Baby on Flight: Top Tips for flying with a baby

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Becoming parents is a joyful experience for every couple. Now if you are planning to travel, you will not be leaving your baby behind. Yet, flying with a baby for the first time can be an intimidating experience. You will want to make sure that they are as comfortable as possible on the aircraft. Here are the best flying tips with a baby to make flying a better experience for both you and the infant. These air travel tips for infants will make sure you are better prepared.

Wondering what you can you do and what you can’t once you are onboard? I have put down all the valuable air travel tips for babies. These will guide you on booking flights, taking care of your baby at the airport, how to handle them on the flight, the assistance you can expect from the steward, and the care you need to take while getting on and off the aircraft. Plus all the essential gear and baby items that will make flying easier.

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When can a baby travel by plane?

There is no legal requirement so each airline will stipulate their own rules. It’s best to wait until your baby is at least 4 weeks old before taking a flight. But if you really need to travel shortly after birth, then experts recommend waiting for between 7 to 14 days before flying with a healthy baby who was born full term. However, it’s best to have a word with your baby’s paediatrician before making your flight booking.

First international trip with my 3-month baby.

My baby’s paediatrician had suggested that 3 -12 months is the easiest time to travel with an infant. Basis this advice, we took our 3-month daughter for her first international trip to a beach holiday in Maldives. As now with some experience, I can say that flying with toddlers is 3x harder than flying with a baby!

The Best Tips for flying with a baby

First of all, you need to keep your worries aside. We have taken our child to long-haul and short flights ever since she was 3 month old. You just need a whole lot of baby items to carry. And amongst all air travel tips for infants, my best one is to have a (slightly) thick skin for any stares and a sense of humour!

Purchasing flight tickets for a baby

Most airlines will not charge you if your child is under 24 months of age, as long as they rest on your lap. In most cases, you can request a seat at the front of the cabin, so you can rest your child’s pram there.

Babies do not fly for free internationally on any airline even if they are lap infants. Be prepared for most flights with under 2’s to cost 10% of an adult fare + applicable taxes. 1 stroller + 1 car seat or booster seat can be carried free of charge.

Though you don’t need to book a seat for the baby, you do need to let the airline know you’ll be traveling with a lap infant. You can inform some airlines on their website when you’re booking online, while for others, you can call and let the airline staff know.

One of the tips for flying with a baby is that you can take your baby as a lap infant or book a separate seat.

Do note that you CAN book a seat for an infant. Fares are usually around 60-75% of an adult fare. Always ask the airlines if there are any special discounts for children of their age. In this case you can bring your carrycot or car seat and tie it up to the seat, so the baby and you fly more comfortably. A car seat is also the safest way for a baby to travel in an airplane, especially in case of a turbulence.

What to carry in your diaper bag for the flight

Say goodbye to travelling light with an infant! You do need to carry a lot for a baby on flight to be comfortable. Firstly, what type of carry-on diaper bag should you carry on a flight? It can be a shoulder bag, but a backpack style diaper bag allows you to wear the baby on the front, keep the backpack on your back, and be hands-free for other airport tasks. Invest in a good diaper bag for travel.

Always carry extra

Make sure you have plenty of diapers and wet wipes in your carry-on bag. Always bring extra in case of delayed flights. You also need to bring some sleeping gear for the baby, a light blanket and a pacifier. Carrying essential medication for the baby in the diaper bag is an important tip for flying with a baby.

Baby food

You can take all the baby food that will be required with you onboard. Formula, breast milk and juice for infants or toddlers are permitted in reasonable quantities through the security checkpoint. If the baby is old enough to drink water, make sure to bring an empty water bottle for them.

However, you will not be able to prepare the food or warm the milk bottles onboard, so carry a thermos and containers to keep the prepared baby food fresh. Be aware that most airlines will not chill baby food for you. One useful tip for traveling with baby is to take some Ziploc bags and ask for ice after security at any airport restaurant.

air travel tips for infants includes carrying a lot of baby gear on a flight.

Clothes and toys

Dress you and baby in comfortable and easily removable layers. Always have an extra set of clothes in your carry-on for the baby. And a wet bag for soiled clothes.

Entertaining your child on a flight is part of figuring plane travel with a baby, so carry some small toys as well. Read this for a complete checklist for travelling with a baby in your checked in baggage.

You need to carry an ID for your baby. Even if you fly with a baby domestically, you could be asked to show age proof for the baby. Though this has never happened to me. A copy of the birth certificate or the actual birth certificate, or a passport will work.

Flying tips with a baby: Airport time, baby gear, boarding

Plan to leave home with extra time for the airport, especially for security and the x-ray machine. An extra 30 minutes is ideal if flying with infants or young children. Most airports have lounges, where you can rest with your baby, if needed. Some airports offer lounges just for nursing mothers to feed their little ones and have enough space to clean them and change their diapers, if this is required.

Useful Baby Gear at the airport

Taking a baby carrier / sling keeps the baby comfortable and your hands free. So investing in light weight and ergonomic baby carrier is a good tip for travelling by plane with a baby.

A lightweight foldable stroller would keep your baby and you happy on the trip. A stroller is really useful at the airport even if you are using a baby carrier. If you’re wearing the baby, you can use the stroller to carry your handbag and the diaper bag.

For baby travel by plane, stroller comes quite handy at the airport.

Children’s strollers and child car seats / booster seats are not counted as part of the standard baggage and therefore can be easily checked for free. For your convenience, these items may be checked at the ticket counter or at the gate.

To gate check a stroller and car seat, you need to go up to the ticketing agent at your gate and let them know. They will print a gate check ticket for you. This way, the baby gear will be waiting for you when you get off the plane.

Family lines for check-in, boarding

Look out for a family line at the airport check-in and/or security or ask if there is one. Check for soft play facilities at the airport for your young child to have some fun time. It is useful if the young kids let some steam off before boarding a flight.

Most airlines have family boarding after the first and business class groups board, so listen for that announcement. Boarding early will help you organise your stuff easily. If your child is feeling antsy, you may feel otherwise to keep the time in the aircraft as short as possible.

Tips for managing a baby onboard a flight

So what are the top air travel tips for infants mid-air?

Never hesitate to ask for help on a flight. This is imperative if you are travelling as a single parent. There will be stewards/ air hostesses to assist you. They are experienced in having dealt with other parents flying with babies. You can also ask a flight attendant to watch your baby while you use the restroom if you feel comfortable doing so.

All airlines respect breastfeeding. I carried a cover and was comfortable to breastfeed my baby during take-off and landing to relieve ear pressure. But at times, it may not possible to time this exactly. Alternatively, a pacifier or chewing snack is helpful. I remember a short domestic flight where nothing helped the ear pain during landing and my daughter was wailing using her full lung capacity. All I could do was soothe her and not get frazzled.

One of the important flying tips with baby is to feed during take-off and landing to relieve ear pressure.

If you need to change your baby mid-flight, there are options available. All (or majority of) airlines have restrooms on board with changing tables for families. When you first board the plane, ask the flight attendants which restroom has a changing table.

You need to have a plan to get your baby to sleep comfortably on a long-haul flight. Some tips include sticking to their sleep schedule, giving sleep inducing food, avoiding distractions and making baby feel cosy.

At time, if the baby is extra-wriggly, you may get up to walk down the aisle for a bit, provided the food service is not in the way. You do need to get some of your baby’s favourite toys to keep them entertained.

When de-boarding, the flight attendant may help you in getting ready to deplane and with your stuff.

Tips when flying with a baby internationally

International flights are very different from domestic ones, as the international airports are mostly crowded. You will need to make sure your baby doesn’t catch any infection.

Also, for any international travel, a passport will be required for every individual including the infants. You need to pack all possible items for the baby that may not be available at the destination or will require significant effort to procure. Lots of airlines provide an infant baggage allowance, so your carrying extra stuff for the baby may be easier than you think.

travelling by plane with a baby need not be stressful.

For long-haul flights, consider getting a separate getting your baby their own seat. Both of you would be far more comfortable. Or check if the bassinet is available for your baby to sleep in.

Final thoughts on air travel tips with infants

Flying with infants doesn’t have to be as difficult as it may seem. Your flight will be a success if you plan well and use some recommended tips to make travel simpler. The good part is that everyone in the travel business and at times, even fellow passengers are ready to help you. Just don’t get harried if everything doesn’t go as planned. You are hardly the first parent to fly with a baby and certainly won’t be the last!