• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • TravelingDad

Traveling Mom

Traveling tips, deals, info from moms and families

  • COVID-19
  • Road Trips
    • ROAD TRIPS ACROSS THE USA
    • ROAD TRIP PLANNER
    • ILLINOIS ROAD TRIPS
    • TEXAS ROAD TRIPS
    • GEORGIA ROAD TRIPS
    • CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIPS
    • NORTHEAST ROAD TRIPS
    • MIDWEST ROAD TRIPS
  • Destinations
    • Northeast
    • Southeast
    • East Coast
    • Midwest
    • South
    • Southwest
    • Northwest
    • West
    • US Cities
      • New York City
      • Chicago
      • Los Angeles
      • Orlando
      • San Diego
      • San Francisco
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Walt Disney World
    • Disney Worldwide
    • Disney Cruise
    • Discount Disney World Tickets
  • Outdoors
    • Skiing
    • National Parks
    • RV/Camping
    • Beaches
  • Travel Resources
    • Babies and Toddlers
    • Free Things to Do
    • Packing
    • Discount Attractions Tickets
    • Discount Disney World Ticket
    • Discount Universal Tickets
    • Grandparents
    • Cruising
    • TravelingDad
  • Search
  • COVID-19
  • Road Trips
    • Road Trips Across the USA
    • Road Trip Planner
    • Illinois Road Trips
    • Texas Road Trips
    • Georgia Road Trips
    • California Road Trips
    • Northeast Road Trips
    • Midwest Road Trips
  • US National Parks
  • RV and Camping
  • Beaches
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Walt Disney World
    • Disney Worldwide
    • Disney Cruise
    • Discount Disney World Tickets
  • Cruises
  • Skiing
  • Free Things to Do
  • Traveling with Babies and Toddlers
  • Traveling Grandparents
  • TravelingDad
  • US Destinations
    • Northeast
    • Southeast
    • East Coast
    • Midwest
    • South
    • Southwest
    • Northwest
    • West
  • US Cities
    • NYC
    • Chicago
    • Los Angeles
    • Orlando
    • San Diego
    • San Francisco
  • International
  • Travel Resources
    • Book A Trip
    • Discount Attractions Tickets
    • Discount Disney World Tickets
    • Discount Universal Tickets
    • Packing
  • Contact Us
  • About Us

Mobile Menu

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
You are here: Home / Travel Tips / 15 Tips for Flying with a Baby
Bossy looking baby has tips for flying with a baby.
Photo credit: Stock Unlimited

15 Tips for Flying with a Baby

May 20, 2020 //  by Nasreen Stump//  27 Comments

FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Flying with a Baby: Travel with Baby Tips
  • Before Flying With Baby+−
    • 1. Think long and hard about which flight you book.
    • 2. Consider your baby's schedule.
    • 3. Practice babywearing.
    • 4. Lap child or separate seat?
    • 5. Flying with multiple babies or other kids?
  • Traveling with Baby Tips: What to Pack for Flying with Baby+−
    • 6. Bring ID for baby.
    • 7. Strategize your packing when flying with an infant.
    • 8. Ziploc bags are lifesavers!
    • 9. Bring a change of clothes for baby. And for you.
    • 10. What can you bring for your baby through airport security?
  • Airport Tips When Flying with a Baby+−
    • 11. Allow extra time.
    • 12. No reserved seat for baby? Check at the gate.
    • 13. Know where you can put a child safety seat.
    • 14. When is the best time to nurse or bottle feed baby?
    • 15. Identify which restroom has a changing table once you are onboard.

Whether you’re a new mom or a seasoned one air travel with small children can be tricky! Add in those extra pandemic considerations and it’s downright daunting. Take some deep breaths and read our travel with baby tips. You’ll learn why sometimes you have to buy a seat for your baby, how to change a diaper on a plane and what essential items and travel gear you should be bringing.

Flying with a Baby: Travel with Baby Tips

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and buy, TravelingMom may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.
TravelingMom is hosting an exciting giveaway for a Skylight digital photo frame ($159 value)! ENTER HERE

I was lucky. My first flight with my one month old son was with my mom. Since then I’ve flown with three more babies, both alone and with reinforcements. Traveling with infants and traveling with kids young enough to be in car seats can equal headaches for Traveling Moms. How will baby deal with pressure changes? Will fellow passengers make it better or worse? These 15 tips for flying with a baby can make family travel easier.

When flying with baby you need to know these tips!
When flying with baby you need to know these tips! Whether you’re headed to Europe, New York or San Jose we’ve got you covered. Photo Credit: Nasreen Stump

 

 

Before Flying With Baby

1. Think long and hard about which flight you book.

While finances may steer you towards the cheapest flight, that is not the only thing to consider when flying with an infant. Consider flight duration, layovers and even which airline you choose. The flight that costs an extra $40 but is nonstop in the middle of the day will be worth every extra penny. Airlines can also make a difference here. Many TravelingMom writers LOVE to fly Southwest Airlines because of their family-friendly attitude. Also remember that when you travel with a baby, you’ll likely want to check luggage. So factor in luggage fees before you book.

One more fee to consider if you’re taking an international flight: Some countries charge entry taxes on a baby that have to be ahead of time. Call your airline for details if you’re flying with an infant.

Read More: Essential Tips for Flying Southwest Airlines with Kids

2. Consider your baby’s schedule.

If y’all stay close to home most of the time, consider taking a few long car rides ahead of your trip. A baby who is only accustomed to short periods of time in a car seat may not do so well strapped in for a several-hour flight. A few nap times in the car seat during drives will do wonders for kiddos’ comfort level once they are on the plane.

Mom flying with a baby in a baby carrier - TravelingMom
Make your flight a great experience by babywearing. You can also wear baby through security, leaving your hands free to wrangle the carry-on. Photo Credit: Nasreen Stump

3. Practice babywearing.

Babywearing — carrying the baby in a sling or other carrier that straps on to the adult — allows you to go through TSA security checkpoints while having your hands free. To wear a baby through TSA, choose a buckle carrier (with no metal). During the flight, you can wear a baby (making it significantly easier to bring diaper changing gear to the lavatory) except during takeoff and landing.

There are many different types of baby carriers. They range from ring slings to wraps to soft structured buckle carriers like Ergo, Tula, Baby Bjorn, and Infantino. A stretchy carrier like a Moby or Boba will allow you to take the baby in and out freely without having to retie or refasten.

If you have never tried babywearing before, head to a Babywearing International meeting near you to try different carrier styles to find the one that works best for you and for baby.

4. Lap child or separate seat?

Until the age of 2, young children can fly as a lap baby for free. While it’s always tempting to save that money, sometimes it isn’t in your best interest. Factors to consider: How long is the flight? Will you be traveling with another adult who can hold the baby for part of the flight?

TravelingMom Tip: If you decide to bring baby as a lap child be sure to get to the airport early. Many airlines will need to print out a lap child boarding pass that you cannot access by checking in on their website.

Read More: Bringing a Car Seat on a Plane: Complete Guide for Parents

5. Flying with multiple babies or other kids?

If you are flying solo with twin babies or one baby and another child under age 2, you will need to buy a seat for at least one of the babies. That’s because adults are limited to one lap child.

There’s a good reason for that: Airplane rows only have 1 additional oxygen mask. A plane configured with 3 seats per side will have 4 oxygen masks. Two adults flying with 2 lap children will NOT be allowed to sit in the same row. In the unlikely event of an emergency, there would be only 4 oxygen masks and the person in the third seat would not have a mask.

Traveling with Baby Tips: What to Pack for Flying with Baby

baby boy lying on a map with a passport - TravelingMom
Babies need ID to fly! Don’t forget their passport (if out of the country) or birth certificate for domestic flights with an infant. Photo Credit: Nasreen Stump

6. Bring ID for baby.

You may not automatically think to bring paperwork for baby (especially for a domestic flight), but many airlines will want to see a birth certificate. A baby has to be at least 14 days old to fly on most airlines. They will not let you on the flight if you cannot prove the baby’s age.

Traveling out of the country? Baby will need a passport. If only one parent is traveling, it is always a good idea to carry a consent letter from the other parent consenting to the travel.

When we lived in Vermont, I used to go to Montreal frequently with my daughter. We used to take a photo on my phone of my husband holding her with a consent letter in hand before each trip. I was only asked about it one time.

7. Strategize your packing when flying with an infant.

You’ll have the urge to pack everything conceivable when flying with a baby. While it is good to be prepared, the most important thing is accessibility. If you have to dig through 18 inches of densely packed baby gear on the plane while holding a crying baby, you might be cursing your preparedness. Plan to put the bag under the seat in front of you rather than in the overhead bin so that you can get to it more easily.

Choose a carry-on bag with outside pockets so items that are most likely to be needed are easily accessible. After four children, I’ve worked my way through a fair share of diaper bags, and I always come back to a backpack style. It leaves hands free for baby and can fit items for you as well. This super-chic cognac leather look one is perfect for travel and can be carried as a backpack, over the shoulder or even strapped onto a stroller easily.

8. Ziploc bags are lifesavers!

Seriously, this is a top traveling with baby tip. Messes happen! Pack a couple of big Ziploc bags (gallon size or so). Ziploc bags are incredibly versatile and should be on all packing lists. Stick diapers and a few wipes in one for quick lavatory changes. Use another Ziploc for anything liquid/goopy that you’ll need to pull out at the security checkpoint. More empty Ziplocs can be used to hold stinky diapers if a trash can isn’t immediately available.

Read More: The Ultimate Packing Travel Hacks: 7 Uses for Ziploc Bags

Baby in a car seat at the airport - TravelingMom
Flying with a baby doesn’t have to be stressful. Photo Credit: TravelingMom Nasreen Stump

9. Bring a change of clothes for baby. And for you.

As someone who wound up covered in puke from a sick 13-month-old, please remember to bring a change of clothes for you as well as the baby. I hope you never find out how important this tip is. It’s still not funny years later. I walked off the flight with puke covered jeans wearing an Airtran shirt.

10. What can you bring for your baby through airport security?

Formula, pumped breast milk, and baby food are all fair game, EVEN if they are over the 3.4-ounce limit. Just be sure to let the TSA agent know that you have baby items BEFORE putting them through the x-ray machine. The agents will hand inspect them.  It’s a good idea to leave bottles and sippy cups easily accessible to speed up this process.

If you need water for the formula, you can bring it through security, even if it’s a full-size water bottle. I highly recommend bringing room temperature water. Once you get past security most water will be chilled and most babies don’t like cold beverages.

Read up on these TSA Flying with Baby Rules ahead of time. Or print them out and bring them to the airport with you.

TravelingMom Tip: If you’re traveling with baby TSA will have you go through the metal detector. If you have a baby carrier with no metal (think Tula or LILLEbaby) wear your little one for this part. It will leave you hands free to gather up your luggage. They will probably swab your hands but it will be a quick process!

A mother holds a baby in both arms as her other child rests on a suitcase at an airport terminal. The mother is smiling and the older brother is looking out of the window at airplanes on the runway.
Here’s how to excel at the airport experience with baby.
Photo Credit: NadyaEugene via Shutterstock

Airport Tips When Flying with a Baby

11. Allow extra time.

Add time to your normal airport routine. There is a good chance you will need to check in at the ticket counter to get a lap child added to your ticket. Most airlines will also then check the birth certificate you brought to be sure the baby is not over the lap child age allowed. This can take time if there is a long line. It’s basically like a more complicated version of “getting out the door”. Everything takes longer than you think.

12. No reserved seat for baby? Check at the gate.

If you haven’t purchased a seat for your infant, stop by the gate once you’re through security. There may be an extra seat on the plane that you can use for the baby. You can also find out what time preboarding or family boarding starts and get luggage tags for your stroller and car seat.

13. Know where you can put a child safety seat.

If you’re bringing a car seat on board for your little one it must be an FAA-approved car seat. These seats can only go in window seats (or the middle seat if no one is sitting in the window). There are also some restrictions around locations near exits. Be sure to check with a flight attendant once you’re on board.

14. When is the best time to nurse or bottle feed baby?

Plan to nurse or bottle-feed your baby as the plane takes off and lands. Changes in cabin pressure can cause ear pressure and slight pain. A pacifier can also work if your child will take one. The sucking motion for all of these things will help prevent ear pain (and a screaming baby).

Learn More: Breastfeeding Tips: A Complete Guide for Travel

15. Identify which restroom has a changing table once you are onboard.

Not all airplane bathrooms are created equal. Many times only one of the lavatories has a changing table. There are lots of schools of thought about changing diapers in the seats themselves. So grab a portable changing pad and read up on these tips for changing diapers on a plane.

Bonus traveling with baby tip: We’re in the midst of Covid-19 at this point. Airline rules are in flux continuously. When in doubt? Call your airline or ask us on Facebook. We’ll help you out. Be sure to check our posts on flying tips for Covid and how to clean your hotel room.

Have you flown with a baby? What are your best tips for flying with baby?

FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn

Category: Travel Tips

You May Also Like

  • Whether it's sand or snow your seeking for your family's holiday vacation, these tips will help you stay stress free.
    The Best Stress-Free Holiday Travel Tips
  • Autism Travel Tips for Beginners
  • Packing tips for long term travel
    8 Essential Packing Tips for Long Term Travel
  • Jumpstart your vacation with these 6 Tips for Navigating Cyber Monday Travel Deals.
    6 Tips for Navigating Cyber Monday Travel Deals
  • 101 Travel Tips for College Football Weekends - Make sure to get out there and see the game!
    Travel Tips for College Football Weekends
  • Survival tips for flying with toddlers - toddler at airport.
    11 Survival Tips for Flying With Toddlers
Previous Post: «Mom buckling a baby into a car seat Road Trip with a Baby: A Survival Guide for Parents
Next Post: California Road Trip – Pacific Beach San Diego Want to make the most of a California spring break? Read about one successful mother daughter trip to Pacific Beach and back in a Buick Enclave.»

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

27 Comments on “15 Tips for Flying with a Baby”

  1. Rachel says:
    January 5, 2021 at 9:01 am

    We use Flyaway Kids Bed for our flights with a 10 month old & LOVE IT! She could sleep and play comfortably for the whole flight – just needed to make sure she had her own seat.

    Reply
    1. Nasreen Stump says:
      January 6, 2021 at 1:36 pm

      Thanks for the heads up! Good to know that you’ve tested it and it worked so well.

      Reply
  2. AISHA BILLOO says:
    December 10, 2020 at 6:27 am

    Thank you! I was worried about ear pain. Tha k you for the tip.

    Reply
    1. Cindy Richards says:
      December 14, 2020 at 9:57 am

      Did you fly with a baby? How did it go?

      Reply
  3. Becky says:
    October 24, 2020 at 7:59 pm

    Any thoughts on flying red eye with a baby to ensure they sleep? Mine is one who never cries for no reason and she likes to be held by us but NEVER sitting down. We must stand with her constantly. It’s exhausting. I’m so nervous to fly, especially after reading some of these really hateful comments.

    Reply
    1. Nasreen Stump says:
      November 12, 2020 at 11:00 am

      I understand the nerves. Please don’t think that everyone will be hateful. One troll stirred up some feelings in the comments and disappeared. I’ve got four I’ve flown with (hence why I wrote the article) and overall people have been pleasant. My recommendations would be practice. I know it sounds silly to practice for a flight but try to get her super comfortable and sit down for periods of time with her. I’m a huge babywearing advocate. If you have the opportunity to try out a carrier it feels a little like a hug to baby and mine would let me sit down wearing them. As a heads up you aren’t allowed to have the baby in the carrier during takeoff or landing but all other times are fine. Unfortunately with the Covid situation many airlines are asking people not to walk up and down the aisle unnecessarily so my normal suggestion of pacing as needed can’t be given. Try to book towards the back of the plane so that you can stand up and move around a little bit if needed. Other than that try to set routine beforehand with a specific blanket and lovey for bedtime and then bring those on the flight with you to hopefully create that feeling of bedtime. Best of luck!

      Reply
  4. Katherine Finch says:
    May 23, 2020 at 1:53 pm

    Yes, I have 6 month baby girl and I am really so worried about this. But when I read this article and follow up your 14 tips that’s helps me a lot. Thanks for the fantastic ideas.

    Reply
  5. Jahnavi Jaanu says:
    April 7, 2020 at 11:05 am

    Very helpful. So many things to learn from this post. Thanks a lot for sharing all the wise tips.

    Reply
  6. Susan says:
    March 3, 2020 at 5:49 am

    I loved all the instructions were also fun, all true and useful. greetings.

    Reply
  7. sophie|organic baby teethers says:
    March 19, 2019 at 6:45 am

    This is fabulous. very helpful information for new mums like me.. we are heading to Canada with the baby its his first flight so i need all of this information & the comfy that he can make it cross-country without us losing our minds. thanks for sharing..

    Reply
    1. Nasreen Stump, Road Warrior TravelingMom says:
      March 29, 2019 at 7:06 pm

      Thanks! Good luck.

      Reply
  8. ABCKidsINC says:
    July 18, 2018 at 1:27 am

    Hi! Thanks for all the travelling tips I really appreciate it! Your blog is really helpful! I am bound to travel with my baby soon and your tips are worth remembering.

    Reply
  9. Baw says:
    December 1, 2010 at 4:59 pm

    And why would you even be on the website travelingmom.com?? To be rude and demeaning.

    Reply
  10. Baw says:
    December 1, 2010 at 4:58 pm

    #3- Amy- I feel sorry for your mother. Wait until you become a mother and your attitude will change. I had your demeaning attitude at one point in my life and readjusted. I actually hope I sit by you and will make your airplane ride miserable!
    #6- Dude- part of life…feel sorry for your mother too….she should have raised your better. Hate to be in your life.
    That’s the problem these days with people like this….instead of being demeaning and hateful, one should be considerate and helpful. Then the world would be in a better place.

    Reply
  11. A Dude says:
    December 1, 2010 at 12:53 pm

    Here is the only tip you need when it comes to thinking about bringing your baby on a flight-DON’T.

    If you do,though,accept that a lot of people resent it and for good reason.

    There are a lot of us who dont care why you think you need to fly with baby.We just care that we dont want to have to see hear or smell it.

    Reply
    1. Nasreen Stump says:
      May 5, 2018 at 11:26 am

      We can agree to disagree on that. I traveled for business weekly for years and flew over 500K a year. There are many many more adults that I met who were less welcome on the plane to me than a baby. That being said it is important for parents to be prepared and cognizant of people around them when they fly to ensure that everyone’s experience is satisfactory.

      Reply
  12. AN says:
    November 29, 2010 at 7:03 pm

    Anyone who would change a baby in an airplane seat is a disgusting human IMO. Why should everyone else be subjected to faecal germs just because its a child? That is disgusting.

    Reply
  13. Barbara says:
    November 29, 2010 at 1:08 pm

    Don’t even think of changing diapers at your seat. The only place to change diapers is in the bathroom.

    Reply
    1. Nasreen stump says:
      May 5, 2018 at 11:24 am

      Agreed. It is far more sanitary and pleasant for everyone involved. That being said occasionally with flights where we have not been allowed to get up that needed a diaper change I have perfected a quick pee diaper change on my lap (NEVER on the airplane seat- gross!).

      Reply
  14. Amy says:
    November 29, 2010 at 7:19 am

    I recently told a woman with a baby no when she dared ask me to trade seats so she could have the extra FREE seat I lucked into being next to for her noisy replicant. No one else with a spare chair accomodated her and her unwelcome freeloader, either.
    I also have and will continue to complain if someone tries to inflict the BIOHAZARD of diaper changing or breastfeeding on me by trying to do either next to my seat. I know many others who also complain about this, and women who try it DO get told they must use appropriate places.
    If someone tries apologising in advance for their baby being noisy , I will apologise in advance for my reflexive lashing out at anything that touches me or makes loud noise when I am resting, which I will be doing on the flight.Expect a LOT of purposely vulgar language from my husband and myself that isn’t aimed at you, but will be intentionally offensive, if you cannot keep your kid quiet.

    Reply
    1. Danielle says:
      April 4, 2019 at 1:05 pm

      I wish I could be on a flight with you or a person just like yourself. I would purposely make your life a living hell. Also if anything is directed toward my kids such as rudeness, I would more than likely be removed from the flight because of the ruckus that I would keep up. But not before I had a hand full of your hair and left you with a Souvenir black eye.

      If someone wanted to be rude with their baby’s diaper, they would dump it right in your lap. Not put it nicely in a closed plastic bag.

      People need to realize they were once babies/kids also.

      Reply
    2. Not a jerk says:
      April 7, 2019 at 9:21 pm

      Why are.you even reading traveling mom, Amy? This guilting and shaming on a thread trying to help those dealing with the stress of travel and raising their little ones is wholly unnecessary.

      Reply
      1. liz says:
        July 10, 2019 at 4:10 pm

        THANK YOU! I am just reading these comments and I cant believe the hostility. THank you thank you thank you for writing this comment. Your a stand up guy.

        Reply
  15. Rachel says:
    November 15, 2010 at 9:02 pm

    I actually disagree w/the suggestion of getting on the plane first. Only do that IF you have car seats to install. If you do not have car seats to install then wait until the last possible minute to board. That’d mean less time in a confined space.

    Along w/the gate check suggestion – always put car seats and strollers in gate check bags – not plastic bags of any kind – they will rip. You can find these bags on amazon and other retailers. They’re easier to spot when you pick up your item AND it keeps them clean!

    Reply
    1. Nasreen Stump says:
      May 5, 2018 at 11:22 am

      We did a rewrite on this and we’re in agreement. I actually only prefer to get on first if it is a little baby. When my son was 3 months and under it was easier to get in and get fastened. But for some older kids getting on too early gives them time to get antsy and cranky. We do fly Southwest a lot and in those cases we always use family boarding so we don’t have any issues getting seats together.

      Reply
  16. Beth choisez says:
    October 27, 2010 at 2:13 am

    Great tips! I will add two. First, try and change the baby in the bathroom as it will keep diapers in the garbage and not in the seat back pocket. If not, please throw out diapers as soon as possible.

    If you have an extra set of hands, have them board first with gear and you board with the little one last. If you do get that “free” seat, should include the window because that is where car seats go for safety.

    Reply
    1. Nasreen stump says:
      May 5, 2018 at 11:20 am

      You are absolutely correct. The car seat always has to go all the way in so it doesn’t block anyone’s exit. My changing pad has an area for a roll of plastic baggies. I always prefer to change in the lavatory but if I can’t make it there I always put it in a bag and seal it off!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Ask Us!
  • Privacy & Terms
  • Manage Push Notifications
  • Site Admin

Copyright © 2021 Traveling Mom · All Rights Reserved