The Problem of Baby Sleeping Basket Supply on Airplane - Literature review Example

PROBLEM OF BABY SLEEPING BASKET SUPPLY ON AIRPLANE Name: Course: Instructor: Institution: City: Date INTRODUCTION The occupant protection policies for children less than two years of age on an airplane vary from one airplane to another airplane and from nation to nation. In most countries, children less than two years are required to be restrained in order to protect them from injuries during take-off, landing and in cases of turbulence. According to Barkodale (2011), each year several parents travel with their children on domestic and international flights. Travelling long distance with children sometimes puts special pressure and demand on parents responsible for their wellbeing. During a flight, most parents prefer carrying their children on their lap since most airlines offers a free flight for an infant or toddler. However, regulations, rules and requirements in relation to child on board have changed in the recent days. A number of commercial airlines describe an infant as a person less than two years. Nowadays, it is a requirement in most airplanes that an infant should be on his own seat, especially on a government or aviation authority approved child restraint system such as a baby basket or any other relevant carrier. A baby basket is a small bed for one’s baby (Fife &, Mckibben, 2002). It is useful for babies less than two years since it is the best perk where a baby gets to sleep comfortably. However, there is always problem with the baby sleeping basket when using it during a flight. Firstly, the basket cannot be used for the whole journey; parents need to get their baby out of the basket when the warning sign light up, such as a seat belt. Secondly, the size and limit of the sleeping basket in the bulkhead, makes it difficult for children to have comfort during flight. Therefore, this study seeks to explain the problems of baby sleeping basket supply on the airplane. CONTEXT Travelling with kids sometimes proves to be frustrating, wonderful and messy. A parent should ensure safety of a kid during a flight. This safety can be enhanced by having an approved child restraint or children’s own seats. According to US department of transportation, the use of baby basket came into limelight back in 1990’s. The accident that led into the introduction of the baby basket was the 1994 USAir DC-9 Charlotte accident. On that fateful flight, two mothers were holding their daughters who were under the age of two on their laps. On their way to Charlotte, the airplane experienced a strong microburst, making it to land on a wooded area some distance from the runaway. The violent movement of the aircraft were too strong for the parents having unrestrained babies and hence could not hold them. The children’s mothers survived the crash unfortunately, the children died in the process. According to the report released by BTSB, the mother whose child died stated that she was not in a position to maintain a secure hold on her child during the crash. According to Federal Aviation authority, the safest place for a child on a plane is a government approved child safety restraint systems or devices, but not on a parent’s lap. A parent’s lap is not capable of holding a child during an unexpected turbulence. However before the law a parent’s lap is legal no matter how it is unsafe. Fife & Mckibben (2002) argued that, an unrestrained child may become an uncontrolled object in the airplane cabin resulting in catastrophe to other passengers on board. The restraint basket is of great importance to children on flight. They provide a warm provides a secure, warm sleeping environment for a baby. These baskets especially made from palm, have handles that makes it easy to carry while the baby is inside. They are also cheap in the long run and provide the best option for ensuring children’s safety during a flight. Comfort is also enhanced and the baby made to sleep more easily, by providing a baby with the usual smell of the baby’s sleeping cover. The use of these baskets should be encouraged since during an emergency landing, turbulence and sudden stops may pose high risk to a child on a lap. During turbulence it is more likely that the parent would not be able to hold on the child (Mohan &, Schneider, 2009). As a result, the child may be thrown into the passenger cabin causing injuries or death According to Barkodale (2011), subject to restriction on some aircrafts or air planes, personal baskets or any other carrier device may not be allowed on the board’ this may be attributed to safety measures. In such scenarios, a specially designed child restraint seat may be made available for use in the airplane with prior ticket booking for reservation. According to “Travelling with a Newborn to eight-month-old” (2015), however, parents face various problems while travelling especially long distance with their children on the plane. These baby baskets are normally located at the bulkhead next to either kitchen or bathrooms; in these areas, there is high traffic with passengers opening and closing doors. The size and limit of the bulkhead area makes it difficult for children to have comfort during flight. In some planes, for example, only children with the weight of less than 7kgs and a height of 71cm may be allowed to use a baby basket or any other restraint. Parents also face the dilemma of selecting a baby carrier that will allow healthy positioning of the child’s hips and avoid dislocation. According to Agran, Anderson, & Winn (2006), parents should be guided on how to position their children on the baskets since most parents are unknowingly risking the lives of their due to wrong positioning. Also, some airlines can deny parents with young children the opportunity to be the first to board a plane. Some passengers may also be intolerant to babies, giving parents hard time to handle the baby during a flight. Since the sleeping basket cannot be used for the whole journey, parents are faced with the dilemma of medication to make their children sleep during a flight. This however should be avoided since the child might wake up confused, dehydrated and at a high risk of being ill. Other Safety Measures Flying long distances with babies requires adequate preparation and taking into consideration of the various safety measures during flight. Li & Baker(2007) argued that, apart from focusing on the baby sleeping basket, parents and crew members should also focus on the following safety measures in order to ensure safety of a baby on board; One should make sure he is well conversant with possible emergencies in relation to a child that may arise during a flight. In relation to this he should know of the emergency equipment or the procedures that may apply to his children during the emergency. Parents should have in their possession all the essential products for their children in the carry-on luggage. These may include enough diapers, drugs for medication, enough food, playing toys, and any other relevant items for the child. Before flight, a parent should know of any medical condition of the child that may be taken into consideration during flight. He should inform the appropriate authority for example flight agent or counter agent about the conditions so that necessary measures could be taken. A child should be controlled all the times during the flight. Failing to control may endanger the child’s life since he can make movements or touch dangerous devices or equipment on the plane. Protection of the babies ears especially during take-off and landing in order to relieve ear pressure. This should be done by making sure the child sucks something when on board. Breastfeeding when on board is encouraged since it is the most convenient. A parent should also carry with him a basic first-aid kit which contains plasters and pain relievers for relieving pain or fever that may arise during flight. Ease child’s dehydration by making sure a baby drinks enough liquid substances such as water during flight. Parents or a guardian holding a baby on his lap is advised not to put safety belt around him during the take-off and landing. Research Method The methods selected for data collection in this research will provide guidelines to be followed to acquire the necessary information, on the problem of baby sleeping basket supply. This research intends to use both the primary and secondary research methods. Primary sources will involve inquiring from those parents who frequently take a flight with their babies. A cross-sectional survey with the use of questionnaires will be used to help extract information from these parents on the problems faced in relation to a child’s protection during a flight. The target population for the primary data will be those people who frequently take a flight with their children and the cabin crew. A given sample will be selected from the representative number of the population of those who frequently travel with their children. Secondary sources such as journals and articles will be used to extract more information on the children’s safety measures during a flight. Secondary sources will provide more information on previous research related to this particular topic. This will help in clear understanding of the topic thus making the research process to be more easy and enjoyable. Qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques will be used to analyze the data collected. Agran, Winn &, Castillo (2012), these will help in determining whether the data to be collected will be reliable and valid. References Agran PF, Anderson CL, Winn DG (2006). Factors associated with restraint use of children in fatal crashes Agran PF, Winn DG, Castillo DN (2012) On-lap travel: still a problem in airplanes and aircrafts Barksdale BC(2011) Child safety restraints: a controversy over safe infant air travel. J Air Law Commerc 57:201–255 Fife D, Rosner B, McKibben W (2002) Relative mortality of unbelted infant passengers and belted non-infant passengers in air accidents with survivors. Am J Public Health Li G, Baker SP (2007) Injury patterns in aviation-related fatalities. Implications for preventive strategies Mohan D, Schneider L.W (2009).An evaluation of adult clasping strength for restraining lap-held infants. Hum Factors 21:635–645 Travelling with a new born to eight-month-old, Available at http:www.babycentre.com.au US Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration.Tips for Safe Air Travel with Children. Washington, DC: Federal Aviation Administration. Available at thttp://www.faa.gov Retrived on March, 2015 Read More