As a new mama, I have to say, the idea of flying with a baby was terrifying. And, oddly, I didn’t feel the kind of flight anxiety I expected. I wasn’t afraid she would cry. I didn’t worry about properly caring for her in tight quarters. I was completely overwhelmed with the sheer amount of STUFF babies need and use everyday, and with attempting to bring it all onto an airplane!

This represented a major change to my travel style. My partner and I have done a lot of traveling by air and, prior to our little one’s arrival, we were incredibly efficient packers. I’m certain we were the easiest passengers on any flight. We would show up at the airport with carry-on luggage only, and stroll over to our gate with little time to spare before boarding. I realized traveling with our girl would be a HUGE learning curve for us.

I knew I would have to prepare myself. I’d have to figure out how to become an efficient traveler as a parent. So, I read a lot of blogs! BUT, I ended up feeling discouraged that I couldn’t find a post describing how my day would actually go at the airport. Everyone shares the rules, verbatim. I wished someone would tell me how those rules would play out in the real world.

So, now that we have flown with our baby, I’m sharing this step by step guide. I hope it helps to ease your anxiety about flying with a baby.

Step 1: Preparing for your trip

Buying a ticket for baby

Airline tickets are expensive. Do you really need to buy a ticket for your little one? Well… technically, no. Babies fly for free seated on another ticketed passenger’s lap until age 2 on most airlines.

That said, the safest option is reserving a seat and using a car seat. This has been studied numerous times. In cases of severe turbulence or rough landings, your baby is safer strapped in a car seat.

Now, occasionally if a plane is not fully booked, a child may be given an available seat for free. This is not guaranteed, but is something to keep in mind if funds are tight.

The choice is up to you. In reality, I saw a mix of babies on laps and in car seats on our most recent trip.

Installing a car seat on an airplane

If you decide to purchase a ticket for your baby, you will want to be prepared to install your car seat. For installation tips specific to your brand and model, check the owner’s manual for your car seat (often available online).

Typically, you install an infant car seat without its base and situate the seat belt across the lap of your baby.

Baggage allowance for baby

On most airlines, babies flying without a ticket have no baggage allowance. However, their parent may be allowed an additional bag as a diaper bag.

Babies with a reserved seat are allowed the same number of bags as any other passenger, and the parent may also bring a diaper bag in addition to their carry-ons.

A single stroller and car seat can fly without additional charge and may be “gate checked” (read on for more details on gate checking items).

Step 2 : Check-in with a baby

Family Check-in

When you arrive at your airport and locate check-in for your airline, look for a family check-in line. In some airports, family check-in allows you to skip the line.

How to gate check strollers and car seats

As I mentioned above, one stroller and one car seat may be gate checked for your baby. This means you may use your stroller to carry baby around the airport, and this is honestly a godsend.

Inform the attendant at check-in that you have items to be gate checked. The attendant will give you tags to place on those items. You only need a tag if you are going to gate check the item (which means parting with the item at the gate and NOT using it during the flight). If you plan to take your car seat into the cabin for baby to use, you do not have to tag it.

Gate checking is an incredibly simple process. At the time of boarding, ask the attendant where they would like you to drop gate checked items. Often, this is in a designated spot on the ramp. When you arrive at your destination, the item will be returned to you as you depart the airplane.

Step 3: Getting through airport security with a baby

Airport security with a stroller

Sometimes pushing a stroller through security allows you to skip the line. If an airport attendant sees you struggling through the wickets, they may lead you past the ropes to another, shorter line. This is not guaranteed. On our recent trip to Orlando, we skipped the line at YUL, but not at MCO.

Whether or not you skip the line, when you reach security, you will need to have your stroller inspected. You will likely need to remove your baby from the stroller and an employee will inform you when to do this.

Another employee may take the stroller through to the other side of the metal detectors and scan it by hand. Then, they will ask you to carry baby through the metal detector.

Once they are finished, you can place baby back in the stroller and be on your way to grab your bags.

Allowances for baby “liquids”

Breastmilk, formula, and baby food are allowed in your carry-on luggage regardless of fluid volume. They do not need to meet the regulations for liquids that other products must meet.

That said, we had our little one’s bag searched when baby food was flagged by the x-ray. For this reason, I recommend you keep these items in an easily accessible spot, like a backpack, as opposed to a hard-sided bag.

Step 4: Inside the airport terminal

Breastfeeding at an airport

You may be wondering, how easy do airports in North America make it to breastfeed? Where can you feed your baby?

You are, of course, able to breastfeed anywhere you like in an airport. I have breastfed while waiting at the gate seated on the floor! If you prefer a little more privacy, look around for designated breastfeeding rooms (or even pods!), available at most airports.

Diaper changes at an airport

The breastfeeding rooms mentioned above sometimes have change stations, or, in some instances, you may need to look for a family change room (often located just outside of washrooms).

Most women’s washrooms in North America have a pull-down change station. Men’s rooms do not. I’d LOVE to see this change in the future. Come on world, get with it! Men change diapers too!!!

Entertaining baby during a layover

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to always be able to reach your destination without a layover? Unfortunately, since that’s not always possible, it’s important to prepare for entertaining your little one while they wait.

We found it was easy to entertain baby with snacks, breastfeeds and changes and the time flew by for us. That said, in case boredom sets in, you may want to have a few toys and activities on hand.

Step 5: Time for boarding

On most flights, families of children under 6 years of age are offered early boarding. Whether or not you wish to take this offer is entirely up to you.

Some parents prefer to board early and use the extra time to get their little one seated and comfortable, while others prefer to reduce the time stuck on the plane before takeoff and, therefore, wait to board until the last minute.

Step 6: Tips for issues during flight

Boredom

A common hack for boredom is bringing a few toys that baby has never seen before. In theory, these toys will keep baby’s attention better than the toys they know. I’m not sure if this is true for very little ones who have a very short attention span and limited memory. In general, I do recommend bringing some toys for distraction purposes.

I’m absolutely not above bringing a tablet or phone preloaded with content baby may find interesting. If baby has a meltdown, this is a great secret weapon to have in your back pocket. We do what we have to do as parents!

Diaper blow outs

Cleanup in tight quarters is a pain, but it can be done. Prepare as though you are expecting a blowout and pack extra clothes, diapers and wipes, so that changing baby on the plane is less stressful.

I also recommend bringing antibacterial wipes as airplane bathrooms are anything but sanitary. You may find yourself doing a bit of cleanup BEFORE changing baby.

Comfort

Dress baby in layers and bring a blanket. This is a great comfort measure, but also may be necessary to keep baby warm. Airplane temperatures are anything but predictable.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is leagues easier on a flight if you have purchased a seat for baby, because of the additional space. We all know the airline industry isn’t afraid to pack you into the tightest space possible, and they certainly aren’t considering you feeding an infant when they design those seats!

Pressure in baby’s ears

There are several strategies you can take to prevent pain in your baby’s ears from pressure equalization. You may be able to give baby a bottle or breastfeed on takeoff and landing, though we found feeding was discouraged at this time on our flights and were asked to keep our baby either strapped in or held upright in burping position.

Other options include; giving sips of water, snacks (if baby is on solids) or teething toys. Anything that encourages baby to chew and swallow may be helpful for clearing the ears.

Step 7: Disembarking the airplane

We prefer to wait to leave the plane until most other passengers have already disembarked. This just allows us time to get our things together. Flight attendants will likely help if you require an extra set of hands to get your things together.

If you gate check any items, wait just outside the plane on the jetway for those items to be delivered. If you have waited to disembark last, your items may already be waiting for you.

I hope this guide gives you the confidence to fly with your baby! If you have any questions, please leave them below.

Safe travels!

Hill XO

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