Summer is the season of family adventures. Whether you’re heading to the beach, hiking in the mountains, or making your way across the country to visit family, flying with a baby requires extra planning. If your vacation includes a plane ride, you may be wondering how to prepare for flying with a baby in a way that feels manageable.
From understanding when you can fly with a baby to creating a calm environment mid-air, a little prep goes a long way. We’re here to support you with thoughtful tips, a helpful checklist for flying with a baby, and trusted essentials for the journey ahead.
1. Decide When to Fly
Before you book, you might ask: When can you fly with a baby? Airlines have different policies, but many allow infants as young as two weeks old to travel. However, some pediatricians recommend waiting until a baby is a bit older, especially during cold and flu season. It’s always best to check with your newborn’s doctor before making any travel arrangements.
Whenever you decide to travel, give yourself permission to go slow, plan ahead, and build in buffer time at every step of the journey. Every parent’s timeline is different, and there’s no right or wrong age — just what works for your family.
2. Book with Your Baby in Mind
Try to book flights around your baby’s natural sleep or feeding schedule. Early morning flights are often less crowded and may align with nap times, while red-eyes can work for longer stretches of sleep.
Tips for booking when flying with an infant:
- Look for non-stop flights to reduce layovers
- Request a bassinet for long-haul flights, if available
- Opt for a window seat if you’re flying with infant on lap for more privacy while feeding
3. Create a Checklist for Flying With a Baby
A pre-planned flying with baby checklist can help you feel more organized. While packing light is key, some essentials make a big difference — especially when juggling baby care in-flight.
Packing list for flying with a baby:
- Diapers and wipes (more than you think you need, just in case!)
- Diaper rash cream or spray
- Plastic bags for dirty diapers
- Formula, bottles, and feeding accessories
- Extra clothes for baby
- Blanket, swaddle, or lovey
- Teething toy or rattle
- Snacks or baby food (if they’ve started solids)
- Pacifier or bottle for takeoff and landing
- Hand sanitizer
- Baby carrier
You can tailor your packing list for flying with a baby based on the length of your trip, how long you’ll be in transit, and whether your baby is nursing, bottle-fed, or eating solids.
4. Understand TSA Restrictions
TSA has specific guidelines for flying with an infant, especially when it comes to food, formula, and gear. Here’s what you should know before you get to security:
- You’re allowed to bring baby formula, breast milk, juice, and baby food in quantities larger than 3.4 ounces. Inform the agent that you’re carrying these items so they can be screened separately.
- Wearing your baby through security is usually permitted, and many parents prefer a carrier to keep hands free.
- You’ll need to take your baby out of the stroller before going through security. Be prepared to carry your baby or place them in the carrier, and make sure you’re able to safely fold your stroller and place it on the belt (or ask for help if you can’t do it alone).
- If you’re flying with baby formula powder, you can pack it in its original container or portion it into formula dispensers for easy mixing. Just be sure to also pack sterilized bottles, and request water once past security.
- Make sure you understand which documents you’ll need for your baby ahead of time (like a boarding pass or baby’s passport, if traveling internationally).
5. Feed to Alleviate Ear Pressure
To ease ear discomfort during takeoff and landing, try to feed your baby as the plane ascends and descends. The sucking motion can help equalize pressure.
You can breastfeed, offer a bottle, or use a pacifier. If your baby eats solids, a small snack also works. This is helpful whether you’re flying with baby food, formula, or both.
6. Choose How Baby Will Travel
If you’ve purchased a seat for your baby, they can ride in an FAA-approved car seat. If not, you may be flying with an infant on your lap, which is permitted by most airlines (and sometimes free for children under two).
Your options:
- Flying with infant in lap (sometimes called a “lap infant”): Hold your baby during the flight; some airlines offer infant seatbelt extensions.
- Flying with infant car seat and base: If your baby has a ticketed seat, you can bring your car seat onboard.
For comfort, many parents bring a soft blanket or small nursing pillow to support their arms while holding their baby during a flight.
7. Create a Comfortable Place for In-Flight Sleep
Sleeping on a plane can be tricky for anyone — especially babies. You can help set the stage for rest by mimicking your baby’s normal routine.
Tips to encourage sleep when flying with a baby:
- Dress baby in familiar pajamas or soft layers
- Dim the surrounding light with a hat or muslin cloth
- Use a portable white noise machine or play white noise from an app
- Bring any familiar sleep cues (like a pacifier)
- Nurse or feed to sleep
Try to recreate parts of your bedtime routine to help signal that it’s time to rest.
8. Take Care of Yourself
Traveling with a baby means you’re constantly in motion, so don’t forget to take care of yourself, too. Stay hydrated, eat nourishing snacks, and ask for help if you need it. Most people are more understanding than you might think when they see a parent flying with a baby!
Tips for self-care while flying with a baby:
- Packing a small pouch with personal essentials (like a protein bar, herbal tea, and lip balm)
- Wash hands often while touching shared surfaces to avoid getting sick
- Make time to stop for a meal before or during the flight
- Wear comfortable clothing and shoes that are easy to walk in
- Bring a baby carrier to use when going to the restroom (especially if you’re traveling alone)
- Bring a book or headphones — if your baby falls asleep, you just might get some uninterrupted “me time”!
9. Go with the Flow
Even with the best-laid plans, flying with a baby can come with unexpected hiccups. If your baby cries or has a blowout mid-flight, most passengers will understand.
Give yourself grace, take deep breaths, and focus on your baby’s needs. These moments may feel overwhelming now, but they often become stories you’ll laugh about later.
