Babies and altitude.

[IwishIhadtimetoreadnewspapers]

Is there any medical reason that babies (I'm thinking of a 7 month old) shouldn't go to high altitude resorts?

I'm sure someone told me once that it wasn't a good idea but can't remember why or what altitude is ok!

if there is a reason no-one ever told me! dds both went when tiny. dh finds it hard to sleep at altitude - could it just be something like that?

Not sure about babies, but I went skiing at 15 weeks pg, and no harm done to me or the baby. My sister took her 9 month old to Whistler without any problems too.

Yes, we've taken both of our lo's when theywere about 9 months but only to Morzine so pretty low altitude.

We're looking at different resorts for next year and will have a 7 month with us so I was hoping the MN collective would know!

Perhaps I dreamt the whole thing and it's one less thing on my list of criteria!

Levels of most resorts (1000-1800m) are ok but going up mountains in, for example, a cable car could cause ear pain due to pressure changes and you need to be aware of the drop in temperature as babies can lose heat quicker and are less active. Also the air can become "thinner" affecting even adults with lightheaded and drowsiness so there may be a increased risk of SIDS with prolonged exposure. We were advised not to take an under 2 up the Aiguille du Midi in Chamonix (3500m).

If you are staying at anything over 1800m (ish) and have children under 18 months (again ish) it might be worth having a word with your GP. Essentially infants might get a bit of altitude sickness (headaches, short of breath etc). Unlikely if children are fit and healthy but one to be conscious of.