Top Tips for Flying with a Baby (0-12 Months)
Flying with a baby for the first time can be one of the most intimidating experiences of parenthood.
There’s so much gear to think of. Should you bring your car seat along? Does the car seat go on the plane or do you check it? What about a stroller? Are you allowed to bring milk?
Of even greater concern is how you’ll keep the baby occupied throughout the duration of the flight. It’s not as though you can stick them in front of a movie to entertain them. They have extremely short attention spans for toys, and you have such a small amount of space on the flight.
These concerns are all valid. Even veteran parents might feel like they have to brace themselves before getting on a plane with a baby!
I’m a mom of 4, and I’ve had the, ahem, pleasure of flying with babies in every age group. I’ve flown alone with babies, with extra helping hands, and with multiple other children and there’s no getting around it: flying with babies comes with a lot of extra baggage, both literal and figurative.
I am going to level with you. This is not to scare you or say “just wait until…” because I really hate when experienced moms say that to new moms.
This is just reality: flying with toddlers is 10x harder than flying with a baby. So it’s actually my encouragement to fly with your baby as much as you can before they become an active, squirmy, opinionated toddler.
And if you’re nearing that stage already, you can do it! We do it all the time. Here are my tips for flying with a 1-year-old.
But if you’re still blessedly in the baby stage, never fear! I have plenty of tips for you! So buckle up and let’s dive into my top tips for flying with a baby.
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What to Know Before You Fly with An Infant
Do I need to book a ticket for baby?
You do not have to book a seat for a baby under 2 years old. Depending on the airline, this may be called a lap child, a lap infant, or an infant-in-arms.
Babies under 2 can sit in your lap, usually for free. If it’s an international flight you may still have to pay some fees.
Though you don’t need to book a seat for the baby, you do need to let the airline know you’ll be traveling with a lap infant. Some airlines have this option on their website when you’re booking online, while others require you to call and let them know.
You should make sure to do this before your flight, but just know that I’ve procrastinated and waited until the day before my flight to call and it was fine.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You DO need to be able to prove that your child is under 2, so be sure to bring a copy of their birth certificate with you. Yes, this even applies when you’re got a wrinkly little 2-month-old. Better safe than sorry!
Should I bring a car seat on the plane for the baby?
While you do not HAVE to book a seat for your baby, but for a few reasons I would recommend that you consider buying your little one their own seat.
The first reason is that you may want to bring their car seat on the plane with you. A car seat is the safest way for a baby to travel in an airplane in the event of severe turbulence or accidents that may happen during taxiing the runway. This is according to the FAA and the AAP.
Now, I say this with absolutely no judgment if you can’t really afford that extra seat. We have traveled with a lap infant more times than I can remember, including on a transatlantic flight.
To be honest, in my younger parenting years I didn’t even realize bringing a car seat on board was an option until a really kind ticketing agent offered to let me bring the car seat I was about to gate check on board with me since it wasn’t a full flight!
That was one of the most peaceful flights I had ever had with a baby. I even ordered a mimosa while the baby napped since my parents had given me a free drink ticket that was about to expire! She slept in her car seat, and I got to read a book and eat my snacks hands-free.
And that brings me to the second reason you MAY want to book a seat for baby. As your child gets bigger, more alert, and more curious, it gets harder and harder to keep them seated on your lap for the duration of the flight. They want to get down and crawl on the disgusting plane floor and grab everything in sight.
Putting them in their car seat makes them think it’s just like car travel, that they’re not able to get out of their car seat, and in my experience, it tends to go much smoother.
IMPORTANT NOTE: before you try to bring a car seat on board, check to see if it is an FAA-approved car seat. One of the stickers or tags toward the bottom of the car seat should say it! Otherwise check the manufacturer’s website. Make sure you know where it says that on the car seat because you may need to show a flight attendant or ticketing agent.
Be sure to check your airline’s policies about traveling with an infant.
Finally, no matter how experienced you are when it comes to flying with a baby, I think it’s always best practice to check the airline’s website to read their policies about traveling with an infant. Make sure you know what you can and can’t bring, what you can and can’t check or gate check, etc.
For example, when I finally traveled with our 4th baby it had been a while since I had flown with an infant, so I forgot that I was allowed to bring an extra diaper bag for her, even though she was a lap infant. At the last minute I was able to throw a few extras in that diaper bag which came in really handy.
What do you need when flying with a baby?
Identification for Baby
As I mentioned above, you will need to bring a copy of the baby’s birth certificate if they are a lap child to prove they are under the age of 2.
Other than that, you do not need any identification for your child UNLESS you are traveling to another country, in which case you will need a passport for your baby. Yes, babies need passports, too. And, yes, it is as difficult as you would imagine to get a passport photo taken for your baby.
What to Do About Car Seats when Traveling with Baby
We covered the option to bring your car seat onboard IF you bought a seat for the baby or IF the crew says there is an extra seat and graciously allows you to bring your car seat onboard.
However, if you are traveling with a lap infant and you know you’ll need a car seat for the baby when you arrive at your destination, you can check or gate check your car seat.
I always used my stroller and car seat system to get through the airport, then I would gate check both before boarding the plane. To gate check a stroller and car seat, you simply need to go up to the ticketing agent at your gate and let them know what you would like to gate check. They will print a gate check ticket for you, and give you a stub to pick it up. Usually they will be waiting for you right when you get off the plane.
I WOULD recommend using a protective bag if you’re going to check or gate check the car seat, as luggage handlers are not especially gentle with them. If you have a really nice, expensive car seat at home, I would recommend finding a cheaper option specifically for travel, too.
A final option is to rent a car seat when you arrive. I like to use BabyQuip because I know they have much higher standards for quality and cleanliness than car rental companies, which also offer rental car seats. You can rent gear from BabyQuip in most major cities and rent by the day. You can also rent a pack & play, stroller, baby toys, and more from them.
Top Packing Tips for Flying with a Baby
Make sure you have plenty of diapers and wipes in your carry-on, even bringing extra in case of delays and canceled flights. I like to put together a diaper and wipe “kit” in a plastic gallon-size bag a few diapers, a pack of wipes, and diaper creme if needed. I need something easy to grab with one hand in an “urgent” diaper situation.
Always bring sleeping gear in your carry-on, such as a muslin blanket, pacifier, sleep sack or swaddle, and portable sound machine. You never know when you’ll get in a situation where you’re stranded at an airport hotel or on an airport floor.
I also have learned to keep a health & safety kit with pain reliever and oral syringe, sanitizer wipes, thermometer, baby nail clippers, bandages, and nasal aspirator. Keep this in a small pouch.
Stay organized by using bag organizers or miniature packing cubes. Clear or mesh bags are wonderful so you can see what’s inside each bag. I’ve found that when traveling with babies, you often only have one hand or are asking someone else to grab something for you.
Bring plenty of snacks - both for baby if they’re eating solids, and for you. For babies I love things like Puffs, yogurt melts, cut up fruits, etc. If you’re nursing, make sure you’re staying hydrated and eating plenty of fruit, protein, and whatever other snacks help fuel you.
On that same note, if baby is old enough to drink water, make sure to bring an empty water bottle for them. Fill it up once you get past security.
You can bring anything you need for feeding the baby as long as you keep it in a separate bag and let TSA know what it’s for. That includes breastmilk (fresh or frozen), a breast pump, ice packs, formula, purified water, milk, snacks, fruit pouches, etc. I would suggest bringing a small cooler for any and all food/drink items you need.
Always have an extra set of clothes in your carry-on for you, baby, and anyone else you’re traveling with. You do not want to be trapped on an airplane with wet or soiled clothes from spit-up, blowouts, leaking diapers, etc.
And on that note, be sure to bring a plastic bag or wet bag for soiled clothes.
>> READ: Baby Travel Essentials (What to Bring and What NOT To Bring)
Tips for Getting Through The Airport with Baby
Should I Use a Stroller at the Airport?
Some people say you should just wear the baby in the baby carrier and skip the stroller, but I always bring our stroller when we travel.
It’s so useful to have in the airport, because even if you’re wearing the baby, you can use the stroller to carry your backpack, diaper bag, and any other baggage.
it’s always a nice place to set baby down so they can eat a snack or play with a toy while you walk around the airport. Especially if you’ll be holding the baby on your lap during the flight, it’s really nice to get a break from holding them for a while.
In addition, I find having the stroller when I arrive at my destination is always helpful, because the baby usually takes one of their naps in the stroller so we can do some exploring!
Security with A Baby
My strategy for getting through security with a baby is to put them in the baby carrier, and set my carry-on in the seat of the stroller. While we’re waiting in line, I start separating out things that will need to be taken out of the carry-on, like my laptop, any baby food or drinks, and my liquids.
Once we arrive at security, I get everything set up and going through the x-ray machine, including the folded up stroller and car seat. That’s when I finally take the baby out of the carrier, put the carrier on the conveyor belt, and go through security just holding the baby.
Note: very often, especially if I’m by myself with the baby, the TSA agents are super helpful and kind about helping me fold up the stroller or lifting heavy suitcases. I have learned to accept help when it’s offered!
Experienced Mom Tip: You will be stressed going through security with a baby. Heck, I’m stressed going through security by myself with no kids! But take your time, breathe, and keep your sense of humor. I always repeat to myself, “slow down to speed up.” I find if I’m trying to go to quickly, I end up fumbling with things, dropping things, or forgetting things. If I slow down, I end up ultimately going faster because I’m focused and taking my time. Even if everything goes wrong and the baby is screaming, I try to keep that Penguins from Madagascar energy: “Just smile and wave, boys. Smile and wave.”
Can I Bring Milk or Baby Formula?
Directly from the TSA website:
“Formula, breast milk and juice for infants or toddlers are permitted in reasonable quantities through the security checkpoint. Remove these items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings.”
You can also go to that page on the TSA website to read more, but to summarize:
You do not need to follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule with baby formula, breastmilk, and juice. Remove them from your carry-on and let the TSA agent know.
You do not need to be traveling with your baby to bring breastmilk.
They may need to test formula, breastmilk, or other powders or liquids. You do have the option to inform them that you do not want something opened, and they will go to additional lengths to test them. (I’ve also had my hands tested in these situations).
All of the above also applies to ice packs, teething toys, baby food, and freezer packs.
I would highly recommend bookmarking or printing out this page on the TSA website in case you run into issues. I never have, but there are always the odd agents who may not remember these rules.
FInd a Family Restroom
Once we clear security I always go straight to the gate to confirm it exists and it’s the correct one, then I turn around and look for a family restroom. These restrooms have tons of space and are perfect for putting your child in the stroller so you can use the restroom, and there are always changing tables to put the baby in a fresh diaper before the flight starts.
Boarding the Plane
Many airlines have family boarding after the first and business class groups board, so listen for that announcement. It’s nice to have extra time to get set up on the plane without disturbing other people. I know that means extra time on the plane with a baby, but usually I need the extra time and space for getting us settled.
I always wear the baby in the baby carrier for this part, and fold up the stroller at the end of the walkway (and car seat if I’m not bringing it on board).
On the Flight
Tips for 0-3 Months
In my opinion, this is one of the best and easiest times to fly with a baby because they sleep so much. Once you get the ok from your pediatrician, go forth and travel!
Try to feed the baby during takeoff and landing to avoid earaches.
Don’t worry about bringing too many toys, if any!
Bring some sanitizing wipes, as babies this age still have very new immune systems. I also like to wear baby in a carrier or sling as often as possible to avoid germs. Just know that you are not allowed to wear them in a carrier during takeoff and landing.
If you have a pacifier baby, bring lots and lots of extra backups of their preferred pacifier. You are not going to want to use one that drops on the floor. Better yet, bring a pacifier clip so you don’t drop it at all!
Tips for 3-6 Months
I still enjoy traveling with a baby from 3-6 months, as you don’t yet have to worry about bringing solid foods (for the most part…some babies start earlier than others), baby is starting to notice their surroundings, and they are usually not yet crawling!
If you have a breastfed baby, I would highly recommend ordering a cheap inflatable nursing pillow or travel nursing pillow to save your back. If you have a formula fed baby, try to get them used to room-temperature bottles before your trip. (We were the type of parents that never warmed up bottles because I didn’t want to have to do that everywhere we went).
Try to schedule your flight for one of baby’s nap times if you want them to sleep on the flight (though this is kind of hard to know in advance), or a schedule a morning flight for a happier baby.
Bring teething toys!
Tips for 6-12 Months
You’ll have to be a lot more prepared with solid food snacks for your baby in this age range! Think Puffs, cereal, yogurt bites, fruit cut up nice and small, fruit and veggie pouches (make sure to get a food pouch top so they can’t squirt all the puree out!)
Your baby is likely crawling, walking, or somewhere in between. so you’ll have a much harder time keeping them still on your lap. At this age I would highly recommend buying them a seat so you can put them in their car seat on the flight.
If that’s not an option for you, that’s ok. As I mentioned above, I’ve had a 6-12 month old on my lap on a plane plenty of times. It’s not super fun, but it’s doable!
How to I protect my baby’s ears when flying?
The traditional wisdom is to feed your baby during take-off or landing, but sometimes you just can’t time it right. I was never a stickler about this, and I’ve never had an issue with babies fussing about their ears.
Another option is to bring baby headphones or earplugs to help less pressure get in the ears.
Breastfeeding on the Plane
With each child I’ve gotten more comfortable with breastfeeding in public and especially on the plane. It can be awkward if you’re traveling by yourself with the baby and are seated next to a business man or something like that, but I’ve found that most people are just focused on themselves, and don’t pay that much attention to what I’m doing.
I always try to be discreet and wear a nursing tank under a shirt that I pull up to breastfeed. Once the baby is latched, barely anything is showing with this setup. By my 3rd and 4th kid I didn’t even bother with a cover because the baby would grab it and pull it and I felt like it was drawing more attention to me than not wearing it.
But, please, do what makes you the most comfortable! A lightweight muslin blanket is awesome as a nursing cover, a scarf can also work for this, and they make plenty of covers specifically designed for nursing.
As I mentioned before, I would highly recommend buying a travel nursing pillow, weather that’s an inflatable one, or a smaller one that can hook onto your bag. I didn’t do this until my 4th baby, and I couldn’t believe I had never tried it before! It was a lifesaver, as my back gets so sore from nursing.
Also, this is not on the plane, per se, but some airports do have nursing pods, or little rooms you can go in to nurse your baby in private.
Everyone is different! Some moms have no problem nursing in public, but whether you’re a new mom trying to get the hang of it, an experienced mom still trying to figure out nursing with your new baby, or just a mom that values her privacy, these nursing pods can be a lifesaver. I have been each one of these moms during my breastfeeding journey.
They’re also GREAT spaces for pumping moms, which is definitely a lot less discreet that nursing.
Getting baby to sleep on a flight
The good news about getting babies to sleep on a flight is that you naturally have “white noise” on an airplane. It’s much easier to get them to sleep on a night flight or an early morning flight, because the crew usually turns out the main cabin lights.
Regardless, following your normal sleep routine as much as possible will help. Bounce or rock them (if you need to stand and the seatbelt light is off, ask a flight attendant where the best spot to do that would be), sing a soft lullaby, swaddle them, gently stroke their forehead, feed them until they fall asleep, etc.
You know best what your baby needs to sleep. Be patient, as it may take a bit longer since they are in an unfamiliar setting.
Not to beat a dead horse, but I have had SUCH good luck getting a baby to sleep when they are in their familiar car seat. It really is so worth it.
Travel Hack: Some airplanes have baby bassinets available. Call the airline after you book your tickets to request one. They are usually free to use, though you may have to pay extra for a bulkhead seat. We have only done this once with our firstborn, and at that time it was basically just a cardboard box attached to the wall. She was not comfortable in it and we ended up holding her the whole time anyway. From what I’ve seen, airplane bassinets have come a long way since that time! it’s worth a shot for a long or overnight flight!
How to Handle Bathroom Visits and Changing the Baby on the Flight
If you are traveling along, you may need to bring your baby with you to the restroom. In these cases I’ve just worn the baby in the carrier to use the restroom. You can also ask a flight attendant to watch your baby while you use the restroom if you feel comfortable doing that.
I’ve also let my baby continue to sleep in their car seat if I have to go and I feel comfortable with the people sitting near me.
If you need to change your baby mid-flight, there are a few options. When you first board the plane, ask the flight attendants which restroom, if any, has a changing table.
If they do not have any restrooms with changing tables, ask where the best spot to do that would be. I always bring a lightweight foldable changing pad with me for situations like this!
Always have a plastic bag with you to secure dirty diapers. You do not want to be responsible for stinking up the entire plane!
For older babies, you could also try changing them standing up! This might require some practice, so maybe do a few test runs before your trip.
And finally, in a pinch, I have HAD to change a diaper on my lap on a flight. It was a nightmare, but the seatbelt sign was off and it had to be done. I put the clean diaper under the dirty one, prepared my wipes before beginning, and got it overwith as quickly as possible. I was VERY happy I had a plastic bag with me in this instance.
Plane Snacks for Baby
sippy cup
milk
water bottle (fill it up after going through security)
snack trap
Puffs
yogurt bites
Cheerios
fruit pouches (use this puree pouch topper to prevent spills - you can squeeze the pouch and no liquid comes out!)
fruit cut up in age-appropriate pieces
Best Plane Toys for Baby
1-2 lightweight books (I like these Indestructible Books)
1-2 toys
post-it notes
Stroll the Aisles
If your baby is feeling extra wiggly, and the seatbelt sign is off, and the flight attendants are not currently serving food and beverages, you may want to try strolling the aisle with your little one.
I always use this as a last resort toward the end of the flight, because if your baby knows it’s an option to get out of their seat and wander, that’s all they will want to do.
However, sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures.
OR, have you seen this viral video about how a mom kept her little wiggle worm busy? Genius!
Singing
I’m not a gifted singer, and I hate singing in public, but sometimes you have to resort to singing nursery rhymes to keep your baby occupied.
Whether it’s Itsy-Bitsy Spider or Wheels on the Bus, you may find yourself repeating a song over and over because your baby loves it.
Singing also works when you’re trying to get your baby to sleep, though you may want to pick a slightly less animated tune.
TIPS FOR YOU
Dress Comfortably
I usually try to look nice for travel days, but when I know I’m going to be wrangling an active baby or toddler, it’s basically an athletic endeavor and I need to be able to sit, move, walk, and run comfortably.
Whatever outfit you’re most comfortable in, wear it! Uncomfortable clothes tend to make me crabby and less patient with my kids, and you’re going to need all the patience you can get!
Plus, many moms at this age are nursing or pumping, and you need clothes that are, ahem, accessible.
Wear what works for you, and don’t worry about anything else!
Don’t forget to dress in layers and bring a sweater or scarf. Sometimes planes are freezing, and sometimes they’re absolutely sweltering.
Bring Multiple Headphones
You want to make sure you have wireless headphones connected to your phone so you can listen to a podcast, audiobook, or music while you’re holding or bouncing your baby. That way you can get up and walk the aisles, or avoid baby pulling on the wires.
You’ll also need a regular pair of headphones that can connect to the in-flight entertainment. Sometimes planes provide these, but often times they don’t. If you were overwhelmed with packing and forgot to download your own entertainment, you may want these!
Try the Sky Clip
I love this little gadget because it clips to the setback tray in front of you and can hold your phone so you can watch a show or movie while holding a sleeping baby.
Even if your hands are full, you can still relax and enjoy your own shows!
Hydrate the Day Before and then After Your Flight
I almost always get dehydrated on flights because the air on planes is so dry. The hard part about traveling with a baby is that I want to avoid going to the bathroom if possible because I either have to bring them with me into the bathroom, or I have to ask someone else to hold them. (That’s if I’m traveling alone. If you’re with your partner, then disregard this and chug all the water).
I find myself purposely limited how much water I drink to avoid frequent trips to the bathroom. To make up for it, I try to really focus on hydration the day before, and then the rest of the day after my flight to make up for it.
Have a Mantra
I like to have a little mantra that I repeat to myself to get through the day and keep a positive mindset. Traveling with a baby can be mentally and physically exhausting, and if I don’t keep my mind right I tend to get really crabby, which does NOT help the situation.
Some of my mantras include:
I can do hard things.
This is an adventure!
This will make a good story later.
I can do anything for one day.
I can choose to be calm.
Document the Trip
Part of my job as a travel content creator is that I’ve starting taking pictures and videos of the process. Getting through the airport, boarding the plane, sitting on the plane - I’ve got pictures and videos of it all.
When I look back on trips, I’m so happy I have those pictures and videos! Not just for content purposes, but for memories.
It’s so fun to look back on those challenging journeys with young children that felt so hard in the moment, because I feel really proud of how brave I was and how we went and had the adventure even though we were nervous.
Flying with a baby is not for the faint of heart.
There will be challenges. There’s a lot of extra gear to think about and bring. There will be moments where you feel like you can’t do it anymore.
But trust me, it’s so worth it to go out and have the experiences with your baby. You will one day look back fondly on these times. Especially when your sweet baby becomes a very active toddler.
Go forth and have adventures, even with a baby. You got this!
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Emily Krause is a Florida-based travel blogger who writes about exploring the world with kids. On A Mom Explores you’ll find best family travel destinations, Disney World tips, and how to make travel with babies and toddlers a little easier.
Emily believes that exploring starts in our own backyards, and adventure can happen anywhere with the right mindset.
