Tips for Air Travel with a Baby

Traveling with an infant can be a daunting adventure. Being organized and educated about guidelines can help make air travel with an infant easy and stress-free.

While booking your ticket, ask what your airline's guidelines are regarding infant travel. Most times children under age 2 are considered lap babies, and you do not have to purchase an additional seat for them, as long as you can keep them in you lap throughout the flight. Some airlines require that the child be in a carseat (but some airlines have carseats available).

It is important to carefully pack your carry-on bag. Make sure to bring enough diapers (then add a couple for good measure, because you may get stuck somewhere) and wipes, and a plastic bag for the soiled ones. Having been trapped in an airplane with a baby that had her second diaper blowout of the day at 35,000 feet, I recommend that you pack two changes of clothes as well as an extra shirt for yourself. An extra receiving blanket or two will give you somewhere to put baby during an impromptu diaper change. Of course a favorite toy or blanket to give them comfort is important.

Because babies cannot change the pressure in their ears as the cabin pressurizes, you may want to bring a pacifier or feed your infant during takeoff and landing to encourage them to swallow. If your baby is formula-fed, bring enough formula and bottles for the trip, and then add a couple more. If your baby is breast-fed you can breastfeed your baby upon takeoff and landing. If this is not practical or desirable, you can bottle-feed your baby expressed breastmilk. Breastmilk can stand at room temperature for up to 10 hours, so it can be expressed at home and used on the trip. TSA regulations allow for breastmilk volumes greater than three ounces to be carried onto the plane, as long as the baby is there with you and you keep the breastmilk separate from all the other items going through screening. You will not be asked to taste your milk.

I recommend that you not check your baby's stroller, and use it to get around in the airport. It can be checked at the gate, and it will be waiting for you outside the door of the plane when you arrive at your destination. Having a stroller is somewhat cumbersome when going through airport screening, as you have to place it on the conveyor belt. However, it is my experience that people are very helpful will offer to help you fold the stroller or set it back up on the other side of security, and having it while going from gate to gate is useful.

Make sure to accept any help anyone offers. Whether it be holding an elevator, putting your bag on a security conveyor, or letting you have a particular seat any help you can get will help ease your burden. Take advantage of early boarding calls. This will give you the chance to get situated without having to climb over anyone or worry about not having space in the overhead compartment.

Traveling with an infant can be very stressful, so it is important to remain calm and not get frustrated. Being organized and having these tips in hand will help make traveling with your infant a stress-free experience.