You can constrain an individual axis with the Aim constraint. For example you can have the child object only affected on its Y-axis.
To constrain an axis with the Aim constraint:
- Double-click the Aim constraint in the Scene browser to select it.
- Open the Properties window. The Aim constraint settings display.
- Expand Constraint Axes and disable the X, Y, or Z axis for the desired translation effect you want to inhibit.
- To reactivate the unconstrained axes, activate the option.