travelling with baby on board

Flying With a Baby? Here’s What to Know Before You Go

Medical review policy, latest update:, how old should a baby be to fly, read this next, what do children need to fly, tips for flying with an infant.

What to Expect the First Year , 3rd edition, Heidi Murkoff. WhatToExpect.com, Do Babies Need Passports? , May 2019. WhatToExpect.com, Should You Bring Your Child’s Car Seat on an Airplane? , August 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Your Ultimate Guide to Traveling While Breastfeeding , August 2020. American Academy of Pediatrics, Family Friendly Flying , November 2015. American Academy of Pediatrics, Flying With Baby: Parent FAQs , November 2019. American Airlines, Traveling With Children . Delta Air Lines, Infant Air Travel , 2021. Federal Aviation Administration, Flying With Children , March 2021. Transportation Security Administration, Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQ . Transportation Security Administration, Identification . Transportation Security Administration, Will Minors Need to Have a State ID to Fly Domestically? United Airlines, Traveling With Children , 2021. U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Children – Child Traveling With One Parent or Someone Who Is Not a Parent or Legal Guardian or a Group , December 2019.

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I need information on traveling with an infant or child under 2

One child over 14 days and under two (2) years of age, not occupying a seat, may be carried as a Lap Child when traveling with an adult (12 years of age or older). Each adult may travel with one Lap Child. Although a boarding pass is not required for the infant, you will need a Boarding Verification Document, which can be accessed after check-in online or via the mobile app or can be printed at the airport on the day of travel at a kiosk or the ticket counter.

A Lap Child may be carried free of charge domestically. For international travel, applicable government-imposed taxes and fees must be paid, and a ticket will be issued for each person, regardless of age.

Original or photocopies of government-issued identification (e.g., passport, birth certificate, government-issued photo identification card) are the only acceptable forms of proof of age. Electronic screen shots, phone images, or immunization records are not acceptable.

We may ask for age verification at any point within your journey, so you should travel with the documentation. If asked to provide proof of age and unable to do so, Customers will be required to purchase a ticket for the child.

Alternatively, you may choose to purchase a seat so your child can travel in a child restraint system (CRS).

Learn more about accepted CRS .

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How to Take a Flight with a Baby (32 Tips)

Written by Becca

Updated on March 18th, 2024

How should you take your first flight with an infant? These important tips and tricks will get you through flying on a plane with your baby so that everything goes to plan.

This article may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commissions when you purchase via those links — and it's free for you. It's only us (Becca & Dan) working on this website, so we value your support! Read our privacy policy and learn more about us .

How to Fly with a Baby

Set your expectations right.
Bring noise-cancelling headphones for your baby.
Bring a travel sound machine.
Check a bag.
Have a blanket handy.
Consider going to an airport lounge.
Bring extra snacks.
Bring an extra set of clothes for each parent.
Bring a pared-down diaper bag into the bathroom.
Use a baby carrier through security and while boarding.
For older babies, consider screens.
Bring toys!
Buy a separate seat, if you can afford it.
Try to replicate a regular bedtime routine on long flights.
For international flights, request the bassinet.
Be aware of what happens during security with liquids.
Let your baby sleep in a wrap carrier on your chest.
Don’t forget your stroller, upon arrival!
If you check your car seat travel bag, fill it with stuff like diapers.
Hold your child TIGHT during landing.
Change your baby’s diaper before the flight.
Consolidate your personal item into your diaper bag.
Bring a mobile travel breast pump.
Gate check your car seat and/or stroller.
Use a luggage cart for all your stuff in the airport.
Have one adult board first with your carry-ons and “stuff.”
Take an UberXL to the airport.
Bring on the diaper bag (as a medical item).
Get a compact travel crib if you need to bring one.
Feed the baby during takeoff and landing.
Try double-diapering your baby.
Fly as often as possible with your baby or kids.

Overwhelmed about traveling with your baby on an airplane for the first time? I think every parent who needs to fly on a plane with their little one for the first time is feeling this way. It feels like there are so many things that can go wrong, and the logistics of all the baby stuff is more daunting than having the baby on the flight itself!

Flying with your infant is probably going to be different than taking a road trip with your baby . There’s a lot more limitation on what you can bring, how to pack it and the fact that you’ll be in an airplane seat, not in a car that can stop every few hours.

Here are some pretty popular tips that will help you plan out your first flight with your newborn, infant, older baby. Of course, not all these tips work for everyone, but I’ve made them as all-encompassing as I can in order to help you out with the most seamless flight experience for the family!

The inside of an airplane with people watching televisions.

Tips for flying with a baby

Check out our list of important tips to keep you sane during your next flight with your little one! I’ve added comments about my personal experience in flying with my baby, and I point out which items are the best baby travel accessories for traveling .

And make sure to check out all of our posts about traveling with a baby to get a full sense of what it’s like and you might pick up some tips and tricks along the way.

Set your expectations right.

Many of my friends have noted that going into a flight with a baby for the first time should involve no expectations: none at all.

If you have a fussy baby or an unpredictable baby, there may be chaos. If you’re used to getting on a flight, plugging in noise-cancelling headphones, turning on some in-flight entertainment and sipping a beer or a piping hot coffee, reset your assumptions. Flying with a baby will not be relaxing, but you will eventually get where you’re going!

Bring noise-cancelling headphones for your baby.

Noise-cancelling headphones for babies have become a product that parents can use at concerts, loud events and on airplanes as well. I think that as adults, especially adults who travel and fly often, we forget just how loud the roar of the airplane engine is.

By helping protect your baby’s ears, you can help them hopefully be less fussy as the airplane is going up and as you are landing (and/or going through turbulence). They also might help the baby to sleep on the flight by drowning out the excess sounds and turning it into white noise.

Bring a travel sound machine.

We have the Yogasleep travel sound machine (you can also get it on Amazon ) for weekends away with our little one, and this travel sound machine is surely small enough to come on the plane with you. It fits in a diaper bag, and can help lull your baby to sleep with the familiar sound machine hum from home.

In all honesty in regard to our most recent flight with our child, the plane itself acts as a giant sound machine, so that was convenient! The travel sound machine from Yogasleep is good if you have to get your baby into a nap while you’re in the airport, on a layover or (hopefully not) delayed for a while. We also use it in all hotel rooms for the night, and we detail that in our tips for a hotel stay with a baby .

Check a bag.

This tip is a big painful for me, as I was a carry-on-only style traveler before having kid(s). I’m pretty much petrified of checking bags, for a (somewhat irrational) fear that they will get lost and not make it to my vacation destination with me. Anyone feel this way?

Most families I know have opted for checking their suitcases, instead of taking them as carry-ons. Traveling through the airport with all the baby equipment will be plenty, and you may not want to deal with dragging your suitcases in addition to your diaper bag, car seat, stroller and more.

By checking bags, you’ll free up at least one parent, as between the two of you, there’s likely a carry-on (or two), the diaper bag, stroller, car seat, your child’s milk or formula, food and even more. Many friends of mine have noted that checking a bag is the way to go when you travel with a baby.

My good friends have tried to help ease my fears of checking luggage and have noted that bags getting lost is way less common if you’re flying nonstop with no transfers. Second, to get over fears of lost luggage, try getting some Apple Airtags to track your most valuable belongings (laptop, wallet, carry-on, etc.) from your phone!

Have a blanket handy.

Bring a lightweight blanket to drape over the stroller, to help your baby nap while you’re waiting in the terminal.

Another thing a blanket can do is create a little dark canopy over your baby if he or she is sleeping while in-flight! Planes can be really bright at some less-convenient times.

Consider going to an airport lounge.

For extra comfort and space, and to avoid potentially uncomfortable (or lack of) seating at your gate, opt for an airport lounge. If you have Priority Pass or another membership that will get you into a lounge, then bingo! Enjoy free WiFi, snacks, the bar and potentially a family room or mother’s room in a lounge.

Check out our guide to how to know what airport lounges are like . We went to the United Lounge at EWR during our most recent flight experience with our baby and not only was it a great place to try to feed her some solid food, but it let us relax for 45 minutes while we enjoyed the lunch buffet and WiFi.

Bring extra snacks.

If you have a baby at the 6+ month age, you will potentially be bringing food in tote! For babies between 9-12 months, they’ll want to snack all the time. Having handy snacks (and also being able to eliminate messes) is incredibly important!

Try ideas like infant baby food pouches or DIY pouches full of food from home like these from Babybrezza . Another good idea is snack puffs that are not too messy.

On top of bringing a regular amount of snacks, be prepared with extras! If your child is bored, or just decides he or she is extra hungry during the hours you’re on that airplane, you’ll be glad you took more rather than less.

Bring an extra set of clothes for each parent.

I think a “worst case scenario” in my mind would be if I were flying with a baby who had a #2 accident all over my clothes. While it’s more common for babies between 0-3 or so months to let another #2 out in those moments when you’re doing the diaper change, it can happen to any unlucky parent!

Bring an extra set of flight clothes that are also weather-appropriate for your destination, for both parents or caretakers. This is also handy not only for bathroom accidents, but for unfortunate and unexpected situations of vomit, food or drink spills and anything else you can think of.

AND , as a bonus, having an extra pair of clothes in your carry-on (or if you have a giant diaper bag) can be useful if your checked luggage gets lost for a day. Bingo!

Bring a pared-down diaper bag into the bathroom.

This tip came from a friend of mine, who phrased it as, “NEVER bring your entire diaper bag into the airplane bathroom!” There are a few reasons for this.

First, airplane bathrooms are tiny. Once you and a baby are in there together, there is not very much room to move around. On our Air Canada flight when our child was 8 months old, the bathroom was so small that I didn’t even know how someone bigger or taller than my size would’ve fit.

Second, airplane bathrooms can be wet, if someone messy was in there before you. The last thing you want is for your diaper bag to be soaked from someone else’s bathroom mess — ew.

And third, all you really need for a diaper change is a diaper, some diaper cream, a few wipes and a changing pad. In a rare case of a blowout, you’ll need a spare outfit. The good news is that I have a hack for this: grab a Kibou diaper waist bag . It is the ONLY item I’ll bring with me for a diaper change on a flight .

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The Kibou is a “diaper bag fanny pack for travel” and you can also use it for essentials like your phone, wallet keys and passport. Taking something this minimal into an airplane bathroom will be ideal! Plus, it’s unisex, for both moms and dads. I love showing it off to other parents who say, “Wow, that is brilliant.” It works like a charm when you need to dash into a bathroom for a diaper change. In my review of the Kibou you can see more photos and details!

A woman is holding a green fanny pack with a cloth in it.

Use a baby carrier through security and while boarding.

Using a travel-friendly baby carrier to carry your child leaves you with two hands to get organized while getting to your seat! You’ll find this to ease up the whole process of boarding, as well as getting through security.

My favorite baby carrier for travel is the Baby Tula Carrier Lite , which I reviewed in this detailed review . Consider that it folds up into a fanny pack for when you aren’t using it, and that saves a ton of space.

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As I was walking off the plane during our last flight with our baby, I considered that I didn’t know how I would’ve survived without a baby carrier, with all the carry-ons and personal items we already had. You need to be hands-free with that baby!

When we flew from Halifax , Nova Scotia, I think we set a record with how many bins we used and how we had to manage everything with an infant. We both had laptops, a camera, wallets, various fanny packs, diaper bag contents and liquid toiletries.

It’s something to consider for packing so that you’re not holding up security when you’re out of the country when TSA PreCheck is not available.

Luckily, there wasn’t anyone behind us, so it didn’t matter. In a crowded and busy situation, security can be pretty chaotic and a baby carrier may help.

For older babies, consider screens.

As a disclaimer, this tip is only for those who are comfortable with screen time for their little ones! Personally, we rarely put our baby in front of a screen to entertain her at her current age, but, we understand that this will change with our second child and will also change as she gets older.

For babies who are accustomed to screen time, have some downloaded videos available on either an iPad or a phone.

Bring toys!

For older babies, bring toys that suction cup to the tray table like these amusing suction cup spinners .

If you have the space, a food-grade silicone busy toy might help pass the time for children 6-12 months.

Buy a separate seat, if you can afford it.

For longer flights when having a lap infant may not be so comfortable, consider buying a separate seat for your child. Use a travel car seat on the plane to strap it in. We’ve realized pretty quickly that traveling with a baby makes you forget all the ways you used to try to save money while traveling .

Know what to expect with having a car seat on a plane.

If you have booked the aisle seats on the flight, you’ll need to put the car seat in the window seat, as passengers have to be able to walk out of the row in the case of an emergency.

If your seats are in the middle section of the row (think a large plane with 3-4-3 seating), it has to be placed in the middle seat so the two aisle seats allow passengers to get out in an emergency.

From a friend who has flown often with an older baby and then a toddler, she noted to me that about one in eight times of flying with her child, the flight attendant asked to see the car seat to make sure that it was plane-compliant. There’s a marking on the side of the car seat that denotes that it can be used for a flight. She uses this Cosco Scenera NEXT convertible car seat for travel and takes it on planes.

Helpful tip here: when we checked our car seat in the US, we checked it regularly at the counter and it came out with regular baggage at baggage claim. However, in Canada, we had to check it as Oversized Baggage, and when we landed in Newark, it was not with the regular checked luggage on the baggage carousel. We had to go to Oversized Baggage and retrieve it!

Try to replicate a regular bedtime routine on long flights.

This tip is a LOT easier said than done. For us, bedtime involves a bottle, a story book (or three), changing into pajamas, a diaper change, a song while we put on our child’s sleep sack, and a kiss before going into bed.

If you’re traveling and have the plane’s bassinet or a child’s car seat, this is probably going to be more worth it than if your child is going to sleep in your lap for a little while, only to be awoken when the plane lands. So, this tip is most applicable to overnight flights or international ones that are long.

If you are flying at night time (or even during a red eye flight ), the good news is that the lights will be dimmed, so you likely don’t have to worry about having blackout shades or a blackout cover. If your child sleeps in complete darkness, consider seeking out a blackout cover for a car seat (this one also doubles as a nursing cover — very handy!) that fits. Make sure you can still peek in to check your child’s safety while sleeping.

For international flights, request the bassinet.

“Get the bassinet” is what anyone will say to you if you’re flying long-haul with a baby. Even if your baby is close to not fitting anymore (think “baby who is large for his/her age”), the seats for the parents are better in the bulkhead row! It does have to be requested, though.

One nice thing about the bassinet option is that parents can check the car seat. This keeps the amount of things you’ll be hauling through security and on the plane to a minimum. Hopefully you’ll wind up with only backpacks and stroller by the time you get to the gate.

To arrange moving to the bulkhead row, you will probably have to call your airline and “speak to a human.” It may be possible to avoid up-charges this way, depending on the airline.

It’s definitely cheaper to go the “bassinet route” over your baby having own seat on the plane with a car seat. The only catch is that you don’t get the bassinet until full altitude, so the baby would be in your lap for a bit first.

Most parents are fine with this because you can feed your baby during take-off and landing for ear popping reasons. My friend who did this recently said that when she booked the bassinet/bulkhead seats, there was no questioning about her baby’s age or size. This may vary by airline, once again.

If in the bassinet row, your toddler may want to nap on the floor.

This is apparently allowed, given the length of flight and airline. My friend’s toddler did this when she had the bulkhead seats for her and her partner and had their younger baby in the bassinet.

Be aware of what happens during security with liquids.

You can go through security with formula and milk or liquids for a baby. They will be searched separately.

Note that formula nor breast milk is subject to the 3 oz. rule for TSA-approved liquids, as both are “medically-necessary liquids.” My friend flew with a two-day-old baby and had no problem with this, and when I brought liquid milk through security, I had both a 5-oz. frozen bag of milk, as well as 2 oz. in a Spectra bottle. The containers of milk were checked by a TSA agent, and then I was free to go (they did not sample the milk nor open it).

Let your baby sleep in a wrap carrier on your chest.

My friend Liz flew to Ireland , and then to Portugal , with a baby only six months old. She didn’t book her child a seat, so her baby was a lap infant. To get her to sleep during those flights from the US to Europe, she had her daughter sleep in a wrap carrier like the Boba Baby Wrap or the KeaBabies Wrap Carrier .

What I will note here is that I was told most recently by a flight attendant on Air Canada that a “snuggly” (or baby carrier) cannot be used during takeoff nor landing. You could, however, get the baby right into it after the seat belt light turns off.

Don’t forget your stroller, upon arrival!

This one seems simple, but when you arrive and deplane, if you’re caught up in the bustle of taking down your carry-ons and dashing to passport control or baggage claim, don’t forget your gate-checked stroller or car seat!

If you check your car seat travel bag, fill it with stuff like diapers.

This is a very popular tip from parents: if you are using a car seat travel bag to check at check-in, or gate check, “fill it with stuff.” No one will care how much it weighs (probably!).

One of the most widespread tips is to fill that car seat bag with diapers, and lots of them! If you have any other soft things that could go in there (maybe wipes, or if it’s winter, some things like a baby snowsuit), that works, too.

Using a universal car seat bag with shoulder straps may do the trick. Of course, if your car seat brand makes its own car seat bag like the UPPAbaby one and if it includes a warranty, you can opt for that (see below about the UPPAbaby Mesa car seat travel bag ).

Put your family’s laundry bag in the car seat on the flight home! By that point, you’re probably already playing a really hard game of tetris with all your packing cubes in the suitcase anyway. We did this and it made packing some gifts we got much easier in our checked bag.

Hold your child TIGHT during landing.

When that plane hits the ground, you could have a smooth landing or a really rough and crazy one. After flying once, I was lucky that Dan signaled to me it was time to hold our baby tight as our plane was about to touch down on the runway. Things can get unexpected really fast during landings that swerve or feel bumpy, so keep your best grip on your child for safety.

Change your baby’s diaper before the flight.

Yes: change your child’s diaper before the flight — right before, if you aren’t too pressed for time. This helps eliminate the risk of in-flight blowouts due to diapers that were already at capacity from having been on a baby for a few hours already.

Consolidate your personal item into your diaper bag.

I asked a LOT of my friends if their airline had included their diaper bag as a personal item for their lap infant (if your infant has a ticketed seat, they get their own personal item and carry-on without question), or not. It was about a 50/50 split. Some airlines will consider the diaper bag to be the lap infant’s personal item, whereas some will not. I use the personal item-sized 25L diaper backpack from Nike.

You can see more about it at my Nike Diaper Bag review .

If you are aware ahead of time that your airline does NOT consider your diaper bag to be a medical bag, aside from your (as an adult) “personal item”, then throw in your wallet, phone, keys and passport, or even better, use a fanny pack for travel day .

Better yet, take that fanny pack idea and travel with a fanny pack baby carrier or a fanny pack diaper bag like the Kibou to get more use out of every item you choose to bring along. Even BETTER, have one adult use a fanny pack diaper bag, and have one adult use a fanny pack baby carrier! This is what I did.

Bring a mobile travel breast pump.

If you are a breastfeeding mama and your space is limited, you may notice that your Spectra pump (the same one I’ve taken on road trips with a small baby ) is really pretty big and tall, all things considered.

What you can do is opt for a travel pump or mobile pump. I have the Elvie Stride hands-free wearable pump , and friends also recommend the wearable Willow Go pump . These have smaller footprints in your luggage, and they operate with apps!

Gate check your car seat and/or stroller.

Gate checking is great for your travel stroller (like our UPPAbaby Minu ) and travel car seat. The tip here is to make sure to have the special “travel bags” for both large items, and the even bigger tip is to check in at the desk at the gate for tags ahead of time.

Make sure your airline allows two gate-checked items if you plan to gate-check both a stroller and car seat. What we did was check the car seat with baggage upon arrival, and gate check the stroller.

Use a luggage cart for all your stuff in the airport.

I never could’ve foreseen just how much “stuff” we had. Among the car seat in its bag, our rollaboard suitcase, both our personal items (one was my backpack with a pump in it), the diaper bag and the stroller, our arms got tied up fast.

If there are free luggage carts at the airport, get one ! Even if they cost money to use them for an hour, they may give you a spare hand or peace of mind.

If the airplane has your baby freaking out, my friend Kate suggests keeping blinders up and not worrying about other people. The moment will pass and you won’t see any of those people again (unless you’re with a lot of friends or family on your flight, but then, they’ll understand).

Have one adult board first with your carry-ons and “stuff.”

I have a friend whose favorite tip for flying with a baby (if you’re traveling with your partner) is for one of you go on first with all the things you’ll be taking on the plane, while the other adult waits outside the gate with the baby.

This is particularly helpful if you have gotten your baby a ticketed seat and you are bringing a car seat on the plane. It’s a lot to carry and we’re all just human! What we did was board together in priority boarding. That worked, too.

Take an UberXL to the airport.

When traveling to the airport, opt for an Uber XL. Between our suitcases and the stroller, you will want to ensure that you have enough trunk space.

Bring on the diaper bag (as a medical item).

On many (but not all!) airlines, your diaper bag counts as a “medical bag,” and it does not count as your personal item on the plane. Each adult is therefore allowed to bring one personal item in addition!

Also, this is in regard to if you bring on your baby as a lap infant. If your baby is a ticketed passenger with his or her own seat (and a car seat for sitting in), then he or she is also entitled to a carry-on and/or checked bag, depending on the airline and ticket class.

Get a compact travel crib if you need to bring one.

For your “flying trip” with a baby, if you’re going to visit family, or you’ll be staying at an Airbnb that does not offer a crib or travel crib, you’ll be bringing your own. My biggest suggestion is to NOT bring something giant like the Graco Pack ‘n Play. This will be a burden at the airport and upon landing. Instead, invest in a minimalist compact travel crib! This will spare you a headache.

As for choices, I’ll recommend the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light or the Guava Lotus Travel Crib. Both pack down to infinitely better sizes and shapes for travel than a traditional Pack ‘n Play. The Guava Crib can even be worn as a handy backpack as you go through the airport. To make your choice, check out BabyBjorn Travel Crib review and our Guava Lotus Travel Crib review . Both will probably need to be checked as luggage, although depending on the size of the overhead bins, it’s possible they could fit and be carried on.

Feed the baby during takeoff and landing.

Many friends recommended feeding babies during takeoff and landing. There are a few reasons to consider it: first, if you think about the first time you flew, as a kid maybe, did anyone tell you to either keep swallowing, or maybe to chew gum during takeoff and landing to help with popping ears? I used to always take gum with me in my early years of flying for that reason! Now I just drink water.

With babies, they don’t know what to do, so if you offer a feed, the swallowing will help the baby’s ears and avoid the discomfort from popping. Take note: a pacfiifer may have the same effect, to encourage the swallowing reflex.

Second, offer a feed in case you are tied up waiting for baggage or delayed in a passport control line after deplaning. You may not be able to feed your baby for an hour or two, especially if you immediately get in a taxi to your hotel and hit traffic, or any of the other delays life throws at you.

As an update, on my most recent flight with our baby, we flew Air Canada and the flight attendants told us that during the ascent and descent, the baby had to be sitting facing one of us and held with the head into our chests. Feeding was not allowed until the seat belt light was turned off. So, be sure you speak with a flight attendant about a safe policy!

For all travel-related product ideas that will get you through the flight, check out my guide to feeding your baby during a trip .

A view of a city from the wing of an airplane.

Try double-diapering your baby.

Some babies tend to go to the bathroom (#2) due to changes in cabin pressure (or maybe it’s an urban legend), but I’ve heard from multiple parents that “double-diapering” can help with unwanted diaper accidents while in the air.

Probably the last thing you want is to be messy with a diaper accident while the plane is landing if you’re already cramped in your seat, and let’s face it, airplane bathrooms are NOT spacious.

Fly as often as possible with your baby or kids.

Traveling and flying often with babies and kids will get them used to it, so that they’ll know what to expect each time. And, even though babies change all the time, flying routinely will keep them familiar with what to expect when they’re at the airport, on the plane and traveling in a new destination.

Common questions about flying with a baby for the first time

My sister flew with her husband and 5.5-month baby from Philadelphia to Florida, and I interviewed her about how she got it all done. My sister Lily did a LOT of research leading up to her trip, and has shared her experience with me so that it can help you out! Thank you, Lily! You are a pro.

Does my baby need a passport?

If you plan to fly internationally, then YES: your baby needs a passport to leave your home country and enter another one, if they are even one day old.

Infant passports are the same as child passports and have validity of five years (whereas adult passports are valid for ten years before expiring).

Daunted by applying for your baby’s passport? Don’t worry — Becca and Dan made a guide for how to get your baby a passport .

If you plan to fly only domestically with your baby, then no worries, as they do not need a passport.

If visas are required for your destination, your baby will need a travel visa too. Learn how to know if you need a visa for international travel .

A black passport holder on a marble table.

Do I need to bring a car seat?

Yes, you will likely need a car seat when you get to your destination!

At the very least, you need your car seat when you take a taxi to and from the airport. The car seat I have (and that Becca has as well) is the UPPAbaby Mesa Car Seat for infants .

Should I bring my main stroller or should I buy a travel stroller?

This was the topic that I researched most.

In the end, I decided to use our car seat, attached to our UPPAbaby Vista stroller body . I learned that the UPPAbaby stroller warranty only covers airplane damage if you have the UPPAbaby stroller travel bag with TravelSafe, which we ended up buying for $200.

I had considered buying an umbrella stroller/collapsible travel stroller; however, most of the umbrella strollers are designed for babies 6 months+ who have more sitting abilities than my daughter had at the time.

Many of my friends recommended the BabyZen Yoyo travel stroller , which folds small enough to put in the overhead compartment on a plane. This stroller seat is for babies 6 months+. Something nice about this stroller is that you can attach many car seats with adapters, and if you attach your infant car seat, then you can use it for your younger baby. However, the BabyZen Yoyo is not compatible with our car seat, the UPPAbaby Mesa.

Becca and Dan also have the UPPAbaby Mesa car seat, and they bought the UPPAbaby Minu as their travel stroller. It is compatible with the Mesa car seat, with adapters. They like it a lot, and it folds up small.

Can I gate-check my stroller when flying?

We strolled through the terminal with the UPPAbaby Vista and then gate-checked the stroller and car seat (which was free of charge on American Airlines). We lucked out!

What about travel strollers for bigger babies?

When my daughter was a few months older (around 7-8 months) we bought the Baby Jogger City Tour collapsible stroller . (It is not actually a jogging stroller, but rather, just the brand name.)

We are very happy with it, and we like the way it folds up for travel. The wheels are surprisingly good on bumpy sidewalks.

Can I gate-check my car seat?

Yes, we gate-checked the car seat before our flights.

If your baby has his/her own seat on the plane, then you’ll bring the car seat on the plane. We gate-checked our car seat in a cheap travel bag, gambling that our car seat looked sturdy and could sustain being tossed around. If you want to go the extra mile and avoid possible damages, opt for the car seat travel bag that comes from the car seat brand and has warranty protection.

There are plenty of higher-quality, cushioned car seat travel bags out there as well. Like the UPPAbaby stroller, the UPPAbaby Mesa car seat also requires the UPPAbaby Mesa car seat travel bag in order to be under warranty with TravelSafe.

Should I book a seat for my child or should I bring my child as a lap-infant?

This is a tough decision because flights can be so expensive these days.

If your baby is under 2 years old, he/she is allowed to fly for free on a parent’s lap. This is a great travel hack, and some parents take advantage of it, to take as many flights as possible before their child turns 2 and they have to pay for another seat!

For our trip to Florida, our 5.5-month daughter sat on our laps. She sleeps best when she is in her crib or car seat, so it was a little bit challenging to get her to nap on our laps.

We decided that taking her on our laps (airlines call it a “lap infant”) was okay for a trip to Florida, but if we are flying further, we’d want to get a separate seat for her.

My advice is: You want your baby to be able to nap on the plane. If your baby is good at napping in mom’s or dad’s lap, then maybe going the “lap” route is good for you (and will be cost-effective).

If your baby will nap better in the car seat, then I’d suggest getting a separate seat for the baby, especially if it is a long flight.

And of course, airplane seats are tight as it is, so having your baby on your lap will make it tighter. If you have long legs and you already feel squished in an airplane seat, keep that in mind.

Should I select a window or aisle seat?

My short answer for this is that I recommend booking a window seat.

Once you get situated with your baby, you’ll want to stay put. You don’t want to have to stand up to let your neighbor out to the bathroom, especially if the baby is napping in your arms already.

An airplane window with a view of the sky.

Am I allowed to bring a bottle of breastmilk/formula through security?

Yes, to my surprise, security let us through with a bottle of milk. They inspected it, and approved it.

However, when my friend traveled with a bottle of breastmilk, security spilled some of her milk, so be prepared with extra milk. We travel with this baby formula dispenser by Munchkin .

I have TSA PreCheck. Can my child come on the TSA PreCheck line with me?

Yes! As a parent, if you have TSA PreCheck , children up to age 12 can travel in the TSA PreCheck line with you. This is also a great travel hack to know about when you travel with babies and kids!

(I always like fact-checking what I hear from others, so if you’d like to fact-check me, here is the source I used on the TSA.gov website.)

What about Global Entry ? Yes — babies have to have a Global Entry account if you’d like to take them through Global Entry upon returning to the US from abroad. You may get a hard time from Global Entry staff if your child does not have an account, because they will not be able to use the face scanner. Visit my tips on how to get Global Entry for your child to learn more.

Can I change my baby’s diaper while I’m on the plane?

Yes, you can! You can use the small fold-out changing table that’s above the toilet in the plane restroom. If there is no fold-out changing table, or if you prefer to simply close the seat of the toilet and use that as a surface, you can do that.

Unless the airplane restroom fits two adults, consider that you’ll probably be on your own for the diaper change, because space is incredibly limited in an airplane restroom.

One useful thing to have along with you is a Kibou waistpack diaper bag because taking along your entire diaper bag or diaper backpack might be too much fuss. You also might not want to put it down on the grimy floor of an airplane bathroom!

My Kibou fanny pack-diaper bag helps me stay miimalist during travel so that I can do a diaper change in a bathroom during travel with just the essentials: a diaper, diaper cream, the fold-out changing pad and a few wipes in the waterproof zipper pocket on the back!

Should I bring a baby carrier for using in the airport?

YES! A thousand times yes. Bring a baby carrier as a way of keeping your baby close while walking through the airport. I recommend the Baby Tula Lite Carrier as the perfect compact baby carrier for travel. If you want to walk around the aisles of the plane with the baby in a carrier, this one is good because it doubles as a fanny pack you can just sling over your body and use as a crossbody pouch.

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Everything you need to know flying with a baby.

There are so many things to think about that very first time you fly with a baby! It can be an incredibly overwhelming process from how to book a baby’s airline ticket to what you’re allowed to bring on board with your baby.

We have written many flying with kids articles in the past after countless hours in the air with our three babies , but none that really pull together all our baby flying tips in one spot!

So here to help you plan that first flight with a baby, this mega-post includes:

How to book a ticket for your baby
What luggage can you bring flying with a baby
How to you get through the airport and security with a baby
What to expect on board flying with a baby
How to disembark and collect your luggage with a baby.

This post is part of our flying with kids series – everything you want to know about flying with babies and toddlers, we should have you covered!

NB: Our focus is on long haul flying with children. Whilst most of our tips equally apply to domestic flights, bear this in mind as you read through our tips as some onboard facilities and service won’t be the same on shorter flights or budget airlines.

Flying with a Baby: Booking infant airline tickets

Generally speaking, babies under the age of 2 are considered “Infants” in the airline industry. Parents have the choice of holding an infant on their laps or paying for them to have their own seat.

Lap baby vs seat for your infant

There can be a huge cost difference to consider between a lap baby and buying a separate seat. Depending on the airline and route, a lap baby will either fly for free or pay a nominal amount of the adult ticket – usually 10% plus taxes.

If an infant flies in their own seat, they will be charged for their own ticket at a child’s rate, which is usually 90% of the adult ticket price. This can only be done if your child is in the correct safety restraint, we’ll cover this more below.

If your infant is travelling on your lap, the airline will provide you with a lap belt extension to hold the infant during take-off, landing and when the seat belt sign is on

(NB – we have seen this practice EVERYWHERE in the world, except on North American airlines. For countries that are so safety conscious, I cannot explain why these are not issued as standard but this might considerably change your view when deciding between lap infant or own sat.)

Can I book an airline ticket for my baby before they are born?

Depending on the individual airline’s policy, you can book a ticket and add the name later (the name you use must match the passport), or alternatively book your adult ticket then add an infant to your booking later once you have your paperwork.

If you are flying internationally, baby must have their passport before they can fly, long gone are the days when babies names were added to the parents passport.

The only time we have seen an issue with the baby being added later is when, for example, a baby is added to a business class booking and there are not enough “baby seats” ie – where there are enough seats fitted with infant oxygen masks. Every row in Economy Class has an extra mask but business cabins are not designed the same way.

Otherwise, babies are perfectly entitled to travel as lap infants in business class – read more here.

If you are lucky enough to score a business class seat, this can be a great way to tackle your first baby flight with not only more room but more attentive staff and better facilities such as the airport lounge along the way!

So what exactly is a bassinet seat?

Keep hearing advice that you need to book the bassinet seat?

This is the row of seats, normally in the bulkhead behind the toilets or galley, where an infant bassinet or cot can be hung from the wall for a baby to sleep in during the flight.

If you are travelling long haul with a baby under 12 months, this is by far the best spot to sit with a lap infant! (NB, usually flights need to be at least 4 hours for the bassinet seat to be used – varies by airline).

We have a complete run-through here on exactly how the infant airplane bassinet seat works.

There are quite a few restrictions on its use and one thing to be really mindful of sitting in the bulkhead is that your armrests won’t move, but… you do get extra leg space! (If your airline is not totally tight and sold these off for the extra legroom seats).

Some airlines automatically add parents to the bulkhead row when booking with a lap infant, but ALWAYS check, double-check, ring again and get to the flight early to secure your spot (Yes, even with a “confirmed “booking you could get bumped if there are other babies on board). The bassinet seat is NEVER guaranteed until you get on that plane!!

Car Seats on Planes

I can honestly say in all our years of flying with babies and toddlers we have not chosen this method of flying with babies. However, now understanding that North American Airlines do NOT routinely hand out infant lap belts, we can see why this is a popular option for many parents, and certainly safer than having no lap belt.

If you wish your child to fly in a car seat, they need to have their own seat booked on the airplane. You will pay a child’s price for this ticket, regardless if they are under 2-years-old.

Every child’s needs will differ, but we have found our kids do not like to be cooped up in their car seat, preferring the comfort of being able to spread their legs out ( we’ll cover more on this below ).

Other parents swear by using car seats, particularly if you will use them at your destination – and say that their children sleep far better with the familiarity of their car seat – each to their own,

What you do need to be aware of, is not all car seats are created equal! You must use an FAA (or equivalent authority) approved car seat. You can learn more about using travel car seats on airplanes here .

If you still need your car seats but have not booked a separate seat you can chance it bringing your seat on – but I wouldn’t push your luck.

The best way of transporting your car seat is with a secure gate check bag – learn more here.

Other ways to sit with your baby on the plane

If you are not;

Booking the bassinet seat, or
Booking a separate seat with a car seat

Then you will be holding your baby on your lap for the duration of the flight. The only other alternative which has worked BRILLIANTLY for us over the years is the spare seat strategy .

This works best when you’re as a couple in a row of three, or three of you in a row of four. Nobody likes the middle seat, right? They are the last to be allocated, so you can chance it and book your seats further back in the plane.

Book a window and an aisle (3 seat row) or two aisles on a wide-bodied aircraft and hope no one books the seat in between you so you can stretch out. If someone has been allocated this seat last minute, they will almost certainly to want to swap with you before take-off so your family is still seated together.

Its certainly not foolproof and relies on how full the flight is, as well as the kindness of staff and others around you, but it’s worth a shot vs 10 hours holding your baby, right?

Flying with a Baby: What can I bring as luggage?

This varies HUGELY by airline so you will really need to check your ticketing fine print.

Premium airlines normally allow larger items to be included, plus an additional 10kg of checked luggage and an extra item of hand luggage for the baby.

If you have booked a child’s seat for an infant, you will get all the benefits of a child’s ticket including luggage allowance (same as an adult) and a meal.

“Extra Items” may include a stroller, car seat, baby bassinet; read the fine print on your airline ticket to avoid disappointment.

We have many of the top airlines reviewed here for their infant luggage allowances.

What should I bring on board the airplane with my baby

Again this can be slightly subjective based on which airline you’re flying and the aviation rules you fall under. We will use TSA rules as an example. Please check your individual circumstances and country, but GENERALLY SPEAKING:

You can take fluids up to 100ml through security ( but baby’s milk you can take more )
An insulated cooler to keep any pre-pumped breastmilk at the right temperature, along with ready-to-use sterilised bottles
Approximately double the number of diapers you’d normally go through in your total transit time door-to-door! (Trust me! Air pressure can do funny things – there’s nothing worse than dealing with a major baby diaper blow out mid-air and not having enough supplies)
Depending on your child’s age, multiple changes of clothes for baby AND you (see above!)
A few plastic bags or baby wet dry bags for any soiled clothing (see above!)
Pacifier, bottle or boob – and possibly your portable pumping kit
A limited number of small toys/entertainment – see our baby toy suggestions here
An easy to grab diaper change kit (You can keep a more comprehensive diaper bag in the overhead locker but we always keep a “quick grab” pack of essentials in the seat in front)
Wet wipes for cleaning any surfaces they may touch
Snacks for weaning age +, and some small energy snacks for you, especially if breastfeeding
A nursing cover (for feeding and you may want to shade the airplane bassinet from light coming from the galley/toilet area)
The airline will give you a bassinet blanket but your baby might like their own sleeping bag/swaddle/blankie too

If you are after a complete baby packing checklist, you can jump over to this post , or simply signing up to our newsletter gives you access to all our packing checklist and freebies .

What sort of bag should I take on board with a baby?

I can highly recommend using a backpack, or backpack style diaper bag when flying with kids. This will allow you to be hands-free for all the processes you need to go through and it’s easy to have a backpack on while carrying your baby in front of you.

Psst – have you seen those cute wheelie case for kids? DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT get these for your children until you know they are ready, more like 3-4 years old. Younger children will enjoy the novelty for all of 5 minutes then you will be the one pulling or carrying it. There, I’ve told you.

For more on what NOT to pack, check out this post of things that are banned from our carry-on!

Flying with a baby: Getting around the airport and security

It’s a personal preference if you would rather wear your baby throughout the airport in a carrier , or take a stroller. We personally prefer the carrier as for many years we travelled with a double stroller and it was more convenient to check this with our luggage then carry our youngest infant at whatever stage in an Ergo Carrier.

If you take your stroller just check what will happen with it at the other end. You can bring on board if it is a compact stroller ( we have a great in-depth review here of top compact stroller brands ), or

Tips for going through airport security with a baby

Every airport will be a little different, and I know this can be the most stressful stage of the whole process- nobody wants to have precious expressed milk confiscated or witness total meltdown at this crucial stage.

You should expect:

You will have to remove your baby from their stroller and have the stroller separately scanned; you carry the baby through security if they cannot walk
You MAY be allowed through with them in a carrier at some airports, but most will want the carrier put through the metal detector
You may even be asked to remove your babies pacifier – YES!
You may be asked to test any milk that you are bringing through

I had high hopes in the early days of whisking through this part of the process with my child soundly sleeping on me, but the reality is, this part of the travel process SUCKS. It’s necessary though, but don’t go in with any disillusion it’s going to be easy, nor that you will get much help from those around you even if you’re flying solo.

We have more great advice on how to fly with only one adult here.

That said, some security staff are angels and have helped us through in a very thoughtful and understanding way. But most of the time, this is the WORST part of the flying experience.

Pre-boarding routine

As you will discover once you are on board, the changing facilities on a plane are tiny! Any baby over about 6 months old really doesn’t fit so we always try and do a complete nappy and outfit change right before boarding.

If your child is at the crawling/toddling stage, either seek out an airport play area (this is improving at airports around the world) or see if you can find an empty gate to sit at for a while for them to wear off as many beans as possible before your board.

3 children looking out the windo at the airport

Flying with a Baby: What should I expect on board the plane?

So you’ve got your tickets, you’ve made it through security and to the boarding gate. Now, what should you expect?

When to board the plane with a baby

On many long haul flights (though not ALL), they will have an early boarding call for families. If you’ve got a lot of bags with you USE THIS!

Alternatively, if you’ve got a child that needs to crawl or run off some beans, we tend to leave it as late as possible to minimise the amount of time needing to sit still (or send one of you onboard early if you have two parents to nab the overhead locker space and set up camp!).

In the bassinet row with a baby

If you have scored the bassinet row seat, getting into the flight early will ensure you have the converted overhead locker space as no bags can be left at your feet during takeoff (a drawback to taking the front row).

It is usual practice on long haul flights they will not bring out the bassinet until the plane has reached cruising altitude – this can be quite a long time from when you first boarded the flight, especially if you’re delayed on the tarmac so do expect quite a bit of baby holding time still.

Dealing with take-off and ear pressure flying with a baby

Other than all the usual reasons a baby can cry, the biggest EXTRA thing to think about is ear pressure. This is particularly prevalent during take-off and descent. The most important piece of advice for a smooth journey with babies (and toddlers and beyond) is to get them sucking during take-off and descent.

With babies, this can be done by either pacifier or offering them milk – breast or bottle to help them equalise the pressure.

Older children, this is the time you can bribe them with sucking on a sweet!

The other part of cabin pressure you mustn’t forget is the impact it can have on your insides! You will both no doubt be more dehydrated than usual, so don’t be surprised if baby wants feeds more often than usual.

And be prepared for what it can do to baby’s tummy!! Hence suggesting you take the extra diapers and change of clothes.

Entertainment on board with a baby

So you’re finally in the air, now what?

Whilst some long haul airlines do provide small amenities kits to parents, some may even provide a cuddly toy, we suggest you bring your own toys to keep baby entertained. There’s a good list of suggestions here for your one-year-olds and here for your two-year-olds .

You can see a comprehensive guide to travel toys for all age groups here.

There is zero hope that an infant will be interested in onboard entertainment – as in the screen backs (or the screen will pull up from between the chairs if you are in the front row). You still have a few years before iPads and tablets are an effective entertainment tool.

(Please, don’t dream of being THAT PARENT that lets their kid play with their phone or tablet out loud – no headphones = too young to be using them on a plane).

You will be surprised how entertained a tot can be kept from basic items.

We have a detailed guide to on board entertainment technique here – aka our flying survival guide!

Mealtimes Flying with a Baby

Feeding yourself.

This can be super tricky (especially if you’re flying alone). If you have a baby on your lap, how on earth are you supposed to eat and drink?

If you haven’t scored with any of the tricks we’ve mentioned above (ie, bassinet seat, using a car seat or using a spare seat), then yes, this is most definitely a logistics challenge.

How long is your flight? Can you skip the offered meal and bring your own sandwiches to snack on?
Travelling with another adult? If you pre-order a special meal these will come out first, you can take it in turns then to eat and half your tray cleared before the main cabin service starts.

Feeding your baby

We suggest you pop on over and check out these two detailed baby feeding guides on our website:

Everything you need to know about breastfeeding while travelling
Everything you need to know about bottle-feeding while travelling

On solids? Most long haul airlines will only have pouches of baby food for infant meals. Once your child is over 2-years-old or in their own seat, you can order them a special child’s meal at least 24/48 hours in advance of your flight.

With an older lap baby on solids, one technique that works is to order a child’s meal for yourself, then as they pass around the regular meal service you take a tray for yourself still.

For younger baby’s on solids, it’s best to come prepared with your own snacking arsenal rather than relying on the airline meals they’re not really designed for younger infants.

Toilet time on an airplane with a lap baby

OK, I know you’re curious so let’s go there. Yes, I have peed in an airplane toilet with my baby strapped on. Of course, having a flying companion hold them, the stewardess or even a fellow passenger help while you pee is immensely helpful. But if you’ve got a screamer who can’t leave your side, look sometimes it’s just gotta be done.

And what about changing bubs? In the bathroom! I know I mentioned they are tiny, the struggle is real! But please, please, don’t be one of those people who changes a baby diaper in your seat.

And when you have more than one child? Yep, been there too. As above, those cubicles are tiny. Yes, you can fit an adult, a toddler and an infant in and play tetris. 3 kids and an adult #fail. (I don’t know whether to be proud or morbidly embarrassed how many times I have tried this though)

Toddle time – can I move around the aircraft?

Yes once, the plane is in the air and seatbelt sign off there is no issue with walking your small child around the cabin – albeit be mindful it’s not disturbing other passengers. But especially on long flights a change of scenery can really help.

More than one baby on board? Check here for our guide to multiples or travelling with 2+ young children .

Flying with a Baby: How to disembark and collect your luggage

If your sanity is still intact at this point, and you’ve gotten through without too many major meltdowns, remember the journey isn’t quite over yet!

Landing with a baby

Some people prefer to wait for the plane to empty out then disembark at the end, but our kids have always been too to angsty and cannot wait to get off the flight so we are prepared and get everything set ready for landing.

Most airlines, in our experiences, will not let you put the baby in the carrier during landing, with the insistence that you use the lap belt, even if this involves moving them kicking and screaming to sit on you (safety reasons are cited but I still think strapped onto your chest is safer than a lap belt?)

Disembarking with a baby and strollers

If you’ve brought a collapsible plane stroller with you, this can be opened once you’re OFF THE PLANE. Please don’t attempt to open it in the aisle! (That said, I have seen a family do this with two Yoyo’s in the front row with amazing grace and speed – so theoretically, it’s possible if your swift and got the top gear – not all compacts have the Yoyo’s turning circle.)

If you have checked your stroller, even leaving it beside the gate, in our experience the USA is the only country that then delivers it back to you at the plane door. Everywhere else we have flown through – dozens of other countries – the strollers and oversized gear need to be collected in the baggage hall from the oversized gate . This is why we prefer a carrier, to get us through until we are reunited with our bulky gear.

Immigration with a baby

Remember it can be quite a hike to immigration and baggage claim – or transiting to your next flight. This is why we stress don’t go overboard with the carry on packing and paraphernalia, and a backpack style diaper bag is definitely better for travel.

Some airports these days (especially the big Middle East and Asia transit airports) have free stroller services, but don’t bank on these.

As you go through immigration, we’ve never had an issue leaving a sleeping baby in a sling or carrier. they may just ask to see the babies face and remove any pacifier momentarily – it’s far less stressful than the other end of the process!

How to fly as a single mum with three children | Our Globetrotters family Travel Advice

Have you got any more questions you feel we have not covered about flying with a baby? We’d love to help, drop your comments below, or come and join us over on chat group Family Travel Inspiration.

Don’t forget to check out all these helpful related posts on our blog:

Baby Flying Review by Airline – over 30+ airlines reviewed for their family-friendly features
Best Baby Travel Advice – dig into all our helpful baby travel articles
10 Baby Travel Essentials – after travelling the world with 3 kids, what are THE most important items you need for your baby?
Best Travel Cots and Bassinets – helping baby sleep on the move, our top product recommendations
Toddler Flying Mistakes we’ve made (and I bet you have too!) – ready for the next stage of flying? Lots of handy tips and lessons
The Best Travel Toys for Every Age – from babies through to school age, keeping your kids entertained on board

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Disclosures: All advice in this post is general in nature. You should consult with your airline on their exact infant policies. This page contains affiliate links which may earn us a small commission at no additional cost to you. You can see our full website privacy policy and terms of use her e

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2 thoughts on “ Everything you need to know flying with a baby ”

Great tips for flying with a baby, extremely comprehensive post!

Thank you! I know how naive we were the first time we flew with a baby, hope it will help many new flying families

Main content

What should i be aware of when flying with my baby.

When you and your baby fly with Lufthansa, you are in good hands because our special services are entirely orientated towards your wellbeing.

Dad holding his baby daughter during flight on airplane going on vacations. Baby girl drinking formula milk from bottle. Air travel with baby, child and family concept.

Important information about preparing for a flight with your baby

Night flights are especially suitable for travelling with babies as they can maintain their sleep pattern and consequently be more relaxed.
During the aircraft’s ascent and descent, you can help your baby to equalize the air pressure by giving him/her a dummy or a bottle.
Changing tables can be found in the washrooms on board.
There is also water suitable for babies’ bottles on board so that it is unnecessary to purchase water after you have passed through security control.
We also have spare nappies available on board for emergencies.

What do I need to consider when travelling with a pushchair or buggy?

At most airports, it’s possible to use a foldable pushchair 1 or buggy and to hand it over just before boarding. It will be returned to you immediately after landing. Please enquire at baggage drop-off whether you can take your buggy or pushchair with you and hand it over directly at the aircraft. Please also remember to tell staff if you will need your buggy or pushchair 1 for a connecting flight. At the departure gate, our staff will make sure that your buggy or pushchair 1 is taken on board. Once the aircraft reaches its parking position, the buggy or pushchair1 will be returned to you at the passenger boarding bridge or, in the case of a bus transfer, at the foot of the aircraft boarding steps. If you do not receive your buggy or pushchair1 on arrival, please contact one of our gate staff or the nearest Service Center. Please note that the return of your buggy or pushchair1 may take a few minutes. You cannot take your buggy or pushchair1 on board yourself at the following airports: Addis Ababa, Asmara, Bari, Billund, Birmingham, Bordeaux, Bremen, Cagliari, Catania, Copenhagen, Dresden, Dusseldorf, Gothenburg, Hamburg, Hanover, London Heathrow, Marseille, Nice, Nuremberg, Olbia, Palermo, Riyadh, Stockholm, Stuttgart, Valencia. Taking a buggy or pushchair 1 with you is free of charge. You can find information about the free baggage allowance for babies here .

1 Please note that it must be a fully foldable travel pushchair.

Is there baby food available on the aircraft?

Yes, but we still recommend taking along your baby’s favourite food or bottle, as the availability of baby food on board Lufthansa flights is limited. We will happily warm up baby’s bottles or food for you on board. There is also water suitable for babies’ bottles on board so that it is unnecessary to purchase water after you have passed through security control.

From what age must a separate ticket be bought for a child?

Children aged two or over, or who will turn two during the trip, require their own seat. In the latter case, the child fare applies to the entire trip. Please note that for safety reasons only one baby per adult is allowed on board. However, if you have a second child under two years old travelling with you, you have the option of booking a seat and taking an appropriate child restraint system, such as a baby carrier or child car seat, on board with you.

Where can I get a bassinet for a long-haul flight?

We have special bassinets available on our entire long-haul fleet: these are perfectly suited to babies under 11 kg in weight and under 67 cm in length. The number of bassinets on board is limited. You can reserve a bassinet up to 52 hours before your flight departs. Please note that, depending on your booking class, a seat reservation fee for the seat with the bassinet may apply. For further information, please contact our Service Center.

Do I need a child seat in the aircraft?

A child restraint system, child car seat or baby carrier can be used on board to increase the passive safety of babies and children (up to about 7 years of age). Their use is voluntary.

Child seats in the aircraft

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Flying with a baby and toddler: 50 clever tips and hacks that every parent needs to know

By Becky Lucas

Ask any new parent about their biggest fear when travelling abroad with their offspring. More often than not, an image of themselves trapped inside a plane cabin will spring to mind: screaming baby in arms, toddler on the rampage, covered in some sort of bodily fluid, the angry eyes of all surrounding passengers trained on them, silently asking why they cannot control their children. But then, ask them again, post first-flight together, and typically they’ll share that the worst part of it all was the sense of dread and apprehension before the big travel day. The majority of parents or carers find themselves both pleasantly surprised by the kindness of airline staff and co-passengers – most of whom have usually cared for young children themselves at some point and so can empathise and tend to look at you all with a nostalgic glint in their eye – as well as instead empowered by the experience. If you think about it: once you feel more confident travelling with a baby , you can go anywhere in the world with them.

Journalist Becky with her baby Zelda on her first ever flight to Dubai at four months old.

As a Condé Nast Traveller contributing editor and mother-of-two, I’ve found myself flying more often since having children and enjoying it (sometimes). Here are the canny little tips and tricks I’ve picked up in answer to some commonly asked questions, combined with words of wisdom from a whole network of people who’ve survived the ultimate, high-air-pressured parenting challenge.

Should I fly with my baby and a toddler?

Putting aside the fact that most airlines allow kids under two to fly for free or a fraction of an adult’s price ( Skyscanner’s travel advice hub has a handy summary of child fees broken down by airline) and the eco considerations of flying anywhere at all, if you’re nervous about booking that flight with your baby and toddler, try considering how your children have behaved on trains, buses and other types of public transport. If you can visualise a flight as an extension of these sorts of positive journeys you’ve already made together, it should help you hit that book button. Break it down in your mind into a series of manageable steps: the car or train ride to the airport, the walk to the gate, a stint onboard and however you’re getting to your final destination upon arrival (hopefully after being greeted by some helping hands).
This may seem obvious, but if possible – fly with your partner, friend or another family member. Even if they’re sitting at the other end of the cabin, having someone there to tag-team the childcare or help you on and off the aircraft and psychologically be there in case of emergency will make all the difference. If you are travelling with another adult, it may make sense to separate the toddler and baby on board so you can take turns to endlessly entertain the oldest or rest a little more with the sleepier youngest.

Cropped hand of a toddler pointing airplane window against blue sky while travelling

What are the best flights to book when travelling with a baby and toddler?

Think about the timing that would work best regarding your children’s napping habits and capacity to sleep through the most exciting experience of their lives and the length of your journey while factoring in your budget . Some parents prefer the more expensive early daytime flights as they know their children are likely to stay wide awake throughout, some prefer the afternoon to time in with the longest nap time, and others always go for night flights as they gel with overnight sleep windows. It’s best not to get too hung up on perfectly synchronising your schedules since flights can often be delayed or even cancelled , and children can unexpectedly buck their personal trends – and all tiredness should typically level out over a day or so anyway. Plus, any parent knows it’s challenging to coerce a child into sleeping or staying awake when their bodies tell them otherwise – you’ll all end up frustrated and fatigued. Kids can be surprisingly adaptable when it comes to sleep patterns and travel – probably a bonus of having no real concept of time yet.

What are the best seats to book when travelling with a baby and toddler?

If you can, it’s worth flying direct and upgrading to business class to allow you and your clan more space, assistance and privacy. Slightly less obvious, it could be worth booking separate seats for your baby and your toddler and bringing an airline-approved car seat for them to sit and sleep in rather than your arms, which could be more comfortable for them and you. Be sure to pick one that fits into your buggy as, obviously, if you are solo and also with a toddler, you have no hope of lugging one across the airport. Some argue that this is the safer option from the get-go – you’d never have your baby in your lap in your car, so why is it permitted on a plane?
Don’t assume you will automatically be allocated a bassinet (a cot that can be attached to a wall at the front of a row of economy seats) with your baby’s flight reservation – contact the airline and book it in advance as there are typically only two per aircraft.
Sometimes passengers with maximum airline points get allocated these front-row [bulkhead] seats instead. Therefore, if you haven’t pre-booked your bassinet, ask at the airport check-in desk if any empty rows are available so that you could possibly lie your baby or toddler on the spare seats between you – while holding them, though at least giving your arms a break.
As well as booking bulkhead seats for the bassinet access, they also boast extra legroom and floor (or play) space, while putting your toddler in a window seat helps stop them from running off and keeps their belongings together, out of the aisle. That said, there is often no storage under a bulkhead seat, and the armrests typically don't move, so they can be less comfortable for sleeping toddlers.
If you are travelling with another adult, you could book one of your seats in front of your toddler so they only get to kick you or your co-carer and not a fellow passenger – if this would put your mind at ease more than having said fellow adult sitting on the other side of your little foot-thrower instead.
Air New Zealand offers Sky Couches in economy, which are a wonder – allowing you all to lie down flat and get a better quality of sleep in the air. The airline is also broadening to include ‘ skynest’ bunk beds from September 2024 .

Cropped image of airplane wing flying against sky during sunsetUnited StatesUSA

What should I pack for a flight with a baby and toddler?

Check what your particular airline allows in the cabin regarding weight per passenger and for a baby or a toddler, as this varies wildly. ( Skyscanner’s travel advice hub also summarises luggage allowances for kids broken down by airline). Thankfully most companies seem to allow decent-size changing, food and toy bags but don’t bank on it.
Some airlines don’t permit certain creams such as Sudocrem, so it’s worth checking that banned substances list very closely ahead of time too.
Find out what your hotel can have ready and waiting in your room. Typically, that includes space-saving essentials such as nappies, wet-wipes, formula, etc.
You can order items such as formula and baby food from UK airports ’ Boots pharmacies online to collect in-store after the security gates – as long as you type at least five days in advance. You, therefore, don’t have to factor them into liquid limits or your baggage allowance.
The latest genuinely game-changing piece of child-friendly flying kit is the toddler flight bed. From the Bubba Board and the Stokke Jetkids BedBox to inflatable options, it’s now possible to carry onboard clever seat extenders which help turn your little one’s chair into a bed that they are far more likely to sleep and lounge comfortably on for longer. This is much easier than having a child sleep across your lap, and they tend to enjoy “making their bed”, too. However, be sure to double-check whether the airline permits them, as not all do.
It’s worth taking a buggy even if you plan on carrying your baby throughout if you have somewhere to strap in your unpredictable toddler should you need to contain them and have your ready-made luggage trolley. Airline staff will now typically ask you if you have a buggy or a Baby Zen Yoyo . The latter folds down wonderfully to fit into the luggage shelf in all aircraft cabins and therefore doesn’t need to be checked in, allowing you to use it immediately on and off the flight rather than having it separated from you often until the very last of the luggage makes the carousel. The GB Gold Pokit+ also comes highly recommended.
Flying with a baby and toddler is simply not possible without a baby carrier or sling: you otherwise do not possess enough hands. Holding tired babies in a carrier and walking up and down the cabin often also helps keep them calm (and quiet). Classics include the BabyBjorn and ErgoBaby , while carriers from Artipoppe are more relaxed and creative.
Put your travel documents into said baby carrier if you can, or pop them into your buggy’s back pocket to guarantee quick, stress-free access.
Pack spare clothes for yourself and the children in case of emergency food spillages or worse.
Dress wisely in the first place – wear something comfortable, with pockets and easy breastfeeding access if required. New brand The Mum Collective should have something equally practical and luxurious-feeling.
A snoozeshade may be helpful to ensure darkness over your baby’s bassinet or upon arrival.
If your baby isn’t breast-feeding, give them a dummy to suck on during take-off and landing to help equalise the air pressure in their ears. Your toddler may want a dummy too, or a water cup or appropriate suckable sweets would work.
Pack more of everything you might need for the journey – especially those parenting essentials of wet wipes, nappies, muslins and dummies.
To save space, take a small changing mat, such as the Polar Gear Baby Portable , into which you can store wipes and a nappy.
A tip that comes up repeatedly is to take as many baby and toddler snacks as possible – particularly fruit, if your airline and destination allow. Small (peanut-free) snacks such as raisins and cut-up grapes in cute Tupperware should help mesmerise your child – possibly even with each item individually wrapped to prolong the ritual of opening them up.
Be aware: water bottles and baby foods in pouches tend to build up air pressure and may explode slightly upon opening – not something you want to happen all over your cabin mates.
Meanwhile, book your kids’ in-flight meal ahead if you can – having it arrive before everyone else’s will make them feel special.
You can also ask to have your meal served after your kids’ have finished – so you can focus on your meal once they no longer need your food-shovelling assistance.
Make a grab bag. That involves putting the things you need to change one nappy into a bag that can sit by your feet or in the back of the seat in front while your main nappy bag is up in the cabin luggage rack.
Super organised parents can put different outfits into clear bags so they can see what they’re grabbing or use packing cubes to divide up their suitcase space better.
A common suggestion is to pack new or favourite toy(s) for the flight – ones that aren’t going to explode everywhere or give your fellow passengers a headache. Sensible suggestions include sticker books, peelable window stickers, mess-free wipeable colouring books (so you don’t need to worry about marks on the seats), triangular crayons that don’t roll away, interactive or magnetic books such as the Usborn Travel Activity Book, and bath fidget spinners for toddlers and babies. Some children have bags that they only use for flights, filled with wrapped-up presents to open only once they’re in the air – the strategy being that this will help keep the whole flight experience positive and exciting for them. (Others think this may then put the focus on unwrapping rather than the toy itself – but you know your child!) All parents should avoid including Lego or anything with small parts that are easy to lose, what with the minimal table space. Short on time? You can order Keep Em Quiet activity packs online, which tend to live up to the name.
Once your more wholesome fun has run its course (if it does), your toddler will likely be happy to watch a screen for several hours, something which the vast majority of parents loosen right up on, given the extreme, high-altitude circumstances. Be sure to download their favourite shows onto a tablet and invest in some young child-friendly headphones for both the sake of their ears and those of their fellow passengers, as well as a tablet holder that hangs on the seat in front. Forgotten your tablet? Suggest they try any appropriate in-flight games instead, with your help.
Remember that your baby is likely to find their surroundings fascinating enough without any new toys - they just perhaps need a familiar comforter if there’s one they’re particularly attached to.
A pillow or blanket is a good idea for each of them if you have the space, for that comforting, homely smell.
Don’t forget to pack some Calpol in your checked luggage, for peace of mind.

Two year old baby girl sleep in bassinet on airplane

How do I make the airport experience smoother with a baby and toddler?

Talk about the flight with your toddler beforehand to get them excited rather than anxious about it – you could even read kids’ books on the topic. Use role play to explain what will happen at security and once you get on board (ie, everyone will take a big nap, hopefully).
Check in online before you arrive to save time, though it is worth going to the check-in desk to find out if your flight is full and whether you can block the seat next to you. This is particularly valuable if travelling with a toddler under 24 months without a seat.
The second hardest part of flying with a baby and toddler (after boarding the flight, see below) is juggling yourselves and your belongings through security – as, at this point, you have to fold down your buggy. A staff member will likely hold your baby if they are allowed (some are and some aren’t), or someone in the queue behind you is likely to offer – partly from kindness and partly as otherwise you will hold them up. Skyscanner’s travel expert and experienced family traveller Naomi Hahn also points out: “Make sure to head for the priority lanes at security – most airports have dedicated lanes for families with young children, so you don’t have to wait in a queue and can get on with the start of your holiday.”
Get a good meal at a restaurant with high chairs if you can – there’s nothing worse than hungry and emotional children if you find yourself stuck on the runway for hours pre-meal time or discover that the airline food will not cut it.
Only boarding your flight first when families are offered this option if you are very anxious about cabin space. Alternatively, one of you could head-on with the baby while the other watches the toddler run about, using as much energy as possible.

How do I actually get on board a flight with a baby and toddler?

The hardest part, I have found, when travelling alone with a baby, is getting on the plane; this, therefore, is the part you should plan most closely and maybe even practise if you get the time to. Put your baby in your carrier, then your backpack(s) on (I have managed to wear one over another). If you’re very nervous about your toddler running off – ensure you have one of those little bags with a (for want of another word) ‘lead’ for them to wear, or ask a staff member or kind passenger to watch them within the confined space of the boarding gate lounge for a minute. It’s also a wise idea to have some toddler currency on you (snacks again, a screen, a new or old and much-loved toy). Collapse your buggy down, sling it over your shoulder, and then slowly make your way to your seat. The chances are very high that someone will offer to help you with some of your luggage: accept it, or don’t hesitate to ask for it if you need to.

What helps keep a baby and toddler calm and happy during a flight?

If you are breastfeeding your baby – that’s pretty much the answer to everything! They find it emotionally comforting, it levels out their blood sugar, and the sucking helps equalise the air pressure in their ears. Just bear in mind that your body is producing milk in relation to your normal eating, sleeping and feeding routine, so may be a little slower. If bottle feeding – take formula and make it up on the flight so you don’t need to worry about getting it through customs and keeping it sterile (thankfully, not something you have to consider if breastfeeding). And make sure you and your toddler drink as much water as possible.
Travel pillows are fun for adults, so imagine how absorbing the squidgy things are for toddlers. Bring one for them shaped like a dinosaur or unicorn – along with a matching eye mask.
If you all need a distraction or mood change, take them both to the exciting tiny toilet, even if you don’t need to go, or the gallery areas, post food service.
Change them into their pyjamas to encourage them to sleep, and carry out as much of your regular bedtime routine as possible to try and normalise the situation.

Silhouette of joyful young mother holding hands of cute little daughter looking at airplane through window at the...

What should I do if one child needs changing while the other is sleeping?

In this scenario, ask a staff member or a kind co-passenger to sit with your sleeping child while you sort the other. Needs must, and you’ll be back very soon if they wake up a bit startled while you’re gone.

What helps reduce baby and toddler recovery time after a flight?

Fresh air and sunlight help reset one’s body clock, so try to fit in a walk to get your bearings.
Keep them up until a normal bedtime in your destination if you can – though again, don’t get hung up on this. Often you’ll no doubt find yourselves in Mediterranean countries where supper time is later anyway, so keeping their body clock in tune with the timezone back home may do you well both there and upon your return, and you might even get a slight lie-in on your holiday mornings.
Some parents recommend Arnica 30 for jet lag and time zone changes - though do consult your GP before trying any such lotions or potions.

Two final things…

Smile, stay calm and try to relax. If you’re feeling – or at least acting – breezy, they will be too.
Like childbirth, this is just (hopefully) one day of your life – and all the prep and travel will be worth it once you reach your end goal: the sort of family holiday that your lifelong memories are made of.

Everything You Need to Know About Flying with a Baby

Tips, tricks and the best products to make your time in the sky a little bit easier., by babylist team.

There’s no way around it—flying with a baby is intimidating. Whether it’s your first flight or your fifth, taking your baby on a plane can feel pretty overwhelming and leave you with a lot of questions.

We’re here with answers. We’re breaking down some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to babies + air travel, plus sharing the best (and most helpful) products to make your time in the friendly skies a little bit easier.

Flying with Baby FAQ

Can you bring breast milk or baby formula on a plane? What about baby food pouches?

Yes. (Phew!) Although the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has pretty tight restrictions on what can and can’t make it past security for adults, those rules don’t apply to children 12 years old and younger.

Formula, breast milk, juice and other liquids (a sippy cup filled with water, for example) are permitted in “reasonable quantities” through the security checkpoint. Same goes for gel teethers and baby food in cans, pouches or jars. Ice packs, freezer or gel packs and other accessories needed to cool formula or breast milk are also OK.

These items don’t need to follow the usual liquid restrictions and don’t need to be in a quart-sized bag. As you approach the security line, you’ll want to remove these items from your bag and inform the TSA officer that you’ll be bringing them through so they can screen them separately.

Check out the “ Traveling with Children ” section of the TSA website for a full rundown of rules and procedures. And please note that these rules apply to domestic U.S. flights only; if you’re traveling out of the country, you’ll want to do some research around international travel regulations.

Do you need to buy a plane ticket for a baby?

Not if your little one is under the age of two. Most airlines allow lap babies under two years old to fly free on domestic flights alongside one paying adult. (But always double check with your airline to make sure.) Whether or not you’re comfortable with flying with your baby on your lap, however, is a matter of personal preference.

Does a baby need a car seat on a plane?

Technical answer: no. Longer answer: it depends on your comfort level, but we think so.

It’s much safer for your baby to ride in a car seat on an airplane rather than on your lap. Both the Federal Aviation Administration and the American Academy of Pediatrics agree and strongly recommend buying a ticket for your baby and bringing your car seat on board. That’s because anything not secured has the potential to bounce around the cabin in the event of an emergency, or even severe turbulence. Securing your little one in a car seat while flying is the best way to ensure their safety.

If you do purchase a ticket for your baby and bring along a car seat, you’ll need to make sure that it’s FAA-approved . Look for a sticker on your seat that reads, “this restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.”

Do you need to bring identification for baby when flying?

If you’re flying domestically, no. TSA does not require children under 18 to provide ID when traveling with a companion within the United States. However, if you’re flying with a lap infant, an airline may ask you to present proof of age. A birth certificate, passport or immunization record will do the trick.

If you’re traveling internationally, your child will need a passport.

Can you bring your stroller on a plane? Does a stroller count as luggage? A large stroller cannot be brought onto a plane—it needs to be checked either with your luggage or at the gate. Some travel strollers fold up small enough to fit into the overhead compartment, in which case it’s fine to bring them on board. (They may or may not count as luggage, though, so be sure to check with your airline.)

We recommend gate-checking your stroller. Your little one can stay in their stroller all the way to the door of the plane; just ask a gate agent to give you a tag beforehand so you can tag it before you board and retrieve it after you’ve deplaned.

How do you change a diaper on a plane?

Patience, dexterity and a little bit of good luck.

We kid, we kid. (Um…sort of?) Changing your baby on a plane isn’t ideal, but it’s definitely doable. And while we recommend always doing a quick diaper change before you board, sometimes nature calls and you’ll be forced to change your little one’s diaper in-flight.

The best place to change your baby’s diaper on a plane is in the bathroom. Ask your flight attendant which bathroom is equipped with a changing table, and bring along a portable changing station stocked with everything you might need.

Tips for Traveling with Baby

There are a few things to keep in mind when you’re traveling with a little one in tow that will make everyone’s trip a little bit easier.

Get organized . Now isn’t the time to toss a few things into a bag and hop on the plane five minutes before takeoff. Make a packing list of everything you think you’ll need, and keep the essentials like wipes , diapers , snacks and a change of clothes close at hand. (We recommend a change for you and your little one!) Build in plenty of extra time to get to the airport in case anything comes up like an unexpected diaper blowout.
Get the right gear . A backpack-style diaper bag and an easy baby carrier to get on will help keep your hands free. Invest in a travel stroller if you think you’ll be traveling frequently enough to justify the cost. Keep a portable changing pad on hand for quick changes on the go.
Help with air pressure . Babies can have a tough time with air pressure changes on planes. Sucking can help, so consider feeding your little during takeoff and landing and keep a pacifier on hand if your little one takes one.
Keep ‘em busy . A few simple activities go a long way in keeping little ones, especially older babies and toddlers, entertained on a plane. Bring along some favorite toys and books, and hit Pinterest for creative plane activity hacks like DIY busy boxes, lacing cards, window clings and more.

Packing List Must-Haves for Flying with Baby

Our favorite travel essentials will go a long way in making air travel easier on you—and your little one.

A Backpack Diaper Bag

Product of the North Sustainable Elkin Diaper Bag Backpack - Black

Gender neutral, roomy, comfortable and packed with compartments to store all your travel must-haves, this practical backpack keeps you organized and frees up your hands for wrangling your little one through the airport.

A Comfy Carrier

Ergobaby Omni 360 Cool Air Mesh Baby Carrier - Midnight Blue

Speaking of keeping your hands free…pop baby in this carrier (either front, back or on your hip) and pack your stroller with all your bags as you make your way to your flight. The breathable fabric will keep you cool and the lumbar support will keep you comfortable.

A Lightweight Stroller

Colugo The Compact Stroller - Black

Sturdy enough to use when you reach your destination yet compact enough to fit into the overhead bin when folded, this travel stroller should come along on all family adventures.

A Problem Solver

Aden + Anais Cotton Muslin Swaddle 4-Pack - Lovestruck

The jack of all trades when it comes to baby products, a swaddle works as a blanket, a nursing cover, an on-the-go changing solution and so much more.

A Germ Killer

Babyganics All Purpose Surface Wipes

We’re not huge germaphobes, but when it comes to planes and babies, it’s another story. Throw some of these in your diaper bag for a quick wipe-down of the plane seat and tray table. (And while you’re at it, we love this travel-sized pack of hand sanitizing wipes too.)

A Change of Clothes

Burt's Bees Baby Organic Sleep & Play Footie Pajamas - Moonlight Clouds, 0-3 Months

A change of clothes is a must when traveling with a baby, and we love this easy on, easy off one-piece footed romper. (Don’t forget to pack yourself a change too.)

A Snack Keeper

ZoLi PODS Snack & Formula Container - White

Truth: you can never have too many snacks on a plane. This container has three compartments for all your little one’s snacking needs, and can also be used to store formula.

An Ear Reliever

doddle & co Pop Pacifier - Oh Happy Grey

A pacifier helps relieve ear pressure caused by changes in air pressure, especially during takeoff and landing. This one is easier to keep clean as the nipple pops back into its protective bubble if (when) dropped.

A (Quiet) Distraction

Touch! My Big Touch-and-Feel Word Book

This oversized activity book may take up a little extra room in your bag, but it’s worth it for the interactive, hands-on fun it will provide for your little one during a flight.

Babylist Team

Best Travel Strollers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed by Parents & Experts.

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Special assistance

Traveling with children

Traveling with children and infants.

We are committed to caring for people on life’s journey and want you and your children to have a safe and positive travel experience. To allow enough time for check-in, arrive early and be sure to have any required travel documents. You may have to present proof of age like a birth certificate for any children under the age of 18.

Families with children under 2 years old can ask to board early at the gate.
Only 1 carry-on diaper bag per child is allowed.

You can travel with a breast pump and small, soft-sided cooler of breast milk in addition to your carry-on or personal item. These items don’t have to be checked and are allowed even when you’re not traveling with a child. Also, most airports have nursing rooms and stations available for your convenience.

If you’re a family traveling with children under 15, we want to help make sure you’re seated together on your flight. Here are some tips for when you book:

Be sure to book everyone in the same reservation.
The farther in advance you book, the better. (Seats become limited closer to the day of travel.)
On the seat map, choose seats for your entire family or skip seats for that flight.
It’s better to skip seats than to choose just a few seats or seats scattered throughout the cabin. Our gate agents can try to reseat you but getting seats together the day of travel is difficult.

If you skip seats

If you’re unable to choose seats, don’t want to pay for seats, or chose a Basic Economy fare, our system will detect that you’re a family traveling. The system will search for seats together automatically before the day of departure. We’ll try our best to keep you together, but if seats are limited, we’ll assign seats so children under 15 are next to at least 1 adult.

Children and adults traveling in separate reservations

If you and your children are traveling together but have separate reservations, call Reservations so we can note it in each reservation.

Contact Reservations

Children 2 or older are required to have their own seat, a ticketed adult fare. Children under 5 can’t travel alone under any circumstances.

If you don't choose seats in Main Cabin or Basic Economy, we’ll assign seats a few days after you buy your tickets so children under 15 are next to at least 1 adult they’re traveling with.

We welcome infants as young as 2 days old, but infants under 7 days old must have a doctor's letter stating that they are medically cleared to travel.

Keep in mind:

Only 1 infant may be seated in the lap of each ticketed accompanying adult and the infant must be included in the reservation.
Additional infants under 2 years old must be ticketed and occupy an infant safety seat or in a separate aircraft seat.
The infant must be under 2 years of age for the duration of the trip. If they turn 2 during a trip, they will need their own seat for the remainder of the trip.

Adding an infant to your trip

If you’re traveling within the U.S., including Puerto Rico, you can add an infant to your trip when you book on aa.com, or later once it is ticketed. You only need to contact Reservations if you’re traveling with an infant who is under 7 days old; or if you’re traveling outside of the U.S. (taxes and a percentage of the adult fare may apply on international trips).

Book a new trip

Book your trip on aa.com
Enter your information on the ‘Passenger details’ page
Select ‘add infant in lap’

Book a trip

Update an existing trip

Find your trip on aa.com
Scroll to the ‘Passengers’ section

Find your trip

Call Reservations if:

You’re traveling with an infant who is less than 7 days old
You’re not traveling within the U.S., and Puerto Rico

Reserved seat

If your infant will travel in their own seat, you must buy a ticket. The infant must either travel in a safety seat approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or be able to sit upright in their seat without assistance and have their seatbelt securely fastened during taxi, takeoff, landing and whenever the 'fasten seatbelt' sign is on.

Bassinets and changing tables

Changing tables are available in the lavatories of all wide-body aircraft.
Bassinets are available on a first come, first serve basis at the gate for travel only on 777-200, 777-300 and 787 aircraft.*
Bassinets are not available in First / Business cabins.

*Infants using bassinets must be younger than 2 years old and weigh no more than 20lbs (9kg)

Acceptable safety seats

Most safety seats that are approved for use in motor vehicles are acceptable for use in aircraft. The seat must have a solid back and seat, restraint straps installed to securely hold the child and a label indicating approval for use on an aircraft.

The label may include:

These notes: 'This child restraint system conforms to all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards' and 'this restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircrafts' or 'this restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.'
Approval of a foreign government or a label showing that the seat was manufactured under the standards of the United Nations.
The safety seat can't be used in an exit row or in the rows on either side of an exit row; window seats are preferred.
Install the seat in the direction appropriate for the size of the child and according to the instructions on the label.
The child must remain in the safety seat with the harness fastened during taxi, takeoff, landing and whenever the 'fasten seatbelt' sign is on.
To carry on a safety seat, you must have bought a seat for the child, or a seat must be available next to you. If an unoccupied, adjoining seat is not available, the gate agent will check the safety seat to your final destination.

Review seat dimensions before your trip.

Safety seats are not allowed in First or Business on select planes due to the seat angles.

Airbus 321T

Boeing 777-200
Boeing 777-300
Boeing 787-800
Boeing 787-900
Any device without an approval label
Booster seats with no approval label or shoulder harness
Vest and/or harness-type devices, except Aviation Child Safety Devices (ACSD) showing the FAA aircraft approval label
Belt extensions that attach to the parent or the parent's restraint
Any device that positions a child on the lap or chest of an adult

Carry-on and checked bags

If you’re flying internationally with an infant on your lap, we’ll issue the infant a ticket. You may check 1 bag for the infant at the same rate as the adult’s first checked bag.

Each ticketed customer is allowed 1 stroller and 1 car seat to be checked free of charge
Strollers over 20 lbs / 9 kgs must be checked at the ticket counter
All other strollers should be checked at the gate before boarding
If you have a stroller and a car seat only 1 can be checked at the gate
Breast pumps and a small, soft-sided cooler of breast milk don’t count as your carry-on or personal item
Play pens, wagons, cribs and 'pack and play' count as regular bags
If any of these exceed carry-on limits they’ll be checked and incur regular fees

International documents

Children or infants traveling outside the U.S. are required to have the same documentation as an adult. If anyone under 18 is traveling internationally without both parents, they may be required to present a Letter of Consent.

International travel

Traveling during pregnancy

If your due date is within 4 weeks of your flight, you must provide a doctor’s certificate stating that you’ve been recently examined and you’re fit to fly.

Special assistance throughout your trip

For domestic flights under 5 hours, you won’t be permitted to travel within 7 days (before and after) your delivery date. If you need to travel within this time frame:

Approval from your physician and a special assistance coordinator is required.
Your physician will be required to fill out a passenger medical form before your flight. A special assistance coordinator will send the form directly to your physician.

Clearance from a special assistance coordinator is required for international travel or travel over water:

Within 4 weeks of your due date (travel also requires a physician's note stating that you’ve been examined within the past 48 hours and you’re fit to fly)
7 days before or after your delivery (travel also requires a passenger medical form to be completed by your physician)

Flying on a partner airline?

Find helpful information if your trip includes 1 or more flights with our partner airlines.

British Airways
Japan Airlines
Qatar Airways

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Family Vacations

Everything You Need to Know About Traveling With a Baby

Traveling with a baby? Here are expert tips to make your trip as safe and comfortable as possible.

Years ago, Kristiana Choquet was nervous about taking her then three-month-old, Olivia, on her first flight. It would be long — 11 hours from Johannesburg to Paris — and like many new parents, she wasn't sure what to bring. "I packed a backpack of her own, with diapers and wipes, a messenger bag with extra clothes, and a rolling suitcase and stroller," she said. "Our friends were like, 'You're never going to need all this stuff.'"

Since that momentous first trip — which Air France made easy with a complimentary bassinet — Choquet has gotten smarter about packing. "Now I only fly with just one backpack for both of us," she says, laughing.

We asked Kristiana Choquet, the associate director of leisure for Embark Beyond , a travel agency in New York, and other experts for their best advice on how to travel with a child under 2. Here's what they told us.

Before the Trip

Check With Your Pediatrician

"If the family is traveling internationally, it's always a good idea to check with the pediatrician at least two weeks before to see if the child would require any extra immunizations," says Dr. David Fagan, vice chairman of the Pediatric Ambulatory Administration at Northwell Health in Massapequa, New York. Depending on where you're going, your child may need to have certain vaccines earlier, like the measles vaccine , or take a particular medicine before or during travel. Your baby may also need a COVID-19 vaccine (if he or she is older than 6 months) or a negative test result before traveling. The Centers for Disease Control's online Traveler's Health information page is a great place to research.

In general, there is no enforced minimum age a newborn has to be before they fly, although rules may vary by airline. For example, Vueling and Delta will allow newborns as young as seven days old to fly. JetBlue will allow infants as young as 3 days old to fly, but between three and 14 days you will need a doctor's letter of approval. However, it is generally recommended that you wait a few months before traveling in order to let your baby's immune system more fully develop. If flying internationally, it takes about six weeks to obtain a passport for your baby .

On the Flight

Consider a Rear-Facing Car Seat

Yes, it's a hassle. But on a plane, a rear-facing car seat is still the safest place for an infant, insists Fagan. And if you're traveling by car, this piece of safety equipment is a must. Check with your airline to determine the specific policies for using a car seat on board, and keep in mind that you may need to spring for a separate ticket. Be sure to take the infant out of the seat every couple of hours. "This allows them to stretch out and move their legs," Fagan notes, and they'll probably need a diaper change anyway.

Bring a Collapsible Baby Stroller

Choquet swears by the popular Babyzen Yoyo2 stroller, which folds neatly and can be slung over the shoulder like a tote bag. It also meets most airlines' carry-on luggage requirements, making it easy to navigate airports and train stations before throwing it in the overhead bin once on board. The only downsides are the price (this stroller is over $400), and the fact that it's not recommended for travelers under 6 months old.

Choquet also likes the Ergobaby, a wearable, space-saving baby carrier. "A lot of times baby falls asleep on your chest," and if your baby's a lap child, or under the age of two, this carrier can alleviate the stress of toting a stroller around.

Ask for a Bassinet

Heading abroad? Choquet recommends calling ahead to see if the airline offers a bassinet on board. These specially-made bassinets are designed to fit in the extra space of bulkhead seating sections. These are typically complimentary on international flights, though they're subject to availability. Delta advises to check ahead, especially for domestic flights, while United Airlines provides a limited number of bassinets on international flights only, which also need to be reserved prior to boarding. No matter what carrier you travel with, bassinets may not be used during taxi, takeoff, or landing, or when the seatbelt sign is illuminated.

Keep Your Baby Entertained

Choquet advises keeping your little one busy with "snacks, puzzles, coloring books," or "anything you can stuff in your bag that's not bulky." Load the iPad with games and kid-friendly movies, and stock up on favorite snacks, so you're not at the mercy of the food cart. Backpack too heavy? Old-school hand-clapping games like Patty Cake are always a hit and don't require toting around extra toys.

Deal With Changes in Air Pressure

"Most children are usually okay with changes in air pressure during takeoffs and landings," explains Fagan, but since infants can't swallow, pop their ears, or yawn, their only alternative for clearing their ears is sucking. Breastfeeding, or sucking on a bottle or a pacifier works well, especially during the initial descent, when the biggest change in pressure occurs. Ask a flight attendant to let you know when the descent is about to begin.

At the Hotel

Check for Safety

Safety standards vary by country, so be sure to do a thorough inspection of the hotel room upon arrival. "Parents should be comfortable with railings and check that the child can't slip through," Fagan warns. Also, scan your accommodations for exposed electrical wires and peeling paint chips. Parents of toddlers who walk should be especially vigilant.

Ask for Baby Amenities

Why pack a bottle warmer or car seat when you can get them at the hotel? Every Rosewood property comes fully equipped with diaper pails, baby baths, and monitors. At St. Regis hotels , parents can borrow strollers and stock up on diapers. "I've never really had to travel with a stroller," says Choquet, who advises calling ahead. Just remember to thoroughly check cribs and strollers for safety — visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission's website for current rules — especially if you're staying abroad, urges Fagan. If the hotel you book is not up on the family amenity trend, Choquet advises buying diapers, wipes, formula, and bottles online, and then having them shipped to your U.S. destination.

Arm Against Mosquitoes

You shouldn't let your child drink tap water (Fagan advises opting for bottled water while traveling), so don't let them skip the mosquito repellent , either. In tropical climates especially, long-sleeved shirts and pants are best, but also consider lotions with no more than 30 percent DEET , recommended for children over two months. (Never spray an infant due to the risk of inhalation.) Fagan says that placing mosquito netting around a crib can be helpful, too, but check with your pediatrician and the CDC to hear your options.

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Flying with a baby: feeding, sleep and your other questions answered

Read time 7 minutes

Boarding a plane with a newborn can feel daunting. Here we answer your key questions about flying with a baby.

When can I fly with a newborn?

There is no minimum age for when babies are legally allowed to travel. Airlines set their own recommendations but, generally, most airlines require that babies are at least two weeks old before they travel. Some airlines allow seven-day-old infants on board. The booking policy differs from one airline to another, so it is important to check directly with the airlines (Which?, 2018a) .

For premature babies , that will be based on due date rather than birthday. If you gave birth by caesarean you might have to wait longer to recover until you can fly though (Which?, 2018a) .

I have a different surname to my child: is this a problem?

Irritatingly it can be, yes. You might need to prove that you are related and that you can take them out of the country. You might need a signed letter from your child’s other parent or a birth certificate. See official travel advice for more details (The Telegraph, 2017) .

Will my baby or toddler need their own ticket?

Even though they’ll be sharing a seat with you, they will still need a ticket of their own. Book your seats as soon as you get your tickets – if you can – so that you get the ones that make you most comfortable. A lot of parents like aisle seats so they can get up easily (Which?, 2018a) .

Will my baby or toddler travel for free?

Sometimes children younger than two years do fly for free, but not always. Most airlines charge a percentage of the adult fare and some airlines charge a flat fee (Which?, 2018a) .

Does my child gets a baggage allowance?

Check with your airline if your baby gets a baggage allowance for all of those nappies and tiny socks they need as each one is different. The baggage allowance can be 5kg to 10 kg over for items such as a car seat or travel cot. If not, you might have to splash out for extra luggage allowance (Which?, 2018a) .

Most airlines realise a baby doesn’t travel light but some don’t. In this case, you might have to sacrifice your hand luggage in favour of a well-stocked changing bag. Thankfully, most airlines are more generous and do allow a baby’s changing bag in addition to your usual hand luggage.

Can I take baby formula on a plane?

Yes. You can take as much formula as you need when you fly and airline staff can provide boiling water. Alternatively, you can order ready-made formula to pick up at the airport chemist (Flying with a baby, 2018a) .

Security will let you take water for bottles/made-up bottles through too though they might get you to test it yourself first. Make sure you have plenty of milk in case your child wants more too. Flying can make them thirsty (Fit for travel, 2018; Flying with a Baby 2018a) .

How will I sterilise bottles on a plane?

There are travel bottle sterilisers on the market. Alternatively, you can buy cold-water steriliser bags or disposable pre-sterilised bottles (Which?, 2018b) .

Can I breastfeed on plane?

Yes, absolutely. Feel free to breastfeed your baby when you need too. The UK’s Equality Act 2010 says that ‘A business cannot discriminate against mothers who are breastfeeding a child of any age’ (British Chambers of Commerce, 2010) . But some international airlines have particular policies on breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding can also be helpful during a plane journey if your baby is in pain, like their ears popping during take-off or landing, or just needs comforting (Well, 2016; Flying with a baby, 2018d) .

But be aware that during landing and take-off, babies need to be secured using an extension lap belt (Well, 2016) . Think about what you might wear to make breastfeeding as easy as possible. And remember to stay hydrated during the flight if you are breastfeeding (Well, 2016) .

Where will my baby sleep on a plane?

On long-haul flights, you can request a bassinet/sky cot for your baby to sleep in. You’ll need to book a bulkhead seat (a row with no other seats in front) to get those though. Contact the airline as soon as you know you’re travelling to see if you can reserve one (Flying with a baby, 2018b) .

Another tip: travelling at night can help make sleep more likely. Alternatively, you can arrange to bring a baby car seat with you (Flying with a baby, 2018b) .

How will I keep my baby or toddler entertained while we travel?

Lots of airports have kids’ areas to entertain children and buggies you can use. When you’re on the plane, it’s about how you pack: toys, books and maybe an iPad for older children to watch their favourite shows. You might find child friendly entertainment available on the plane but this will depend on the airline (Flying with a baby, 2017a; Flying with a baby, 2018c) .

Will I have to check my buggy in?

Most airlines now let you keep your pushchair until you get to the boarding gate, which is super handy (Which?, 2018c) .

Will my baby or toddler have their own seat when we fly?

Unless you pay for them to have an extra seat, your baby will sit on your lap until they’re two years old (Which?, 2018a) .

Can I take our car seat on the plane so I can use it at the other end?

Different airlines have different policies on allowing car seats and the requirements for car seats. It’s better to check with individual airlines. Usually you have to buy a seat if you want to use a car seat on the plane (Flying with a baby, 2017b) .

What will I do if my baby cries on the plane?

First, your baby is likely to find the flight soothing so hopefully there are no worries over tears (Well, 2016; Flying with a baby, 2018d) . But the best way to stop your baby crying during take-off or landing (when their ears may pop or hurt) is to feed them, from the breast or from a bottle (Well, 2016) . As long as the airline doesn’t require your baby to be in an air baby travel cot or bassinet, you’re good to go.

Try to find out why your baby is crying – they may be tired, hungry or in some kind of discomfort. Same strategies that you use at home while trying to soothe your crying baby, can work in the plane too.

As for the rest of the flight, it might so happens that there isn’t much you can do other than the usual feeding, dummy, walking up and down. If they do cry then most people – and ignore the minority who don’t fit into this camp – will just be sympathetic and may even try to help. You just need to focus all your attention on meeting your baby’s needs and try to do this as quickly as you can (TPG, 2018) .

This page was last reviewed in June 2018.

Further information

Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.

We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about birth, labour and life with a new baby.

Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.

British Chambers of Commerce. (2010) Equality act 2010: what do I need to know? quick-start guide for businesses who sell goods and services. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/85008/business-quickstart.pdf [Accessed 6th June 2018]

Fit for travel. (2018) Breastfeeding and bottle feeding. Available at: https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/general-travel-health-advice/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding.aspx [Accessed 6th June 2018]

Flying with a baby. (2017a) Child amenities and entertainment available on board your flight. Available at: https://www.flyingwithababy.com/baby-and-child-amenitiesentertainment-available-on-board-your-flight/ [Accessed 6th June 2018]

Flying with a baby. (2017b) Car seats and child restraint devices on an airplane. Available at: https://www.flyingwithababy.com/car-seats-child-restraint-devices-crd-on-an-airplane/ [Accessed 6th June 2018]

Flying with a baby. (2018a) How to order baby milk and baby supplies from Boots at UK airports. Available at: https://www.flyingwithababy.com/how-to-order-baby-milk-and-baby-supplies-from-boots-at-uk-airports/ [Accessed 6th June 2018]

Flying with a baby. (2018b) Essential airline bassinet seat information/comparison chart. Available at: https://www.flyingwithababy.com/essential-airline-bassinet-information-chart/ [Accessed 6th June 2018]

Flying with a baby. (2018c) Tips for flying with a toddler. Available at: https://www.flyingwithababy.com/tips-for-flying-with-a-toddler/ [Accessed 6th June 2018]

Flying with a baby. (2018d) Breastfeeding on a plane – airline breastfeeding policies. Available at: https://www.flyingwithababy.com/airline-breastfeeding-policies-and-tips/ [Accessed 6th June 2018]

The Telegraph. (2017) How to travel abroad with a child whose surname is different from yours. Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/family-holidays/how-to-travel-abroad-with-a-child-with-a-different-surname/ [Accessed 6th June 2018]

TPG. (2018) Don’t be a cry-baby: What to do when babies cry on a plane. Available at: https://thepointsguy.com/guides/travel-etiquette-when-babies-cry-on-planes/ [Accessed 6th June 2018]

Well. (2016) Fear of crying. The problem of babies and airplanes. Available at: https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/04/11/fear-of-crying-the-problem-of-babies-and-airplanes/ [Accessed 6th June 2018]

Which? (2018a) What are my rights when flying with a baby? Available at: https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/what-are-my-rights-when-flying-with-a-baby [Accessed 6th June 2018]

Which? (2018b) Baby products to take on holiday. Available at: https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/travelling-with-children/article/travelling-with-children/baby-products-to-take-on-holiday [Accessed 6th June 2018]

Which? (2018c) Pushchairs on planes: what you need to know. Available at: https://www.which.co.uk/news/2016/07/pushchairs-on-planes-what-you-need-to-know-446682/ [Accessed 6th June 2018]

Information you can trust from NCT

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All of our articles have been thoroughly researched and are based on the latest evidence from reputable and robust sources. We create our articles with NCT antenatal teachers, postnatal leaders and breastfeeding counsellors, as well as academics and representatives from relevant organisations and charities.

Read more about our editorial review process .

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Traveling with Children

All passengers are required to undergo screening. However, TSA has developed modified screening procedures for children who appear to be 12 years old and younger. TSA officers will consult parents or the traveling guardian about the child’s screening.

TSA standard screening procedures apply for children 13 years and older. Carry-on property of all passengers, regardless of age, must be screened. All passengers who alarm will undergo additional screening.

Children with Medical Conditions, Disabilities, or Mobility Aids

Inform the TSA officer if the child has a disability, medical condition or medical device.

Let the TSA officer know if your child is able to walk through the metal detector or needs to be carried through the metal detector by a parent/guardian. You may carry your child through the WTMD. The TSA officer will not remove your child from their mobility aid, wheelchair or scooter.

Request Assistance

TSA Cares provides information to passengers with disabilities, medical conditions and those that need additional assistance to better prepare for the security screening process. Call TSA Cares 72 hours prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint. You may also call to request assistance at the checkpoint.

Liquid Formula, Breast Milk, Toddler Drinks, and Baby/Toddler food (to include puree pouches)

Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag. Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) are considered medically necessary liquids. This also applies to breast milk and formula cooling accessories, such as ice packs, freezer packs and gel packs (regardless of presence of breast milk). Your child or infant does not need to be present or traveling with you to bring breast milk, formula and/or related supplies.

Inform the TSA officer at the beginning of the screening process that you are carrying formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) in excess of 3.4 ounces. Remove these items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from your other belongings. TSA officers may need to test the liquids for explosives or concealed prohibited items.

It’s helpful to the officers when formula and breast milk are in clear, translucent bottles and not plastic bags or pouches. Liquids in plastic bags or pouches may not be able to be screened by Bottle Liquid Scanners, and you may be asked to open them (if feasible) for alternate screening such as Explosive Trace Detection and Vapor Analysis for the presence of liquid explosives. Screening will never include placing anything into the medically necessary liquid.

TSA X-ray machines are not harmful to food or medicines. However, if you do not want the formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) to be X-rayed or opened, please inform the TSA officer. Additional steps will be taken to resolve alarms. You or the traveling guardian will undergo additional screening procedures, to include Advanced Imaging Technology screening and additional/enhanced screening of other carry-on property.

Ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs and other accessories required to cool formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) – regardless of the presence of breast milk – are also allowed in carry-ons, along with liquid-filled teethers. If these items are partially frozen or slushy, they are subject to the same screening as described above.

Passengers requiring special accommodations or concerned about the security screening process at the airport may request assistance by contacting TSA Cares or by phone at (855) 787-2227.

Screening of Children’s Items

Place all carry-on baggage such as children's toys, bags and blankets on the X-ray belt for screening.
Strollers, umbrella-strollers, baby carriers, car and booster seats and backpacks must be screened by X-ray.
Place items in the stroller pockets or baskets, in a carry-on bag or on the X-ray belt for screening.
Equipment that does not fit through the X-ray machine will undergo a visual/physical inspection by TSA officers.

Screening Technology

Walk-Through Metal Detector

Children able to walk through the metal detector without assistance may do so separately from their parent or guardian. If they alarm, children are allowed multiple passes through screening technologies and may undergo other procedures to resolve the alarm to reduce the need for a pat-down. Infants and small children may be carried through the metal detector. Should the alarm sound, additional screening is required.

Advanced Imaging Technology

If your child is able to remain standing in the required position for 5 seconds, he or she may be screened through the advanced imaging technology. If a child 12 and under goes through the machine and alarms, they have an opportunity to go through again or the TSA officer may use other procedures to resolve the alarm to reduce the need for a pat-down.

You may not be screened by this technology when carrying an infant or child.

Screening your Child

Children 12 and under can leave their shoes, light jackets and headwear on during screening. For AIT screening, light jackets must be removed and placed on the X-ray belt.
Children will not be separated from their parent/guardian.
Remove infants and children from strollers and car seats and carry them in arms through the walk-through metal detector.
Infants may be carried in a sling/carrier (to include lap baby) through the walk-through metal detector or when being screened in a wheelchair, but may be subject to additional screening
Modified screening procedures are in place to reduce the likelihood of a pat-down.

How to pack — and prepare — for travel with a baby

About to take your first trip with a new baby ? Or maybe this isn't your first time traveling with your little one , but you'd like to pack more efficiently this time around.

It can be hard to know how to prepare and pack when you have a baby in tow. Babies often change so quickly that anticipating their needs can be complicated — especially if you're planning a longer trip.

In addition to typical packing concerns, such as the weather in your destination or luggage size restrictions, it's not always clear what you can carry on or must check when it comes to your infant. Here's our advice to help you prepare, pack and travel better with your baby.

Choose accommodations wisely (and pack accordingly)

If you're traveling by car, you can easily pack a travel crib and other larger baby items.

However, if you're flying, choosing the right accommodation is the key to packing lighter, which is the goal. Toting around an infant is strain enough — staying somewhere that provides baby items means you can leave the extras at home.

Check with your hotel to see if it offers cribs or other baby items, as well as if it provides laundry services or facilities where you can do your own. Some hotels will even provide an extra fridge for milk storage upon request.

Often, a home rental might be a better choice than a hotel, assuming you pick the right one. Airbnb allows you to filter properties by items such as "crib" and "high chair." You can also message hosts to see if they have any other baby-friendly items available.

For example, I recently filtered an Airbnb search in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic to show only rentals that included a crib, high chair, washer and dryer. I ended up picking a rental that included not only the aforementioned items, but also a bottle sterilizer, bottle warmer and a few other infant-friendly items, which allowed me to pack less.

Some rentals I've stayed in even provided baby toys, books and cutlery. The key is communication. Don't hesitate to message and confirm the equipment again with hosts as you pack. You can also request or confirm that everything will be set up and ready for the baby upon your arrival.

Access to a washer and dryer is important since babies tend to have accidents or leaky diapers. Being able to do laundry also lets you pack fewer clothes. Also, if your rental is not a stand-alone house or a unit on the first floor, check that there is an elevator. A five-floor walk-up in a multi-unit building can be difficult with a stroller, shopping bags and baby in your arms.

Call your airline to understand the regulations

Depending on your airline, fare class and destination, you may have to adhere to different rules when it comes to traveling with an infant.

Those regulations can also vary depending on whether you've purchased a lap ticket versus a separate seat for your baby. In almost all cases, airlines allow travelers with an infant to gate-check a stroller or buggy, and some may also allow a car seat. Check with your airline ahead of time to understand baggage rules for your little one to avoid getting caught off guard at the airport or paying extra, especially when flying low-cost carriers like Ryanair or Spirit .

Flying with an infant in a car seat and hoping to bring it on the plane? Make sure it's approved for air travel. You may also want to request a bassinet for your baby, if the aircraft you're flying offers one (check the weight limits, however). Ask for an aisle seat, as it makes standing up with your baby much easier.

Invest in travel-friendly baby items

Having a dedicated (foldable) travel stroller will be useful beyond air travel. It's the perfect item to have when exploring a new city. Other key travel baby items to consider taking along are:

Travel diaper backpack.
Portable changing pad.
Travel car seat.
A bag for a car seat or stroller so these items aren't damaged if checked.
Portable baby monitor.
Baby carrier or wrap.
Swaddle or baby blankets.
Inflatable bathtub .
Pack 'n Play or travel crib.
Travel neck pillow (use it while feeding your baby).
Baby chair strap.
Disposable bottle liners.
Disposable bibs.
Portable blackout shades for travel cribs or strollers.

Purchase (or preorder) diapers, formula and more at your destination

Depending on how long your trip is and where you're headed, calculate (and it's always best to over-calculate) how many diapers you'll need for the trip.

If your baby uses a specific formula or baby food, make sure you know where to buy it at your destination. Amazon and other delivery services can be useful for ordering these items -- and remember, these services are available internationally, too. You can also compare ingredients to see if you can get a similar formula or food at your destination, so you won't have to load up your suitcase with diapers or formula.

Don't worry if you forget baby socks or another basic item. Babies live all over the world, so you'll likely find many basic items available for purchase wherever you are. If your baby requires something specific, though, pack it just in case.

There are also companies that rent baby gear in many destinations around the world. Research ahead of time to find out exactly where and how to obtain these necessary items, especially when traveling abroad .

Carry on the essentials (and extras)

Always pack your baby's key essentials in your carry-on . This includes comfort items like their favorite toy or pacifier, and extra clothes for both your baby and you (in case their wardrobe disaster becomes yours, as well). You should also pack enough food, diapers and other key items to last you through the trip, plus more for any possible delays and/or cancelations.

Here's a list of items you may want to keep in your carry-on bag :

Extra clothing for you and your baby.
Layers of clothing or blankets (plane temperatures are often extreme).
Pacifier and clip (and backup).
Comfort toy(s) or blanket.
Extra diapers.
Breast pump.
Snacks (for you and your baby).
Baby wipes.
Sanitizing wipes.
Extra bibs.
Ziploc bags for stowing soiled clothing (or a reusable, waterproof bag).
Baby Tylenol or any infant medications.
A basic first aid kit.
Small toy(s).

The rest of your baby's items, like additional clothing, blankets and more, can go in your checked bag. If you're checking more than one bag, split your baby's items among different checked suitcases. That way you'll be covered if the airline loses one of your suitcases.

Know the security regulations and have a backup plan

On a recent call to Iberia Airlines , I was told I could bring "reasonable quantities" of formula and breast milk through security. However, the representative also told me that in some cases during security checks, certain agents might not allow me to pass these items through security at the Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) . What?

Not all security checks, Transportation Security Administration agents or customs agents are alike, and each country, airport or airline may have specific regulations. Call ahead of time and prepare for things to not go as planned. If you do use formula, take your bottles already mixed, but also bring extra powder in case you need to prepare new bottles on board.

If you're pumping, it might also be a good idea to bring both a hand pump and an electric pump in case you have limited access to electricity or encounter issues with electrical outlets or voltage when traveling internationally.

Arriving at the airport early is always a good idea, because you may not breeze through security as you might have in your pre-baby days. Everything takes longer with an infant, so having that extra time can ensure a low stress travel experience. Take advantage and board the airplane first to give you extra time to get settled. If your airport has a family security line, use it.

Make sure you understand any remaining COVID-19 regulations

As mask rules and COVID-19 testing, entry and vaccine regulations continue to evolve in countries around the world, stay on top of exactly what you need to know and bring for your baby to get to your destination (and back home again). It's important to understand whether you'll need masks for your 2-year-old or need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 tests upon arrival at your destination or re-entry into the U.S. when traveling abroad.

Remember that airline staff members also struggle to keep track of ever-changing rules, so if you know something has recently changed or a rule seems specific, make sure to bring along proof of this information and whatever documentation you need in case you have trouble when boarding.

Photocopy important documents and always have extras. I loathe having to take paper documents along when traveling. However, having them may mean the difference between getting through customs, being able to board or being stranded at the airport. This is especially true if your phone battery dies or you're left without service for any reason. While being denied boarding is always dramatic, it's even worse with a baby in tow.

Download the right apps

Mobile phone apps can help you anticipate what you need, as well as keep your baby (and yourself) comfortable during travel.

A white noise app is key for better sleep for your baby — and therefore better sleep for parents — and allows you to leave a white noise machine home. Nightlight apps are also helpful during travel.

You can also connect most modern baby monitors to your phone and use an app to access the video of your baby so you won't need a separate viewing device.

Parents may find an app to track sleeping and feeding especially helpful during travel, particularly when switching time zones. A general packing app could help you keep track of what you need to bring for your infant, as well as the entire family. Make sure these apps are accessible offline if you need them while flying.

Don't forget their passport

This one is obvious, but you'd be surprised. Don't forget your baby's passport when traveling.

Look into identity and consent documents, as each country has its own requirements, especially if your partner isn't with you. If you have any older children, make sure to check that their passports are valid, as children's U.S. passports expire in just five years.

Traveling with a baby might seem like a lot. However, once you get the hang of it, packing, prepping and traveling with your infant becomes second nature. Ask for help when you need it and accept help when offered.

And when things don't go quite right, stay relaxed (remember, baby can feel your moods) — you'll figure it out. While it may seem tragic in the moment (like that major diaper blowout on board a plane), it will be an epic story to share one day.

Bottom line

When in doubt, bring enough baby supplies for a few extra days or a flight delay, but don't overpack. Make sure to be clear on any and all regulations that will cover your travel, from having the right documents to understanding what baby items you can bring through airport security . With these tips, packing and traveling will be a more enjoyable experience for the entire family .

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40 Practical & Encouraging Tips for Traveling with a Baby

Home » Blog » Family Travel » 40 Practical & Encouraging Tips for Traveling with a Baby

Adventuring with a little one can be overwhelming, but these practical tips for traveling with a baby will make it feel much more manageable. After reading this article, you’ll feel encouraged and confident to start planning your dream family vacation.

Travel with a baby tips Akumal Mexico Baby Sunglasses

After taking all types of different trips with our daughter in her first year – from National Parks to European Christmas Markets to traveling Scotland by campervan (and so much more!) – we have learned so much about traveling with a baby.

Why keep all these tips to ourselves when we can share them with you ?!

We know how overwhelming it can be , especially when other people tell you how hard it is traveling with kids.

But you know what? It can also be amazing, too.

Traveling with your little one will full your cup, create lifelong memories, and will open your eyes to a totally different way of looking at taking trips.

While traveling with a baby certainly looks different and requires more flexibility and planning , we’re still able to do some pretty epic things. And you can too (if that’s what you want).

Traveling with our daughter has truly been life changing, and we can’t wait for you to experience this magic, too.

Travel with a baby tips Cracker Lake Glacier National Park with a baby

Guide to traveling with a baby

Our story: Read about our travel-style and our background so you understand our approach to traveling with a baby.
Top tips: Wanna get to the good stuff right away? Jump right down to our top tips for traveling with a baby!

This article is full of practical tips, gear that is actually worth packing, and encouraging advice that will help you feel prepared and confident about traveling with a baby.

We’ll also be discussing some helpful mindsets about traveling with a baby that can transform how you think about it.

Whether you’re an experienced parent or you’re dreaming of someday traveling with a baby, we’ve got tips and advice that will help you feel confident to plan the family trip of your dreams!

Cannon Beach Oregon with a stroller tips for traveling with a baby

As full-time travel bloggers , traveling is one of our biggest passions, and it’s also both of our jobs. So when we found out we were expecting, we knew that travel wouldn’t just stop for us once the baby arrived (like many people warned).

We’ve known for a long time that we’d want to start a family, eventually . So over the years, we (almost subconsciously) took note of all the people we saw traveling with their kids.

On our 4-day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu , there was a family with 4 kids, the youngest of whom was 8 years old.
In Thailand , we saw countless families living nomadically or traveling with kids of all ages.
We met a family on the west coast USA, living out of their campervan with two little boys (before it was common!).

We stored up all these acquaintances as “evidence” that traveling with a baby is not only possible, but it can still be adventurous .

We saw it as inspiration and started to dream of all the adventures we could take our little one on. Together, we dreamed about how we could open their eyes to the endless beauty and kindness around the world. And we talked about how traveling with a child would create core memories and forge a bond between us that we just couldn’t replicate at home.

Travel with a baby tips Glenfinnan Viaduct Scotland

We were excited about this new chapter, and confident we could forge our own path despite what anyone said.

That mindset came in handy because soon after announcing we were expecting a baby, we got a mixed bag of responses:

“Can’t wait to hear all your advice for traveling with kids!”
“You’re definitely going to be slowing down and traveling less now.”
“Travel while your baby is young, because as soon as they can walk, traveling will be over!”

The good, the bad, the well-meaning… we got it all.

We expected people to say how difficult it would be . And if I’m completely honest, those “you won’t be able to travel anymore” comments encouraged us to prove to ourselves that we could in fact travel with a baby. And thrive while doing it.

The truth is, we were prepared for people to tell us we couldn’t travel with a baby. Remember, we had stored up all that “proof” that we weren’t the only ones with these dreams.

Thinking about taking an adventure with your little one?

Be sure to download our complete packing list for traveling with a baby ! It’s packed with good suggestions and advice for what has personally worked for us on our travels with a baby.

Whether you’re getting ready for your first ever trip with a baby, or you’re a parenting pro just looking for a few extra tips, we hope this baby travel packing list will serve you well!

Why trust our advice about traveling with a baby?

For years, whenever we saw people traveling with kids, we’d look at each other and say, “Wow, that’s badass. Someday I want that to be us.”

And now we’re doing it which feels both surreal and like we’ve been training for this for years. Because we kind of have.

Prior to having a baby, we traveled to more than 50 countries together and built a business around the travel industry. So travel is something we are not only passionate about, but it’s something we feel very comfortable with.

We made it a point to bring our daughter on some epic trips during her first year of life. And we have so many more family trips planned for the future!

Travel with a baby tips toboggan sled Innsbruck, Austria

In Juniper’s first year of life, she:

took 19 flights
traveled to 9 countries
visited 14 US states
explored 4 US National Parks
went on 2 overnight backcountry camping trips
lived in a campervan for 4 months

Juniper went on countless hikes, slept in many different places around the world, and made more friends than any other other 1-year-old we know!

She is growing into a very adaptable little human, and we feel so lucky for all of the memories we have already created together.

If you, too, want to travel with a little one, we’re here to share all of the things that have worked for us along the way.

We hope you take the advice that resonates with you and feel empowered to plan and execute your dream family trips!

Why are you here?

I imagine you’re here because you want to know more about traveling with a baby. Ding, ding, ding!!!

Okay, that was obvious. But the rest is a little harder to determine…

Perhaps you are already a parent , and you want to start adventuring more with your little one but you don’t know where to start.
Maybe you already travel with your baby a lot , but you’re constantly seeking new tips and advice. Everything helps, right?!
If you are expecting, be sure to check out our list of the best babymoon destinations !
Or perhaps you aren’t even sure you want to be a parent , and you’re trying to figure out how much, exactly, having a baby would impact your lifestyle and dreams.

You might be feeling excited about the prospect of traveling with a baby. Or confused about how to even get started.

Maybe you’re skeptical about the whole idea of traveling with a little one. Or you’re feeling defeated after being told many times that traveling with a baby is hard, and you’re just looking for some encouragement.

Feel all the feels. They are all valid.

Wherever you’re coming from and whatever you’re feeling, my hope is that you’ll be able to find some nuggets in this article that will speak to you .

Everyone’s journey is different

European Christmas Markets travel with a baby tips

In this article, we’re sharing tips for traveling with a baby that have worked for us.

That last part of the sentence is important: These are the things that have worked for us , personally.

I will say that we have been privileged that we haven’t had to deal with any major health issues. Our daughter is (for the most part) very easygoing and adaptable. Some of this we can attribute to things we have practiced and experiences that we have exposed her to. But I also know that some of this is pure luck.

Everyone’s parenting journey is different. And every child is different.

You know your child and your comfort level better than anyone. Plus, we all have different priorities and goals and dreams and lifestyles. (Remember, traveling is a big part of our job, so things may look different for you.)

Pick and choose the tips that will work for you. Ignore the ones that won’t.

Psst! After reading through all our tips for traveling with a little one, be sure to read my personal note at the bottom of this article.

Our best tips for traveling with a baby

Let’s dive into the things that have worked for us.

Scroll through them all (there are 40!), or jump to the sections that are most important to you:

BUILD CONFIDENCE: Feel confident about traveling with a baby
PLANNING: Planning your trip
TRAVEL TIPS: Tips for while you’re on your trip

Good to know: Most of these tips are geared toward babies and toddlers (aka under 2 years old). As our daughter grows and our experiences change, we will continue creating resources based on our personal experiences.

1. Start small with “mini adventures”

One of my biggest pieces of advice is to start small. And start early.

In my last weeks of pregnancy, we got out a calendar and made “mini goals” for each week after the baby was born.

They went something like this:

1 week old: Go to your favorite coffee shop
2 weeks old: Go on a long(ish) walk (we went snowshoeing because it was winter!)
3 weeks old: Go to a brewery or event in town
4 weeks old: Spend the night away (we booked a cabin in the woods)

More ideas:

Mini road trip
Go to a friend’s house for dinner
Book a staycation in your own town or a nearby city
Find a nearby soaking pool (with water temperatures safe for a baby)
Picnic in a nearby park

Everyone will have different comfort levels, but do what feels good to you.

Having these “mini adventures” on our calendar brought some much-needed structure to our weeks after having a baby. And obviously we knew we could cancel if it didn’t feel right at that time.

These little adventures gave us the confidence to slowly make the excursions bigger , so that we weren’t completely overwhelmed when it came time to board our first international flight.

Note: Even if your little one isn’t a newborn anymore, it’s never too late to schedule some “mini adventures” on your calendar. Base the excursions on the skills you want to practice and the type of trips you want to take.

2. Practice “baby skills” on the go

Diaper change while hiking Osprey Poco Plus

This kind of ties in with the “mini adventures” above, but make sure that you’re practicing some skills on the go:

changing diapers in new environments
napping on the go
feeding (whether nursing or bottle feeding)

Trust me when I say you won’t want the first time you change your baby’s diaper outside of your house to be at the start of a trip.

Diaper change in public bathroom tips for traveling with a baby

Make a point to breastfeed or bottle feed on a walk near your house.

Change a diaper in the coffee shop bathroom instead of waiting until you get home.

It will feel uncomfortable at first. But since you’re close to home, you can always go back and start fresh another day if things don’t go as planned.

Doing this time and time again will make you feel more confident and know what to expect. Plus, it will help your little one get used to environments other than your house.

3. Master the art of napping on the go

Travel with baby Haystack Tock Cannon Beach, Oregon

Black out curtains, a humidifier, and a bassinet that rocks babe to sleep are great, but we personally knew that we’d be in lots of situations where these wouldn’t be available.

So we were proactive about practicing napping in different situations from the time Juniper was very young .

At home, we had an ideal sleep environment in her room, but we also practiced napping in the living room, in a travel sleeper, and while wearing her in a carrier so she could be adaptable.

Travel with a baby tips napping on the go Glencoe, Scotland

Once we felt comfy with it, we practiced napping around town, and eventually on mini trips.

She quickly mastered sleeping just about anywhere:

her stroller
in a baby carrier
in our arms
in quiet places
and noisy ones too

Travel with a baby tips napping on the go Innsbruck, Austria

Being able to have her sleep in different environments has been a game-changer for us (especially in the earlier months!). It allowed us to get out of the house and not worry about being home at an exact time.

It also made the prospect of traveling with a baby seem so much more attainable when we were newbie parents.

One item that has been helpful for napping on the go:

Travel sound machine (if you forget this, there are apps and Spotify channels with white noise)

4. Refine your diaper bag

These “mini adventures” I keep talking about will help you realize what you need in many different situations, and what items never get used.

Take note of these things and keep repacking your diaper bag until you have it down.

AKA you have all the essentials (and remember to restock the items that get used up, like diapers and wipes!) and none of the bulk .

5. Put the essentials in a fanny pack diaper bag

Diaper bag fanny pack travel with a baby tips

Your full-sized diaper bag will come in handy for bringing all the necessities on your trip, so don’t leave it at home. But there will be many times where you won’t want to lug a big backpack around all day .

Wandering historic cobblestone streets of European cities or walking beach trails on a humid island or a hike in the mountains will all be so much more enjoyable without your full-sized diaper bag.

Pack the essentials – diapers, wipes, diaper cream, a binky, medications, small snacks, etc. – into a fanny pack. You can also include any of your personal necessities for the day (chapstick, credit cards and cash, keys, etc.)

I have this fanny pack that is actually made for this purpose (there’s a wet wipes pocket), but you could use any medium to large size fanny pack ( like this one ). Usually, I just string it over the handle of our stroller so I don’t have to actually wear it. This way, we’re prepared but aren’t bringing the bulk!

Psst! This diaper bag fanny is much cuter than mine, but it’s 3 times the price.

6. Don’t buy all the things

As soon as you get pregnant, it’ll feel like you are constantly being bombarded with ads for all this “essential baby travel gear”.

Plus, there are all these bloggers and influencers who share all the gear that they use (myself included).

And holy cow, it’s overwhelming.

There is just so much stuff out there and it can feel like you need it all.

Spoiler alert: You DON’T.

It’s hard to know what will really make your life easier and what isn’t worth the money or space.

Here’s the best way to really get a feel for what baby gear you need:

Take those “mini adventures”! I sound like a broken record at this point, but they are truly a low-risk way to find out what items you really need.
Find a handful of voices you resonate with and trust (a friend, a family member, a blogger/influencer). See what items they recommend and see if it sounds like something you definitely need.

Psst! One way to save money is to search for items on Facebook Marketplace or your local Buy Nothing group. Many first-time parents end up with duplicate items or are keen to sell baby gear after it’s lightly used (since many things won’t be necessary as they grow older). We got so many baby items and nursery furniture this way (and we’ve sold/given a bunch of things away on these platforms too!).

7. Create routines that can be recreated anywhere

Travel with a baby tips campervan bedtime

While you’re at home, try to create routines that you can recreate anywhere.

Maybe there’s a certain book you read to signify bed time. Or a song before naps. Or the routine of brushing hair and teeth.

These routines are simple and don’t require much, so you can give your little one the cues they look for even when you’re far from home.

8. Pick and choose the advice you follow

As a new parent, it can be really scary even thinking about traveling with a baby for the first time. And it’s even scarier when people you know (and trust) tell you how hard it will be, or how that part of your life is over.

First things first: Tune those people out.

Take the advice that resonates with you, and ignore the rest.

Our personal experience:

I remember when I was pregnant I kept hearing how hard parenting was. The advice came from people who meant well – and who were probably right in many ways – but it made me feel nervous and unequipped.

In the midst of all the warnings, one of Ben’s cousins talked about how much fun being a parent was. She went on and on about how, “ yes, it’s work, but it is also the best thing ever!”

In that moment, I remember finally feeling excited rather than scared.

So I decided I would focus on the advice that lifted me up rather than the words that brought anxiety.

Now as Juniper is getting older, we get similar well-meaning advice from people who say things like, “Traveling when they’re this age is easy. Just wait until she is walking. Then, your work is cut out for you!”

The “just wait until ” advice doesn’t sit well with me. So now I just ignore it.

Take the advice that makes you feel encouraged, and leave the rest.

Yes, that applies to this list .

The tips we’re sharing are things that worked for us . If something doesn’t sit well with you, ignore it and listen to the pieces of advice that feel right.

Everyone’s parenting journey is different. You’re in charge of yours. Nobody else.

9. Work on your mindset

Travel with a baby tips Austria monastery Ettal Abbey

Read the sentence below and internalize it:

People have kids in every country of the world.

Unless you’re going to a really remote region or an active war zone, bringing your child on a trip isn’t anything unheard of. Other people have brought their children to the destination you’re dreaming about, so why can’t you?

If traveling with your child is important to you, you can make it happen.

10. Adjust your expectations

Traveling with our baby has been one of the most empowering and rewarding things we’ve ever done.

But it has also included moments of exhaustion and frustration .

Like many people, we probably don’t share enough of those moments publicly on social media . (Although I’m trying to work on that!)

I truly think that for most people, traveling with a baby will be a wonderful experience as long as you have realistic expectations…

Think about what travel looked like before kids and what it will look like now. Consider what will be the biggest changes.

This will help ensure your expectations are realistic and set you up for having amazing experiences with less frustration.

These are some of the differences for us:

Don’t worry too much though, the flight is just a small part of the journey and we have some tips for flying with a baby that will help a ton!
Traveling with a baby means we usually need to move more slowly , and we are able to do less each day than we would without a baby.
Sometimes we need to cancel plans or turn around from a hike early because our daughter just isn’t having a great day. We’ve found we need to be a lot more flexible and be prepared for some plans to just not work out.
Good news: We’ve got practical tips for choosing accommodation with a baby !
We can’t just pop into a bar for a late-night drink if we feel like it. And there are plenty of cool bucket list activities that just don’t allow children . (Aka no more scuba diving together for a while!) Still working through my FOMO with this, but there are still plenty of epic things we can do, so I’m trying to focus on that.

11. Think about your why

Horses and baby in the snow in Garmisch, Germany travel with a baby tips

Between logistics and packing, traveling with a baby requires a whole different level of planning. And it can get overwhelming. Especially when you have family or friends who aren’t all that encouraging.

When you start to get frustrated or overwhelmed, think about why you want to travel with your baby.

Is it to feel like yourself again and pursue a hobby you love?

Is it to create memories as a family?

Is it to show your child the world and see it through their eyes?

All of the above?

Focusing on the why will make the process – frustrations and all! – much more bearable.

Innsbruck Alpine Zoo aquarium with a baby

Here are some examples of why you might want to travel with a baby:

It fills your cup.
It shows your child to prioritize things that make them happy.
It shows them the world is so much bigger than your community.
It gives them the opportunity to meet and interact with people different from themselves.
It teaches them flexibility.
It creates lifelong memories.
It may introduce them to a forever hobby or skill.
It teaches them to cherish experiences over things.
You can grow and bond as a family.
You can push your comfort levels together.

And here’s one more that I’ll add to the list:

It’s easier than you think. (Hopefully this article helps make it feel more doable!)

Write your “whys” on post-it notes and stick them around your house. Journal about it. Set your phone screen to be a picture that motivates you.

Do whatever it takes to remind yourself of why you want to make traveling with a baby a priority.

12 Talk about what makes you nervous with your travel partner

Still have some nerves?

That’s totally normal. In fact, I’d be a little worried if you didn’t have anything that you were nervous about.

It can really help to talk out these feelings with your partner.

Maybe you just need them to listen to you and validate your concerns. Or perhaps walking through the scenarios that you’re most uncomfortable with together and discussing what you’d do in each situation will make you feel more prepared.

Whatever the case, getting your worries out in the open will help ensure you’re both on the same page and there for each other.

13. Don’t stress too much about the flight

The flight is just one (tiny) fraction of your trip. And in many cases, it will not be nearly as bad as you’re making it out to be in your head.

Think of it this way: Most people on flights have headphones in (watching movies or listening to music) and won’t even notice if your baby is being fussy.

That realization made me feel a lot better before taking our first flight with a baby! (Hopefully it helps you, too.)

We took 19 flights (legs) with our daughter before she turned one, and we gathered all our top advice and created an entire guide full of tips for flying with a baby that should help ease your nerves and make you feel confident about boarding that plane!

In short: Don’t let your nerves about the flight prevent you from going!

14. Start with a trip that’s within your comfort zone

Just like we recommend starting with “mini adventures” near home so you can build your confidence, make your first trip with a baby one that is within your comfort zone.

Maybe this means you return to a place you’ve already been to.

Baby swimming pool travel with a baby tips

Or maybe this means you travel to a country where English is the native language (or widely spoken), so you don’t have to worry about language barriers.

Make the actual trip one that doesn’t stress you out or push your boundaries too much. This way, you can focus on getting the hang of this whole t raveling with a baby thang so that you can plan bigger, bolder trips for the future.

15. Pack as light as possible

This is honestly a tough one because I truly think it comes down to finding a balance between packing light and making sure you have all the essentials (many of which are really freaking bulky).

We’ve got lots of advice on the best gear for traveling with a baby , but in general, less is more. Make sure the items you’re bringing are going to be used and won’t just be dead weight.

And truly, bring as few toys as possible. You will thank me when you’re traveling around with ease because you ditched half the toys you thought you needed.

Psst! Want to know what baby gear we personally recommend? We’ve gotcha covered with our favorite baby travel gear.

16. Remember: you can get diapers everywhere in the world

Personally, I don’t stress too much about diapers because you can buy them everywhere in the world.

Bring plenty of diapers for the plane and to get you through the first several days of your trip. But if you’re going to be gone for a couple weeks (or more!), don’t stress too much about packing the perfect amount.

Just about every grocery store or convenience store should have diapers and wipes available.

If you’re having trouble finding them in your destination, ask the hotel staff to point you in the right direction.

17. Choose your accommodation wisely

Something I’ve learned is that the type of accommodation we book with a kid is much more specific than when it was just the two of us .

There are a lot of other factors to consider, and what might have been a perfectly good hotel for you will be a disaster with a babe.

Lemme tell ya, we’ve learned the hard way what doesn’t work well anymore now that we travel with a baby.

There have been a few very uncomfortable stays and even an Airbnb that we left (already paid for) because it just didn’t work with a baby.

Psst! Read our tips for choosing a hotel with baby so you don’t make the same mistakes!

18. Book places with pack ‘n plays when possible

Airbnb pack 'n play travel with baby tips

If it’s an option, try to book hotels and Airbnbs that have a travel crib for your baby.

Many hotels and many Airbnbs offer this, so keeping it in mind when you’re making your reservations is key. This means you won’t have to travel with your own, which is a huge space saver.

Their booking details will usually disclose if they have a crib available. If you don’t see anything about a crib, it doesn’t hurt to ask. We once asked an Airbnb host if she had a crib available, and she decided to buy one so that she could offer it to future guests.

Airbnb pack 'n play travel with a baby tips

If you’re not finding any good accommodations with cribs available don’t stress too much. It’s definitely possible to bring your own.

The Guava Lotus pack ‘n play is undoubtedly the best travel one on the market. Trust me, I spent a lot of time comparing, and it’s the smallest, most durable, and made without toxic materials. So if you’re looking at buying one for travel, the Guava Lotus is what you want. (This is the one we personally have.)

Even though it is compact, it is still bulky and another item to lug around. So if you can get away with not having to pack it, that’s a big win.

Our personal experience

During our 3-week European Christmas Market Trip, we stayed at 8 different hotels/Airbnbs, and all but one had a crib available, so we decided not to bring our own. We are comfortable with co-sleeping, so we did this on the nights that we did not have a crib available.

However, there are some destinations where finding accommodation with cribs is much more difficult. For example, we’re currently planning a trip where we’re mostly staying at Airbnbs and none offer pack ‘n play, so we will be bringing our own.

19. You can rent things on vacation… (but you might not want to)

Lately I’ve seen a lot of articles and social media posts about renting baby items on vacation through platforms like BabyQuip .

In theory, it’s a great idea, and can be really useful in some situations . There’s a lot to be said for not having to lug around bulky gear, after all.

Examples of items you can rent:

high chair if you plan on eating lots of meals at the accommodation
bassinet or pack-and-play when your hotel does not offer this option
car seat when it is significantly cheaper than going with one through the rental car company
hiking baby carrier (if you have a big hike planned for on your trip)
beach toys if you are doing an ocean vacation but don’t have or want to pack the gear
so much more!

But here’s my word of caution…

These rentals can add up quickly , and before you know it, you might be spending hundreds of dollars. (Especially if you’re on a longer trip.)

The prices vary depending on what products you’re looking for and where you’ll be traveling, so calculate the total cost to help you determine whether this would be worthwhile service for you or not.

20. Invest in a compact stroller

Montreal compact travel stroller travel with a baby tips

One of our most-loved travel items is our compact stroller. It is one of the things we’d strongly suggest buying specifically for travel.

On our first international trip with Juniper, we lugged our normal stroller. This stroller was a hand-me-down from a friend and we love it for at home. But we quickly learned that it was an absolute beast to transport.

It was very heavy and still took up quite a bit of space even when it was collapsed.

After that trip, we bought a stroller that was made for travel . It folds up small to be able to easily fit in the overhead compartment on planes, making it a breeze for travel.

We personally love our Colugo stroller (and have brought it all over the US and the world!) and would highly recommend it as a durable and affordable travel stroller.

21. …and a solid baby carrier

Having a solid travel stroller is great, but there are places and activities where a carrier is far superior.

Here are just a couple of things to consider:

Stroller is better when:

it’s hot out and you don’t want to baby wear
the sidewalks are well-maintained and the streets are flat

Carrier is better when:

you’re in a crowded place
the sidewalks are not well-maintained (or the streets are cobblestone)
you’ll be getting in and out of public transportation

We’ve had a lot of baby carriers, and we both agree that the Ergobaby Omni 360 is the best all-around baby carrier. It’s pricy, but lasts for a long time and is good in a variety of situations. Plus, it works for both of us to carry her, even though we have very different bodies!

22. Consider traveling in a campervan

We’re biased and this certainly won’t be for everyone, but we’ve found campervan travel to be wonderful with a baby , especially when Juniper was really young.

We had everything we needed with us at all times, and we could pull over at any minute to cook a meal, change a diaper in the comfort of our own van, or just hang out in our own private space.

In Juniper’s first year we:

spent 4 months living and traveling in our own campervan that we built from scratch
we rented a campervan in Scotland for a 2-week road trip (spoiler alert: it was amazing!)
plus, we rented a campervan in Ireland for 1 week too!

If you’re renting, you’ll really want to look at the space to figure out if it will work for your family. Most campervan rental companies will be happy to help you choose. We also have a whole list of USA Campervan Rental Companies you can choose from that we personally recommend.

Traveling in a campervan with a little one certainly requires a different mindset, and I wouldn’t recommend it as your first trip with a baby if you’ve never experienced vanlife before . But I think camping can be very special with a little one and a unique way to see a destination.

And don’t leave home without our VanLife Baby Gear Checklist . These are the things we always pack in our van that make our lives so much easier and keep our baby happy.

23. Get a baby passport ASAP

If you plan on traveling internationally with your little one in their first year, we’d recommend getting the process rolling shortly after they are born so you are sure it’ll arrive in time. We applied for Juniper’s passport when she was just 3 weeks old, so it really isn’t ever too early.

This is actually very easy to obtain and we have a whole guide to getting a baby passport .

Good to know: If you have Global Entry and want to continue using it, you will also need to apply for this for your baby. We learned the hard way when we were turned away at Global Entry. “Interview” time slots fill up very quickly, so schedule this as soon as you get the passport.

24. Get travel insurance

Hopefully I don’t have to explain why here, but we get travel insurance for every trip we take.

Now that we have a baby, it feels even more important to be properly covered.

Need advice on how to go about getting the best policy for your situation? We’ve gotcha covered in this guide to choosing travel insurance .

25. Get an eSIM on international trips

If you are traveling internationally, it’s super helpful to be able to connect to cell service immediately upon landing.

This can be essential if you need to contact your transport or hotel.

We love eSIMs because you don’t have to search for a physical SIM card (a hassle) and you don’t have to pay crazy international coverage fees from your home phone service.

Our favorite eSIM is Airalo .

Psst! We have an entire guide to how to get an eSIM here .

26. Renting a car is usually a great idea

We love using public transportation on our travels, but having a rental car is a lot more convenient when you’re traveling with a baby.

You won’t need to carry around your car seat or luggage, and you can go at your own pace, making stops as frequently as you need. Plus, you won’t have to run so you don’t miss that train! (We’ve all been there.)

When in doubt, make it a road trip. And be sure to check out our tried and true 5-step plan for making your road trip a success !

Want some road trip ideas?

Here are our favorite road trips in the world:

Iceland Road Trip
Scotland Road Trip
New Zealand Road Trip
Australia Road Trip
Yucatan Peninsula Road Trip
Costa Rica Road Trip
Banff to Jasper Road Trip
European Christmas Market Road Trip
Oregon Road Trip
Oregon Coast Road Trip
Utah Road Trip
Idaho Road Trip
Washington Road Trip
Colorado Road Trip
New England (fall foliage!) Road Trip

27. Include family in your trips

Family travel with a baby Nicols Ledge Vermont hike

Again, this is a tip that may not apply to everyone, but you may want to consider including family in your travel planning.

This could be an opportunity for them to create special memories with your little one, and who knows – maybe they’ll give you the gift of a “date night” while they watch baby !

You could either plan a trip together (hint: book a big Airbnb for the most comfortable stay!), or plan a trip to visit friends or family who live somewhere you’d like to explore.

We’ve been lucky enough to take trips with both Ben’s family and mine, and we’re excited to plan more extended family vacations in the future.

28. Move around less

Baby swimming pool and sunglasses travel with a baby tips

If you’re used to moving around from place to place rather quickly on your trips, you may want to slow it down a bit (or a lot!) when you add a baby into the mix.

You’ll be able to cover much less in one day, and you’ll need to consider what you’ll do during nap times and when babe needs to go to sleep at night.

You certainly don’t need to stay in one place the entire time (though that’s not a bad idea); but trust me when I say you don’t want to move to a new place every single night .

Our rule of thumb is we aim to stay in places at least 2 nights on trips, but 3-4 nights per place is ideal , in our opinion.

(An exception to this is when we’re staying at an airport hotel the night before a flight, we only book one night.)

Psst! Read our tips for how to choose the best accommodation for traveling with a baby !

29. Get to major attractions early

Take advantage of your little one’s early wake up call (sleeping in on vacation is something I dearly miss!) and when possible, get to those popular sights before the crowds get there .

Not only will you have a better experience without all the people around, but there will be less commotion and sensory overload for babe. Plus, without all sorts of people around you may feel less self-conscious if your kiddo starts to get fussy.

30. Plan on early dinners (sometimes)

Travel with a baby tips Pho Vietnamese restaurant

Not gonna lie, I’m a huge fan of late dinners. I like the buzzy atmosphere and I don’t usually get hungry until later in the evening.

But alas, there are many cases where it makes a lot of sense to do an earlier dinner when you’re traveling with a baby.

Popular restaurants tend to be a lot more family-friendly before the dinner rush really begins. That might mean making a 5:00 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. reservation . If you’re like me, you might be rolling your eyes, but getting there earlier means you won’t have to worry about disturbing the late-night dinner crowd with a baby that is overwhelmed by all the sights and sounds.

We don’t always stick to early dinners, but when we know a place is popular or on the fancier side (or if it’s a weekend night), we do like to go before the real dinner rush (aka sensory overload!) begins .

31. Take advantage of room service (or takeout & delivery!)

Pre-baby, this was never something I’d do, but having dinner in your hotel or Airbnb can be really convenient (especially after a long day of exploring!).

We’ve gotten takeout/delivery a handful of times on trips and either have dinner as a family, or eat once our daughter has gone to sleep. It’s can be such a treat.

Money-saving tip: If you book accommodation with a kitchen, plan on cooking at least a couple of nights during your trip.

32. Cook some of your baby’s favorite meals

When possible, I like booking accommodation with a kitchen or kitchenette so I have more control over what our daughter is eating.

We love having her try new foods on our travels, and overall she is a pretty great eater. But we’re not always able to get to a restaurant when she starts getting hungry. It’s nice to be able to whip up some easy and wholesome meals we know she likes at our Airbnb so we can carry them with us throughout the day.

Below are a few meals and snacks that have worked well for us. I specifically chose dishes that use few ingredients that are easy to find in most places around the world, as well as dishes that don’t require complex cooking equipment.

If your baby is eating solids, use these ideas or create your own list of their favorite foods that you can easily replicate on your travels. Use this list to determine what items you’ll need to pack from home.

Insider Tip: Bring reusable baggies ( like these or these ) to store food to easy eating on the go. You could even bring a small cooler so you can carry it with you during a day on the road.

Banana & egg pancakes

Mash one ripe banana then add one egg. Mix until combined into a batter. Pour this in a skillet with oil (I prefer coconut oil), and cook on both sides, like a pancake.

I like to add a little nut butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon if I have access.

Insider Tip: Pack nut butter packets like these to be able to easily add it to different meals.

Smashed avocado

Super simple! You can add tomatoes too if you want. Serve as is or with rice crackers.

Oatmeal

I prefer to bring my own premade mix from home in a large silicone baggie . Then I can cook small amounts at a time on the road. All you need is hot water.

You can make it however you’d like, but this is a combo I like:

Quick-cooking oats + hemp + flax + powdered coconut milk + chia + cinnamon + freeze dried berries.

Once it’s prepared, you can add nut butter as well as fresh berries if you’d like.

Chia pudding

This is a nutritious meal that is good to make if you’ll be staying in one spot for a while.

A simple Google search will show you plenty of recipes, but I like chia + milk (almond, coconut, or oat are my preferred milks) + a little maple syrup. I usually add a bit of cinnamon if I have it.

I sometimes pack chia seeds from home if I think they’ll be hard to find.

Scrambled eggs

This is another go-to as eggs are easy to find just about everywhere.

Bulk it up by adding other veggies, a sweet potato or avocado.

Rice + beans + corn

This is another easy one using ingredients you can easily find in most places. I’d recommend this one if you’re staying in a place for a longer period of time, as you’ll definitely have a few days worth of leftovers.

Alternatively, order rice and beans as a side at a Mexican restaurant and keep it in a takeaway container to store.

Pasta, peas, & pesto

Whole grain noodles combined with frozen peas and pesto is a quick and easy meal and it saves well for leftovers. You can add cherry tomatoes too!

Roasted veggies

If your accommodation has an oven, simply bake some veggies. Sweet potato is a favorite of ours!

Insider Tip: When you’re in a pinch, look in the prepared food section of the grocery store. We’ve found premade guacamole, what bulgar and veggie salad, fruit medleys, and lots more that has worked for us no matter where in the world we are. Check the frozen aisle too. We’ve found frozen falafel (or veggie burgers) and frozen veggies with hummus is an easy meal.

33. Find out where you stand on sleep schedules

Hotel pack 'n play travel with a baby tips

One of the most common questions people ask us is, “How do you stick to a sleep schedule while traveling with a baby.”

Our completely honest answer is: We don’t.

This may be somewhat controversial, but we realized early on that we didn’t want to be super rigid about bedtime while traveling. And we didn’t want to always need to go back to our accommodation for naptime.

This is something that has been gradually changing and adapting a bit as our daughter gets older and her needs change. But during her first year, we had a somewhat flexible bedtime and we did a lot of napping on the go.

This doesn’t mean we were hitting the town until the wee hours, but we often gave ourselves a 1-2 hour window for getting back to the hotel and getting ready for bed. We got to know her cues pretty well and used them to inform our decisions.

We also had worked on napping on the go so much that if she fell asleep while we were at dinner, we didn’t stress out. We’d enjoy our meal, head back to the hotel and transfer her into her sleeping space.

Important Note: Sleep schedules are one of the more personal topics when it comes to parenting. And we’re not saying our way is right for you. We’re simply sharing what has worked for us so you have somewhere to start.

34. Do your own research about co-sleeping

Personally, once we felt our daughter was old enough, we practiced co-sleeping every once in a while so that we could use it as a tool if needed. This has come in handy several times on trips.

Ideally, Juniper has her own sleeping space in a hotel. However, in the case that she is having a rough night, isn’t feeling well, or we’re staying in a tiny room, we can co-sleep comfortably and with peace of mind.

We’ve also used this as a tool in our campervan on occasion. She has her own crib in our van, but if she wakes up in the middle of the night, we feel comfortable bringing her into bed with us so she is comforted.

Important note: Co-sleeping is another controversial topic. Do your own research and see how you feel so you can make an informed decision for your family.

35. Help your babe adjust to different time zones

Eibsee Lake winter Garmisch Germany with a baby

If you’ll be crossing time zones, here are 5 tips for helping your little one adjust easier:

Start shifting time zones at home

Before you leave for your trip, start to shift bedtime 1-2 hours to get closer to your destination’s time zone.

Start slow. A few weeks before the trip, make their bedtime 15 minutes later. Then 30. And so forth until you’ve shifted as much as you’d like.

This can help cut the adjustment time down once you get to your destination.

Good to know: If you’re going to be changing time zones more than 2 hours, you likely won’t be able to fully adjust at home. But every little bit will help!

Maybe you don’t need to adjust at all

If it’s just 1-3 hours different from your home time zone, you may not even need to adjust at all.

Let’s say you are traveling from Seattle to NYC. This means you will be 3 hours later than at home.

Perhaps instead of a 7 p.m. bedtime, you allow your little one to stay on their normal schedule and go to bed at 10 p.m. (which will allow you to have extra time to explore the city in the evening). This will also mean later wake-ups which is always nice on vacation.

If this is just a short trip, this can work really well and will also cut down on the adjustment when you go back home.

While you’ll want to aim for the same amount of sleep they typically get at home, there’s no rule that says you have to abide by their normal bedtime hour.

Use daylight to your advantage

When trying to adjust to a new time zone, use outdoor activity and daylight to your advantage.

Your baby will realize this is daytime, and their body will start to adjust accordingly.

Expect jet lag to last one day per hour time change

There’s kind of a general rule that you should anticipate it takes 1 day per hour that you change time zones.

So that means if you are going to be changing time zones by 5 hours, it will take roughly 5 days for you to feel “normal” and get over jet lag.

This rule is for both adults and babies, so use it as a gauge for your own travels.

Don’t plan anything big on the first day

If you will be shifting several time zones, we’d recommend keeping your first day (or two) relatively free.

This will alleviate any pressure and will allow you and your little one to rest up after a long travel day.

Insider Tip: We like these homeopathic “No Jet Lag” pills when we’re traveling through many time zones. These are for parents (not babies), but being adjusted yourself definitely helps deal with helping your little one shift as well!

36. Book a family photo shoot

This is a fun one I wanted to throw in there just because!

Instead of booking a photoshoot at home (like many people do), connect with a local photographer on a trip for a photo session.

On our European Christmas Market Trip, we booked this photo walk last minute, and were so happy we did. With a baby, it has become more difficult to get good pictures of ourselves. (If you know, you know!)

The pictures turned out amazing, and it was such a special souvenir from our trip. You will never regret having photos taken , after all!

We’re definitely going to continue this tradition in our future travels.

Want to do it yourself? Look on Airbnb Experiences . This is where we’ve found a lot of local photographers around the world. Some cities have more options than others, but it is becoming more and more common. Alternatively, you can try to find local photographers in the city you’re visiting on Instagram . Reach out to them in a DM or via their website to book a session during your trip.

37. Plan on some personal time

Seattle Hot Air Balloon | Two Wandering Soles

This might not be advice you take on your first trip with a baby or even on your fifth. But eventually, it might be something you and your partner want to consider.

What would it look like for each of you to be able to do one experience on your own while the other spent quality one-on-one time with your child ?

Maybe this would be something you used to do on trips in your pre-baby days, like going scuba diving or another adrenaline-fueled adventure. Or perhaps it would be a massage appointment to unwind.

I once did a hot air balloon flight next to Mount Rainier (babies aren’t allowed) while Ben and Juniper hung out in the campervan.

This might not appeal to everyone, but if you find yourself missing your old travel days, this might be just the thing you need!

38. You don’t need to limit yourself to only baby-centered activities

Zugspitz cable car travel with a baby tips

If you’re not keen on the typical baby-friendly trips or activities, like kiddie pools or zoos or chain restaurants, I’d like to pop in for a minute to remind you that travel with a baby can look however you’d like .

There’s no rule that says all your trips from here on out have to be at Disney or on kiddie-friendly cruises if that’s not your style. I know we didn’t like the idea of being relegated to only taking trips that were focused on babies from here on out.

We’ve found that while there are certainly some activities you just can’t do with a baby on vacation (scuba diving being the biggest thing we miss!), there’s a lot that you can do, even if it’s not marketed toward families.

Sometimes this means you’ll need to do more planning in advance, but in our experience it has been worth it to be able to continue traveling the way that feels best to us.

We usually research activities in our destination to determine which ones we personally really want to do. Then, unless it explicitly says children are not allowed, we think about what we’d need to do to make it work for us.

Here are some examples of what I mean:

Some cocktail bars only allow minors until a certain time, so we will plan to go earlier .
We pack lots of snacks and a good napping-on-the-go set up for walking tours or food tours (we’ve been on a bunch with her!).
Sometimes we might have to take turns at an activity , like snorkeling or snowboarding, while the other watches Juniper.
We might alter a hiking route to make it more doable with a little one.
Often, we’ll go somewhere with the mindset that we’ll leave if Juniper isn’t doing well . More often than not, she surprises us with doing great.
We still take public transport, but we’ll give ourselves plenty of time to get from Point A to Point B.

It kind of becomes a puzzle of: how can we still do this activity?

Don’t get me wrong – there are times we turn things down because it’s not worth it to us to make it work. But for the most part, we’ve still been able to do most of the things we really want to experience.

And we’ve been able to take some pretty epic trips that are focused on our interests (even though we have a baby):

road trip around Scotland
backcountry camping at Cracker Lake in Glacier National Park
lived in our self-built campervan for 4 months
Christmas Market hopping in Europe

Cracker Lake Glacier National Park Backcountry camping

As our daughter gets older and has her own interests, the way we plan trips will likely change, but up until this point, this is what has been working for us.

Overall, I’m honestly surprised by how much our trips now are similar to the things we’d be doing before having a baby.

39. Get ready for some really special interactions

Something I wasn’t prepared for before having a child is the sweet interactions it would bring to our travels.

We’ve had so many different types of encounters – from servers at restaurants falling in love with Juniper (see pictures below) to people offering to help out when she’s crabby (this has happened multiple times!).

The last photo in the set above was taken at a Venezuelan bakery in Mexico where I was eating by myself with Juniper while Ben had dental surgery. She was just the slightest bit fussy, and the two sweet women behind the counter insisted that they would cheer her up while I eat my food.

Juniper is quite the conversation starter (she loves waving at strangers!), and has brought a whole new level of sweetness to our travels.

I’m so excited to watch Juniper grow up and experience kindness from different people all over the world.

*Excuse me while I go wipe my tears.*

40. Go ahead and book those damn flights!

Here’s my last piece of advice (for now!):

Just book it!

Don’t let the voices in your head (or your well-meaning neighbor!) scare you away.

If traveling with a baby is something that’s important to you, I know you can do it. And I’ll be your cheerleader rooting you on!

The first big trip with a baby can be daunting, but I have a feeling you’ll realize it’s not as scary as you’re building it up in your head to be.

And you’ll feel like such a badass for turning your dream into reality.

You might even find yourself daydreaming about your next big family vacation, which will feel a lot more doable since you’ve already got one trip under your belt.

Personal note from Katie

Europe Christmas Markets travel with a baby tips

I truly hope this article has been helpful to you and leaves you feeling encouraged about traveling with a baby and motivates you to start planning that dream trip. I also hope you’re able to take away some helpful nuggets that you can put into practice!

I do just want to say that if you want more content on traveling with a baby, please let us know.

I have been avoiding writing this article for a number of reasons (which I’ll go into below), but it was readers like you who encouraged me to ignore these thoughts and just write it anyway.

So why did I avoid writing this article?

Lemme spill the tea…

1. Giving parenting advice always attracts negative comments.

Anytime I share things we do as parents, there’s always someone to point out why they would do something differently. Or why traveling with kids in general is just selfish.

I’m only human, and negative messages and comments are not fun to deal with. So avoiding the whole “traveling with kids tips” felt like an easy way to avoid the negativity.

2. Traveling with a baby is very different for every single person.

Everyone parents differently and there’s no way I could create an article that would resonate with everyone.

This was kind of keeping me frozen in place, asking myself, “How do I give all parents advice about traveling with kids?”

And then I realized I didn’t need to. I just needed to share what has worked for us. I hope you’ve read this article with that lens.

Some of these suggestions may not work for you or your child. You know your situation best, so pick and choose the ideas and advice that feels good for you.

3. This isn’t a family travel blog.

We decided very early on that we didn’t want Two Wandering Soles to become only about traveling with kids as soon as we had a baby.

At its core, TWS will always be about responsible and adventurous travel . And we aim to share the best things to do in locations around the world, regardless of whether or not they’re family-friendly.

That said, we’ve realized that we can create family travel content without that being the only thing we write about.

4. Honestly, I don’t feel like an expert at parenting.

Beehive Loop hike with a baby Acadia National Park

We traveled to more than 50 countries before getting pregnant.

We lived out of a backpack for years on end, and called many different countries “home” for an extended period of time.

We have years and years of experience, and very much consider ourselves experts in all things travel-related.

But the whole parenting thing is new to us. We have one daughter. And at the time of writing this article, she is just over a year old.

So there’s a part of me who kept delaying sharing our “baby travel tips” until I felt like more of an “expert” as a parent.

But I’ve come to realize that parenting is something that we’re likely never going to feel like experts at . It is a continuous learning process, and as soon as we feel like we’re getting the hang of it, things change.

I finally became okay with the idea of creating content about traveling with kids without feeling like an expert. Because with the exception of people whose profession is related to parenting, we’re all just doing what we feel is best for our children.

And that might be as “expert level” as you can get.

Want more advice for traveling with a baby?

Our top tips for staying at a hotel or Airbnb with a baby
Feel confident on your flight with these tips for flying with a baby !

Save these tips so you don’t lose them!

Pin this article so you can easily come back to it…

We want to hear from you!

We hope these tips for traveling with a baby are helpful!

What advice would you add? Any travel hacks that have helped you? What questions or concerns do you still have?

Note: Please be respectful with your comments. Remember, we are sharing tips that have personally worked for us .

Comments (10) on “ 40 Practical & Encouraging Tips for Traveling with a Baby ”

Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experiences in such an engaging and relatable way. You’ve truly inspired me to create unforgettable memories with my baby. Keep the amazing content coming! Greetings!

Insightful travel tips with baby! I loved how you addressed the importance of booster car seats and how they ensure safety while on the road. Your practical advice on traveling with little ones is invaluable, especially for parents like us. As we plan our family adventures, we’ll be sure to consider the booster seat recommendations you shared. Thanks for helping us make our trips safer and more enjoyable for our baby!

Traveling with a baby can be a challenge, but having a reliable travel cot is a game-changer. It provides comfort and security for your little one, ensuring they have a familiar place to sleep and play. Investing in a lightweight and safe travel cot is a must for any parent on the go. Thanks for highlighting its importance in your informative article! -Baby Train-

I feel like I could tear up after reading this – what an invaluable resource! Thank you!

I have been following you both for quite a while & have been trying to implement the tips you’ve shared over the last few months. My baby is 4.5 months old & she is so chill. Maybe it’s her personality, but I also think it’s the way we’ve done things..which has a lot to do with the tips you’ve shared! She can sleep wherever. I’ve practiced changing her & feeding her in different places & she’s been to our local museums & coffee shops more times than I can count. Though I still get nervous about things (like her getting fussy in public, etc), she really makes it pretty dang easy. We’re hoping to spend a couple of months in Europe this summer, so I’ll probably be re-reading it & studying it so I can prepare us as best as possible.

Thank you again. <3

My children are older and I am still terrified of travel, I am so inspired by seeing you travel with Juniper! I am going to start being more brave!

So happy to hear this resonates. I totally get being scared – I am too hehe! Starting with small adventures near home has been so good at building our confidence and hopefully it helps you too. Wishing your family lots of memories and adventures in the years ahead!

As always, you nailed it with your advice and tips…and your honesty. I love what my father-in-law says that parenting is flying by the seat of your pants. So true! And I am a big believer that when you become a parent, you go with your gut because no one knows your kid like you do!

Juniper will grow up with a worldly perspective…what a gift you and Ben are giving her. Travel makes me joyful, too. I like what you wrote about being a better mom when you are happy…so true!

Last year my 21-yr-old daughter was so inspired by my travel blogging that she asked to take some trips with me. So we did and it was special! There is nothing better in this world than when your adult kids want to spend time with you…and in the form of travel!

What a wonderful foundation of love, adventure and joy you are building for your sweet girl.

I know this article will help a lot of traveling parents…and any negative comments you get…tune those right out! YOU are doing it right! Happy travels with your cutie pie baby girl!

Thank you so much for your kind words, Rachel. It means a lot! I bet seeing your kids grow into adults is unlike anything you can describe. And how cool that you get to share a passion with her! Thank you again!

This is amazing and such timely advice! My husband and I are due to have our first baby in May and we have been going back-and-forth about what kind of travel we want to do when he comes. This article has given me so much more confidence about the things that we can do with him and has really helped me see what is possible with a baby. Thank you so much for this! Keep the baby content coming! Your style of travel is so similar to ours and I love to see what you have done with Juniper so far!

Thank you so much, Stef, for the kind words. Truly just brought a smile to my face. So happy to know it resonates with you. And CONGRATULATIONS on this new and beautiful chapter. Wishing your family all the best!

16 tips for traveling with baby formula that will make your next vacation stress-free

The good news: You can bring as much formula as you need on the plane. The bad news: It takes some planning to pack water, bottles, cleaning supplies, and more. Here's how to make it easier on yourself.

Can you bring formula on a plane?

How to travel with formula on a plane, tips for traveling with formula via car.

BabyCenter selects products and services based on the research of our editors and the wisdom of parents in the BabyCenter Community. We may earn a commission from links.

If your little one is formula-fed or takes a combination of formula and breast milk, you probably have a pretty established feeding station at home with plenty of baby bottles , cleaning supplies, and powdered or ready-to-feed formula. Understandably, the thought of somehow taking this entire process on the road can feel a little daunting.

While it does take some planning, it's absolutely possible to travel with baby formula , regardless of where you're heading or the type you use; here's how.

Yes, you're allowed to bring baby formula or breast milk on a plane in a carry-on or checked bag. The Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) rules about formula Opens a new window are also more lenient compared to other liquids and gels (which are limited to 3-ounce containers).

"There aren't restrictions to how much formula you can bring on the plane, so make your life easier by doing what works for you and your baby," says Chandani DeZure , M.D., FAAP, a board-certified pediatrician and a member of the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board.

Formula, breast milk, purees, and cooling accessories (such as ice packs, freezer packs, and gel packs) are all considered medically necessary liquids, so the TSA doesn't limit how much parents can bring through security. You also don't need to fly with your baby with you in order to take advantage of this rule.

That said, the TSA does have different screening steps for these liquids. Here's what to expect when bringing formula through security:

Tell the TSA ahead of time. As you're lining up, let the closest TSA officer know you have formula (and ice packs, etc.) and remove these items from your bag. They'll separate your feeding gear to screen separately.

Know that pre-mixed formula will probably get tested. This is a safety precaution to make sure the liquids don't contain any explosives or concealed items. The same goes for any partially frozen ice packs.

Finally, keep in mind that the rules might change for the flight home if you’re traveling from outside of the U.S. "For international flights , be sure to research what's allowed ahead of time," says Tanya Altmann Opens a new window , M.D., a pediatrician at Calabasas Pediatrics in California.

1. Choose what type of formula you'll bring

The best way to transport formula will depend on the type of formula you're taking with you.

Powdered formula, unprepared

You can bring a formula canister in your carry-on bag and open it to prepare bottles on the plane, but many parents prefer to pre-measure and pack powder in a travel-friendly formula dispenser . These dispensers typically have a few sections, so you can put just enough powder for one bottle in each compartment, then mix it on the plane. Just label each section with how much water to use.

Powdered formula, prepared

Some parents find it easier to prep bottles at home and then pack them. While this means you don't have to source water on the go, it does mean you'll need to bring a cooler bag with ice packs: Prepared powdered formula is safe at room temperature for just two hours, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Opens a new window (CDC).

Although the TSA doesn't limit how much formula you bring, toting around prepared bottles can get heavy and inconvenient. If you're going on a long-haul flight, you might choose to prepare a few ahead of time, then make the rest on the plane.

Liquid concentrate formula

This type of formula requires you to add water and shake, which may be easier than measuring powder during the flight. However, liquid concentrate formula is more expensive and often sold in small cans, which may be harder to manage in the air.

Ready-to-feed formula

This is by far the easiest way to travel with formula, especially if you can find a variety that has an attached nipple (many do). You don't have to measure powder or worry about finding appropriate water. Plus, you can store ready-to-feed bottles at room temperature and potentially leave your cooler bag at home. (Unused portions do need to be refrigerated and used within 48 hours.)

The downside is that ready-to-feed formulas are almost always more expensive. And like prepared bottles, it can be harder to bring enough without making your bag really heavy.

2. Consider checking enough formula for your whole trip

In addition to packing enough formula for the flight, you may want to pack more in your checked bag for when you arrive, especially if your little one takes a special kind. If you're traveling overseas, you may not find your go-to brand at all. Even within the U.S., it's sometimes tricky to locate the exact type you need, so plan ahead.

"You can bring extra formula containers in your suitcase, direct ship to your final destination ahead of time, or even map out grocery stores to stop at that carry your desired infant formula," says Dr. Altmann.

While it's fine for most babies to switch formula , some adjust faster than others. Your best bet is to stick with the same type, such as another milk-based, iron-fortified formula. And if switching brands overseas, make sure you understand the label; formula produced outside of the U.S. may use a different preparation ratio than you're accustomed to.

3. Pack extra in your carry-on

Even if you've packed additional canisters in your checked bag, you still need to access enough for the flight, as well as for time spent in the airport before boarding and after landing. "Bring enough formula to last the duration of the flight, but also to account for any potential delays that might occur," says Dr. DeZure.

So if your flight is three hours long and your baby typically has an 8-ounce bottle every three to four hours, you might plan on having enough formula in your carry-on to prepare at least five or six bottles (one at the airport, one on the plane, one after landing, plus a few extras in case of a delay).

4. Have water on hand

If you plan to mix bottles during the flight, you'll probably want to bring water with you on the plane. You could either pack water from home (such as tap water or water that's previously been sterilized) or purchase bottled water in the airport.

Most babies can have formula mixed with bottled or tap water, according to the CDC Opens a new window . However, babies younger than 2 months old, as well as those born prematurely or who have a weakened immune system should have bottles made with water that's previously been boiled and then cooled. In a pinch, you can ask a flight attendant to boil water for you that's then cooled to room temperature, though this can take longer.

For this reason, bottled water is usually simplest if your baby can have it. "I usually recommend parents buy bottled water after they are through security to pour into a baby bottle that has measuring units on it, then add the appropriate amount of powder, shake, and feed," says Dr. Altmann.

5. Bring cleaning supplies

"Pack dish soap and a nipple/bottle brush for easy cleaning," says Dr. DeZure. If you'd prefer not to wash your bottles on the plane (understandable, as airplane bathrooms aren't exactly the cleanest), separate used gear from clean bottles in plastic bags, then wash everything thoroughly at your destination.

And while there is no substitute for a real soap-and-water cleaning, baby bottle cleaning wipes Opens a new window can help if you drop anything (pacifiers, bottles, etc.) on the floor during the flight.

6. Try to get your baby used to room-temperature bottles

It can significantly simplify travel if your baby isn't picky about cool bottles. "This saves the hassle of heating while en route," says Corinne McDermott, a travel consultant and founder of the website Have Baby Will Travel Opens a new window . "Flight attendants may be able to provide cups of hot water for heating, but they will not heat the bottle for you."

7. Pack prepared formula in clear containers

Although not required, the TSA strongly suggests parents pack prepared formula in translucent bottles. That's because scanners have a tougher time with bags and pouches, so you may have to open them.

8. Ask a flight attendant for hot water or bring a portable warmer

If your infant absolutely needs warm milk, alert the flight attendant early in the flight so they can have water ready. (The last thing you want is to try to track it down while your baby is crying out for a bottle!)

There are also portable bottle heating gadgets on the market, but "I recommend testing them before you actually travel to ensure they work," says McDermott. And if you do warm your baby's bottle on the go, remember to put a few drops on the back of your hand to make sure it's not too hot.

9. Offer a bottle during takeoff

Changes in air pressure can be tough on little ears. "Feeding on takeoff and landing during pressure changes will minimize any discomfort the baby might feel," says Dr. DeZure.

Take safe storage into account — if you feed your baby during takeoff, the rest of the bottle should be consumed within an hour.

1. Pack a cooler

Road trips can be easier than flights when it comes to formula feeding, partly because you can bring a large cooler bag.

Consider preparing enough formula bottles for the drive ahead of time and storing them in a cooler. This way, you won't have to mix and measure on the go.

"You can also use the cooler for other medication items, snacks, or beverages that the rest of your family may need as well," says Dr. Altmann.

2. Bring enough canisters – and store them safely

Just as you would for a plane ride, you'll want to bring enough formula to last the entire trip (or have a plan for sourcing more after you arrive).

"It's good to be well-stocked in case your usual brand is not easily available at your destination," says McDermott. And when packing canisters of powdered formula, make sure they're stored in a cool, dry place in the car.

3. Stop for feeding breaks

While it may seem simpler to bottle-feed your baby in their car seat, pulling over for feeding time is safest. "Spills and spit-up are difficult to deal with while hurtling down the interstate, and safety is still the main concern," says McDermott. "If possible, give your baby a chance to digest a bit, and burp as usual before buckling them back in their car seat."

During a road trip, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends Opens a new window parents pull over for a break every two to three hours during the day or every four to six hours at night. You can feed your little one and change their diaper , "and kids of all ages can get out, move around and stretch, eat or drink, or use the restroom," says Dr. Altmann.

4. Try to maintain your routine

While your child's schedule will inevitably shift during travel, it can help to follow their usual routine as best you can. "Any attempts to maintain your baby's routine while on the road will pay off with fewer disruptions down the road," notes McDermott.

During the drive, pull over and offer a bottle at your baby's typical feeding times, and encourage naps at their normal times, too. Once you get to your destination, this will make it easier for your little one to get back into their schedule.

5. Pack cleaning supplies

Just as you would for air travel, bring everything you need to clean baby's feeding gear, including dish soap, a bottle brush, and possibly a portable drying rack. For the car ride, "remember hand sanitizer, wipes, and even a mat to make a clean surface anywhere to mix your formula," says Dr. Altmann.

And don't forget to pack a few emergency cleaning supplies and a change of clothes in case of spit-up : "It really, really isn't fun to travel long distances in a car that's recently been plastered in dairy-based vomit," says McDermott.

6. Once you arrive, set up a cleaning station

You'll accumulate quite a few dirty bottles during the car ride, so McDermott says one of the first things she does after a road trip is determine where she'll store and clean baby feeding gear.

"If the accommodation at your destination has a kitchenette or at least a microwave, packing a portable sterilizer will make cleaning easier," she says. Alternatively, you can wash bottles with warm water and soap.

"A small drying rack doesn't take up much room in your luggage and keeps baby's things clean and out of the way of your other stuff if all you've got is a bathroom sink," she adds. "It can be done!"

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BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies .

American Academy of Pediatrics. 2019. Flying with Baby: Parent FAQs. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Flying-with-Baby.aspx Opens a new window [Accessed February 2024]

American Academy of Pediatrics. 2024. How to Safely Prepare Baby Formula With Water. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/formula-feeding/Pages/how-to-safely-prepare-formula-with-water.aspx Opens a new window [Accessed February 2024]

American Academy of Pediatrics. 2022. Forms of Baby Formula: Powder, Concentrate & Ready-to-Feed. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/formula-feeding/Pages/Forms-of-Baby-Formula.aspx Opens a new window [Accessed February 2024]

American Academy of Pediatrics. 2023. Is It Safe for My Baby to Travel in a Car Seat for Hours at a Time? https://www.healthychildren.org/English/tips-tools/ask-the-pediatrician/Pages/Is-it-safe-for-my-baby-to-travel-in-a-car-seat-a-few-hours-at-a-time.aspx Opens a new window [Accessed February 2024]

American Academy of Pediatrics. 2018. How to Sterilize and Warm Baby Bottles Safely. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/formula-feeding/Pages/How-to-Sterilize-and-Warm-Baby-Bottles-Safely.aspx Opens a new window [Accessed February 2024]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2023. Infant Formula Preparation and Storage. https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/formula-feeding/infant-formula-preparation-and-storage.html Opens a new window [Accessed February 2024]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2024. How to Prepare and Store Powdered Infant Formula. https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/downloads/prepare-store-powered-infant-formula-508.pdf Opens a new window [Accessed February 2024]

Federal Aviation Administration. 2022. Flying With Children. https://www.faa.gov/travelers/fly_children Opens a new window [Accessed February 2024]

Federal Aviation Administration. 2023. Frequently Asked Questions. https://www.faa.gov/faq?combine=children&field_faq_category_target_id=1481 Opens a new window [Accessed February 2024]

KidsHealth From Nemours. 2024. Formula Feeding FAQs: Preparation and Storage. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/formulafeed-storing.html Opens a new window [Accessed February 2024]

Mayo Clinic. 2024. Is Air Travel Safe for an Infant? https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/air-travel-with-infant/faq-20058539 Opens a new window [Accessed February 2024]

Transportation Security Administration. 2024. Traveling with Children. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures/traveling-children Opens a new window [Accessed February 2024]

Transportation Security Administration. 2024. Baby Formula. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/baby-formula Opens a new window [Accessed February 2024]

Transportation Security Administration. 2024. Liquids Rule. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/liquids-rule Opens a new window [Accessed February 2024]

Food and Drug Administration. 2023. Infant Formula: Safety Do's and Don'ts. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/infant-formula-safety-dos-and-donts Opens a new window [Accessed February 2024]

Chandani DeZure Opens a new window , M.D., FAAP, a board-certified pediatrician and a member of the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board.

Tanya Altmann Opens a new window , M.D., a pediatrician at Calabasas Pediatrics in California.

Corinne McDermott, an authorized independent travel consultant, family travel specialist and founder of the website Have Baby Will Travel Opens a new window .

Kathleen Felton is a freelance writer and editor. She was previously the executive editor of editorial strategy and growth at BabyCenter, the world's number one parenting resource. She is originally from Farmington, Connecticut, and now lives in Sydney, Australia, with her husband and two sons.

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Flying With a Baby
A passport for international flights. All U.S. citizens, including newborns, need their own passports to fly internationally. To obtain one for your baby, you'll need to use the DS-11 form and apply together in person, so plan ahead. For domestic flights, babies and children under 18 don't need a passport or an ID. Her birth certificate.
Traveling with an Infant
Flying with Children. One child over 14 days and under two (2) years of age, not occupying a seat, may be carried as a Lap Child when traveling with an adult (12 years of age or older). Each adult may travel with one Lap Child. Although a boarding pass is not required for the infant, you will need a Boarding Verification Document, which can be ...
How to Fly for the First Time with a Baby (32 Tips)
Gate check your car seat and/or stroller. Gate checking is great for your travel stroller (like our UPPAbaby Minu) and travel car seat. The tip here is to make sure to have the special "travel bags" for both large items, and the even bigger tip is to check in at the desk at the gate for tags ahead of time. Helpful Tip.
33 Tried & True Tips for Flying with a Baby
4. Apply for a baby passport well in advance. If you think you'll be flying internationally with your baby during their first year, get the application process started asap. We applied for a passport when our daughter was just 3 weeks old, so it's never too early if you think you'll be needing it.
31 Must-Know Tips for Flying with an Infant (By a Mom)
Page Contents [ Collapse] Tips for Flying With An Infant. #1: Know the Rules for Flying with a Lap Child. #2: But Consider Buying Your Baby a Seat. #3: You Can Only Have One Lap Baby Per Adult. #4: Baby Airplane Tickets May Be Cheaper Than Adult Tickets. #5: Babies Flying Internationally Do Cost.
Everything you need to know flying with a baby
Depending on the airline and route, a lap baby will either fly for free or pay a nominal amount of the adult ticket - usually 10% plus taxes. If an infant flies in their own seat, they will be charged for their own ticket at a child's rate, which is usually 90% of the adult ticket price.
Flying with Kids & Family Boarding
Family boarding. We allow families with children less than two years old to board with our pre-boarding group. A gate agent will announce when it's time for you to get on the plane. Families with children under 12 can book Economy and Basic Economy seats next to each other for free. Sometimes, seat assignments change because of last minute ...
Flying with baby
Please note that for safety reasons only one baby per adult is allowed on board. However, if you have a second child under two years old travelling with you, you have the option of booking a seat and taking an appropriate child restraint system, such as a baby carrier or child car seat, on board with you.
Tips for travelling with a Baby on a Plane
Travel pillow. Milk (formula, expressed, or other, if needed, paying attention to appropriate storage and preparation) Hand sanitiser. Dummies or a pacifier if your baby uses one. If you need to bring liquids on board to feed or care for your baby, it's worth checking in with your airline before the big day.
50 tips for flying with a baby and toddler
The GB Gold Pokit+ also comes highly recommended. Flying with a baby and toddler is simply not possible without a baby carrier or sling: you otherwise do not possess enough hands. Holding tired babies in a carrier and walking up and down the cabin often also helps keep them calm (and quiet).
How I've kept traveling -- even after having a baby
Extra clothing for both you and your baby (yes, trust me, you need a backup outfit just in case). Layers of clothing or blankets (plane temperatures can vary). Pacifier and clip (and backup). Comfort toy or blanket. Extra diapers (enough for an unexpected delay). Formula/breast milk/pump.
Tips for Flying with Baby
Get the right gear. A backpack-style diaper bag and an easy baby carrier to get on will help keep your hands free. Invest in a travel stroller if you think you'll be traveling frequently enough to justify the cost. Keep a portable changing pad on hand for quick changes on the go. Help with air pressure.
Traveling with children − Travel information − American Airlines
You may have to present proof of age like a birth certificate for any children under the age of 18. Families with children under 2 years old can ask to board early at the gate. Only 1 carry-on diaper bag per child is allowed. Nursing mothers. Families traveling. Children (2 years or older) Infants (under 2 years)
Everything You Need to Know About Traveling With a Baby
JetBlue will allow infants as young as 3 days old to fly, but between three and 14 days you will need a doctor's letter of approval. However, it is generally recommended that you wait a few months ...
Flying with a baby: feeding, sleep and your other questions answered
Some airlines allow seven-day-old infants on board. ... Most airlines realise a baby doesn't travel light but some don't. In this case, you might have to sacrifice your hand luggage in favour of a well-stocked changing bag. Thankfully, most airlines are more generous and do allow a baby's changing bag in addition to your usual hand ...
The Best-ever Tips for Travelling with Babies
3 / 8. "Invest in a backpack with a number of dividers," says Christian. "This is the best way to keep your hands free to cuddle your baby until you are seated on board.". Babies come with a lot of baggage so it's important to check what you can and can't take on the plane. You can bring: a reasonable amount of baby milk - breast ...
My 7 Tips For Taking A Long Haul Flight With A Baby
Wrap Up On Long Haul Flights With Baby. 1. Get Your Baby Their Own Seat. Booking a separate seat for your baby is an investment in a smoother flight. While it may add to your travel expenses, the advantages are so worth it. Our son was already quite mobile by the time we were flying.
Traveling with Children
Traveling with Children. All passengers are required to undergo screening. However, TSA has developed modified screening procedures for children who appear to be 12 years old and younger. TSA officers will consult parents or the traveling guardian about the child's screening. TSA standard screening procedures apply for children 13 years and ...
How to pack
A basic first aid kit. Small toy (s). The rest of your baby's items, like additional clothing, blankets and more, can go in your checked bag. If you're checking more than one bag, split your baby's items among different checked suitcases. That way you'll be covered if the airline loses one of your suitcases.
Traveling With Children · Spirit Airlines Support
Guests traveling with children under 2 years old are permitted to bring a diaper bag on board, free of charge, and it will not count toward the 1+1 (one free personal item and one paid carry-on) baggage allowance. The diaper bag must be able to be stowed on board. To confirm your diaper bag is within personal item or carry-on size limits ...
Traveling with a Baby or Infant: All You Need to Know
Most professionals will suggest that you start small when traveling with a baby. Take a short flight to see how your baby reacts and move on from there. Remember, you will have to follow the same restrictions at the airport regarding checking in, packing, and carry-ons. Airlines allow parents to take a certain amount of formula or breast milk ...
40 Practical & Encouraging Tips for Traveling with a Baby
10. Adjust your expectations. The version of traveling with a baby you see on Instagram = everyone is happy! Traveling with our baby has been one of the most empowering and rewarding things we've ever done. But it has also included moments of exhaustion and frustration.
16 tips for traveling with baby formula that will make your next
3. Stop for feeding breaks. 4. Try to maintain your routine. 5. Pack cleaning supplies. 6. Once you arrive, set up a cleaning station. You can bring as much formula as you need on the plane, but it does take some planning to pack water, bottles, cleaning supplies, and more.