying...WITH YOUR KIDS! Praised by safety experts, traveling families, and airline personnel as being an excellent resource, Jet With Kids is a sound investment and will save you time, energy, (and your sanity) so you can focus on what is really important - the new addition to your family!

Here are some basic steps required when traveling with your infant:

• Purchase a seat for EVERY passenger for safety. It is NOT safe to fly with children held on your lap. Please read http://www.jetwithkids.com/book_freeChapter.html so that you are able to make an informed decision regarding your child's safety.
• An infant under 22lbs. should be in a rear facing car seat. The car seat must be FAA approved - labeled by a sticker stating that the seat has been approved for use on an airplane. Use a car seat or CARES harness to buckle up kids 22-44lbs.
• Know the TSA rules about what is allowed through security as far as liquids and food (formula, breast milk, bottles, juice, etc.). These rules change often so check the day before you fly!
• Documentation is your responsibility- infants DO need passports for international travel, and a notarized letter is required for solo parent international trips.
• Apply EARLY for passports. Yes, the infant photo is quickly outdated. Infant passports are good for 5 years. (Anya's 3 year old has his 6 month old infant photo on his passport.)
• Utilize services that will deliver baby supplies to your destination to eliminate luggage and a luggage service to deliver at least one bag containing the most important items. Do not count on checked baggage - the airlines have a bad record of losing or delaying luggage!
• Pack your (hands free) carry-on to cover the flight PLUS delays, hunger, canceled flights, sick kids, and medical emergencies.
• Arrive early and book long connections. Always allow extra time for traffic, long lines, and life with a child! The recommended check in time from the airline is not valid for families.
• Take a deep breath; go to www.JetWithKids.com/blog to follow Anya's travels as she reviews products and services as well as keeps parents up to date with regulations.
• Consider health issues: teething, fevers, ear pain while descending, motion sickness, etc. All of these issues are covered in Jet With Kids as well as tips on how to keep your child healthy before and during the flight!

Don't struggle to carry your baby in the infant car seat. The Infant Cruizer AT (All Terrain) is so maneuverable and convenient you can take it anywhere - restaurants, drug stores, doctor's offices, taxis, trains and more.

A true one-handed travel system - one hand to carry, unfold, secure car seat and push. It's perfect for everyday use, travel and public transportation.

The Infant Cruizer is a fantastically convenient accessory for parents who travel with small children, frequently or otherwise. It is also great for maneuvering your child through an urban environment. Its compact design, easy push and car seat compatibility reduces the need for a stroller on short- or long-distance voyages. The Infant Cruizer's fold-up design and telescoping handle save a TON of space over full size strollers.

Traveling with a Toddler?

There are fabulous products and preparation tools such as the Shae By Air DVD Toolkit, great in flight toys, etc. Jet With Kids: the book, website, and blog will cover all you need on this as well!

Have a safe and fun flight!

gogo Kidz Travelmate

Parents will wonder how they ever managed without the gogo Kidz Travelmate, just as everyone in the world can't imagine travel without roller suitcases. The patented design significantly lightens the load of parents on the go with babies, toddlers and all their gear. Now, with the latest updates, the gogo Kidz Travelmate is even more convenient! A new, ratcheting, quick-release strap allows the Travelmate to be attached and removed from car seats in just seconds!

Because the FAA strongly recommends children under 40 lbs. be seated in a child car seat on an airplane, parents have had to haul their car seats through the airport, straining their backs, arms and patience. The gogo Kidz Travelmate significantly lightens the load of parents on the go with toddlers and all their gear. A car seat using the gogo Kidz Travelmate eliminates the need to hand carry, rent or borrow a car seat at your final destination.

Kids On A Plane

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says about flying with kids: "Turbulence can happen with little or no warning. And when it does, the safest place for your child is in a Certified Restraint System."

The American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the airlines join the FAA in urging you to bring an "FAA-certified child safety restraint" for your young child when you fly. They know that because the kids can't brace themselves, the airplane seat belt alone doesn't provide children the same level of safety as adults have. For years, this meant parents needed to haul heavy, bulky car seats - never designed to be portable - through crowded airports, security portals, and narrow airplane aisles to keep their kids safe. Many found this too difficult to manage. Now there is a solution!

BeBeVu Recommends CARES, the only FAA approved harness-type child safety device certified by the FAA. CARES is the new and easy way to travel safely with young children on airplanes. CARES (it stands for "Child Aviation Restraint System") is an innovative belt-and-buckle safety device that attaches directly to the airplane seat belt. It is the first alternative aircraft child safety restraint to be certified by the FAA for all phases of flight - taxiing, take off, turbulence and landing. CARES is for children between 22 and 44 pounds who are sitting in their own seats. It weighs only 1 pound, installs in just 1 minute, adjusts to any size airplane seat, and provides an Equivalent Level Of Safety for your child as a 20 lb car seat!

When you are flying with children, check your bulky car seat through as luggage and take CARES, the new FAA-certified child flight belt, on board.