myth You need to feed your baby a lot of fluids. Dehydration isn't a worry unless your child is vomiting or has diarrhea, says Karl Neumann, M.D., an associate professor of pediatrics at Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

myth Nurse or give a bottle at takeoff and landing. This oft-cited tip isn't a bad idea to prevent the possibility of "ouchy" ears, but it's not a must, says Dr. Neumann. His research shows that infants don't cry any more or less during these times. And if your baby is sleeping as the plane ascends or descends, there's no need to wake her to follow this rule.

myth Infants with ear infections shouldn't fly. Your baby might be fussy if she's battling a bug, but flying won't make her feel worse. In-flight ear pain is caused by air's expansion and contraction in the middle ear, but an infection fills this space with fluid, so there's less chance for pain.

myth Benadryl will help your baby sleep. This antihistamine may also have the opposite effect and make an infant hyper. (If you do plan to try it, get the green light and dosing instructions from your pediatrician first.)

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