Peninsula Pediatrics

Category: Safety & Prevention

Flying with Children: What Parents Should Know

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Traveling by plane with children can feel overwhelming, especially the first time. Between packing, navigating the airport, and keeping your child comfortable, there is a lot to think about. The good news is that with a little preparation and the right expectations, flying with kids can be smooth and even enjoyable.

Quick answer: Flying with children goes more smoothly when you understand safety recommendations, plan ahead, and set realistic expectations. Use an FAA-approved car seat when possible, ease ear pressure with swallowing, pack extra clothes and comfort items, and choose a window seat.

When is it safe for a baby to fly?

Air travel is generally allowed once a newborn is at least a week old, but it is recommended to wait until your baby is closer to two or three months old if possible. This helps reduce exposure to infections in crowded places like airports and airplanes. For older babies and children, flying is typically safe, but it is still important to consider your child’s overall health and comfort before traveling.

How can I keep my child safe during the flight?

Although children under age two are often allowed to sit on a parent’s lap, the safest option is for your child to have their own seat secured in an FAA-approved car seat or safety restraint. Turbulence is the leading cause of injuries to children on airplanes, and holding a child in your arms may not provide enough protection during sudden movements. A properly installed car seat that fits your child’s size and weight offers the best protection and can help them feel more secure.

How do I plan ahead for flying with kids?

Dress your child in layers since airplane temperatures vary, and pack extra clothes in case of spills or leaks. If traveling with a baby, you can bring breast milk, formula, or water for mixing formula through airport security in reasonable quantities, but be prepared to let security know. Bring familiar comfort items, snacks, and quiet activities. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, letting kids consume age-appropriate, high-quality media in moderation is not harmful, but balance screen time with screen-free activities too.

How can I ease ear pain during takeoff and landing?

Takeoff and landing can be uncomfortable due to changes in air pressure and can even cause ear pain. Breastfeeding or offering a bottle or pacifier helps ease pressure by encouraging swallowing. For older children, drinking water or chewing can have a similar effect.

What is the best airplane seat for families?

Window seats are often recommended for families with young children, as they keep little ones farther from aisle traffic, food carts, and potential spills from hot drinks. If you are using a car seat, a window seat is typically the safest and most practical option. Remember that travel does not have to be perfect. Staying calm and patient helps children feel less overwhelmed, since they often pick up on their parents’ emotions.

Frequently asked questions

When is it safe for a baby to fly?

Air travel is generally allowed once a newborn is at least a week old, but it is best to wait until your baby is closer to two or three months old if possible, to reduce exposure to infections in crowded places.

What is the safest way for a child to fly?

The safest option is for your child to have their own seat secured in an FAA-approved car seat or safety restraint. Turbulence is the leading cause of injuries to children on airplanes, and holding a child in your arms may not provide enough protection.

How can I ease my child’s ear pain during takeoff and landing?

Breastfeeding or offering a bottle or pacifier encourages swallowing, which helps ease pressure. For older children, drinking water or chewing can have a similar effect.

What is the best airplane seat for families?

Window seats are often recommended for young children, keeping them farther from aisle traffic, food carts, and potential spills. If you are using a car seat, a window seat is typically the safest and most practical option.

If you have questions about traveling with your child, including safety concerns or health considerations, please call our office. Peninsula Pediatrics proudly cares for families across the Rockaways.

Spring Safety for Children

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Spring brings longer days, warmer weather, and more time outdoors for kids. While the season is great for outside play, it also comes with a few safety considerations parents should keep in mind. Seasonal allergies, bike safety, sun exposure, and insect protection are all worth thinking about as children spend more time outside.

Quick answer: To keep kids safe outdoors this spring, watch for seasonal allergies, make sure bike helmets fit properly, apply SPF 15 or higher sunscreen and use shade during peak hours, and prevent insect bites with an EPA-registered repellent. Here is what Peninsula Pediatrics wants Rockaway families to know.

What spring allergies affect children?

Many kids experience seasonal allergies, especially in spring when trees, grasses, and other plants release pollen into the air. Allergies happen when the immune system reacts to substances called allergens, even though they are usually harmless. Common symptoms in children include a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, sniffling, itchy and watery eyes, and throat clearing. These can resemble a cold, but allergies often last longer and may show up around the same time each year.

It is not always easy to avoid pollen entirely outdoors, but you can reduce allergens entering the home. Keeping windows closed and using air conditioning helps limit indoor pollen. Showering and changing clothes after outdoor play reduces the pollen brought inside. If symptoms become persistent or interfere with daily activities, talk with your pediatrician about treatment options, which may include an antihistamine, decongestant, or nasal sprays.

How should a bike helmet fit my child?

Spring is a popular time for children to start riding bikes again after winter. Bike riding is great exercise, but safety should always come first. One of the most important ways to prevent serious injuries is a properly fitted helmet. Studies show that wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by about 85 percent and facial injury by about 65 percent during bicycle crashes.

Make sure your child’s helmet fits snugly, sits level on the head, covers the forehead, has a secure chin strap, and meets U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. The helmet should not move around or slide down over the eyes when your child moves their head. Children should wear helmets every time they ride a bike or scooter, go rollerblading, or do similar activities. Wearing helmets as adults models the habit for kids.

How can I protect my child from the sun?

No matter the season, kids should wear sunscreen during the day, even when it is cloudy. Spring and summer mean more time outside, so sun protection matters. Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher on exposed skin and apply it about 15 to 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.

Other ways to protect kids include keeping them in the shade when possible, especially during peak sun hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and dressing them in protective clothing such as light, long-sleeved, tightly woven fabrics and wide-brimmed hats. Sunglasses help protect their eyes. Babies younger than six months should be kept out of direct sunlight whenever possible and protected with shade and clothing.

How do I prevent insect bites and stings?

Springtime also brings insects such as mosquitoes, bees, and wasps. While most bites cause only mild irritation, they can be uncomfortable and occasionally lead to allergic reactions. You can help by checking play areas for insect nests, especially near tree stumps, trash cans, or holes in the ground, encouraging kids to wear shoes outdoors instead of going barefoot, and using insect repellent.

Use only insect repellents registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These contain ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or another EPA-registered active ingredient. Always read the label and follow all directions and precautions when applying.

Frequently asked questions about spring safety for kids

How can I tell if my child has seasonal allergies or a cold?

Allergy symptoms like a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes often last longer than a cold and tend to return around the same time each year. If symptoms persist or interfere with daily activities, talk with your pediatrician.

How should a bike helmet fit a child?

It should sit level, cover the forehead, fit snugly with a secure chin strap, meet U.S. CPSC standards, and not slide over the eyes when your child moves their head. Helmets should be worn for biking, scooters, and rollerblading.

What SPF sunscreen should children use?

Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher on exposed skin, apply it 15 to 30 minutes before going outside, and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Babies under six months should be kept out of direct sunlight.

Which insect repellents are safe for kids?

Use EPA-registered repellents containing ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, and always follow the label directions.

If you have any questions about allergies, sun protection, or other spring safety concerns, please call our office. Peninsula Pediatrics proudly cares for families across the Rockaways, including Rockaway Park, Belle Harbor, Neponsit, Rockaway Beach, Arverne, and Far Rockaway.

Why We Don’t Routinely Test for MTHFR Gene Variants or Heavy Metals

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Quick answer: Pediatricians at Peninsula Pediatrics do not routinely recommend MTHFR gene variant or heavy metal testing in children. MTHFR variants are common, usually cause no symptoms, have no specific treatment, and knowing your status does not change medical care. Following AAP guidance, these tests are not recommended for most kids.

As parents, it’s natural to want the best for your child’s health. You may have heard about MTHFR gene variants or heavy metal testing and wondered whether your child should be tested. There is a lot of information online and in adult medicine, sometimes parents are tested, and it can be confusing.  As pediatricians, we do not routinely recommend these tests, and here’s why.   Understanding MTHFR Gene Variants   MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) is a gene that helps the body process folate (Vitamin B9), which is essential for cell growth and metabolism. Everyone has two copies of this gene, and variations in the gene are common—about 40% of people have one. A variant may slightly decrease the body’s ability to process folate, but in most cases, the body still processes enough for normal function.   Most people with an MTHFR variant do not experience any symptoms or health issues, which is why routine testing is not useful. There is no specific treatment for having an MTHFR variant, and knowing your status does not change medical care. The more meaningful test, if someone has concerning symptoms, is a homocysteine level, as MTHFR-related issues only become relevant if homocysteine is elevated. However, this is still very rare in children.   Should my child be tested for MTHFR Gene Variants? Based on guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), MTHFR testing is not recommended in children because it does not provide useful or actionable medical information for children. Variations in the MTHFR gene are very common in the general population and, by themselves, do not cause disease. Knowing whether a child has an MTHFR variant does not change medical management, does not predict health problems, and does not guide treatment. Research in pediatrics has shown that MTHFR variants are not a cause of developmental delays, behavioral concerns, anxiety, ADHD, autism, or most other medical symptoms. They also do not reliably predict blood clot risk in children. Because of this, testing can create unnecessary worry without providing any information to help a child. We specifically recommend not testing for MTHFR in children, even when parents have been tested or when there is a family history and instead we focus on symptoms that a child does have and things we can test or do that are helpful and guide us to decisions that can benefit children. Additionally, even when an MTHFR variant is present, children with a normal diet do not need special supplements or treatment beyond standard age-appropriate nutrition. Should I Give My Child More Folate?   If your child has no symptoms or folate deficiency, there is no need to supplement with extra folate as a precaution. A well-balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lentils, beans, and fortified cereals provides enough folate for healthy development. If your child is ever found to be deficient, your pediatrician will guide you on the right approach.   Heavy Metals and Children’s Health   Heavy metal exposure can be concerning, but routine testing for metals like mercury, arsenic, and cadmium is not recommended unless there is a clear risk factor or symptoms. These exposures are rare, and our daily environment contains only trace amounts that the body naturally eliminates.   To reduce unnecessary exposure, parents can take simple precautions:  
  • Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly.  
  • Avoid excessive fruit juice consumption, as some juices have been found to contain small amounts of heavy metals.  
  • Provide a variety of foods to prevent overexposure to any single source.  
  • Ensure your drinking water is safe by checking with your local health department.  
  Heavy Metals in Vaccines   Some parents worry about heavy metals in vaccines, but routine childhood vaccines do not contain harmful levels of heavy metals. Thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, was removed from most vaccines in the early 2000s, and the trace amounts used in some multi-dose flu vaccines (our office uses single dose prefilled syringes) have not been shown to cause harm. The benefits of vaccines in preventing serious diseases far outweigh any theoretical risks from minimal exposure.   Lead Exposure and Testing   Unlike other heavy metals, lead exposure remains a real concern in certain situations. Children are routinely tested for lead exposure at 1 and 2 years old, or later if they are at risk. Risk factors include:  
  • Living in a home built before 1978 with chipping or peeling paint.  
  • Using imported pots, pans, or toys that may contain lead-based coatings.  
  • Having a caregiver who works in jobs with lead exposure, such as construction or battery manufacturing. 
If you are concerned about lead in your home, talk to your pediatrician about testing and prevention strategies.   Final Thoughts   We understand that navigating health information can be overwhelming, and we are here to support you. While MTHFR variants and heavy metals are widely discussed online, routine testing is not needed in most cases. If you ever have concerns about your child’s health, we encourage you to reach out. We are always happy to discuss evidence-based guidance to help your child grow up healthy and strong.

Frequently asked questions

What is the MTHFR gene?

MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) is a gene that helps the body process folate, or vitamin B9, which is essential for cell growth and metabolism. Everyone has two copies, and variations are common, with about 40 percent of people having one.

Should my child be tested for MTHFR gene variants?

Based on guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics, routine MTHFR testing is not recommended. Most people with a variant have no symptoms, there is no specific treatment, and knowing your status does not change medical care.

Is there a more meaningful test?

If someone has concerning symptoms, a homocysteine level is the more meaningful test, since MTHFR-related issues only become relevant if homocysteine is elevated, which is still very rare in children.

Related reading: What to Know About Tylenol, contact our office. Peninsula Pediatrics proudly cares for families across the Rockaways.