This post was originally published in June 2019 and has been updated to offer additional resources.
It’s July and vacation time is upon us! New and soon-to-be parents often have questions about flying with baby, and this article offers some of our top tips for making plane travel more comfortable for both baby and you!
11 Tips for Flying with Babies and Toddlers
1. Look for direct flights or options with longer layovers if stops are necessary. With toddlers, especially, this gives you time to eat and enjoy a proper meal, change a diaper comfortably, and let them stretch their legs in between flights. Airport time can give them space to burn some energy!
2. Visit the airport restroom before your flight. Airplane lavatories are tiny, and it can be extremely inconvenient to get little ones down the aisle to them. You may not be able to totally avoid it if your flight is long, but trust me, it’s worth starting off by using the larger (and probably cleaner) one in the terminal!
3. Take advantage of pre-boarding. Pre-boarding minimizes the rush, and gives you time to help your little one get comfortable with their new surroundings before you’ve got to buckle up and take off.
4. Buy a separate airplane seat for your child. Not only is this the safer option (because you can bring your carseat for proper restraints for baby), but also it gives your family more room to spread out and relax on the plane. To do this, you must have an FAA-approved car seat! Check here to see if yours meets the criteria for use in flight.
5. Use baby wearing to keep your hands free (and baby contained). A stroller isn’t as efficient as you might hope when you’re navigating crowded airport terminals. Instead, take advantage of the hands-free benefits of babywearing and get a great carrier! It will make juggling your luggage, coffee, gate tickets, and food so much easier. Additionally, your baby will feel secure and comforted by your close presence in a loud, unfamiliar environment.
6. Curbside and or gate check your baby gear. If you plan to check your carseat, do it at the curb so that you have one less (huge) thing to lug around. And if you plan to travel with your stroller, use it to carry a bag or two to the gate, and then check it! They will have it ready for you at the landing gate, too.
7. Keep your baby buckled up as much as possible. Little ones are safer this way and older babies are already used to traveling in their car seat. If you’re opting for no carseat, baby wearing on the plane is a good option for keeping baby secure.
8. Bring double the baby necessities. Yes, really. Bring twice as much formula, diapers, bottles, baby food, snacks, and toys on the plane than you think you’ll need. If your plane becomes severely delayed or your flight canceled, you’ll be so grateful to have the extra supplies. It’s no fun having to grab emergency baby supplies in an unfamiliar place when you’re unexpectedly stuck on the tarmac, circling above a storm, or navigating bedtime in a hotel room for an overnight you never planned on!
9. Dress in comfortable layers, and bring layers for baby, as well. It is hard to predict what the temperature will feel like, both in the plane and at your destination.
10. Pack an extra change of clothing foreveryone. You might have several changes of clothes for baby, but what if their diaper leaks all over YOU? Eek! Better safe than sorry.
11. Protect little ears during takeoff and landing! Sucking or chewing helps ease any discomfort in the ears caused by pressure changes in the airplane’s cabin. You can bring formula or pumped breast milk or body feed during take-off and landing. This way you can keep them safely buckled at the same time. Some families also opt for ear protection like these; even if baby will only tolerate them for takeoff and landing, you can help reduce the impact of the volume.
Did you know? Breast milk is exempt from the 3.4-ounce liquid rule.If your child doesn’t take bottles, then a sippy cup or pacifier works, too. Chewing a cracker or cookie can also help older toddlers.
12. Don’t forget baby’s medication. Make sure to pack any prescription and over-the-counter medicine you might need in your carry-on bag! Liquid medications are also exempt from the TSA’s liquid limits, but be sure to keep them in their original packaging so they are easily identifiable. Infant Ibuprofen may come in handy for sore ears and Dramamine for Kids is safe for children aged 2 and older.
13. Bring a portable sound machine. Personally, I love using the LectroFan Micro because it’s easy to use and so portable. If you already use a sound machine for white noise at home, it can help normalize the time on the plane for your little one.
14. Keep baby happy with distractions.You may spend your whole flight entertaining your baby or toddler, reading board books over and over, playing peek-a-boo, or shaking a rattle for them. Sometimes a new toy or one they haven’t seen in a while will hold their attention for longer. Flat books like Indestructibles are good space-saving options. Devices sometimes come in handy for travel, as well, even for families who typically limit screen time.
Notes on Packing for Travel with Baby
Make a plan for your packing. You’ll have the urge to pack everything conceivable when flying with a baby. While it is good to be prepared, the most important thing is actually how accessible the items you need will be. If you have to dig through layers and layers of densely-packed baby gear on the plane while holding a crying baby, you might end up regretting your preparedness. Be sure to utilize a bag with easy access and many pockets or packing cubes to keep things organized and accessible.
With four children, I’ve worked my way through a fair share of diaper bags, and I have always come back to using a backpack. Being able to carry it on my back distributes the weight evenly, and it leaves my hands free for tending baby. Best of all, it’s large enough to fit practical items for you as well.
If your toddler wants to help you pack, be sure to double-check their bag for any disallowed items, to avoid a delay with security.
Small Ziploc bags are great for packing travel items especially things that get wet and need to stay clean, like toothbrushes or pacifiers. Bring a few extras with you, just in case! Pack a couple of larger Ziploc-style bags (gallon size) or reusable wet bags as well. These are great for containing spilled-on or soiled clothing, diapers and wipes, and so on. Use a Ziploc to collect anything liquid or goopy that you’ll need to pull out at the security checkpoint. Extra Ziploc bags can be used to hold stinky diapers if a trash can isn’t immediately available.
Here’s a video about screening for baby items from the TSA to help you pack and prepare to go through security.You can read up on the TSA’s complete rules ahead of time at this link – or, print them out and bring them to the airport with you.
You’ve Got This!
Finally, don’t worry too much about what others might think. Flying with babies is challenging, and you’ve got this! Occasionally, no matter what you do, babies and toddlers will make noise. This is how they communicate, after all! While it may feel embarrassing in the grocery store, it’s a bit more tricky on a plane because you can’t escape the public eye. Simply do your best, try these tips for flying with babies and toddlers, and relax because most people will understand AND your settled nervous system will help baby’s nervous system!
We are here to support your family and help you navigate all things parenting. Reach out about postpartum support in Austin or birth and postpartum support in Asheville!
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