25 Ideas for Flying with a Child (Up to date 2023)

Posted: 11/28/2023

Lots of people assume that after you have a child you must cease touring. Luckily, that’s removed from the reality. On this visitor publish, Kristin Addis from Be My Journey Muse and Parenthood Adventures shares her ideas for flying with a child so you possibly can journey with confidence the following time you’re taking flight together with your baby.

Flying with a child can appear daunting. Loads of dad and mom dream of touring with their baby, however visions of a complete aircraft of individuals gawking as their baby cries retains them from taking the leap.

Because the mother of a well-traveled one-year-old, I’ve had my justifiable share of flights the place everybody complimented how nicely my child did, and others the place I used to be counting the seconds till it was over, with a fussy, squirming baby in my arms.

From these successes and failures, I’ve discovered lots about methods to make an extended flight extra tolerable with an toddler.

With 10 international locations and almost 100 flights as a household underneath my belt (plus some solo with my baby), right here’s every little thing I’ve discovered about methods to fly internationally with a child:

1. Get Your Paperwork in Order Previous to Reserving

Earlier than touring internationally, make sure you’ve left sufficient time to get your child a passport. First, you’ll want a beginning certificates, and relying on the place you reside, this might take some time.

Subsequent, take photographs of your baby mendacity on a white background (I used a T-shirt) and make your passport workplace appointment, the place you’ll submit your utility varieties (obtainable on-line and on the workplace), photographs, and fee. Verify your native passport workplace or publish workplace for the required paperwork and procedures.

Just remember to depart loads of time to spare for processing the applying. Take into account expediting it if there’s an extended wait or for those who plan to journey in every week’s time (through which case, go in particular person). It took us about three weeks to get the appointment, and 6 extra to get the passport (even with expedited processing).

2. Make Certain Child Has a Ticket

Even when your toddler can be in your lap, they nonetheless must be ticketed to be allowed to board. For worldwide flights, you’ll should pay the taxes, and normally 10% of the grownup fare, even when they’re simply in your lap.

Be sure you have this ticket affirmation previous to heading to the airport. I’ve run into points earlier than, when the airline stated my son was added to my reservation when actually he wasn’t, inflicting me to overlook my flight whereas we sorted out the additional ticket and costs. Now, I be sure I’ve the precise ticket affirmation to keep away from any points.

3. Reserve a Bassinet

For these touring with lap infants, test together with your airline to order a bassinet. Bassinets connect to the world in entrance of the bulkhead seats, offering a secure and comfy spot to your child to relaxation throughout the flight, and supplying you with your lap again. You do not want to ebook your baby their very own seat to order a bassinet, as will probably be hooked up to the wall in entrance of you. They’ve weight limits, however every airline is totally different by way of what these are, with most being 20–26 lbs.

These bassinets are restricted, and bulkhead seats are widespread, so make your reservation early to safe one. Not each airline reserves these forward of time, however some do. Singapore Airways and Emirates even reserve bassinet seats particularly for folks!

4. Get Toddlers Their Personal Seat for Longer Flights

Kids underneath two can fly in your lap (normally without cost or for a reduction, as talked about above) as an alternative of in their very own seat, however on prolonged worldwide flights, it’s nicely value reserving a separate seat for them. In the event that they’re cell, they’ll be squirming and encroaching on the area of the folks subsequent to you in the event that they don’t have their very own seat and can most likely be pissed off that they will’t transfer round extra.

Although we didn’t do that for my child earlier than he was standing and crawling, on our most up-to-date flight, from Cape City to San Francisco, which concerned 24 mixed hours within the air, it was our saving grace. Having our personal row gave my son area to maneuver, stand, climb a bit, and get his vitality out. It additionally gave us extra legroom and an area for him to sleep. It was so well worth the expense.

When you do that, you’ll must both deliver a automotive seat or CARES harness onboard for them. A CARES harness wraps across the seat, making a better-fitting seat belt state of affairs, however they’re solely usable for infants who can sit up comfortably unaided, are over 3 ft (1 meter) tall, and weigh 22-44 lbs (10-20 kg).

5. Reserve a Meal for Them

Some airways supply child meals, corresponding to purees, and even toddler meals. Although it’s a uncommon providing, Emirates even has method onboard!

Notify the airline prematurely about any dietary restrictions or allergy symptoms your baby might have. Airways can usually accommodate particular requests, guaranteeing that your baby has an acceptable and secure meal throughout the flight. I at all times pack our personal snacks and meals as nicely, because you by no means know what the meal may embrace, and infants get hungry on their very own schedule.

Don’t depend on the airline to supply milk to your baby. We’ve discovered that whereas some have milk onboard, they’re not likely ready with further for infants and toddlers, and a few may not have any to spare in any respect. We deliver our personal plant milk in smaller containers (see beneath about portions), or currently, I’ve been bringing powdered fortified oat milk sachets now that he’s older. Toddler method is an choice as nicely!

6. Print Their Boarding Go

Though dad and mom can use cell boarding passes, I’ve at all times been required to point out a printed ticket for our child, whilst a lap toddler. Sometimes, the ticketing brokers haven’t realized this and stated we might use a cell ticket, however TSA, no less than within the US, might require the printed ticket to get by way of safety. Whilst you’re checking in on the kiosk, simply ask for printed tickets to keep away from any headache.

7. Depart Additional Time on the Airport

Give your self extra time on the airport than you ever did earlier than when touring with a child. Diaper adjustments, blowouts, further time in safety, and impromptu feedings can all occur, and having a snug buffer earlier than your flight leaves is important. It additionally permits for a extra leisurely airport expertise, guaranteeing that you simply don’t begin off the entire journey rushed and pressured. You’ll have been capable of dash to a closing gate prior to now, however that’s going to be tough with a child and all the additional baggage that entails!

8. Be Conscious of TSA Rules

Safety is an entire new expertise as a mum or dad, and one you’ll be spending further time coping with. Familiarize your self with rules regarding touring with a baby, and know your rights. Rules can change, so for those who’re departing from the US, test the TSA web site for essentially the most up-to-date info (and if overseas, test your nation’s web site).

An important factor to know is that method, breast milk, juice, water, and meals for infants are allowed over the three oz./100ml restrict in “affordable” portions, which can be as much as the agent. I’ve solely been questioned as soon as, and solely within the US. Overseas, we’ve hardly been given any further checks when the brokers know the liquids are for a child. We even introduced a complete carry-on stuffed with oat milk by way of safety in South Africa with out anybody batting a watch.

Nonetheless, when going by way of US safety, you should have further checks. They might run any liquids by way of an additional scanner, bomb-test the bag if there’s powdered method, and even take off the lid to carry out a vapor take a look at. This may take wherever from 5 to twenty further minutes, even in case you have TSA Precheck!

9. Study Methods to Survive the Airport and Layovers

After safety, we’re normally looking out for a household rest room (so we are able to all go in) for a diaper change, adopted by discovering a quiet space to let the time go. When you have a toddler, find family-friendly facilities, corresponding to play areas, the place your baby can expend some vitality. I wish to analysis this earlier than we even get to the airport, so we all know the place we’re going.

Bear in mind to have a stroller that may match within the overhead bin of an airplane or child provider for straightforward transport within the terminal. I desire smaller strollers, in order that I don’t threat them getting broken by way of gate-checking and don’t have to attend after the flight to get the stroller if it’s a decent connection, which occurs on a regular basis when there are delays.

Nonetheless, in case your stroller is simply too giant to be a carry-on, you possibly can normally gate-check it without cost. I’ve but to come back throughout an airline, together with low-cost carriers, that don’t do that.

In case your child wants to maneuver, allow them to crawl. Sure, the ground is soiled, however you possibly can at all times wash their palms and alter their outfit earlier than boarding.

10. Hold Them Entertained

In your diaper bag (which doesn’t depend towards carry-on allowance), pack quite a lot of leisure choices to your child. We like to stay spinners to the aircraft home windows and convey small object permanence bins, little books, and stickers. Most airways have had little toys as nicely, although I wouldn’t depend on these being your principal supply of leisure. By no means underestimate the facility of studying a ebook, taking part in peek-a-boo, or giving your baby a water bottle to play with.

Though we’ve by no means completed this, I’m not right here to guage you for those who obtain some Ms. Rachel in your telephone or pill earlier than leaving house. Simply take into account that you’ll should both play it with out sound or get your toddler baby-sized headphones for the total expertise.

11. Pack Finger Meals for the Flight

One other manner I go the time is by ensuring my son is fed and pleased with meals that take a while to eat. Finger meals like Cheerios, squished blueberries, smoothie melts, quartered grapes, and different non-messy fruits or veggies your baby enjoys are at all times good to deliver alongside. When you’re doing baby-led weaning, you are able to do this from six months of age. When you’re doing purees, deliver pouches that don’t want refrigeration.

Remember the fact that you’ll have to complete any produce earlier than coming into your vacation spot, as most international locations don’t permit exterior fruits and veggies by way of customs.

12. Put together Your Carry-On

In your carry-on bag, guarantee you might have sufficient diapers, wipes, pacifiers, and adjustments of garments for delays. We normally pack far more diapers than we expect we’ll want, and even so, we regularly undergo all of them once we encounter delays or an upset abdomen. We’ve gone by way of 4 adjustments of garments earlier than, too. Diapers and wipes might be tough to unattainable to search out within the terminal, and most airways don’t carry them onboard.

Don’t neglect further outfits for your self, too, as journey can typically result in sudden messes. Moreover, have a small first-aid package that features any medicines your child may want, corresponding to ache relievers, fever reducers, or allergy medicine. It’s the worst to want you had these onboard while you want them and to not have them available.

TSA will apply liquid limits to medicines except you might have a prescription, so put over-the-counter liquids into smaller containers for journey.

13. Perceive Stroller Insurance policies

Fortunately most airways don’t depend a stroller or automotive seat towards your checked baggage allowance for those who select to test your stroller or automotive seat. I even have but to search out an airline that doesn’t permit dad and mom to gate-check strollers, that means you need to use them within the airport till you board the aircraft. This comfort could make navigating the airport far more manageable.

When you can’t gate-check your stroller, many airports have free ones you need to use whilst you’re on the airport.

14. Evaluation the Automobile Seat Insurance policies

When you’re touring with a automotive seat, you might have the choice of checking it as maintain baggage, bringing it to the gate, or bringing it onboard in case your child has their very own seat. When you do test it as maintain baggage, as talked about above, it normally doesn’t depend towards checked baggage limits, even on low-cost carriers. When you plan to test each a stroller and a automotive seat, test with the airline, as some solely permit one.

You’re rolling the cube a bit checking a automotive seat, as a result of if it will get misplaced, you possibly can present as much as your vacation spot with out it. We’ve nonetheless gone for it, although, figuring out the danger, to be able to have much less to juggle within the airport, nevertheless it’s necessary to maintain that in thoughts simply in case.

When you plan to deliver the automotive seat onboard, be sure it’s FAA-approved for air journey. I cherished our Uppababy Mesa, and the Nuna Pipa is nice too.

15. Know the Baggage Insurance policies

Touring with kids usually means extra baggage, so be ready for potential further baggage charges. Familiarize your self with the load and measurement restrictions to keep away from surprises on the check-in counter. Some airways will give a child some checked baggage allowance, however most don’t except the kid has their very own seat.

We have now but to handle to go carry-on solely since having a child. We’re normally touring along with his foldable mattress, journey excessive chair, and additional meals for him. Fortunately most baggage is included with out further charges for worldwide flights, excluding low-cost carriers.

Carry-on strollers and diaper luggage have by no means been counted towards our allowance.

16. Clear Their Ears Earlier than Takeoff and Touchdown

Throughout takeoff and touchdown, adjustments in cabin stress could cause discomfort for everybody, however infants don’t know but methods to clear their ears. To assist alleviate this, breastfeed, or supply a bottle, pacifier, or perhaps a snack that encourages swallowing. By ensuring we do that for each takeoff and touchdown, we’ve been capable of keep away from crying because of ear stress points.

17. Know Methods to Clear Issues Onboard

When you’re on an extended flight, you’ll finally want to wash a bottle or possibly even a breast pump. I wish to deliver a small, 2–3 oz. unscented cleaning soap container and a moveable bottle washing station. Ask the flight attendants for clear water for laundry. I’ve had them typically even supply to rinse a bottle out for me with scorching water.

18. Hold Nap and Sleep Instances Constant

Worldwide journey usually includes crossing a number of time zones, which might result in jet lag for each you and your baby. To assist decrease its results, ensure you’re holding with common nap instances and bedtime as a lot as you possibly can whereas flying. Persist with the native schedule upon arrival to adapt extra rapidly.

Jet lag is likely one of the largest fears dad and mom have, however my son tends to regulate extra rapidly than I do, and I’ve been impressed each time!

19. Costume Your Child Comfortably

Costume your baby in snug, breathable clothes for the flight. Go for layers, because the temperature on the aircraft can differ. We at all times put my son in bamboo child garments, that are nice for temperature regulation, and, having worn the grownup variations myself, I can vouch that it’s like carrying a cloud. In a dry setting like an airplane, having some consolation is essential.

20. Take a Stroll

When you have a toddler, ensure you’re getting up and letting them stroll up and down the aisles when there aren’t meals or beverage carts round. It may possibly assist go the time, get some vitality out, and in case you have a social kiddo like mine, give them an opportunity to wave at their adoring followers.

Though there are some well-publicized incidents with passengers getting upset at crying infants, I’ve by no means personally encountered something like that, and discover that fellow passengers will usually play peekaboo or smile and wave at my son.

21. Be Conscious of Timing

When reserving your flights, select departure instances that align together with your baby’s schedule as a lot as attainable. Though it’s typically unavoidable, it units us off on the flawed foot if I’ve to wake my son up for a flight nicely earlier than he would naturally. He’s fussy and irritable, and he doesn’t at all times fall again asleep simply.

As for red-eyes or day flights, I’ve discovered that each work, however no less than on a red-eye, he’s extra more likely to sleep for an excellent chunk of it, that means I’ve to search out fewer methods to entertain him.

22. Put money into a Good Child Service

A cushty child provider is a helpful asset when touring with a baby underneath two years. It lets you have your palms free to handle baggage, paperwork, and different necessities whereas holding them safe and shut. We solely traveled with a provider till my son was about eight months outdated earlier than switching to a stroller. That stated, some locations don’t have nice sidewalks (I’m you, Southeast Asia), so having a provider is necessary, too. I’ve used each Ergobaby and Artipoppe and like each for various causes: Artipoppe is extra snug for the child dealing with in, and Ergobaby is nicer dealing with outward.

23. Know Your Vacation spot’s Rules

Totally different international locations might have particular rules and necessities for touring with a baby. Analysis and familiarize your self with any obligatory documentation, vaccinations, or permits wanted to your worldwide vacation spot.

I used to be stunned that in Namibia, we have been requested to provide a beginning certificates for my son when checking in for our flight to South Africa. We journey with a duplicate, which I’m glad we had alongside.

When you’re touring solo, it’s possible you’ll be required to point out a duplicate of the beginning certificates, a duplicate of the opposite mum or dad’s passport, and a written authorization from the opposite mum or dad that you simply’re allowed to take the child in a foreign country. Canada listed this as a requirement, however I used to be by no means really requested for something. Nonetheless, it’s necessary to be ready simply in case.

24. Plan for Delays

Delays can occur (over 20% of flights are delayed, actually!), so it’s smart to be ready for them. Pack sufficient provides, together with diapers, method, snacks, and leisure, to deal with unexpected delays. We encounter them on a regular basis, and a well-stocked carry-on could make ready on the airport extra manageable. When you have a telephone or pill to your toddler, ensure you have an exterior battery to maintain them charged.

25. Be Affected person

Touring with a baby might be difficult, and there could also be moments of frustration or fatigue. Bear in mind to remain affected person and calm all through the journey. When you’re tremendous wired and nervous, your baby will decide up on it. A optimistic perspective and a humorousness can go a great distance in making the expertise satisfying for each you and your baby.

In the end, the important thing to a profitable worldwide journey with a baby underneath two is embracing the journey and figuring out that it could not go completely. The flight is a obligatory step to get to the holiday, so profit from the expertise, relish the small victories, and know that even in case you have a fussy child, it’s okay. They’re a part of society, and so they’re allowed to fly, even cry in the event that they should.

It’s all value it to construct reminiscences that you simply’ll at all times cherish together with your baby, and to deal with your self as dad and mom, too!

Kristin Addis is a solo feminine journey knowledgeable who evokes girls to journey the world in an genuine and adventurous manner. A former funding banker who offered all of her belongings and left California in 2012, Kristin has been touring the world ever since. You could find extra of her musings at Be My Journey Muse or on Instagram and Fb.