Newborn traveling by plane

Flying with Baby: Parent FAQs

By: Claire McCarthy, MD, FAAP

Taking a baby on a plane is something that most parents approach with trepidation—with good reason. 

Babies and air travel can both be unpredictable, and they don't always mix well. But some advanced planning and preparation can help make for a better experience for your baby, for you, and for everyone else on the plane.

When is my baby old enough to fly on an airplane?

Generally, it is discouraged for babies to fly unnecessarily shortly after birth. Air travel increases a newborn's risk of catching an infectious disease. Babies born prematurely, with chronic heart or lung problems, or with upper or lower respiratory symptoms may also have problems with the change in oxygen level within the air cabin. Parents should talk with their child's pediatrician before flying.

If there is a measles outbreak in your area, or you plan on traveling somewhere where there is a measles outbreak, your pediatrician may recommend your baby receive an extra dose of the MMR vaccine. This may be given as early as 6 months of age. Learn more here.

​Does my baby need a passport for international travel?

Yes. All U.S. citizens, including infants, need a current passport to travel internationally. Parents or guardians need to apply with their baby in person using the form DS-11. Be sure to bring your baby's birth certificate and a photo taken within the last 6 months. Passport photos must be taken with nobody else in the photo, which can be tricky with infants. To do this safely if your baby can't sit up yet, the U.S. Department of State recommends laying your baby on her back on a white blanket or sheet to ensure head support without having to hold her. Another option is covering a car seat with a plain white sheet and taking a picture of your child while she sits in it.

Should my baby sit on my lap during the flight?

Ideally, no. The FAA doesn't require a ticket for children under the age of 2 years, but that means your baby will be on your lap. If there is turbulence, or worse, you may not be able to protect your baby in your arms. If you do not buy a ticket for your child, ask if your airline will allow you to use an empty seat. If your airline's policy allows this, avoid the busiest days and times to increase the likelihood of finding an empty seat next to you.

Should I bring our car seat on the plane with us? Does that count as luggage?

Car seats, booster seats, and strollers generally don't count as luggage, but policies vary by airline; check with yours before flying. In most cases they can be checked at the gate, where the risk of damage is lower, at no cost. If your baby has his or her own airplane seat, bring your car seat with you.

Which seat on the plane is best for a baby?

• Look for rows on the plane with more space, like the bulkhead. Exit rows are out, for safety reasons.

• Choose a seat closer to the window, if possible. Aisle seats can be risky for babies during beverage service. Hot drinks being passed to passengers can spill and cause burns, and their little arms and legs can be caught by passing carts. Aisle seats are also closer to falling overhead bin items.

Is there a way my baby can lie down flat on long flights?

Buckling your baby into a car seat or safety restraint remains the safest option. However, there are other options available to help baby sleep comfortably, especially on long-haul flights.

• Airline bassinets. Some airlines offer airline bassinets attached to the airplane bulkhead wall―the wall behind the galley, or toilets or another cabin. In some premium cabins, they can be built into the seat compartment.to use in bulkhead rows. Most airline bassinets require the baby to be under 6 months old and/or 20 pounds, and not yet able to sit up unassisted. These bassinets are sometimes referred to as "skycots," baskets, and cots. Check with your airline when booking.

• Sleeper seat. For an added fee, some international airlines let you book three seats in a row with locking seat extensions, creating a "sky couch" or sleeper-seat big enough for both parent and child.

• Inflatable seat extensions. Some airlines let you bring your own inflatable, individual seat extension for your baby to snooze on lying down. These are fairly new products, and not all airlines permit them to be used, so check ahead of time. Your child will need his or her own seat to use one.

Note: For all options above, your baby would still need to be buckled into a car seat or held on your lap during takeoff, turbulence, and landing.

Will I be able to get liquid formula or expressed breast milk through security?

Yes, but you have to follow the reasonable quantities rules. This means you're exempt from the 3-1-1 rule limiting liquids to 3.4 ounces.

Pack formula, expressed breastmilk, or water for mixing with powder separately and be ready to let the TSA know you have it. You may ask that they not go through the x-ray machine (although this shouldn't cause a health problem). Visit the TSA website for more information. 

Any tips for keeping my baby comfortable and content on the plane?

• Dress in layers. The temperature in a plane can vary widely, especially if you are stuck waiting on a runway, so layers of clothing are best. As you pick out clothing, choose outfits that make diaper changing in a small space easier. Also, pack a change of clothes or two, in case turbulence hits during a diaper change or when you are feeding. Bring plastic bags for soiled clothing.

• Be ready for ear pain. During the climb after takeoff and descent before landing, changes in pressure between the outer ear and middle ear can cause discomfort. If your baby has had ear surgery or an ear infection in the past two weeks, ask his or her doctor if it's OK to fly. Having babies drink from the breast or a bottle, or suck on a pacifier, can help. If your child has a cold or ear infection, a dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help; check with your doctor for the right amount to give your child.

• Keep in mind that sleeping babies are easier for everyone. If possible, travel at a time when your baby naturally sleeps, or consider trying to put off a nap until it's time to fly. Flight delays can cause this to backfire if your exhausted baby decides to scream instead of sleep. But it may be worth a try.
  

• Consider a diaper change right before boarding. A dry baby is a happy baby. Fortunately, when you do need to change a diaper in-flight, many planes have restroom changing tables. If yours doesn't, ask a flight attendant if there is a spot on the floor where you can spread out your changing pad. Some parents resort to diaper-changing on the closed toilet seat. If you try this, be sure to have a hand on your baby at all times and pack a disposable changing pad. Plan for delays; pack plenty of supplies.

• Bring distractions. Pack some toys and books and be ready to play with your baby the entire time. A tablet with videos can be a good backup if the toys and books aren't helping anymore (we don't encourage entertainment media for children under the age of 2, but desperate times can sometimes call for desperate measures).

• Don't let the glares get to you. Despite the best advanced planning and efforts, babies cry sometimes. Know that you did, and are doing, all you can. At that point, one of the best ways you can calm your baby may be to stay calm yourself. And remember that for every person who is glaring at you, there are plenty of people who have been through it themselves and have lots of sympathy.

• Ask for help. Arrange for your airline to help you if you need help making a connecting flight. Carrying a child safety restraint, your baby, and luggage through a busy airport can be challenging.
  

Additional Information:

• Travel Safety Tips

• Holiday Travel Tips

• Precautions for International Travel: Information for Parents

 

• FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions about Flying with Children (FAA.gov)

   

• Destination-Specific Vaccine Recommendations for Travelers—Including Travelers with Children (CDC.gov)

About Dr. McCarthy:

Claire McCarthy, MD, FAAP is a primary care pediatrician at Boston Children's Hospital, an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, a senior editor for Harvard Health Publications, and an official spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. She writes about health and parenting for the Harvard Health Blog, Huffington Post, and many other online and print publications.  

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

When Are Babies Old Enough to Fly on Planes? (Rules for Flying with Baby)

How old should my infant be before I take him on an airplane? I am due in November and would like to visit family for the holidays.

Assuming that both mother and baby are healthy, you can travel when your infant is two weeks of age. In some cases, you can fly even sooner than that, but I would recommend holding off if it's not absolutely necessary.

When you have a newborn and have the itch to travel, you may be wondering when the right time is to bring them on board. There can be all types of concerns from feedings to exposing babies to potential illnesses. Parents these days have even more concerns about air travel with babies since the coronavirus began.

We're going to take a look at some common concerns many new parents have when deciding when their newborn should become a first-time flier as well as some helpful travel tips.

Rules for Traveling with Newborns on Planes

The TSA does not have a standard rule for when newborns can fly on planes. While it is under the parent's discretion, airline policies vary for how old babies have to be. Many require babies to be at least one week old unless there is a note from the pediatrician. Many pediatricians will not recommend air travel for babies until they are 3-6 months old.

Babies are allowed to sit on a parent's lap and do not require their own airplane seat under two years of age. Some airline policies do charge a fee for international travel even when a seat is not purchased for a baby. It's best to check with your carrier for specific rules.

Some parents choose to buy their baby their own seat, especially for long flights. This allows for the baby to be in an FAA-approved car seat or airplane harness device installed with the airplane's seat belt. Booster seats cannot be used on airplanes.

For international flights, plan on having a passport for your infant. The TSA does not require identification for children under two for domestic flights. But it is a good idea to bring your baby's birth certificate just in case there are any questions about age or identification.

Illness and Air Travel with Babies

First, you are exposing the baby to possible infections on a crowded airplane. Colds and the flu are transmitted easily in a closed airplane cabin with recirculated air, and those viruses are much more dangerous to a baby at a week or two of age than one who is four or six months old.

Breastfeeding transfers many protective antibodies to a baby, however, and may help make her less susceptible to infections.

If your baby is showing any signs of illness, you should avoid any air travel until their immune system gets stronger. You'll also want to make sure your baby is up to date on their vaccinations before traveling internationally. You can check the requirements and ask your pediatricians.

COVID-19 and Flying with Your Baby

With the introduction of vaccines for COVID-19, family travel is making a comeback for many, even those with newborns. But some parents are still concerned about whether it's safe to fly with a new baby.

The decision is going to depend on your comfort level. As of this writing, COVID vaccines for babies have not been approved which makes some parents afraid to travel with a new baby.

If you must fly with a baby, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends looking for direct flights that will limit the need to walk through busy airports and change planes. Also, look for destinations that have a shorter flight. You'll also want to bring along plenty of disinfectant wipes to clean any high-touch areas. We all know babies love to touch things and put their hands in their mouths.

Despite taking cleaning precautions and aiming for shorter flights, if flying with a baby during the pandemic doesn't make you totally comfortable, opt for a trip that can be taken by car. This way you're not sharing space with strangers and have more control over the situation.

Managing Your Baby's Crying and Schedule While Flying

Babies are notoriously unpredictable in the first few weeks, with irregular sleeping, feeding, and crying times. While this can certainly be managed, it may be very draining to mom and dad to travel before a baby has "settled." Some babies do this by two weeks, others not until three months. You're going to have to be the judge of when you think your baby has settled.

Even when your baby seems to be in a routine, getting on a plane can bring out the worst in them. We've all heard stories about airline passengers yelling at crying babies. While you can't control when your baby is going to have an outburst or start crying, you can make sure they have plenty of food and something to soothe them. Pacifiers or a "lovey" never hurt and can help little ones get some needed Zen while on a plane. Be sure to pack more than one pacifier in your diaper bag and have some options when it comes to toys and soothers. Babies can get bored quickly, so anything "new" can help.

Mom's Well-Being While Flying

Mom should be healthy and recovered from the delivery before attempting family travel with a newborn. Women are at greater risk of problems, such as blood clots in the legs after delivering a baby. Sitting for a long period on an airplane only increases this possibility. If you travel that early, you should wear support hose, drink plenty of fluids and get up frequently during the flight to walk and stretch.

Birth Complications and Flying with a Newborn

If there were any problems or complications with the delivery, then airplane travel should be avoided until the pediatrician approves. Premature babies, and babies who had respiratory or feeding problems in the first week, fall into this category.

Safety Tips for Newborns

Whenever you decide to fly with your newborn, you want to keep some safety tips in mind. Changing cabin pressure during a flight can hurt your baby's ears when there is pressure in the middle ear. To ease the pain, you can offer your baby a bottle or pacifier to suck on during takeoff and descent. This will help to equalize the pressure.

Besides air pressure, you also want to consider cabin noise. It may be loud, especially during takeoff. Cotton balls or small earplugs can help to limit your baby's exposure to the noise and help them sleep better.

As we mentioned above, you're not required to purchase a seat for your baby, but it's often recommended so that they can be secured rather than on your lap. A child is best protected when properly restrained in a car seat that has a label stating that it has been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. Although you can't use booster seats on the plane, they can be checked as luggage, usually without baggage fees.

Checklist for Traveling with Babies

Once you decide your baby is ready to fly, there are several things you're going to want to bring along to make the trip more enjoyable for everyone. We’ve assembled this helpful travel checklist for babies and toddlers.

• Change of clothes: ​We all know babies are not the neatest little people. Having a change of clothes or two or three will make life easier when those spills and messes happen.
• Bibs and Blankets: You want to have a few bibs and blankets on hand for the flight. You can put the blanket over your baby when they're on your lap and use the bibs for feeding time.
• Stroller: Having a stroller can make toting your baby around the airport easier. Some parents also use baby carriers. But a stroller can be checked at the gate, making life easier.
• Baby Food: Be sure to have enough formula or breast milk for your baby. You can breastfeed on the plane, but if bottle-feeding is going to be easier, you want to bring enough. Breast milk is not subject to the TSA rule on liquids. Quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and don't need to fit in a quart-sized bag. The same goes for formula.
• Toys and Pacifiers: While you won't need tons of toys with a newborn, you still want to bring something to keep them occupied. As we mentioned above, pacifiers are also a good idea, especially if you need to soothe your baby during a crying fit.
• Plenty of Diapers: You don't want to run out of diapers in the middle of the ocean! Be sure to pack more than you'll ever need. You also want to have enough for your trip, especially if you're going to another country where the brands and varieties are going to be different. Using different diapers can irritate your baby's skin and that is going to put a damper on your trip. Store extra diapers in your suitcase but be sure to have enough for the flight. Also, bring a changing pad because changing your baby in an airplane bathroom can be anything but fun. If you have a foldable changing pad with you, you can put it on your lap or have a traveling partner help out too. This makes mid-air diaper changes a little easier.
• Wipes: Besides antibacterial wipes to clean surfaces, you'll also want to have baby wipes with you. This is not only for diaper changes, but also to clean your baby's hands while flying.
• Car Seat: If you're not using a car seat on the plane, be sure to check one to use when you arrive. You want your baby to be safe when you're getting around at your destination.
• Infant Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen: You never know if your baby is going to get sick when you're traveling. Your destination may not have this medicine and you don't want to be left searching for it. You should also bring a baby thermometer with you in case your baby spikes a fever anytime you're traveling.

The Bottom Line

Obviously, there are many factors to consider when making plans to travel with a newborn. A one- or two-hour flight is less problematic than a six- or seven-hour, transcontinental or transoceanic flight. It's often recommended that the baby has her first visit with the pediatrician before traveling.

And if you need to travel while you're still pregnant, check out our tips on traveling during pregnancy.

Flying with a baby on an airplane: how to fly on an airplane with a small child

My daughter and I flew twice. The first time was at her 6 months, the second time at her 2 years. And it was two completely different trips. I'll tell you how prices for children's tickets are formed, as well as about baggage and flight rules for the smallest

What age should I fly from?

Flying is not recommended for infants under seven days old. If it is necessary to fly, it is advisable to obtain confirmation of the possibility of air travel from a pediatrician. This is what the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends. In any case, I advise you to clarify the requirements for the transportation of a newborn with the airline you plan to fly with.

Olga Dubrovina

Pediatrician

“As soon as a child passes from the state of a newborn to a baby, you can safely fly with him. This happens 28 days after his birth. But a prerequisite is permission to fly from a neonatologist. The baby must be completely healthy for such an event. The main danger of flying for a baby is not even in pressure drops and dry air. It is important that in the sky he will not be able to provide full medical care in the event of a crisis. And in babies, all diseases develop rapidly. Even an hour and a half flight can become critical.”

Some carriers do not need any certificates and are allowed to board the plane from the first day of life. In others, they require filling out a guarantee receipt on the release of the airline from liability for the consequences of flying an infant and / or showing a certificate from a pediatrician. It is necessary to obtain a document on the eve of departure, so make an appointment with a doctor in advance.

How much does a child ticket cost?

Children under two years old in the arms of their parents - free of charge in the arms of their parents. On foreign flights with a discount of up to 90%.

If there are several children, only one will fly for free. The rest at the Child tariff with a 50–25% discount.

Children aged 2 to 12 fly on the Child fare. Its price: minus 50-75% of the cost of an adult ticket.

Teenagers over 12 travel at the adult fare.

The age of the child is important on the date of the flight, not on the day the ticket was purchased.

What is included in a child's luggage?

Standard luggage for an infant, even without a seat: 5 kg hand luggage and 10 kg luggage. You can carry a carrycot, baby seat and stroller into the cabin. The luggage of a child from 2 to 12 years old includes 8-10 kg of hand luggage and 20 kg of luggage.

You can take into the cabin:

• Cradle (or ask the airline for it)
• Child seat for a child with a redeemed seat
• Stroller measuring 55 (65) x 40 × 20 and weighing no more than 4. 5 kg

Call the airline no later than 36 hours before departure to find out if they will provide a carrycot or an alternative, a belt. Lay the child with his head to the window.

We took the stroller to the salon. It turned out to be inconvenient: to drag too much, to look for a place on the luggage rack and how to cover the wheels so as not to stain other people's things.

The stroller-cane must be checked in at the gangway, the stroller with dimensions larger than the specified ones must be checked in as luggage.

When to fly?

Choose a flight according to the child's daily routine and nature. Babies are the easiest passengers. They quickly fall asleep when climbing, especially after a snack. A long night flight would be ideal. Then you can rest too. For those who are not accustomed to falling asleep in an unfamiliar environment, a day flight is suitable.

Should we hope for nap time? No. The child will be overexcited and will not fall asleep. Hysteria is guaranteed. This is exactly what happened to my daughter. She wanted to sleep, but she couldn't. And until she cried properly, she did not fall asleep. Unfortunately, nothing can be done in this situation. The main thing is the calmness of the mother. The child feels her condition very well and adopts it.

How to choose a seat in the cabin?

The most comfortable seats in economy class for flying with children are in the first row, where there is more distance between the seats and the wall. As a rule, it is in this row that there are attachments for the cradle, in which you can put a baby up to a year old and weighing up to 11 kg. The airline is not required to provide bassinet. The design of the aircraft, in principle, may not provide for a cradle mount.

In the turbulence zone, the nose of the aircraft is less prone to shaking

The airline is not required to provide bassinet. The design of the aircraft, in principle, may not provide for a cradle mount.

A carrycot must be booked in order to receive it. This must be done no later than 36 hours before departure. If you are not lucky, you will have to spend the entire flight with a child in your arms. In this case, you should grab a sling or your own cradle.

Babies under two years of age are advised to sit by the window to prevent luggage from accidentally falling off a shelf or being hit by a passing passenger. If a seat was not indicated when purchasing a ticket, it is better to book it with the start of online registration. However, at the counters at the airport, airline employees, as a rule, leave the first rows for passengers with children.

How to replace a doctor?

If your ears are blocked. Due to pressure differences during takeoff and landing, children may experience discomfort in their ears. A nipple or a bottle will save the baby, it is better for babies to give water to drink in small sips. Older children can snack on fruit or suck on a lollipop. It also helps to equalize the pressure of yawning.

If the child also has a runny nose. The child needs to drip vasoconstrictor drops before the flight, after consulting with the doctor the day before. During the flight, it is worth rinsing your nose with saline solution once an hour. By the way, this is also recommended for healthy children to moisturize the nasal mucosa in dry air in the cabin.

If you are sick. Mints or lemon wedges will help. There are hygiene bags on board, you can ask the flight attendant for them or take your own.

What to bring to the salon?

First aid kit. When traveling with a child, parents should always have antiseptics, antihistamines and antipyretics, first aid medicines for chronic diseases prescribed by a doctor, and a band-aid.

Food and water. In the aircraft cabin you can take mixtures in a jar or bottle, a thermos with water, mashed potatoes, dryers, cookies, fruits, and so on. There are no strict restrictions on the volume or content of baby food.

Food should be taken with a reserve in case of a flight delay or other unforeseen circumstances. If necessary, ask the flight attendant to warm up the mixture or puree.

Call the airline and ask if baby food is served on board and if you need to pay for it. You need to clarify this no later than 36 hours before the flight

Hygiene products, diapers, wet wipes. Some aircraft have toilets equipped with a changing table. For older children, you can take the road toilet. It folds easily and the waste bag can be disposed of in the restroom of the aircraft. Or grab disposable toilet pads if you have to go to a public one.

Spare set of clothes. May be required if the child is dirty or sweaty. Or if a change of clothes is required by the climate at the place of arrival.

Toys and books. Favorite toys and pacifiers will calm the baby, books with fairy tales, stickers, coloring books and cartoons will captivate an older child. By the way, it is better to take pencils than felt-tip pens. A cap can fly off from them and leave stains on everything that is nearby. A book with stickers is just a must have for children from 1.5 to 3 years old.

Baby, especially if he is teething, will be pleased with slingobuses or any toys that scratch the gums. Some airlines issue special children's kits to make the time in flight interesting for the child. The most important thing is to communicate with the baby and not leave him unattended.

Flying with a baby: everything you need to know

July 04, 2019, 21:00