Traveling with a baby is challenging, whether it is an infant, toddler, or any child under two. It requires some preparations to ensure that your baby is safe and in their comfort zone during and after the flight. Please note, that you may not be prepared perfectly for the flight, but you should be prepared as much as possible in the security line, at the gate, onboard, and arriving at your destination.

Let’s discuss some questions and simple tips that are essential for your flight preparations.

How old should the baby be to fly?

There is no official age that experts say it’s okay for your baby to fly. However, several pediatrics academies discourage newborns from flying soon after birth. This is because air travel can increase a baby’s risk of catching an infectious disease. Especially, this can be true for babies with lung or heart problems, as changes in cabin pressure can make it hard for them to breathe.

Nevertheless, if you need to fly shortly after birth, make sure that your airline does not have age restrictions for newborns. There are some airlines that ban passengers of less than 2 weeks to fly. At the same time, there are also airlines that accept passengers, who are as young as 2 days old.

On the other hand, after checking out your airline’s restrictions, talk with your baby’s pediatrician before flying. That is, depending on when or where you are flying to, the pediatrician may recommend giving your baby an extra dose of a certain immunization.

What to pack?

Now, that you have talked with your baby’s pediatrician and got approved by your airline, it’s time to think about what you should pack. You’ll need certain documents and key items. These key items include:

• A ticket, in some cases - Most airlines don’t require buying a ticket for your baby who is under 2 years for domestic flights. But in this case, the baby should sit on your lap, and you should still pay the taxes and fees. It is also worth noting that if your airline does not require buying a separate ticket for a baby, you should notify them that you are bringing a baby with you. However, in case you buy a separate ticket for a baby, the baby will seat in the car seat. As for children aged 2 and up, they’ll always need a ticket.
• Birth certificate - Some airlines require proof of age for babies or children under 18 years. Make sure to check out the need for a birth certificate, or can take it along with you just to be safer.
• A letter of consent to travel - if a baby travels with one parent, the other parent must authorize the note. In addition, when a baby flies with none of the parents, both parents must authorize the permission.
• A face mask for toddlers 2 and up - In these days of Covid-19 having a mask is a must, even for babies aged 2 and up. They must wear the mask throughout the whole flight.
• Diaper bag - enough wipes, diapers, and formula/breast milk/food to get you through the flight, and an hours-long delay, minimum are must. Make sure you also have basics like hand sanitizer, scented diaper trash bags, a pacifier clip, and a baby toy in a small size.

Is there a baggage allowance for infants?

Further, check out the baggage allowances and ways to maximize them. Perhaps, all airlines allow at least car seats or strollers. Moreover, the majority allows both for free. Lots of airlines provide an infant baggage allowance too, some for both cabin and hold baggage. So, if you think you’’ carry a lot of stuff when flying with a baby look at what each airline provides. In some airlines, such as Finnair notes that infants have no carry-on allowance but can have one piece of checked baggage when traveling with the Classic or Flex ticket type. However, regardless of travel class, checked baggage for infants must have a maximum weight of 23kg (50lb). In addition, a child with her or his own seat has the same basic baggage allowance as an adult traveling in the same travel class. This applies to both carry-on baggage and checked baggage. 

Tips for flying with baby-toddler

1. Choose flight times that match your baby’s sleep pattern

If possible, try to choose a departure time, which is relatively close to your baby’s sleep hours. To clarify, plan the flight in the middle of the day when your baby typically naps, or a flight later in the evening so that it coincides with their bedtime. On the other hand, consider matching the baby feeding time with your take-off. We know that it is not always possible. But if there is a little chance, hold off feeding your baby until takeoff or landing. You can give them a bottle or breastfeed.

2. Pick an aisle seat

As we know basic economy seats are the cheapest. But the problem is on some airlines you cannot choose where to seat. So, it can become a major problem when flying with a baby. In these cases, the airlines assign your seats during check-ins, and it can be an aisle seat, middle seat, or window seat. If you are flying with a baby, consider booking a fare that allows advanced seat selection. This way, at least you have the option of picking a seat that lets you get up and down more freely.

3. Rent baby equipment at your destination

Did you know that you can rate some baby equipment at your destination? You don’t have to worry about carrying these items to the airport and paying extra fees. There are organizations that provide baby equipment such as high chairs, cribs, playpens, and bassinets. Moreover, they deliver equipment to your hotel, resort, or relative’s house, or anywhere you’d like to.

4. Bring double the baby necessities

Bring twice as much formula, diapers, bottles, baby food, and snacks on the plane as you think you will need. If your plane becomes severely delayed or canceled, you will definitely need it. The last thing you want to deal with is a hungry, thirsty, dirty-diapered baby when stuck on the tarmac, circling above a storm, or bedding down in a hotel room for an unexpected overnight.

5. Book a direct flight or one with a longer layover

Try to book a non-stop flight if possible. You might pay more for these flights, but the upside is that you’ll only go through the boarding process once, and you only have to deal with one flight. It is also worth mentioning that landing is typically what causes pressure on those little ears. It also causes pain that makes babies cry and scream on airplanes.

However, if you must book a flight with a transit, schedule extra time on the ground between flights. Consider two or three hours, which is probably ideal, unless your flight is delayed a little bit. This way, you won’t need to run through the airport with a baby, and all that staff including a diaper bag, car seat, and other travel items. On the contrary, you can use this time to buy some non-airplane food, make your baby ready for the upcoming flight. And what’s most important for toddlers, you can let them free for a while to burn off energy.

6. Gate check baby gear

At no additional charge, most airlines allow parents and caregivers to gate-check bulky baby gear like strollers and car seats. Simply request gate check tags from the attendant at your airline’s gate. Attach one tag to each item and deposit it at the bottom of the jetway. Be sure to fold strollers before boarding. Gate checked items will typically be waiting for you in the same spot at your destination when you disembark. Sometimes, though, they must be retrieved from baggage claim. Check with your airline before your flight regarding their gate-check policy.

Bottom line

Traveling with a baby toddler is always challenging. It requires being more attentive and thinking about every situation in advance. Please note to make sure that you have checked all the requirements and the traveling policy of your airline. Also make sure you know what not to do on a plane. In this case, you’ll minimize the risk of extreme situations. However, we hope that this article will alleviate your anxiety, and make the traveling experience a little bit enjoyable.