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

Posted: 11/28/2023

Lots of people assume that after getting a child it’s a must to cease touring. Luckily, that’s removed from the reality. On this visitor publish, Kristin Addis from Be My Travel Muse and Parenthood Adventures shares her suggestions 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 traveling with their little one, however visions of a whole aircraft of individuals gawking as their youngster cries retains them from taking the leap.

Because the mother of a well-traveled one-year-old, I’ve had my fair proportion 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 youngster in my arms.

From these successes and failures, I’ve discovered quite a bit about learn how to make a protracted flight extra tolerable with an toddler.

With 10 nations and practically 100 flights as a household below my belt (plus some solo with my youngster), right here’s every part I’ve discovered about learn how 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 pictures of your youngster mendacity on a white background (I used a T-shirt) and make your passport workplace appointment, the place you’ll submit your utility types (available online and on the workplace), pictures, and fee. Verify your native passport workplace or publish workplace for the required paperwork and procedures.

Just be sure you go away loads of time to spare for processing the applying. Think about expediting it if there’s a protracted wait or when you plan to journey in every week’s time (by 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 Positive Child Has a Ticket

Even when your toddler will probably be in your lap, they nonetheless have to be ticketed to be allowed to board. For worldwide flights, you’ll need to pay the taxes, and often 10% of the grownup fare, even when they’re simply in your lap.

Be sure to 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 the truth is he wasn’t, inflicting me to overlook my flight whereas we sorted out the additional ticket and charges. 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 protected and comfortable spot to your child to relaxation through the flight, and providing you with your lap again. You don’t want to e-book your youngster their very own seat to order a bassinet, as it is going to be connected to the wall in entrance of you. They’ve weight limits, however every airline is completely different when it comes to what these are, with most being 20–26 lbs.

These bassinets are restricted, and bulkhead seats are standard, 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 below two can fly in your lap (often without spending a dime 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 cellular, they’ll be squirming and encroaching on the house of the folks subsequent to you in the event that they don’t have their very own seat and can most likely be annoyed that they’ll’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 Town to San Francisco, which concerned 24 mixed hours within the air, it was our saving grace. Having our personal row gave my son house to maneuver, stand, climb a bit, and get his power out. It additionally gave us extra legroom and an area for him to sleep. It was so definitely worth the expense.

Should you do that, you’ll have to both convey a automobile 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 toes (1 meter) tall, and weigh 22-44 lbs (10-20 kg).

5. Reserve a Meal for Them

Some airways supply child meals, resembling 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 youngster might have. Airways can typically accommodate particular requests, making certain that your youngster has an acceptable and protected meal through the flight. I all the time pack our personal snacks and meals as nicely, because you by no means know what the meal may embody, and infants get hungry on their very own schedule.

Don’t depend on the airline to offer milk to your youngster. We’ve discovered that whereas some have milk onboard, they’re not likely ready with additional for infants and toddlers, and a few won’t have any to spare in any respect. We convey our personal plant milk in smaller containers (see under about portions), or recently, 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 cellular boarding passes, I’ve all the time been required to point out a printed ticket for our child, at the same time as a lap toddler. Every now and then, the ticketing brokers haven’t realized this and stated we may use a cellular ticket, however TSA, not less than within the US, might require the printed ticket to get via safety. When you’re checking in on the kiosk, simply ask for printed tickets to keep away from any headache.

7. Go away Further Time on the Airport

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

8. Be Conscious of TSA Laws

Safety is an entire new expertise as a guardian, and one you’ll be spending additional time coping with. Familiarize your self with laws regarding touring with a toddler, and know your rights. Laws can change, so when you’re departing from the US, check the TSA website for essentially the most up-to-date info (and if overseas, test your nation’s web site).

Crucial factor to know is that method, breast milk, juice, water, and meals for infants are allowed over the three oz./100ml restrict in “cheap” portions, which will probably 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 additional checks when the brokers know the liquids are for a child. We even introduced a whole carry-on filled with oat milk via safety in South Africa with out anybody batting an eye fixed.

Nevertheless, when going via US safety, you’ll have additional checks. They could run any liquids via 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 will take anyplace from 5 to twenty additional minutes, even when you’ve got TSA Precheck!

9. Study Methods to Survive the Airport and Layovers

After safety, we’re often looking out for a household toilet (so we are able to all go in) for a diaper change, adopted by discovering a quiet space to let the time cross. If in case you have a toddler, find family-friendly facilities, resembling play areas, the place your youngster can expend some power. 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 can fit in the overhead bin of an airplane or child provider for straightforward transport within the terminal. I want smaller strollers, in order that I don’t threat them getting broken via 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.

Nevertheless, in case your stroller is simply too giant to be a carry-on, you possibly can often gate-check it without spending a dime. I’ve but to return 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 all the time wash their arms and alter their outfit earlier than boarding.

10. Maintain 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 produce small object permanence boxes, little books, and stickers. Most airways have had little toys as nicely, although I wouldn’t depend on these being your predominant supply of leisure. By no means underestimate the facility of studying a e-book, taking part in peek-a-boo, or giving your youngster a water bottle to play with.

Though we’ve by no means performed this, I’m not right here to guage you when you obtain some Ms. Rachel in your telephone or pill earlier than leaving house. Simply understand that you’ll need to both play it with out sound or get your toddler baby-sized headphones for the complete expertise.

11. Pack Finger Meals for the Flight

One other means I cross 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 youngster enjoys are all the time good to convey alongside. Should you’re doing baby-led weaning, you are able to do this from six months of age. Should you’re doing purees, convey pouches that don’t want refrigeration.

Remember that you’ll have to complete any produce earlier than getting into your vacation spot, as most nations don’t enable outdoors fruits and veggies via customs.

12. Put together Your Carry-On

In your carry-on bag, guarantee you have got sufficient diapers, wipes, pacifiers, and modifications of garments for delays. We often pack far more diapers than we expect we’ll want, and even so, we regularly undergo all of them after we encounter delays or an upset abdomen. We’ve gone via 4 modifications of garments earlier than, too. Diapers and wipes might be troublesome to inconceivable to seek out within the terminal, and most airways don’t carry them onboard.

Don’t overlook additional outfits for your self, too, as journey can generally result in sudden messes. Moreover, have a small first-aid package that features any drugs your child may want, resembling ache relievers, fever reducers, or allergy treatment. 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 drugs until you have got 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 automobile seat towards your checked baggage allowance when you select to test your stroller or automobile seat. I even have but to seek out an airline that doesn’t enable dad and mom to gate-check strollers, that means you should use them within the airport till you board the aircraft. This comfort could make navigating the airport rather more manageable.

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

14. Evaluation the Automobile Seat Insurance policies

Should you’re touring with a automobile seat, you have got 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. Should you do test it as maintain baggage, as talked about above, it often doesn’t depend towards checked baggage limits, even on low-cost carriers. Should you plan to test each a stroller and a automobile seat, test with the airline, as some solely enable one.

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

Should you plan to convey the automobile 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 youngsters typically means extra baggage, so be ready for potential additional baggage charges. Familiarize your self with the burden and dimension 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 until the kid has their very own seat.

We’ve but to handle to go carry-on solely since having a child. We’re often touring together with his foldable mattress, journey excessive chair, and additional meals for him. Fortunately most baggage is included with out additional charges for worldwide flights, aside from low-cost carriers.

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

16. Clear Their Ears Earlier than Takeoff and Touchdown

Throughout takeoff and touchdown, modifications in cabin stress may cause discomfort for everybody, however infants don’t know but learn how 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 in a position to keep away from crying as a result of ear stress points.

17. Know Methods to Clear Issues Onboard

Should you’re on a protracted flight, you’ll ultimately want to wash a bottle or possibly even a breast pump. I wish to convey a small, 2–3 oz. unscented cleaning soap container and a portable bottle washing station. Ask the flight attendants for clear water for laundry. I’ve had them generally even supply to rinse a bottle out for me with scorching water.

18. Maintain Nap and Sleep Instances Constant

Worldwide journey typically includes crossing a number of time zones, which may result in jet lag for each you and your youngster. To assist decrease its results, be sure to’re preserving with common nap occasions 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 among the greatest fears dad and mom have, however my son tends to regulate extra rapidly than I do, and I’ve been impressed each time!

19. Gown Your Child Comfortably

Gown your youngster in comfy, breathable clothes for the flight. Go for layers, because the temperature on the aircraft can differ. We all the time put my son in bamboo baby clothes, 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 surroundings like an airplane, having some consolation is essential.

20. Take a Stroll

If in case you have a toddler, be sure to’re getting up and letting them stroll up and down the aisles when there aren’t meals or beverage carts round. It could possibly assist cross the time, get some power out, and when you’ve got 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 typically play peekaboo or smile and wave at my son.

21. Be Aware of Timing

When reserving your flights, select departure occasions that align together with your youngster’s schedule as a lot as doable. Though it’s generally unavoidable, it units us off on the incorrect 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 all the time fall again asleep simply.

As for red-eyes or day flights, I’ve discovered that each work, however not less than on a red-eye, he’s extra more likely to sleep for a very good chunk of it, that means I’ve to seek out fewer methods to entertain him.

22. Spend money on a Good Child Service

A cushty child provider is a useful asset when touring with a toddler below two years. It permits you to have your arms free to handle baggage, paperwork, and different necessities whereas preserving 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 essential, too. I’ve used each Ergobaby and Artipoppe and like each for various causes: Artipoppe is extra comfy for the newborn going through in, and Ergobaby is nicer going through outward.

23. Know Your Vacation spot’s Laws

Totally different nations might have particular laws and necessities for touring with a toddler. Analysis and familiarize your self with any needed documentation, vaccinations, or permits wanted to your worldwide vacation spot.

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

Should you’re touring solo, you might be required to point out a replica of the beginning certificates, a replica of the opposite guardian’s passport, and a written authorization from the opposite guardian that you simply’re allowed to take the newborn 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 essential to be ready simply in case.

24. Plan for Delays

Delays can occur (over 20% of flights are delayed, the truth is!), 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. If in case you have a telephone or pill to your toddler, be sure to have an exterior battery to maintain them charged.

25. Be Affected person

Touring with a toddler 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. Should you’re tremendous stressed and nervous, your youngster will choose up on it. A constructive angle and a humorousness can go a great distance in making the expertise pleasurable for each you and your baby.

In the end, the important thing to a profitable worldwide journey with a toddler below two is embracing the journey and understanding that it could not go completely. The flight is a needed step to get to the holiday, so profit from the expertise, relish the small victories, and know that even when you’ve got a fussy child, it’s okay. They’re a part of society, they usually’re allowed to fly, even cry in the event that they need to.

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

Kristin Addis is a solo feminine journey skilled who conjures up girls to journey the world in an genuine and adventurous means. A former funding banker who offered all of her belongings and left California in 2012, Kristin has been touring the world ever since. You’ll find extra of her musings at Be My Travel Muse or on Instagram and Facebook.