Flying with a baby doesn’t have to be a nightmare.
By the time Lincoln was one he had been on over 10 flights, including several long international ones. Many times, I took him all by myself!
Not every flight was great, and we had meltdowns, but I now feel confident in flying with a baby or toddler. Follow these tips for each step of the way, and you can too.
You might also want to read How to Get Your Baby to Sleep While Traveling
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Before you fly
Buying your ticket
Baby's ticket
There are two ways to get a ticket when flying with a baby.
- Buy them their own ticket to guarantee their own seat. Usually this means another full price ticket but they will be able to sit in their own car seat on the plane.
- Fly them for free as a lap infant. Babies can fly free up to 24 months old, but they still will need to be added to your ticket to get on the plane. I find the best way to add a lap infant is to call the airline after booking my ticket and asking them to add Lincoln. That way I can also ask about what baby items that airline charges and includes for free to guide my packing.
There are a few things to consider when choosing how your baby will fly. Is there another person with you to switch off holding them? How long is the flight? How old is your baby? The younger they are, the easier it is for you. Toddlers start getting very wiggly after a while in one spot, and it might be easier if they have their own space. Do they sleep better in their carseat?
There are small charges (usually less than $100) that you will have to pay for a lap infant if traveling internationally.
It’s also important to know that only one lap infant is allowed per adult. Also, for safety reasons, there can’t be multiple lap infants in same row of the plane.
Know your airline
Airlines vary on what child items are free or charged. Every US airline allows a car seat and stroller for free, and most allow an additional carry-on for a diaper bag. Be sure to check online, or call and ask.
Frontier airlines is worth specifically mentioning because they allow ALL child items to be checked for FREE. More amazing, kids under 14 fly free for members of their Discount Den club (which easily pays for its $60 membership in that alone)!
What time to fly
Plan to fly with your baby during one of their natural sleeping times if possible. This is most important for long flights where it is best if baby (and you!) is sleeping for most of it. I like to take red-eye flights when I am with other people that can make sure we don’t miss our connection if I fall asleep!
What to pack in your diaper bag
Read all about how to pack the perfect diaper bag for a flight.
It is also important to strategically pack your diaper bag.
- A diaper for every 2 hours you will be flying or laying over
- Changing pad
- An extra 2 outfits for baby and a shirt for you (in case of blowouts)
- Disposable plastic bags (I like these stink blocking ones)
- Proof of age – either birth certificate or passport (babies must be at least two weeks old for most airlines)
- Distraction items (read more below)
- Easy to eat snacks or formula/breastmilk
- EarPlanes
- Extra pacifier with a clip strap
- Lightweight blanket
- Baby Benadryl if using
- Separate items that will need extra screening to for getting through security (learn more about what’s allowed here)
- Put items you will need quickly in outside pockets (passports, pacifier, headphones, etc.)
The Ultimate Baby Travel Packing List has a compete packing list of all you will need for baby vacations without overpacking!
Practice, practice, practice!
Practice sleeping similarly to how baby will on a plane so they are used to it when the time comes (baby carrier, car seat, etc.) Practice taking apart or folding your stroller to go through security. If possible, practice the things that are most concerning to you so you’re more comfortable when the time comes.
At the airport
Stay calm! This is usually the most stressful stage for all travelers because of all that is happening, but you can breeze right through.
Give yourself lot of extra time
As a general rule, the first time your fly with a baby I recommend an additional hour to hour and a half. This is in addition to the extra recommended time (two hours for domestic and three for international). It is going to take more time than you are used to, even if you are an experienced traveler. Giving yourself extra time also helps lessen the stress because you aren’t running to catch your flight.
Some airlines require you to physically check-in at the desk before security when flying with a baby (make sure to check on this beforehand to plan the time for it).
Getting through security
Your goal should be to streamline this process as much as possible. Have all your liquids, liquid/mushy baby food and electronics within quick access to separate out. Wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off, avoid wearing a belt. If you are by yourself, consider checking your stroller and/or car seat at check-in and just wear a baby carrier through security. If you take the stroller or car seat you will need to take you baby out and fold it up to pass through the metal detector. Ask for help if you need it! The security agents are so helpful and make the process much easier.
One trip we got stuck at security because Lincoln’s teething ring had liquid in it and they had to do special testing on it. *face palm*
Gate check your car seat and stroller
Airlines let people with strollers, car seats and assistive devices bring their items all the way to the door of the plane. That way, you can choose to bring your stroller with you through the airport as use it until the last possible second. Be sure to put a luggage tag on each item you are gate checking. At the door, you will leave it and an airport staff member will pick it and load it on the plane for you. When you get off the plane, it will be waiting right outside the door again. You can just pick it up and go!
Aisle seat if possible
It will be much easier to get up to walk the aisles or change a diaper if you are not crawling over two other people.
Wait to load as long as possible
If you are flying with a lap infant, ask at the gate if there is an extra seat near yours. Then you can put the baby in the car seat and have a bit more space for both of you.
I try to wait as long as possible to get on the plane. It lets everyone else get situated and cuts back on the time baby has to be confined. If your baby is mobile at all, now if the time get as many wiggles out as possible. Let them crawl (then wash their hands), run around, wiggle their arms and legs, whatever works! It’s harder to move around on the plane, and best-case scenario: they play so much before they fall right asleep. Some airports have child play zones, so always ask, especially with long layovers.
My husband likes to board early, while I wait behind, so that he can ensure a close overhead spot for our carry-ons. Watch out for baggage falling from overheads as people load so it doesn’t hit your baby!
On the flight
Takeoff and landing
Avoid painful ears during the ascent and descent, this can be the hardest part of flying with a baby. Babies’ ear canals are shaped differently than adults and they have a hard time allowing pressure changes in their ears. When the plane changes pressure during ascent/descent, their ears can become suddenly painful! Poor Link once even woke from a dead sleep screaming because it hurt so bad. I have two tips to help:
- Earplanes are ear plugs that have a little hole down the center to open up ears and allow pressure to flow in and out. We have never had an issue since we got them. We distract Link to put them in right as we are taking off and again when we start descending.
The one thing I don’t like is they are so easy to lose! I highly recommend gluing a bit of string connecting them because we have lost so many.
- Also give baby something to suck or swallow (binky, bottle, water bottle, food pouch, sucker, etc). This also helps regulate the pressure in their ears and prevent the pain and crying. Be careful not to overfed! I have done that, and I ended up getting barfed up on as we hit turbulence on the landing.
Ask your flight attendant when the descent is beginning because the pressure changes much sooner than the actual landing happens.
Helping baby sleep
Little babies sleep best when worn in a baby carrier, which I wore all time except takeoff and landing. A car seat also works well for any baby that can normally sleep in a car seat. As Link has gotten older and wants his space to sleep, we make him a little bed at our feet.
We always travel with a sound machine or use an app on our phones, but the plane noise seems to be just as soothing. Familiar things also help, so try to include as much normal as possible. Put them in pj’s, use a familiar blanket, include some of your home routine, binkies, comfort objects, etc.
Consider using baby Benadryl. (Usually only for longer international trips.) I would recommend asking your pediatrician about this one, especially the right dosage for your baby’s age. A rested baby means a rested parent, and that means everyone is happier and more emotionally stable.
Be sure to give this a trial run at home because it can have an opposite effect on some kids and makes them ultra-hyper. (Think giving a baby a Rockstar on a 10 hour flight, not really my kind of fun.)
You might also want to read How to Get Your Baby to Sleep While Traveling
Distractions
Anything new or interesting to keep your baby entertained. On long flights we bring a tablet and love it because it works for so many ages and needs. We load movies (Baby Einstein is AMAZING even with little babies), music, and pictures. Be sure to get a child-proof case to protect it from both travel and your baby.
Small toys (that don’t roll or aren’t too noisy!) and books are also great for older babies. I like to get a new cheap toy or book because it holds Lincoln’s attention for longer.
In a pinch, you will amaze yourself with what you can turn into a toy on a plane. (Hello evacuation pamphlet and barf bag.)
Bring snacks that you know baby will like. The less mess and the longer it takes them to open and eat it, the better!
Changing diapers on a plane
Most plane lavatories have a small changing table inside, but it takes up almost ALL the space when unfolded. When you have to change a diaper, bring only what you need. You won’t want to dig through your stuffed diaper bag, so grab a diaper and wipes out first.
If there is no changing table, ask a flight attendant where you can change your baby. There may be other spots much better than the tray table you eat off of!
Get your steps in
If all else fails and your baby is still struggling, start walking up and down the aisle carrying them. Something about being held and in movement seems to calm babies down. They also get a chance to look around and see new faces and distractions. It also can help you stretch out your legs!
Accept help if it is offered
Keep in mind is that people are generally nice and want to help. They really are. I have flown with Lincoln MANY times, both with family and by myself, and every single time strangers have offered to help me.
People run ahead of me to open the door or hold the elevator. They help grab my bags and hold him while I fold up the stroller for security. They have even played with him and held him, giving him snacks (who can’t help but give pieces of Biscoff cookie to an excited baby?) on the plane so I could have a bit of a break!
I used to not take the help when people offered because I felt guilty that I was pawning my kid off on someone else or that I should be able to manage my baby on my own. But I’ve learned that letting someone else be kind to you is important for them as well and helps foster a sense of community. And sometimes you just need a break. So, if you are offered help, take it!
Leaving the airport
Take your time
Unless you are in a hurry to make your next connection, don’t rush getting off. It can take some time for your gate checked items to arrive at the door. Also, you are more likely to leave things behind and will end up waiting in the aisle anyways. I like to be the last people off so that I can take my time rearranging all my stuff and not knock someone in the head doing it. Now that Lincoln can walk, I let him run up the aisle for a bit. He gets energy out after sitting for so long and is more contained while on the plane.
Avoid close connections if possible
As said earlier, flying with babies always takes more time that you would think. There is just so much more to keep track of and manage.
Avoid having to run between connections and the added stress it will cause. You want to be able to take your time and give you and your baby a break before doing it all over again!
Plan your next transport ahead of time
It takes out a lot of stress when you already know what your next step will be. Know what mode of transportation you are taking, where you are going and how long it will take.
For example, we planned on taking a train from the Amsterdam airport to Paris and bought the tickets ahead of time. But we didn’t know where the train station was or which one to get on! Luckily, a kind agent helped us out but some more planning beforehand would have avoided the unnecessary stress.
There is too much adventure out there to avoid flying with a baby because you are nervous. It is completely doable! Some flights go great for us, and others have been rough. I have walked my share of plane aisles and wrestled a wiggling baby many times. It is always worth the great times that we have when we get there. Keep practicing and trying different things. You will figure it out. You can do it!
Anything I missed or that has been helpful for you?
You might also want to read How to Get Your Baby to Sleep While Traveling
