Summertime is here… it’s time to jet off to a fun destination and take a vacay! Will you be flying somewhere with your little one soon? I’m here to share some tips for flying with a baby to help you feel prepared for your upcoming trip!
Travel by plane can be a stressful situation for many. Throw a baby into the mix… that can be a daunting task. I feel like most parents, new or seasoned, feel some sort of nerves prior to taking their babies on flights.
I know I was very nervous for our first time taking our 5 month old baby onto an airplane! Her first international trip was to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
While I was still pregnant, we knew we would be going on this trip to attend our friend’s wedding. I was very adamant that I wanted to take her with us- I wasn’t going to be ready to leave our new baby behind for 5 days. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy but that it was going to be worth it to have her there.
Preparing for this trip with a baby was different than I had prepared for any trip before. Thank goodness for the internet, because I did a lot of research to feel as prepared and organized as possible.
Being a first time mom, I now needed to find baby travel products, portable baby gear, figure out how to get this small human a passport, and how on earth we were going to survive a plane ride!
Luckily, it all ended up working out in the end. I felt like I was as prepared for our trip as could be. I loved the baby gear we ended up finding for our trip, and the tips I sought out were extremely helpful.
In the end… we had the best time bringing our baby with us! Were there some rough patches? Of course! Were there a couple fussy periods on the plane… Absolutely! Blowouts… Yasss! But overall, she did great, we survived, and you will, too!
Take a look at my post on 10 Baby Travel Must Haves to see what items we found & have grown to love for traveling!
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they will help keep this site up and running. I only recommend products that I absolutely love. Thank you for your support!
Do I need to buy a ticket for my baby?
Infants or children under 2 years old can fly free or for a fee, as a lap child. If you are planning to have your child sit in their own seat, you will need to buy a ticket for them.
Keep in mind on international flights, fees and a percentage of an adult ticket may be charged for lap infants.
When deciding whether to have your baby as a lap child or to buy them their own seat you may want to factor in some different variables. Take some things into consideration such as the duration of the flight, how old your baby is, how mobile or active your baby is, what your budget is, etc. This will help guide you to make the best decision for your family.
Things to consider when booking flights with a baby?
When traveling, you will have to be flexible since you are not in your normal routine. But it doesn’t hurt to try to line up your flights to best suite your family’s needs. If possible, try to book a flight that will coordinate well with your baby’s schedule.
-Does it line up well with naptime/bedtime?
-What time will you need to leave for the airport?
-What is the duration of the flight?
-Is there an option of having a layover or is it a nonstop flight… And do you want to break it up or continue all the way through?
-Will there be a time change at your destination?
Ultimately, take a look at multiple options of flights and go from there to decide what will work best with your family!
Does my baby need identification for our flight?
If you are traveling domestically, I would bring a copy of baby’s birth certificate. It may not be required, but is important to have on you to prove that your baby is under 2 years of age.
If you are traveling internationally, baby will need a passport! How cute, right? You can get a passport for a child of any age. I went through Nora’s passport process when she was 2 months old.
If you know you are going to be traveling internationally at some point with your baby, I would start the passport process as soon as possible. Just in case there are any delays in passport processing or if you have trouble getting in for an appointment slot.
Here is the website I followed for instructions on How to Apply for a Child’s U.S. Passport.
Can I bring breast milk/liquid formula for baby?
Yes! According to TSA, breastmilk, formula, toddler drinks, and baby food, including pouches, are considered medically necessary liquids. They can be brought in your carryon bag, and may exceed the 3.4 oz limit normally in place for other carryon liquids.
When going through security, notify the TSA agent that you have these items on you and remove them from your carryon bag to be screened separately.
You are allowed to bring items to keep your milk cold such as ice packs, freezer packs, or gel pads (even in the absence of milk).
Heads up: Liquids may be subject to testing by TSA. So if you have expressed breast milk or liquid formula, they may need to test it. You may ask for an additional screening if not comfortable with them testing your milk. Allow yourself more time for security screening. If you have frozen milk or liquids, they will not test it with strips.
Can I bring a breast pump?
Yes, a breast pump is considered a medical device and does not count against you as a carry on. Again, you are able to bring freezer packs/ice packs to keep your milk cold.
When going through TSA, I recommend taking it out or having it in a separate dedicated bag to make it a faster screening process.
Give yourself plenty of time in the airport before the flight, so if you want to pump prior to boarding you can take advantage of a nursing pod, or a dedicated family bathroom.
Pinched for time prior to boarding, or on a longer flight? You are most definitely allowed to pump on the plane. You can pump in your seat if you are comfortable with that, or you can pump in the bathroom. Bring a nursing cover or muslin swaddle to throw over you for extra privacy.
I love having my wearable breast pumps, the Elvie Pumps, because I can put them on right under my shirt and be pretty inconspicuous while pumping.
Does our baby gear count as part of our carry on/luggage?
Check with your airline policies! Most airlines allow one diaper bag per infant as an additional carry on. And allow a breast pump bag or cooler bag in addition to your carry on.
For most airlines, you are allowed to check car seats and strollers without charge. You can check these at the ticketing desk or gate.
For portable cribs (pack and plays), playpens, and wagons they are usually counted as part of your checked bag allowance.
Keep in mind, if traveling with baby as a lap infant, they will most likely not have a baggage allowance. If paying for a ticket for baby, you should have a checked bag allowance depending on your airline.
Where is the best place to sit on plane with baby?
If you can, choose an aisle that has more legroom. It’s nice to have more space for your belongings and more room to move around. Exit rows are off limits if traveling with infants or children for safety reasons.
Everyone has different preferences on where they want to sit on an airplane, so you can decide whether you’d like to sit towards the front of the plane, or if the back of the plane is better for you. You may want to sit closer to a restroom for easy access to change baby – or you may want to be further from the bathroom to avoid the traffic and noise that can be associated with being near a restroom.
On our flight to Mexico, we put Nora’s car seat by the window so it was out of the way. I sat in the middle and my husband sat in the aisle seat. This worked well since we had the whole row to ourselves. I had more privacy when nursing her on the plane and we could easily get up to use the bathroom.
If you’re traveling alone with baby, you may want the aisle seat so you can easily get up as needed. Or you may want the window seat to have more privacy if breastfeeding. Do what’s best for you!
How can my baby lay down flat on long flights?
You may be able to request a bassinet through the airline. After booking your flight, call to see if bassinets are available as an option. They will available on a first come, first serve basis.
Something we will be using on our next long flight are these inflatable foot rests/ beds that you can use. They inflate and close the gap between the seats, so your baby or child has a comfortable place to lay down to nap, and/or to have more room to play and stretch out their legs.
How to keep baby busy on plane?
Bring things in your diaper bag or carry on to keep baby busy. I like to bring a few of her favorite toys and one new toy that can keep her attention even longer! Our little one drops her toys frequently, so these suction toys are great options for planes as well. You can stick them to the airplane window to prevent toys from falling on the floor.
Bring a couple thin or light books so it doesn’t weigh down your bag too much. And bring plenty of snacks if your baby is eating solids! Snacks always keep our girl happy and distracted.
When in doubt… Ms. Rachel always saves the day! Here are some baby headphones that can plug into a phone or iPad. These are great so you can be conscious of passengers around you if you want to put on a show or movie for your baby.
Is baby getting fussy on the flight? Try all the tricks in your bag. Feed them, give them a paci, provide all the distractions, put them in baby wrap/carrier and walk around. Try taking turns with your partner or other family or friends on the flight. You can try to cover them with a blanket or nursing cover to decrease stimulation if they are trying to go down for a nap, etc.
It’s hard to not feel stressed when your baby is crying on the plane. My anxiety was through the roof when our baby was fussing on our flight home from Mexico! We were having a hard time soothing her, and I was definitely getting some looks from passengers on the plane. But I just had to remember- everyone goes through it at some point!
Tips for the Airport
Give yourself more than enough time when traveling with a baby! Being ahead of time will give you one less thing to stress over.
Get checked in, check your bags and baby gear, and get through security with your baby. Allow extra time in case you do have breast milk, formula, or baby food that may need to be screened through security.
Try to plan it well so you can change baby’s diaper before boarding your flight. If it works best for you, feed baby before the flight, or else feeding them during take off is helpful for their ears to pop while ascending.
Wear baby through security/onto the plane to keep your hands free. Some more structured baby carriers may need to be taken off through security, but a baby wrap or sling are almost always okay.
When boarding the plane, don’t forget to take advantage of family boarding if offered through your airline!
What to pack in diaper bag for flight?
Before your flight, make sure to get everything organized and easy to access in your diaper bag. This will help you to easily grab what you need while on your flight!
On the flight, I like to keep the diaper bag tucked under the seat, or right above us in the overhead compartment, so I can get to any of our baby items quickly and easily.
Bring as little as you can to make it easier to get through security, but as much as you need to be comfortable for your flight. Here’s what I personally pack in my diaper bag for a flight:
My Diaper Bag List for Airplane
- Passport/Birth Certificate
- Diapers – a good rule of thumb is to pack one diaper per hour you are at the airport/on the plane.
- Baby Wipes
- Diaper Cream / Diaper Spatula
- Changing Pad
- Antibacterial Wipes– I like to wipe everything down when we get on the plane. Seats, arm rests, tray table, the seat in front of us, etc. Our baby loves to put everything in her mouth, so helps to prevent spread of germs while traveling.
- Hand sanitizer
- Change of Clothes for baby – at least 2 outfits.
- Extra shirt for you – In case you get spit up on, pooped on, or if you leak through your top.
- Disposable Baggies – for dirty diapers
- Waterproof/Washable Wet Bag– for soiled clothes in case baby has a blowout or spits up.
- Breastmilk, Formula, Baby Food, Baby Snacks
- Nursing Cover – if you breastfeed, or if you plan to pump in your seat and want more privacy.
- Baby Bottles – have enough bottles for the travel day, or if you plan to wash the bottles on the go remember to bring bottle wipes or a travel bottle brush and soap.
- Bibs, sippy cup, spoon or eating utensils/plate if your baby is eating solids
- Burp Cloths
- Pacifier- if your baby takes one (And you can use these cute paci clips to keep it off the ground!)
- Muslin Swaddle Blanket – can be used to cover baby, as a nursing cover, burp cloth, etc.
- Toys/Entertainment
- Portable White Noise Machine
Our Flight Experiences
So far, we have flown on a quick trip to Palm Springs with Nora as a lap child, and on an international trip to Mexico where she had her own seat. Let me tell you about both!
Our Experience Flying with Baby as a Lap Child
Our little family of three flew down to Palm Springs for a quick 3 day getaway this spring. This is a short flight for us, just over an hour!
We booked tickets through Southwest, and decided to just add her as a lap infant instead of booking her own seat. We made our decision to do so because it was a short flight, Southwest offers family boarding, and has the self seating option.
To add a baby as a lap child, I booked my ticket first then called Southwest with my reservation info. They added her on as my lap child over the phone. It was super easy.
To keep both hands free while boarding, I wore her onto the plane in our baby wrap. *Be aware, some flight attendants may ask you to remove baby from carrier during take off. This has not been the case for us on any flights we have been on, but I have read that multiple places online.
We found our seats, my husband put away our belongings in the overhead compartment, and I kept her diaper bag close under the seat in front of us. Luckily, we did not have a full flight so we were able to have the whole row to ourselves. I sat by the window with her so I could have more privacy to breastfeed.
To help equalize the pressure in baby’s ears during take off and landing, it is recommended to feed them or give them a pacifier to suck. I ended up nursing her during take off, but I had her paci ready in my hand in case she wasn’t interested in eating. Worked like a charm! She was not phased at all during ascent or descent.
Both of our flights, there and back, were booked close to Nora’s bedtime. She slept the whole plane ride… Both times! It was the most ideal situation and I am so grateful for how well that panned out. When we pulled up to the gate, she was still sleeping, so I smoothly put the baby wrap straps back on and were able to get off the plane with her still asleep.
On this trip, we checked our infant car seat at the Southwest ticketing desk. We checked our travel stroller at the gate, so we were able to use it while in the airport. We also could have put the travel stroller in the overhead compartment, but we just wanted to have less things to hold getting on and off the plane.
For a first experience with baby as a lap child, we got very lucky. I still came prepared with my diaper bag stocked with snacks and distractions in case she was awake during the flight!
I will be flying down to San Diego with her this summer as a lap child. She will be a big, wiggly 1 year old! So stay tuned to hear how our next experience goes.
Our Experience Flying with Baby in their own Seat
Our very first flight with Nora was an international trip to Mexico when she was 4 1/2 months old. We had a layover in Dallas, so it split our flights into two three hour flights. The layover was really nice because it gave us a chance to stretch our legs, change her, and feed her.
When I was planning this trip initially, I wanted to save the money and hold her as a lap child. However, we were able to pull together rewards points and booked her own seat so we could bring her car seat for her to nap in.
Since we brought the car seat on board, we only had to check our luggage and our travel bassinet at the ticketing desk. We brought our travel stroller with us to use in the airport. Our travel stroller has a universal adapter to secure an infant car seat to it. So we were able to condense our belongings and put the car seat onto the stroller while cruising through the airport.
In terms of boarding the plane: we put the stroller into the overhead compartment when we got on the plane. I wore Nora in a baby wrap to keep my hands free while boarding so I could hold other items. My husband carried the car seat onto the plane and placed it by the window seat when we got to our row.
I’m so glad we ended up booking her own seat for this flight because she took her most of her naps in the car seat. This allowed my husband and I to have free hands and some time to read a book, or watch a movie.
While she was awake, we could hold her in our laps to play with her and keep her busy with a few of her favorite toys and books. This gave her a nice break from the car seat. My parents came with us on this trip too, so having grandma and grandpa across the aisle was perfect if we needed a break.
During take off and landing, I held her in my arms and did not have her in the car seat. This kept her happy. I was able to nurse her or give her a pacifier during take off and landing on this trip as well and she had no issue with the pressure in her ears.
To keep things interesting, she did have a blowout as we were descending on one of our flights. We couldn’t get up to change her in the bathroom since we needed to stay seated for landing. Let’s just say those extra changes of clothes came in handy… for her and me!
Overall, we were very happy with our choice on this trip to book her own seat. It gave us more room, a place for her to nap comfortably, and allowed us to have our hands free for a bit on this longer flight.
Safe Travels, Mama!
I hope that you find my Helpful Tips for Flying with a Baby useful for your family! If there are any questions you have or any suggestions for further travel articles with baby, feel free to leave a comment or contact me!
Good luck on your flight with baby + safe travels!
xo,
Jasmine