With summer's arrival, it's a good time to revisit taking care of infants in the warmer weather. Here are some questions I'm frequently asked:

Can I take allergy medication while nursing? In general, over-the-counter allergy medications are safe while nursing. They include Claritin (Loratidine) and Allegra (Fexofenadine), which are nonsedating antihistamines that won't make you sleepy. Actifed (Triprolidine) and Benedryl (diphenhydramine) are also safe antihistamines, but have sedative effects. Sudafed (phenypropanolamine), a decongestant, has also been found to be safe.

While nonsedating antihistamines are known for providing long-lasting relief, they also have less of a sedating effect on infants and are preferred, with Claritin, in particular, found to have a very low transmission rate into breast milk.

Although these medications are considered safe to take while nursing, I am a strong advocate of limiting a baby's exposure. I recommend taking allergy medications right after nursing, and optimally three to four hours before the next nursing session.

When can I use sunscreen or bug repellent on my baby? The best policy here is avoidance.

Sun exposure can be minimized by having infants wear lightweight clothing that covers arms and legs and a wide-brimmed hat. The American Academy of Pediatrics has stated it is acceptable to use a small amount of sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 on infants in small areas if covering up with clothing is not an option.

To minimize attracting insects, avoid scented soaps, shampoos and lotions on you or your baby. It is also wise to avoid dressing infants in brightly colored or flowered clothing. Place mosquito netting over a car seat or stroller when a small infant is sitting in them outside.

Insect repellent has been controversial since exposure to the common ingredient DEET has been associated with neurologic symptoms in children. Products containing DEET should never be used on infants under 2 months old. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics both agree the use of DEET in concentrations of 30 percent or less is safe on children older than 2 months.

While I am proactive about avoidance, I recommend parents first try DEET-free products, such as those containing citronella. If in an area with a very high risk of insect exposure, infants older than 2 months can have small amounts of repellent applied to exposed areas (excluding hands and face), as well as on clothing, but never under clothing. Avoid using a combination sunscreen/insect repellent product on infants and children since frequent reapplication for the benefits of sunscreen can overexpose a child to the repellent.

Our family wants to go on a summer vacation. When can I travel on a plane with my baby? Years ago, I took care of a family that was adopting a second child from another state. They picked the baby up from the hospital and assumed they could board a plane with the child, who was less than 1-week-old. They would have made it onto the plane had it not been for their very excited 3-year-old daughter who explained to the airline worker that the baby was "really small, not even a week old." That airline had a policy against allowing babies less than 1-week-old to fly. Several hours and many inquiries later, they did manage to find an airline that would allow their baby on board.

Lesson learned: Contact individual airlines regarding travel with infants (and while pregnant, for that matter).

It is also important to know that every individual, including infants, is required to go through the scanner at the airport. However, a parent should never be asked by Transport Security Administration to be separated from their infant.

Also, the TSA has modified its rules for transporting infant formula and breast milk. As long as these items are declared initially, they may be carried on board in volumes greater than 3 ounces. A parent should never be required to drink formula or breast milk to "prove" it is safe, a violation of the TSA policy statement.

When it's really hot, can I give my baby extra water to drink? A breast-fed baby does not need supplemental water in the diet. Breast milk already has a high water content, particularly the foremilk (milk at the beginning of the feeding). Breast-fed infants may simply feed for shorter intervals more frequently in the hot weather.

Formula-fed infants also generally get adequate water in their diets and don't require extra water supplementation. They should be allowed to take in the amount of formula they want.

Too much water can potentially be hazardous in the first few weeks of life since the baby's kidneys are not mature and may not be able to adjust to extra water.

Once again, being proactive can help. Keep the baby in the shade when outdoors in hot weather. Avoid being outside midday, which is usually the hottest time of day. And monitor a baby's number of wet diapers to make sure he or she isn't getting dehydrated.

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Dr. Donna Brezinski is the director of neonatal medicine at Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport.