To sedate or not to sedate infants for air travel, that is an oft-raised question. Is it truly nobler to spurn sedatives, risk an unruly child, and bravely suffer the heartaches of stares and scorn of outraged fellow passengers?  Or is it more virtuous to sedate infants, perchance they’ll sleep, and endure the thousand humiliations[...]

Warning: holiday family get-togethers can be hazardous for your children’s health and safety. The same events that make the season fun and festive for kids – visiting family, lighting candles, and receiving toys, for example, can cause mishaps. Fortunately, most such problems are preventable – but only with forethought. Here is what you should know: 1. Vaccinate infants[...]

A web site on breast-feeding says, “I carry a light-weight blanket when I travel with my breast-fed infant. If someone seems to be bothered by my nursing – even though I do it discreetly – I offer them the blanket so that they can cover their eyes.” No reason to stay home because you’re breast-feeding. In[...]

Children old enough to brush their own teeth may be exposing themselves to diarrheal illnesses via their toothbrushes, especially when traveling in areas where such illnesses are common. Here is the theory: Children often place their toothbrushes on sink counter surfaces when finishing brushing, or in the middle of brushing if something more interesting catches their attention. Sink[...]

My posting that has received the most comments — comments often laced with skepticism — are my statements that: In-flight dehydration is a myth; and Feeding infants frequently during air travel is counterproductive and may make them uncomfortable. Please see my answers to the skeptics. In-flight dehydration is a myth!! It doesn’t exist. Yes, it is frequently repeated by[...]