Fly With Baby: 6 Things to Consider Before Booking Travel

As the plane pulled into the gate, my two- hour flight with a newborn ended surprisely. Passengers walked over to me and said, “ I didn’t know that there was a baby on this flight”, “ that is really a calm baby” and “ that is really a good baby”. The flight was a success, my daughter slept the entire flight.

Before the flight, I faced the same anxieties that I imagine, anyone traveling with a baby, would face. I needed direction! “How to Fly With Baby” is a four-part series on planning your trip, booking your travel, preparing your baby’s travel goodie bag, navigating a smooth departure and arrival.

Prior to Booking Travel, Speak With Your Child’s Pediatrician. 

Speaking with the pediatrician will help you to determine several things: the appropriate age for your child to travel, whether your child is healthy enough for travel and how travel might affect your child’s health. Guidance from the pediatrician, will allow you to make an informed decision, on whether to postpone or proceed with travel plans. 

Read TSA's Parent Page and FAA's Child Safety Page. 

The TSA Parent Page provides information on the general screening process for traveling with children. The website explains that formula, breast milk and juice for toddlers are medically necessary liquids and are exempted from the 3-1-1 Liquids Rule. Why this is important to you? There are no restrictions on the amount of formula, breast milk or juice that you can bring on the plane. You can pack extra formula, breast milk or juice, as needed. 

The Federal Aviation Administration recommends securing a child in a FAA approved child safety restraint system (CRS) or device, instead of your lap. The CARES child safety device, a harness-type restraint for children, weighing between 22 and 44 pounds, TSA's parent page describes the security screening process for children.

Select A Ticket Options.                                                                                                                                                                        
On domestic flights, a child under 2 years old, not occupying a seat, can be carried in your lap, without you purchasing a ticket for her/him. There maybe a surcharge for international travel. On domestic and international flights, a child under 2 years old, occupying a seat, must have a ticket purchased for him/her. 

"Lap Baby" vs Purchasing a Ticket For Your Child

The "lap baby" option is very budget friendly. I would encourage you to chose this option, only if you are comfortable with holding your baby for long periods of time. Your arms may get tired and you may become slightly uncomfortable during the flight. The baby will need board verification documents to board the plane.

If you purchase a ticket for your child, please be advised that your child must use a FAA approved car seat or CARE harness for the duration of the flight. If your child's car seat label reads , " this child restraint system conforms to all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards" and " this restraint is certified for use in motor vehicle and aircrafts" or this restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircrafts", it may be FAA approved. Your child will need a boarding pass to board the plane. 

Select a Window or Middle Seat.
Be sure to chose a window and/or middle seat for yourself and your child. Luggage shifts around in the overhead bins during departure. With an aisle seat, there is a possibly that another passenger can open the overhead bin and accidentally drop luggage on your baby or you. If you purchased your ticket online, contact the airline and inform that you are traveling with an infant.

Gather Your Child's Identification Documents.

 Babies are required to have identification, to board a plane! Vaccination card, birth certificate or passport are acceptable forms of identification for a baby. You will need one or more of these documents, to prove the identity of your child, once you arrive for check-in at the airport.
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The “ Dry Run” (optional).

 The travel process can be very uncomfortable and disruptive to a baby. In efforts to minimize disruption , prepare for the crowds and security screening, we traveled for 30 minutes on a crowded New York subway, with our newborn. When we flew, our daughter was comfortable traveling with strangers and the noise, as she experienced it prior. You can slowly expose your baby to public transportation. Consult with your child's pediatrician first.

Now on to packing baby’s travel goodie bag.