How To Fly With A Baby On A Plane

‌Considering flying with your young child? To ensure a smooth takeoff, landing, and everything in between, look through these flying with a baby suggestions.

Flying with a baby can be frightening, even if you were an experienced traveler before becoming a parent.

The once-simple processes of purchasing a ticket and possessing the necessary papers may now appear a little confusing.

There will always be turbulence, but you can minimize it by being as prepared as you can in the security line, at the gate, on the plane, and when you get there.

How old must a baby be before flying?

No specific age has been established by specialists as being acceptable for your child to fly.

But given that air travel raises a young baby's risk of contracting an infectious disease, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises new mothers from sending their infants on unnecessary flights soon after birth.

This is particularly true for newborns, people with ongoing heart or lung conditions, and people who already have respiratory infections, as fluctuations in cabin pressure may make it more difficult for them to breathe.

Check to see whether your airline has age limitations for babies if you need to fly soon after giving birth.

Some airlines won't accept travelers who are less than a week old, while others would take travelers who are only two days old.

The AAP advises speaking with your baby's pediatrician even after you have passed that delicate early stage before deciding to travel by plane.

The doctor may advise giving your kid an early or extra dose of a certain inoculation depending on when and where you're going, such as the influenza vaccine during flu season or the MMR injection if heading to a region where measles is on the rise.

What is required for kids to fly?

If you have not been given the go-ahead to board with your child by the pediatrician, you'll need to gather some important papers and possessions before deciding to fly with your baby.

For domestic flights, the majority of airlines don't need you to purchase a ticket for infants under 2 years old, but they do ask that they sit on your lap and may still charge taxes and fees.

She will have to sit in her car seat if you buy a ticket for a separate seat (more on that later). International travel? Depending on the airline, your child under the age of two can require her own ticket.

In either scenario, you must still let the airline know that you're bringing your child on the flight even if you don't require a ticket for her. Kids ages 2 and up? They always demand a ticket.

For infants and children under 18, several airlines demand documents proving their age. To be safe, just bring it with you rather than calling ahead to see if you need it.

Every American citizen, even infants, needs a passport in order to travel abroad. Plan beforehand because you'll need to apply in person with your kid using the DS-11 form.

Babies and children under 18 are exempt from the passport and ID requirements for domestic flights.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection strongly advises having a notarized letter granting parental approval for overseas travel, unless a baby or child is traveling with both parents.

The note should be signed by both parents if the child is traveling with only one of the parents. The note should be signed by both parents if the youngster is going alone.

Advice on traveling with a baby

Making your journey more manageable can be accomplished with a little bit of planning. You can keep your baby safe and happy in the air by following the recommendations below.

If you have the money, get your baby a seat on the plane. (The airline may provide kids' fares at a discount.) It is safer and frequently easier for you to bring your child's car seat and buckle it in since you won't have to manage a wiggly baby on your lap the entire journey; instead, you'll have a safe, familiar location to store your child.

All you need to do is make sure your child restraint system (CRS) is permitted for use in an aircraft.

If your child weighs 20 pounds or less, she should ride in a rear-facing child safety seat; if she weighs 20 to 40 pounds, she should ride in a forward-facing child safety seat.

The TSA's 3-1-1 rule, which restricts carry-on liquids to 3.4 ounces, does not apply to any of them, so you may bring as much as you need without worrying about it fitting into a plastic quart-sized bag.

(Baby food in jars or cans is acceptable too.) When you get to the security belt, separate them into a bag or container that you can easily remove from your carry-on bag because they will need to be screened separately.

The AAP claims that it is safe for liquids to pass through the X-ray machine. However, if you'd prefer, you can ask to have the liquids visually inspected instead.

Pre-boarding is not advised, even if you are traveling with a baby. The alternative to holding your child in front of a long line of people is to get settled; however, you will need to keep your child amused while waiting for the rest of the passengers to board.

The ideal course of action is to send your partner—or a friend or relative—ahead with your bags while you and your infant move about the spacious terminal.

To keep things exciting when you're flying with your infant, pack a few of their favorite toys and books as well as a few new ones.

Remember to bring snacks (or a complete dinner, depending on how long you'll be flying) and lots of fluids because flying dehydrates you.

If you're bottle-feeding, you may carry onboard a few tiny jars of baby food and formula.

Create feeding schedules for takeoff and landing. Your baby's ear pressure will be at its highest during that time; however, swallowing can help to lessen it. Airlines are accustomed to serving young families.

So it makes perfect sense to ask a flight attendant to warm up a bottle for you if your child won't drink from a cold bottle.

Do the same bottle heat test you would at home when you get it back to prevent scorching your child.

It's a good idea to attach stuff like her binky to something safe, just like when you're driving with your baby, as it's even more difficult to reach down on an airplane and retrieve lost goods from the confined space between your seat and your neighbor's.

(Additionally, I imagine it's really gross down there.) If your child requires a pacifier, bring plenty of extras.

Ensure that anything that has to be out of the baby's reach is, including dangerous drugs and other things you need to store separately in plastic bags for security reasons.

Make sure that those bags, along with any additional pill containers, such as the daily variety, are securely latched and zippered shut in your carry-on to prevent your child from accessing them.

Also, avoid keeping loose medicines in baggies; instead, keep them in the childproof bottles that they came in.

Flying with infants can be challenging. But your chances of flying in friendly skies will increase if you prepare ahead of time and anticipate the unexpected.