What should you know about infants and altitude sickness?

At higher elevations, the air contains less available oxygen. A baby may respond with poorer feeding, unusual fussiness, disturbed sleep, vomiting, reduced activity, or faster breathing. These signs can also come from dehydration, infection, motion sickness, or another problem, so do not assume altitude is the cause.

Risk depends on the height reached, how quickly the family travels upward, and the infant’s health. Babies with heart or lung conditions, or those born prematurely, may need individual travel advice. A travel clinician can review the route, planned overnight stops, medicines, and access to care before departure.

Ascend gradually where possible and allow time for rest at lower elevations. Offer normal breast or formula feeds and monitor wet nappies, alertness, and breathing. Keep the baby warm without overheating, and avoid sedating medicines unless a clinician has prescribed them for that child. If symptoms begin or worsen, stop ascending and seek medical advice; descending to a lower altitude may be necessary.

Arrange a [Travel Health Consultation](/treatments/occupational-and-travel-medicine/travel-health-consultation/) before a high-altitude trip, especially when the infant has an underlying condition.

Seek emergency help for struggling or persistently rapid breathing, pauses in breathing, blue or grey skin, severe vomiting, inability to feed, very few wet nappies, unusual limpness, confusion, or difficulty waking the baby. Move to a safer lower altitude if this can be done promptly and safely, but do not delay emergency care while arranging transport.

Is this destination suitable for my infant’s age and health? How should we ascend and sleep during the trip? Which feeding or breathing changes should prompt descent? What emergency services are available along our route?