Tips For Traveling With A Baby On A Flight

Here are all my tips for traveling with a baby from 4 months to 1 years old on a flight. It’s all the stuff I wish someone would have told me, but I know some things you can only learn with experience.

1. Make sure to call your airline and reserve the bassinet seat as early as possible. It’s not always guaranteed.  

Most planes have limited bassinets (anywhere from two to four), so it’s essential to specifically request for the bassinet when booking flights. Then, call the airline and confirm that the bassinet row is in fact booked for each leg of your flight as soon as possible.

2. A bassinet can only be used for sleeping or laying your baby down after the flight has taken off.

I definitely assumed that once I was on board the plane, I could place my baby in the bassinet safely and relax — not the case. Flight attendants will only prepare the bassinet after the flight has taken off and there’s no turbulence. They will also remind you the bassinet is only for when the baby is in a sleeping position. You are not supposed to leave your baby in there to sit because there is a risk of falling.

3. Keep a copy of baby’s birth certificate (and letter of consent from your partner) with you

For international travel, different countries have different rules and regulations with regards to traveling with a baby. Do check what the immigration rules are for the location of departure and the final destination. To be on the safe side, keep a copy of your baby’s birth certificate, in case it’s required as additional documentation while traveling. If you’re traveling alone with a baby, then it’s always a good idea to have a letter of consent from your partner.

4. Discuss your travel plans with your baby’s doctor as early as possible and make sure all vaccinations are up to date

About two months before my son’s first flight, I told my doctor about my travel plans, so that I could get his advice and be sure all the necessary vaccinations were done. I can’t tell you how much comfort and confidence it gave me to have my son’s pediatrician’s “approval” and guidance.

5. Prepare a small first-aid kit to keep in the flight

This is an extension of the previous tip. After speaking to your doctor about your travel plans, get some advice about what to include in a small first-aid kit to keep in your carry-on luggage. In general, it’s good to keep Baby Ibuprofen/Tylenol, Baby Vicks and saline solution / nasal spray.

6. Pack a blanket in your carry-on luggage

Travel is unpredictable. A blanket can help in so many different ways. If you need to change a diaper very quickly during a layover and need somewhere soft to lay baby down. It can also work as a makeshift playmat at the airport.

7. Pumped breastmilk and bottles filled with water for your baby are allowed in your carry-on luggage and do not need to follow rules for the liquids.

I think a lot of new moms freak out and genuinely wonder how to travel with pumped breastmilk / formula because of the rules for bringing liquids on flights. But you don’t have to worry about that. You can take as much milk / water / formula that you need for your baby in your carry-on baggage. In some airports at security check, you might be required you to just open a bottle or two for safety checks. It’s not a big deal and security check staff are mostly pretty nice, if not apologetic, about having to do it. Just to be on the safe side: always check the specific rules for security check of bottles and milk for your airline and airports.

Related:

Beach Trip Packing List For Babies And Toddlers

How To Manage Breastmilk And Meals When Traveling With A Baby Or Toddler

8. Get an insulated cooler bag and small ice packs to easily carry pumped breastmilk on the plane 

I think the biggest and most stressful worry is how to travel with pumped breastmilk, but it’s not as “hard” as you may think. Use an insulated cooler bag (you can find lots on Shopee and Lazada) with ice packs lined along the bottoms and sides to carry frozen pumped breastmilk in storage bags. Breastmilk tends to stay fresh with ice packs in a cooler bag for up to 24 hours.

9. Carry a nursing cover — it can double up as a cover for the bassinet to keep light out 

If you’re breastfeeding, then keep a nursing cover with you to easily feed baby at your seat. It can double up as a cover for the bassinet to keep light out when your baby is sleeping in it.

10. Don’t worry too much about the ear pain during take-off and landing — some babies never experience it 

I think the whole ear pain theory on take-off and landing is a bit overhyped. Some babies, like mine, experience little to no discomfort, so it’s not something you need to be overly stressed about. Just be let your baby suck on a bottle or pacifier or let them breastfeed during take-off and landing, so they feel comforted.

11. Pack a few familiar toys and rattles 

You don’t need to go crazy packing toys for newborns up to 6 months old babies. The chances are they’ll be sleeping most of the flight anyways. Just keep a few familiar toys and rattles to distract and you should be fine. If you have a baby 6 months and older, then keep some small snacks and simple toys and books.

12. Use a stroller in the airport until you reach the airplane, but use a baby carrier on the flight

I found traveling with a baby carrier to be really helpful when my son was small. When my son got too fussy I let him fall asleep in the carrier and then I sat down with him strapped to me and this way we both actually got some undisturbed sleep.

13. Dress baby in layers — temperatures on planes are unpredictable

Dressing in layers is key because airports and planes can get too hot or cold. I dressed my baby son in a long sleeved shirt with a vest under and leggings with socks on his feet so I could easily take off layers if it got too hot. I kept an extra hoodie in case it got too cold.

14. Keep an extra change of clothes for baby and yourself

You never know what’s going to happen while traveling with a baby. Spit up, food mess, poop explosions. Anything can happen. Keep extra clothes for yourself and your baby. Babies can run through clothes while traveling faster than you think.

15. Keep extra plastic bags to store dirty diapers and clothes 

Just in case, your baby has a major spit up or diaper accident, it’s always good to keep some extra plastic bags stashed somewhere easily accessible dirty diapers or clothes. You might not have time to get to the bathroom or it might be occupied to change baby, so keeping some extra plastic bags will save you time and stress in a tense situation.

16. Bring more diapers and milk/formula than necessary

You want to be extra prepared for any emergency or unexpected delays while traveling with a baby, so bring more diapers and milk/formula than you think you need just in case.

17. Ask for hot water and milk bottles to be heated well in advance in case it’s too hot

On my first flight I made the honest mistake of asking the flight attendant for a bottle of milk to be heated a few minutes before my son was due for a feed and it was simply too hot. Asking a hungry baby to wait almost 15-20 minutes while his bottle cools down is not a pleasant situation, so be sure to plan ahead ask for hot water for formula or bottles to be heated well in advance of your baby’s feed times.

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No matter how stressful you think it might be to travel with such a young baby, just remember this is actually one of the easiest ages to travel with a baby because hopefully for the most part of your journey they will be asleep. I hope this list of tips and advice is helpful and I wish you a positive and memorable first flight with your little one 🙂

If you have any tips and advice I might have missed, please do share in the comments below.