Babies and GA!

[Tankinbarber]

Guys,

 

Quick question. I have a three month old son who just took his first flight in my Rocket. He loved it. The problem was I didn't go above 8,500 ft and decended at no more than 700 ft per min. At what point can I take him higher? Also do you guys feel the need to have any other baby items on board for health reasons other than the ear protector headsets? Still kind of nervous with how much the little man can actually take.

 

Any info would be a great help.

 

Thanks

[gsengle]

What did you do for hearing protection and are you sure it's sufficient? I hope to take my toddlers up soon but didn't want to in their first year

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[Tankinbarber]

Yes. I went and bought the "baby banz baby earmuffs" which we read some great reviews. My son loved the flight which shocked us because he hates the car.

[druidjaidan]

I haven't worried too much about the altitude sub oxygen levels.  However, our first flight wasn't until 6 or 8 months.  The big thing to worry about is congestion.  They don't know how to equalize their ears, and don't tell you they are congested.  It can be really dangerous to fly at all like that.

[Tankinbarber]

Too bad there is not an ear, nose and throat doctor on the site. Even a pediatrician would be great!

[ToddDPT]

We flew when outs was 8 months old, but used children ear plugs and a headset just in case they pulled the headset off and didn't want to wear it.  Our pediatrician told us not to be too worried about the altitude, but focus on the congestion.  Our daughter always new that when she flew she got a lollipop so the plane was a fun time for her!!

[Piloto]

Make sure you have extra diapers and a garbage bag. 

 

José

[yvesg]

Cabin altitudes in airlines is between 8K to 10K I believe (but I am not an expert into this). If it would be unsafe for the ears for babies, they would not be allowed to fly.

Yves

[bradp]

Hey guys I'm a pediatrician so I can offer some general advice. Don't worry about the percentage of oxygen at altitude. Babies can tolerate as much altitude as you can if not more (young infants ~<3-4 mo have fetal hemoglobin still, which is better than your adult hemoglobin at picking up oxygen at low partial pressure). Re the congestion it's all about pressure equalization across the eardrum. Babies aren't good at being able to pop their ears to equalize pressure. Our pediatrician told me (also pediatrician) not to go above 6000 feet but I think they were making up the number. NA engine cruising altitudes work just fine - 8000 will be approximate to what you see an airliner cabin pressurized to. The key is recognizing when the baby has congestion and avoiding flying then because of of the risk of the eardrums being pressurized. Not so much sinuses for infants (< 12 months) as they don't really even have sinuses, just rudimentary ones. It's all about the ear drums.

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[carusoam]

Try putting Children and kids in the search box...

You will find some interesting challenges that you haven't conceived of yet.

Flying kids around is a blast.

Yes they get plane sick, just like everyone else.

Boys like filling the plastic bag. Ziploc brand is preferred....

You will even find answers to where do all the Xmas toys go while you fly everyone to Nana's house...

Know that there is a limit to all the fun.

A Long Body is required when the child count gets above two...even then the details are not well known.

Have you bought the appropriate child moving back pack yet? Much better than stroller your wife wants you to have...

Wait until you try to put two car seats in the back. Start thinking ahead on this one.

Enjoy, aviation and children, perfect together...

Best regards,

-a-

Note: where'd you get the 700fpm number from? I typically use 400fpm to control speed while descending...

[Tommy]

Considering the normal cabin altitude of an airliner is 8000 feet and there rate of climb and descent is roughly around 500fpm and last time I heard, plenty of little people went thru the whole ordeal and survived with no long term sequelae. 

 

I think your little one is safe as long as you stay in that altitude. I wouldn't go to FL as the babies lungs are still in the process of maturing, though some COPD lungs are in much worse condition than a baby lung. Just remember that everything in a baby will still be developing and therefore most susceptible to any environmental insults. Their devastating effect is often permanent! So double the protection! 

 

Also, the babies needs good thermal protection. They lose heat much more readily - less body to SA ratio and much more brown fats. 

 

Importantly what seat restraint are you using? Is there a such thing as GA aircraft certified infant seat? And do you have a well rehearsed evacuation procedure? How quickly can you get the baby out - faster than an Obstetrics Professor, I hope? 

[Tankinbarber]

Try putting Children and kids in the search box...

You will find some interesting challenges that you haven't conceived of yet.

Flying kids around is a blast.

Yes they get plane sick, just like everyone else.

Boys like filling the plastic bag. Ziploc brand is preferred....

You will even find answers to where do all the Xmas toys go while you fly everyone to Nana's house...

Know that there is a limit to all the fun.

A Long Body is required when the child count gets above two...even then the details are not well known.

Have you bought the appropriate child moving back pack yet? Much better than stroller your wife wants you to have...

Wait until you try to put two car seats in the back. Start thinking ahead on this one.

Enjoy, aviation and children, perfect together...

Best regards,

-a-

Note: where'd you get the 700fpm number from? I typically use 400fpm to control speed while descending...

 

I chose 700 FPM because it was still an aggressive descent in the Rocket and speed brakes help the speed control. 1000 fpm is the norm and even i sometimes notice popping in my ears at that level. the 700 fpm seemed to be the best of both worlds.

[carusoam]

Anyone have a reference from primary training?

I recall 500fpm to be recommended for comfort for adult ears, as well as chewing gum...

Unfortunately, neither solution may be a fit for the initial question...

Best regards,

-a-

[ArtVandelay]

I would wait until they can talk, then if there is a problem they can tell you.

[N9201A]

I took both my kids up when each was five weeks old. Told controllers "baby on board" and put it in remarks section of flight plan. Got consideration and wasn't slammed in descent-unusual in LA basin. Kept rates of climb/descent gentle, always <500fpm.

PS - Oldest is now 16-year old student pilot.

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