Flying with a Baby: Before You Fly, Tips to Make the Trip Go Smoothly

At one point, many parents need or want to take their baby along for an airplane trip, but flying with a baby is a lot different than flying solo and there are numerous considerations. Below are some tips to hopefully make the trip go a bit more smoothly.

Alert the Airline

When you scheduled your trip, did you tell the airline you have a baby? While most know a child under two can fly for free in your lap, many may not realize the airline still needs to know and this information needs to be on your ticket. While we informed our airline before our last trip, this information did not make it onto our reservation, causing problems with security and at the gate. Call ahead and confirm.

This is also not the best time to print your tickets at home. If there is a problem, it will need to be fixed at the ticket counter.

Pack Carefully

Think about it? Do you really want to haul through the Atlanta Airport with your son or daughter, your bobby pillow, your diaper bag, your laptop, purse, the latest book pick by Oprah, your coat, a giant water bottle and a roller bag? Yes, you are allowed a carry on and a personal item and yes it is a pain to wait for you luggage at baggage claim. But when traveling with a baby, kiss goodbye the simple days of carrying it all on and make life a bit easier for yourself.

Check everything you can before you go. On the flip side, remember that flights get cancelled and delayed. So bring lots of extra diapers and a change of clothes (for you and the baby) just in case.

Better yet, where are you going? If visiting family, have them ask around to see if friends have a port-a-crib they aren't using. If renting a car, ask about getting a car seat. The more baby gear you can arrange at your destination, the less you need to bring.

Going through Security

TSA allows you to carry on formula or expressed milk for your child, but what about other items like hand sanitizer, Mylicon, rash cream, etc? Double check with TSA before you fly to make sure your liquids are in compliance.