UPDATE: I recently flew alone with my 4 month old baby girl, Mila. I learned a few new tricks that worked really well! (Tip #16!)
Max has been on 3 plane trips so far (Dominican Republic, to Salt Lake City, Atlanta) for a grand total of 10 plane rides! He’s got a few more planed this summer too. I’m kind of a baby plane riding pro these days! If you are traveling with a baby by yourself, my number one tip is to wear that baby (see #7)!
In case you missed it, here are my tips for long road trips with babies, tips for traveling with a mobile lap baby via airplane, tips for flying with a toddler, and 16 tips for road trips with a toddler and a preschooler.
16 Tips for Traveling with a Baby via Airplane
1. Dog bags
A weird first tip on the list, no? Dog bags are the perfect size for dirty clothes and diapers and whatever else the babe gets dirty! If you don’t have a dog at home, zip lock bags work just as well. You can get 270 dog bags
on Amazon for 12 bucks (that’s 2 cents a bag)!
Bottom line: Make sure you have some kind of container on hand to hold dirty stuff!
2. Nurse on take off and landing
…unless the babe is asleep, I don’t wake up sleeping babies for anything less than a fire, ha! Pacifier or bottle works too. I’ve heard that the sucking helps their ears with the altitude. True? Who knows? But, nursing always seems to make Max happy!
3. Bring at least 2 extra outfits for the baby
On our first plane trip, Max had an incident before we even boarded the first flight! I was so thankful I threw in 2 extra outfits! Plus the outfits are so tiny, they don’t take up much space.
4. If you bring breast milk through security…
If your bottles are over 3 oz, they have to test each bottle which wastes time at security.
5. Bring one diaper per 2 hours of travel time
Oh heck just bring like 20! I had a diaper shortage on our way home. It’s stressful, y’all. Don’t do it. And don’t forget the wipes!
6. Check the car seat at the check in counter
For babies still in an infant car seat, I highly recommend wearing the baby and leaving that stuff at home. If you know you’ll need the car seat and the stroller on the trip, I recommend checking them at the check in counter. It’s free! Also, consider asking a friend to borrow these items in the city you are traveling to. For older babies who are not in an infant car seat, the gb Pockit Air All Terrain is amazing. It is light weight and folds up so that it can fit in overheard storage on any flight. Having a baby in a stroller allows you to do things like go to the bathroom and eat!
7. Wear the baby
I recommend wearing your baby through the airport if:
- You are traveling alone AND
- Your baby is not big enough to go in a stroller that that folds up and fits in overhead storage
When wearing the baby back pack through security, they only test your hands for explosives. So, you do not have to take baby or backpack off. Going to the bathroom with a stroller alone is super tricky too. I use this baby backpack, and it allows you to have your hands free to hold your phone of coffee or whatever. Max loves his backpack, but only looking out, not facing inwards.
UPDATE: Maxwell always preferred to face outwards, but Mila loves to be perched right up on my chest like a little koala bear (thus our mother/ daughter Halloween costume). So, with her I use a K’tan carrier. I love it. It’s a soft, comfortable, cotton material, and (after take off) you can put baby back in the wrap and (possibly) have a hands free sleeping baby situation on the airplane. It is much more difficult to sit comfortably in the Baby Bjorn. Also, I do not suggest using a Moby wrap or any other wrap that is a single piece of fabric for traveling. It will inevitably end up dangling on the ground of the airplane bathroom and totally gross you out. The K’tan is much easier for travel because of how it is made. (I don’t use the “seat belt” that comes with the K’tan for travel.)
8. At check in, ask if there is a seat available with no one sitting next to you
It is greatness if you can get this! And they will happily give it to you if it is available. Whatever you do, avoid the middle seat! It’s super not fun with a baby in your lap.
9. A portable changing pad is a must
We use this one
. You can use it in the airport to take baby out of the back pack and lay him on the floor. It’s also perfect for public bathrooms. Here we are stretching out on the airport floor.
10. Freezer packs for breast milk
If at all possible, make sure that your freezer pack is frozen, if it is not frozen it makes it more difficult to get through security. They claim it’s liquid and then have to test it. If breast milk is not frozen, consider checking the freezer pack and milk.
11. Wear a nursing tank, skinny pants, a scarf, and slip on shoes
Nursing tanks just make breast feeding that much easier. I did one plane trip with a nursing bra and a button down shirt and it was way more work. Cuter outfit, but way more work. And the skinny jeans or leggings (with stretch) are to ensure a cleaner bathroom trip for you, ha! That way your pant legs don’t drag on the bathroom floor. The scarf is to cover the boob when breast feeding or use to wrap baby if he is cold. I did a post pre baby about what to wear on an airplane, and this outfit still works great if you switch out the cozy t-shirt for a nursing tank!
12. Fly early or late
The goal is to try and fly when your baby is sleepy. We did an 8pm flight once, and Max slept the whole 4 hours!
13. Bring a pacifier
Even if your baby is not a pacifier baby, they might be on the plane! Maxwell doesn’t take a pacifier often, but he (sometimes) loves it on the airplane and in the car!
14. Call the airline ahead of time
I recently flew with Maxwell on Air Tran (a Southwest partner) and was told I needed a copy of his birth certificate or vaccine record! I had Andy text me a picture of his passport and that worked. But, just call to be safe.
15. Get an aisle seat
Easy access to the aisle is great for a quick walk down the aisle to lull baby back to sleep or do a little bouncing.
16. Airplane toys for babies
My favorite airplane toys for a 3-9 month old baby are these books (you can put them in the washing machine!) and an Oball rattle. Both toys less than $6! Now, the ball can be super annoying if you don’t tie a string to it. Yes, you read that right… tie a string to it! If you don’t tie a string to the ball and then tie the ball to something on the plane you will hate the ball. Here’s the deal, if you are flying alone, picking things up off of the ground or getting into your diaper bag is tricky. I love having one toy out with easy access at all times.
Anyone else have any other tips for traveling with baby via plane? I’d love to hear…
Comments & Reviews
Thanks for your so much . I will be going to the Dominican Republic with my 10 month old for the first time and I am supper nervios, but reading this makes me feel more prepare .
Oh my word, what a fabulous post. I’m traveling with my LO in a few weeks, and LOVE the idea of tying a string to the toy. Genius. Thanks for sharing!
The string trick is a life saver! I hope y’all have a nice (peaceful) flight 😉
Love your list! I’d just add an outfit for parent as well in case the baby has a big accident. Well done
Yes! Good idea! Thanks for the tip!
Your tips are so helpful and I’m going to use all of them on my upcoming trip!
How about disinfecting wipes for all surfaces baby might touch? I’m not particularly a germ-o-phobe but my baby doesn’t go to daycare where most babies build up immunities and I have gotten sick on planes numerous times bc of the increased traffic. The last thing I want is for my baby to get sick on his first vacation to see his family.
I was thinking of also purchasing one of those cheap umbrella strollers and fitting it into my checked suitcase so at least I will have one for vacation, if it gets broken no big deal, and I don’t have to deal with it at the airport.
Thoughts?
All great tips! Wearing a nursing tank and layers works wonders! Love the bun maternity nursing tanks and hoodie especially for travel. I’ve tried all kinds and theirs is my favorite for traveling. The string on a rattle is a must! Gonna do that.
thanks for the lovely tips! I wrote a blog post with some of my own tips as well! Thanks for sharing!
XOX,
farrah and london
great tips but in Europe you can’t wear baby through security. Baby has to be taken off. I use a stroller and Tula so I can do either. It’s nice to have a place to put baby down where they’re secured, especially if you have a long layover.
Haven’t read all the replays maybe someone already comment on this one but if not I have to.
They are so many who tells parents to breast feed on the way up/down. (It’s always worse on the way down because the air molecules shrinks on the way down and for a baby who can’t equalise – that hurts!)
But!!! For a flightattendant to read this it hurts my eyes! :/
First of all, it’s really safe to fly, but you never know what’s gonna happen and if you lay your baby down on the side instead of sitting up straight in the parents lap, just imaginen for your self what happens to the spine if the plane doesn’t land smooth. The same thing as in a car. Think about the car crash dummies. It’s really important to have the possibility to bend forward. If the baby lies down the spine will break. Someone wrote that a car seat is the best to have the baby in, and that’s true! But it’s also more expensive so the second best is to have the baby in the lap sitting like the adult, hold the head steady just when the wheels touch the ground. And for the pain in the ear, yes let the baby drink something from a bottle or try a pacifier. It’s only for a couple of minutes, when your on ground the pain will go away but a broken back will not.
I wish more knew about this, I always tell the parents on my flights.
Have a nice trip <3
Great tips! I’m always flying with my 8 month old. I’m definitely always wearing a nursing tank, yoga pants and a t shirt also lol
I recommend that if you’re going to wear your babe, pack an extra shirt for yourself too! My little guy peeped through his clothes and mine. We use a Tula carrier and I knew exactly when it happened. Sudden warmth on my midsection! I was so happy I had another shirt to change into!
We are normally a cloth diapering family, but with international travel with a baby that can be too much baggage to take around. Our solution to solving blow out provlems with disposables is to use a cloth diaper cover over top the disposable. They work 700 times better at holding in blow outs. Everytime My guy went on the airplane was blow out portion so much easier to just change the diaper and cover (which are easily rinsable) then the baby and your outfit in a tiny airplane bathroom.
Thanks for the wonderful tips! I plan on travelling. With my little one early. Next year. Is there any advice on travelling with a toddler or is it still generally the same?
As long as your child is under 2, you can still have them sit on your lap if you are comfortable with that. As they get older, you will probably benefit even more from the tip of having a couple of new toys (thing dollar store!) and snacks.
I took my son on a plane and here are some discrepancies I found:
1. Freezer packs MUST be frozen or they throw them out or hunt down your luggage and put it there. It was a big ordeal for my flight.
2. Baby wearing was horrible for our flight. It was such a hassle to take him out to eat for take off, and to get him back in it while sleeping so that I could try to go to the bathroom. Having him in his car seat and stroller was so much easier for me!
3. Baby wearing through security: you can’t wear baby through. You have to take off the backpack and carry baby through. All shoes (even crazy thin sandals) and jackets/scarfs have to be removed with the carrier. So much easier to do a stroller when it comes to taking everything off
Megan! Thanks for sharing your experience. Everyones preferences are different, and unfortunately, all airport securities are different! Baby wearing worked so well for me when he was itty bitty! Sounds like your security was super strict. I wore him through at least 15 airport securities with no problems! Just a little hand test. And the bathroom note, at least in the airport, I just kept him strapped to me, ha!
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/
This is what the FAA has to say about children on flights. Safe travels you awesome mommas! 🙂
The concern is not about baby being safe in a crash from the air. Baby needs his or her own seat, because of instances such as accidents on the runaway (most common), or turbulence, during which the baby can actually become a projectile and can be seriously injured, injure others, or even be killed. FAA guidelines even state that ALL human passengers should be in his or her OWN seat. Babies and children should especially be protected because of how incredibly fragile their skeletons are. If you can’t afford a seat for your baby or child,then I’m sorry, but you can’t afford to fly.
One tip I have is to take a pillow for your baby on the plane. I laid it on my lap and I had my 6 month sleep on it, she slept the whole time on almost four flights. Great tips! Thanks!
Travel boppy!!! So great! You can use it to feed, for baby to lay more comfortably like a pillow, help them sit up and look around on your lap…best part is that it zips up land has a strap to easily carry with you
Never heard of that! I’ll have to look in to it! Thanks!
On some international flights you can request a seat that allows an in flight bassinet. It is free with the price of your ticket and a life saver on long flights for when baby is sleeping and your arms need a break. There are weight and length restrictions and it tends to be a middle seat but you also have lots more leg room because it’s the seats located just behind the kitchenettes.
I have had good luck with bringing both my stroller and car seat on the plane. Just because if there is an extra seat available on the plane. You can bring the car seat into the cabin and buckle him/her in just like in the car. Plus the airline will not charge you for the extra seat. Most airlines will move your seats around so you can have two seats if you ask. I like using the moby to wear my baby. That way you can skip the scarf, the moby also doubles as a blanket, and or nursing cover. The stroller is nice because you can just toss your diaper bag, carry on, purse and the car seat on and roll on down to the gate. If you are traveling with a baby old enough to eat you can bring baby food packets or jars and juice boxes they just test the containers. But its a lot less expensive then buying juice and snacks in the airport. I believe this is something airports do not want you to know. Also there is no limit to the amount of baby food and drinks you can bring. Last time we flew. I brought on a pack of 10 apple juice boxes and 8 food pouches and 10 snack (cracker/fruit treat) packs. I bring so many because I snack on them myself. Also there is usually an equally unprepared mother sitting near me. If all I have to do is hand her a snack pack to make my life a little quieter I am ok with that.
Great tips! One thing I’ve learned that I would add–instead of dog bags you can use a “wet bag” (like what cloth diapering moms use.) When you get home you can throw the dirty clothes and wet bag all in the wash together–and you can use it over and over again!
Great tips, especially the first one. I’ve done lots of travelling with small kids. Just to add to your “dog bags” when packing extra outfits I created outfit packs in ziplock freezer bags. Full outfit including socks and diaper so you just had to grab a pack if there was a diaper blowout or you needed a quick change. ALWAYS kept one with me wherever we went just in case. Also great for the diaper bag! I definitely think use something that zips that way you always have it all on hand in case the diaper bag is tipped.
I also always pack a small blanket for each of my kids. The airplane ones suck and it really helps them sleep more comfortably with something familiar.
These are all great tips!! My son is 19 months and he just completed his 50th flight. I nursed him and wore the same outfit and brought an open cardigan for the chilly plane ride (it worked well to cover him feeding too). We have the BOB stroller and I traveled with it every flight, and checked it at the gate. That is one durable stroller! Checking it at the gate really freed up my hands in the airport since I traveled with a yoga bag & purse, my back couldn’t handle all that weight. I always called BOB my second husband for his helpfulness;)
To each their own on the car seat on board, but I did that twice and found our flights to be much easier without it. I personally do not feel that it is necessary, I never felt I was endangering him.
A great tip for when baby is on the go….I’ve never walked the aisle with him. I treat each flight like a car ride. I’ve seen so many kiddos happy to stretch then have HuGE meltdowns upon returning to their seat. Instead I let him stand on my lap, wave at the passengers behind us and bring new toys/books on each flight. Most of our flights were 3.5+ hours and I’ve never had an issue. We even took him to Europe for two months when he was 7 months old. I’ve traded toys with my sister instead of buying new ones each time. The iPad has come in very handy for learning apps & some of our favorite cartoons.
On board potty changes aren’t that great with the limited space but I’d take that opportunity to have him stretch on the changing table and make silly faces in the mirror.
I would encourage all Moms/families to travel as much as possible. I’m so thankful he’s seen so much and had an overwheilming amount of exposure to new things. It’s great for their development. And social skills.
Like anything in life, the more prepared you are the smoother it may go. My little guy loves to fly!
Good luck to you all. You can do it!!!
I love your comment on keeping them happy on your lap and using changing time as an opportunity to stretch.
I used your advice and found some of my own. thanks
http://pumpkinloves.blogspot.com/2014/10/traveling-with-baby-on-airplane.html
Our 9 month old just finished his sixth plane trip and he’s been such a champ on all but one leg (we made a mistake and risked flying in the afternoon – never again!). I agree with all of your tips. My additions would be that when LO was smaller, I had an inflatable nursing pillow that was a life saver, as my guy would nurse and then fall right asleep on it. (I like My Brest Friend and got an “open box” one on Amazon for $15). Also, I would try not to use a couple of his favorite toys for about a week before travel, then bring them out on the plane and then he was extra excited to play with them!
Great idea re: the toys! And I appreciate all the other feedback regarding travel tips. We are prepping for our first trip with our 6 month old and Im doing a little reading… very helpful!
Yay! SO happy you found the tips helpful! I need some tips for traveling with a 13 month old, ha!
Number 2. is so important! My little one is formula fed and make sure you don’t give the bottle until after the flight attendant has finished the demo, not when you pull away from the gate. You usually take off a few minutes after the demo is complete. You taxi for a bit before. I’ve done it too early and had a screaming baby, unable to get up!
Thanks for this advice! I’m about to fly with my two month old and wasn’t sure how to time this. Thanks 🙂
How did it go? I’m about to take my 2month old on Southwest Airlines trips and trying to be as prepared as possible. I’m planning on carrying her, no car seat. I’m bringing it but not using on plane ride.
How did your alls trips go?
I am about to take my 3 Month on a trip with Southwest for a work trip. Biggest thing is that her Grandma is meeting us and taking her to their house a few hours away while I stay for work. So I need to bring the milk i’ve been storing for the days she is gone with her grandma. Little worried about it all! Any advice for a breastfeeding momma will help!
Baby does not need car seat on plane. Buying an extra seat is just plain dumb. I flew with my seven month old and she stayed safely in my arms the whole time. All of your tips are great and thanks for sharing! 2 & 12 are a must!
Baby DOES need a seat on the plane. The most dangerous times on the plane are take off and landing. Of course there is turbulence in the air also. You are required to secure all loose items for take off and landing, why? Because of the higher chance of an accident they can become a projectile. God forbid something did happen, your 7 month old becomes a projectile. Or on the flip side, if you did.manage to keep hold on the baby in the horrible situation of a runway accident… you are essentially turning your child into YOUR airbag.
People say it’s too expensive to fly with baby in it’s own seat, but I just look at it as…. if you can’t afford a seat for baby, you can’t afford to fly.
Its good to have a seat if you can but outside the USA a lot of places don’t allow them. In Australia airlines have policies where they only allow a special seatbelt for the baby to wear that connects with yours.
Well that’s not entirely true. Yes in Australia you do get a seat belt to connect baby to you, but there is still the option to purchase an extra seat for baby to sit in, if in a pre-approved (checks/forms to submit to airline prior to travel) baby seat. … not that i agree with the stupid comment of “if you can’t afford a seat for baby, you can’t afford to fly”…
Thats not realistic! Really? “If you can’t afford a seat for your baby, than you can’t afford to fly” if someone needed to fly at the last minute with a child & was limited to funds where will their child go?! Or if they didn’t pay for their own ticket & a family member did than what? Keep the ridiculous comments to yourself.
I agree with another commenter that baby should be in a car seat on the plane! It’s more expensive but your child will be safe, my child ONLY sleeps in a car seat (aka he will cry in my arms the entire plane ride), and your car seat can be mishandled if checked, even at the gate. I also had issues babywearing at the airport. I wasn’t allowed to go through security while doing it! Traveling by air with a baby was the worst experience for me, but thanks for sharing these tips to maybe make it better for someone else!
One more thing… I wouldn’t suggest the Baby Bjorn carrier. It doesn’t support baby the right way and has been linked to hip dysplasia. Here’s more information: http://wellnessmama.com/12549/baby-hip-dysplasia/
Let the girl wear whatever carrier she wants..the baby is not living in the thing. Plus you do not need a carseat in an airplane…if the plane goes down…the plane goes DOWN!
Relax..breathe and love your child rather than worrying about everything that may happen to them!
AMEN! Totally agree
A big thumbs up to you, I agree.
Yes exactly! Relax people and take care of your baby the best way you can. I’m sure any carrier used more than a few hours a day can cause harm. And no, a car seat isn’t a must. When was the last time you heard of a baby getting hurt on a plane? Can’t recall can you…
Preach. #stopthemommywars
😀 i love this post! Thank you for the reality check. This page is so helpful for any mom traveling alone (I’ll be flying with my 9 week old this week :o). I’m so grateful for the tips AND the reminder to just love her and move along. It’s certainly overwhelming at times for a new mom with all of the “rules”.
Thank you for all of the wonderful ideas! This girl is a champion diaper-exploder, so thanks also for the tip to bring a change of clothes for myself. We have a 5.5 hr flight… eesh! I’ll definitely be asking (and praying) for an extra empty seat!
A friend have us the tip of changing our baby just before boarding so we wouldn’t need to do it in the air. This was great advice. Although on the return flight young sir did a poo and needed to be changed in the airplane toilet. Not so fun, but somethings are unavoidable.
I always bring an extra outfit just in case of crazy blowouts or spilled food or whatever your clothing emergency. Something that does not take up a lot of space like stretch pants and a loose comfy top. I also try and keep my baby awake as much as possible before the flight.
This is wonderful advice! We are taking our 7 month old on his first plane ride next week. These tips will be a huge help! Thanks for sharing
http://csftl.org/leaving-on-a-jet-plane-the-csftl-guide-to-safe-air-travel-with-children/
Checking/renting a carseat is dangerous. Also baby needs a seat on the plane. Check out the link to learn why.
Ummmm yeah, I have 4 kids and have traveled with all of them as babies/by myself/while pregnant… And everything this lady says is golden it already cost me two grand to fly home every year with my small little tribe there’s no way I’m buying a seat for my baby on the plane and upping the price even more when they’re 2 they can have a seat